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Lu J, Guo J. Prophage induction by non-antibiotic compounds promotes transformation of released antibiotic resistance genes from cell lysis. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 263:122200. [PMID: 39111212 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Prophages are prevalent among bacterial species, including strains carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Prophage induction can be triggered by the SOS response to stressors, leading to cell lysis. In environments polluted by chemical stressors, ARGs and prophage co-harboring strains might pose an unknown risk of spreading ARGs through chemical pollutant-mediated prophage induction and subsequent cell lysis. In this study, we investigated the effects of common non-antibiotic water pollutants, triclosan and silver nanoparticles, on triggering prophage induction in clinical isolates carrying ARGs and the subsequent uptake of released ARGs by the naturally competent bacterium Acinetobacter baylyi. Our results demonstrate that both triclosan and silver nanoparticles, at environmentally relevant concentrations and those found in commercial products, significantly enhance prophage induction among various clinical isolates. Transmission electron microscopy imaging and plaque assays confirmed the production of infectious phage particles under non-antibiotic pollutants-mediated prophage induction. In addition, the rate of ARG transformation to A. baylyi significantly increased after the release of extracellular ARGs from prophage induction-mediated cell lysis. The mechanism of non-antibiotic pollutants-mediated prophage induction is primarily associated with excessive oxidative stress, which provokes the SOS response. Our findings offer insights into the role of non-antibiotic pollutants in promoting the dissemination of ARGs by triggering prophage induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Lu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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Costa P, Pereira C, Romalde JL, Almeida A. A game of resistance: War between bacteria and phages and how phage cocktails can be the solution. Virology 2024; 599:110209. [PMID: 39186863 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
While phages hold promise as an antibiotic alternative, they encounter significant challenges in combating bacterial infections, primarily due to the emergence of phage-resistant bacteria. Bacterial defence mechanisms like superinfection exclusion, CRISPR, and restriction-modification systems can hinder phage effectiveness. Innovative strategies, such as combining different phages into cocktails, have been explored to address these challenges. This review delves into these defence mechanisms and their impact at each stage of the infection cycle, their challenges, and the strategies phages have developed to counteract them. Additionally, we examine the role of phage cocktails in the evolving landscape of antibacterial treatments and discuss recent studies that highlight the effectiveness of diverse phage cocktails in targeting essential bacterial receptors and combating resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Costa
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Carla Pereira
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Jesús L Romalde
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, CRETUS & CIBUS - Faculty of Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, CP 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Adelaide Almeida
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Tetz V, Kardava K, Vecherkovskaya M, Khodadadi-Jamayran A, Tsirigos A, Tetz G. Previously unknown regulatory role of extracellular RNA on bacterial directional migration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.11.603110. [PMID: 39026763 PMCID: PMC11257571 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.11.603110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial directional migration plays a significant role in bacterial adaptation. However, the regulation of this process, particularly in young biofilms, remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated the critical role of extracellular RNA as part of the Universal Receptive System in bacterial directional migration using a multidisciplinary approach, including bacterial culture, biochemistry, and genetics. We found that the destruction or inactivation of extracellular RNA with RNase or RNA-specific antibodies in the presence of the chemoattractant triggered the formation of bacterial "runner cells» in what we call a "panic state" capable of directional migration. These cells quickly migrated even on the surface of 1.5% agar and formed evolved colonies that were transcriptionally and biochemically different from the ancestral cells. We have also shown that cell-free DNA from blood plasma can act as a potent bacterial chemoattractant. Our data revealed a previously unknown role of bacterial extracellular RNA in the regulation of bacterial migration and have shown that its destruction or inhibition triggered the directional migration of developing and mature biofilms towards the chemoattractant.
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Elgayar FA, Gouda MK, Badran AA, El Halfawy NM. Pathogenomics analysis of high-risk clone ST147 multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from a patient in Egypt. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:256. [PMID: 38987681 PMCID: PMC11234735 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03389-z] [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: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of multi-drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-KP) represents a serious clinical health concern. Antibiotic resistance and virulence interactions play a significant role in the pathogenesis of K. pneumoniae infections. Therefore, tracking the clinical resistome and virulome through monitoring antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) and virulence factors in the bacterial genome using computational analysis tools is critical for predicting the next epidemic. METHODS In the current study, one hundred extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing clinical isolates were collected from Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt, in a six-month period from January to June 2022. One isolate was selected due to the high resistance phenotype, and the genetic features of MDR-KP recovered from hospitalized patient were investigated. Otherwise, the susceptibility to 25 antimicrobials was determined using the DL Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) system. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 was employed to provide genomic insights into K. pneumoniae WSF99 clinical isolate. RESULTS The isolate K. pneumoniae WSF99 was phenotypically resistant to the antibiotics under investigation via antibiotic susceptibility testing. WGS analysis revealed that WSF99 total genome length was 5.7 Mb with an estimated 5,718 protein-coding genes and a G + C content of 56.98 mol%. Additionally, the allelic profile of the WSF99 isolate was allocated to the high-risk clone ST147. Furthermore, diverse antibiotic resistance genes were determined in the genome that explain the high-level resistance phenotypes. Several β-lactamase genes, including blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1, blaTEM-12, blaSHV-11, blaSHV-67, and blaOXA-9, were detected in the WSF99 isolate. Moreover, a single carbapenemase gene, blaNDM-5, was predicted in the genome, positioned within a mobile cassette. In addition, other resistance genes were predicted in the genome including, aac(6')-Ib, aph(3')-VI, sul1, sul2, fosA, aadA, arr-2, qnrS1, tetA and tetC. Four plasmid replicons CoIRNAI, IncFIB(K), IncFIB(pQil), and IncR were predicted in the genome. The draft genome analysis revealed the occurrence of genetic mobile elements positioned around the ARGs, suggesting the ease of dissemination via horizontal gene transfer. CONCLUSIONS This study reports a comprehensive pathogenomic analysis of MDR-KP isolated from a hospitalized patient. These findings could be relevant for future studies investigating the diversity of antimicrobial resistance and virulence in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma A Elgayar
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Moharram Bek 21511, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mona K Gouda
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Moharram Bek 21511, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Alaa Aboelnour Badran
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Nancy M El Halfawy
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Moharram Bek 21511, Alexandria, Egypt.
