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Shin CJ, O'Connor TJ. Novel induction of broad-spectrum antibiotics by the human pathogen Legionella. mSphere 2024; 9:e0012024. [PMID: 38888300 PMCID: PMC11288058 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00120-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The majority of antibiotics are natural products, with microorganism-generated molecules and their derivatives being the most prevalent source of drugs to treat infections. Thus, identifying natural products remains the most valuable resource for novel therapeutics. Here, we report the discovery of a series of dormant bacteria in honey that have bactericidal activity toward Legionella, a bacterial pathogen that causes respiratory disease in humans. We show that, in response to bacterial products secreted by Legionella, the honey bacteria release diffusible antimicrobial molecules. Remarkably, the honey bacteria only produce these molecules in response to Legionella spp., when compared to a panel of 24 bacterial pathogens from different genera. However, the molecules induced by Legionella have broad activity against several clinically important pathogens, including many high-priority pathogens. Thus, Legionella spp. are potent drivers of antimicrobial molecule production by uncharacterized bacteria isolated from honey, providing access to new antimicrobial products and an unprecedented strategy for discovering novel antibiotics. IMPORTANCE Natural products generated by microorganisms remain the most viable and abundant source of new antibiotics. However, their discovery depends on the ability to isolate and culture the producing organisms and to identify conditions that promote antibiotic production. Here, we identify a series of previously undescribed bacteria isolated from raw honey and specific culture conditions that induce the production of antimicrobial molecules that are active against a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carson J. Shin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tamara J. O'Connor
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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2
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Pillai SP, Hill KK, Gans J, Smith TJ. Real-time PCR assays that detect genes for botulinum neurotoxin A-G subtypes. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1382056. [PMID: 38873139 PMCID: PMC11169944 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1382056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of Real-Time PCR assays for surveillance and rapid screening for pathogens is garnering more and more attention because of its versatility and ease of adoption. The goal of this study was to design, test, and evaluate Real-Time TaqMan PCR assays for the detection of botulinum neurotoxin (bont/A-G) genes from currently recognized BoNT subtypes. Assays were computationally designed and then laboratory tested for sensitivity and specificity using DNA preparations containing bont genes from 82 target toxin subtypes, including nine bivalent toxin types; 31 strains representing other clostridial species; and an extensive panel that consisted of DNA from a diverse set of prokaryotic (bacterial) and eukaryotic (fungal, protozoan, plant, and animal) species. In addition to laboratory testing, the assays were computationally evaluated using in silico analysis for their ability to detect bont gene sequences from recently identified toxin subtypes. Seventeen specific assays (two for each of the bont/C, bont/D, bont/E, and bont/G subtypes and three for each of the bont/A, bont/B, and bont/F subtypes) were designed and evaluated for their ability to detect bont genes encoding multiple subtypes from all seven serotypes. These assays could provide an additional tool for the detection of botulinum neurotoxins in clinical, environmental and food samples that can complement other existing methods used in clinical diagnostics, regulatory, public health, and research laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Segaran P. Pillai
- Office of the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Karen K. Hill
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Jason Gans
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Theresa J. Smith
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
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Akhtari N, Ahmadi M, Kiani Doust Vaghe Y, Asadian E, Behzad S, Vatanpour H, Ghorbani-Bidkorpeh F. Natural agents as wound-healing promoters. Inflammopharmacology 2024; 32:101-125. [PMID: 38062178 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01318-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The management of acute and chronic wounds resulting from diverse injuries poses a significant challenge to clinical practices and healthcare providers. Wound healing is a complex biological process driven by a natural physiological response. This process involves four distinct phases, namely hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Despite numerous investigations on wound healing and wound dressing materials, complications still persist, necessitating more efficacious therapies. Wound-healing materials can be categorized into natural and synthetic groups. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive review of highly active natural animal and herbal agents as wound-healing promoters. To this end, we present an overview of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies that led to the discovery of potential therapeutic agents for wound healing. We further elucidated the effects of natural materials on various pharmacological pathways of wound healing. The results of previous investigations suggest that natural agents hold great promise as viable and accessible products for the treatment of diverse wound types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Akhtari
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Ahmadi
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Kiani Doust Vaghe
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Asadian
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Behzad
- Evidence-Based Phytotherapy and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hossein Vatanpour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghorbani-Bidkorpeh
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Kędzierska-Matysek M, Teter A, Daszkiewicz T, Florek M. Microbiological Quality of Polish Artisanal Varietal Honeys. Foods 2023; 12:3349. [PMID: 37761060 PMCID: PMC10528311 DOI: 10.3390/foods12183349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
On the basis of routine microbiological tests and selected physicochemical parameters, the quality and food safety of Polish varietal honeys were evaluated. The study included 21 honey samples from 5 varieties (multifloral, honeydew, rapeseed, buckwheat and linden), in which the moisture and extract content, water activity, pH and free acids were determined, and the colony count, the presumptive Bacillus spp., the total fungal count and the presence of anaerobic spore-forming bacilli were examined. More than half (52%, 11/21) of the analyzed honeys contained fewer microorganisms than 10 cfu/g, and in the remaining samples, their numbers ranged from 5 × 101 cfu/g to 4.5 × 102 cfu/g. In all the honeys, the number of presumptive Bacillus spp. in 1 g was less than 10 cfu. In 81% (17/21) of the samples, the total count of fungi in 1 g of honey was less than 10 cfu, and the most contaminated was buckwheat honey (3 samples). The anaerobic spore-forming bacteria was detected in 0.1 g only in one sample of buckwheat honey. The values of the physicochemical parameters did not exceed the accepted limits, which indicated that the honey environment was unfavourable for the development of the tested microbial profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Kędzierska-Matysek
- Department of Quality Assessment and Processing of Animal Products, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland; (M.K.-M.); (A.T.)
| | - Anna Teter
- Department of Quality Assessment and Processing of Animal Products, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland; (M.K.-M.); (A.T.)
| | - Tomasz Daszkiewicz
- Department of Commodity Science and Processing of Animal Raw Materials, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Mariusz Florek
- Department of Quality Assessment and Processing of Animal Products, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland; (M.K.-M.); (A.T.)
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Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus safensis Strain AHB2, Isolated from African Raw Honey from Kajo Keji, South Sudan. Microbiol Resour Announc 2022; 11:e0051522. [PMID: 36264259 PMCID: PMC9670882 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00515-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the complete genome sequence of Bacillus safensis strain AHB2, isolated from African raw honey originating in Kajo Keji, South Sudan, and purchased from a third-party vendor. The genome consists of 3,785,324 bp encompassing 3,774 predicted protein-coding sequences and 183 RNA genes.
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Complete Genome Sequence of an African Raw Honey Bacterial Isolate, Bacillus safensis Strain AHB11. Microbiol Resour Announc 2022; 11:e0051622. [PMID: 36287058 PMCID: PMC9670963 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00516-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the complete genome sequence of Bacillus safensis strain AHB11, which was isolated from African raw honey from Kajo Keji, South Sudan, that had been purchased from a third-party vendor. The genome is composed of a 3,697,357-bp chromosome and a 7,105-bp plasmid, collectively encompassing 3,699 predicted protein-coding sequences and 110 RNA genes.