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Zeng Y, Li P, Liu S, Shen M, Liu Y, Zhou X. Salmonella enteritidis acquires phage resistance through a point mutation in rfbD but loses some of its environmental adaptability. Vet Res 2024; 55:85. [PMID: 38970094 PMCID: PMC11227202 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01341-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy holds promise as an alternative to antibiotics for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, host bacteria can quickly produce progeny that are resistant to phage infection. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of bacterial resistance to phage infection. We found that Rsm1, a mutant strain of Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) sm140, exhibited resistance to phage Psm140, which was originally capable of lysing its host at sm140. Whole genome sequencing analysis revealed a single nucleotide mutation at position 520 (C → T) in the rfbD gene of Rsm1, resulting in broken lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which is caused by the replacement of CAG coding glutamine with a stop codon TAG. The knockout of rfbD in the sm140ΔrfbD strain caused a subsequent loss of sensitivity toward phages. Furthermore, the reintroduction of rfbD in Rsm1 restored phage sensitivity. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of rfbD in 25 resistant strains revealed a high percentage mutation rate of 64% within the rfbD locus. We assessed the fitness of four bacteria strains and found that the acquisition of phage resistance resulted in slower bacterial growth, faster sedimentation velocity, and increased environmental sensitivity (pH, temperature, and antibiotic sensitivity). In short, bacteria mutants lose some of their abilities while gaining resistance to phage infection, which may be a general survival strategy of bacteria against phages. This study is the first to report phage resistance caused by rfbD mutation, providing a new perspective for the research on phage therapy and drug-resistant mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Zeng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Ping Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Shenglong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Mangmang Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250100, China.
| | - Xin Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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Peters TL, Schow J, Spencer E, Van Leuven JT, Wichman H, Miller C. Directed evolution of bacteriophages: impacts of prolific prophage. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.28.601269. [PMID: 38979301 PMCID: PMC11230397 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.28.601269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Various directed evolution methods exist that seek to procure bacteriophages with expanded host ranges, typically targeting phage-resistant or non-permissive bacterial hosts. The general premise of these methods is to propagate phage on multiple bacterial hosts, pool the lysate, and repeat the propagation process until phage(s) can form plaques on the target host(s). In theory, this propagation process produces a phage lysate that contains input phages and their evolved phage progeny. However, in practice, this phage lysate can also include prophages originating from bacterial hosts. Here we describe our experience implementing one directed evolution method, the Appelmans protocol, to study phage evolution in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage-host system, in which we observed rapid host-range expansion of the phage cocktail. Further experimentation and sequencing analysis revealed that this observed host-range expansion was due to a Casadabanvirus prophage that originated from one of the Appelmans hosts. Host-range analysis of the prophage showed that it could infect five of eight bacterial hosts initially used, allowing it to proliferate and persist through the end of the experiment. This prophage was represented in half of the sequenced phage samples isolated from the Appelmans experiment. This work highlights the impact of prophages in directed evolution experiments and the importance of incorporating sequencing data in analyses to verify output phages, particularly for those attempting to procure phages intended for phage therapy applications. This study also notes the usefulness of intraspecies antagonism assays between bacterial host strains to establish a baseline for inhibitory activity and determine presence of prophage. IMPORTANCE Directed evolution is a common strategy for evolving phages to expand host range, often targeting pathogenic strains of bacteria. In this study we investigated phage host-range expansion using directed evolution in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa system. We show that prophage are active players in directed evolution and can contribute to observation of host-range expansion. Since prophage are prevalent in bacterial hosts, particularly pathogenic strains of bacteria, and all directed evolution approaches involve iteratively propagating phage on one or more bacterial hosts, the presence of prophage in phage preparations is a factor that needs to be considered in experimental design and interpretation of results. These results highlight the importance of screening for prophages either genetically or through intraspecies antagonism assays during selection of bacterial strains and will contribute to improving experimental design of future directed evolution studies.