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High-Pressure-Based Strategies for the Inactivation of Bacillus subtilis Endospores in Honey. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27185918. [PMID: 36144653 PMCID: PMC9503340 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey is a value-added product rich in several types of phenolic compounds, enzymes, and sugars recently explored in biomedical and food applications. Nevertheless, even though it has a low water activity (aW ≈ 0.65) that hinders the development of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, it is still prone to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms (vegetative and spores) and may constitute harm to special groups, particularly by immunosuppressed people and pregnant women. Thus, an efficient processing methodology needs to be followed to ensure microbial safety while avoiding 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation and browning reactions, with a consequent loss of biological value. In this paper, both thermal (pressure-assisted thermal processing, PATP) and nonthermal high-pressure processing (HPP), and another pressure-based methodology (hyperbaric storage, HS) were used to ascertain their potential to inactivate Bacillus subtilis endospores in honey and to study the influence of aW on the inactivation on this endospore. The results showed that PATP at 600 MPa/15 min/75 °C of diluted honey (52.9 °Brix) with increased aW (0.85 compared to ≈0.55, the usual honey aW) allowed for inactivating of at least 4.0 log units of B. subtilis spores (to below detection limits), while HS and HPP caused neither the germination nor inactivated spores (i.e., there was neither a loss of endospore resistance after heat shock nor endospore inactivation as a consequence of the storage methodology). PATP of undiluted honey even at harsh processing conditions (600 MPa/15 min/85 °C) did not impact the spore load. The results for diluted honey open the possibility of its decontamination by spores’ inactivation for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
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Goderska K. Properties of bee honeys and respective analytical methods. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12161-022-02243-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Rapid Detection of Clostridium botulinum in Food Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094401. [PMID: 33919101 PMCID: PMC8122632 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins are considered as one of the most potent toxins and are produced by Clostridium botulinum. It is crucial to have a rapid and sensitive method to detect the bacterium Clostridium botulinum in food. In this study, a rapid detection assay of C. botulinum in food using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology was developed. The optimal primers were identified among three sets of primers designed specifically based on the partial ntnh gene encoding nontoxic-nonhaemagglutinin (NTNH) for rapid detection of the target DNA in plasmids. The optimal temperature and reaction time of the LAMP assay were determined to be 64 °C and 60 min, respectively. The chemical kit could be assembled based on these optimized reaction conditions for quick, initial high-throughput screening of C. botulinum in food samples. The established LAMP assay showed high specificity and sensitivity in detecting the target DNA with a limit of 0.0001 pg/ul (i.e., ten times more sensitive than that of the PCR method) and an accuracy rate of 100%. This study demonstrated a potentially rapid, cost-effective, and easy-operating method to detect C. botulinum in food and clinical samples based on LAMP technology.
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Re: The dilemma of diagnosing wound botulism in an infant. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 104:181-182. [PMID: 33340665 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Determination of C. botulinum presence in pollen samples collected from different regions of Turkey by Real-Time PCR. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Pohanka M. Botulinum Toxin as a Biological Warfare Agent: Poisoning, Diagnosis and Countermeasures. Mini Rev Med Chem 2020; 20:865-874. [PMID: 32108007 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666200228105312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum and some other relative species. It causes a lethal disease called botulism. It can enter the body via infections by Clostridium (e.g. wound and children botulism) or by direct contact with the toxin or eating contaminated food (food-borne botulism). Botulinum toxin is also considered as a relevant biological warfare agent with an expected high number of causalities when misused for bioterrorist or military purposes. The current paper surveys the actual knowledge about botulinum toxin pathogenesis, the manifestation of poisoning, and current trends in diagnostics and therapeutics. Relevant and recent literature is summarized in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Pohanka
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, Hradec Kralove CZ-50001, Czech Republic
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Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens Occurrence in Kazakh Honey Samples. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11080472. [PMID: 31412583 PMCID: PMC6723067 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess occurrence of Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens in honey samples from Kazakhstan. Analyses were carried out using a set of PCR methods for identification of anaerobic bacteria, and detection of toxin genes of C. botulinum and C. perfringens. Among 197 samples, C. botulinum was noticed in only one (0.5%). The isolated strain of this pathogen showed the presence of the bont/A and ntnh genes. C. perfringens strains were isolated from 18 (9%) samples, and mPCR (multiplex PCR) analysis led to them all being classified as toxin type A with the ability to produce α toxin. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA genes showed occurrence in 4 samples of other anaerobes related to C. botulinum, which were C. sporogenes and C. beijerinckii strains. C. botulinum prevalence in honey samples from Kazakhstan in comparison to the prevalence in samples collected from the other regions seems to be less. The highest prevalence of Clostridium sp. was noticed in the East Kazakhstan province. Our study is the first survey on BoNT-producing clostridia and C. perfringens prevalence in Kazakh honey.
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