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Saunier M, Fortier LC, Soutourina O. RNA-based regulation in bacteria-phage interactions. Anaerobe 2024; 87:102851. [PMID: 38583547 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2024.102851] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Interactions of bacteria with their viruses named bacteriophages or phages shape the bacterial genome evolution and contribute to the diversity of phages. RNAs have emerged as key components of several anti-phage defense systems in bacteria including CRISPR-Cas, toxin-antitoxin and abortive infection. Frequent association with mobile genetic elements and interplay between different anti-phage defense systems are largely discussed. Newly discovered defense systems such as retrons and CBASS include RNA components. RNAs also perform their well-recognized regulatory roles in crossroad of phage-bacteria regulatory networks. Both regulatory and defensive function can be sometimes attributed to the same RNA molecules including CRISPR RNAs. This review presents the recent advances on the role of RNAs in the bacteria-phage interactions with a particular focus on clostridial species including an important human pathogen, Clostridioides difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Saunier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Louis-Charles Fortier
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Olga Soutourina
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France.
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Casters Y, Bäcker LE, Broux K, Aertsen A. Phage transmission strategies: are phages farming their host? Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102481. [PMID: 38677076 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Extensive coevolution has led to utterly intricate interactions between phages and their bacterial hosts. While both the (short-term) intracellular molecular host-subversion mechanisms during a phage infection cycle and the (long-term) mutational arms race between phages and host cells have traditionally received a lot of attention, there has been an underestimating neglect of (mid-term) transmission strategies by which phages manage to cautiously spread throughout their host population. However, recent findings underscore that phages encode mechanisms to avoid host cell scarcity and promote coexistence with the host, giving the impression that some phages manage to 'farm' their host population to ensure access to host cells for lytic consumption. Given the tremendous impact of phages on bacterial ecology, charting and understanding the complexity of such transmission strategies is of key importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yorben Casters
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23 - bus 2457, 3001, Belgium
| | - Leonard E Bäcker
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23 - bus 2457, 3001, Belgium
| | - Kevin Broux
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23 - bus 2457, 3001, Belgium
| | - Abram Aertsen
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23 - bus 2457, 3001, Belgium.
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Ridgway R, Lu H, Blower TR, Evans NJ, Ainsworth S. Genomic and taxonomic evaluation of 38 Treponema prophage sequences. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:549. [PMID: 38824509 PMCID: PMC11144348 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10461-5] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite Spirochetales being a ubiquitous and medically important order of bacteria infecting both humans and animals, there is extremely limited information regarding their bacteriophages. Of the genus Treponema, there is just a single reported characterised prophage. RESULTS We applied a bioinformatic approach on 24 previously published Treponema genomes to identify and characterise putative treponemal prophages. Thirteen of the genomes did not contain any detectable prophage regions. The remaining eleven contained 38 prophage sequences, with between one and eight putative prophages in each bacterial genome. The prophage regions ranged from 12.4 to 75.1 kb, with between 27 and 171 protein coding sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 24 of the prophages formed three distinct sequence clusters, identifying putative myoviral and siphoviral morphology. ViPTree analysis demonstrated that the identified sequences were novel when compared to known double stranded DNA bacteriophage genomes. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we have started to address the knowledge gap on treponeme bacteriophages by characterising 38 prophage sequences in 24 treponeme genomes. Using bioinformatic approaches, we have been able to identify and compare the prophage-like elements with respect to other bacteriophages, their gene content, and their potential to be a functional and inducible bacteriophage, which in turn can help focus our attention on specific prophages to investigate further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Ridgway
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Hanshuo Lu
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | - Tim R Blower
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Nicholas James Evans
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Stuart Ainsworth
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
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Irby I, Broddrick JT. Microbial adaptation to spaceflight is correlated with bacteriophage-encoded functions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3474. [PMID: 38750067 PMCID: PMC11096397 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42104-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence from the International Space Station suggests microbial populations are rapidly adapting to the spacecraft environment; however, the mechanism of this adaptation is not understood. Bacteriophages are prolific mediators of bacterial adaptation on Earth. Here we survey 245 genomes sequenced from bacterial strains isolated on the International Space Station for dormant (lysogenic) bacteriophages. Our analysis indicates phage-associated genes are significantly different between spaceflight strains and their terrestrial counterparts. In addition, we identify 283 complete prophages, those that could initiate bacterial lysis and infect additional hosts, of which 21% are novel. These prophage regions encode functions that correlate with increased persistence in extreme environments, such as spaceflight, to include antimicrobial resistance and virulence, DNA damage repair, and dormancy. Our results correlate microbial adaptation in spaceflight to bacteriophage-encoded functions that may impact human health in spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Irby
- Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jared T Broddrick
- Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA.
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Wang Q, Zhang Y, Chen R, Zhang L, Fu M, Zhang L. Comparative genomic analyses provide insight into the pathogenicity of three Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae strains from Anhui Province, China. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:461. [PMID: 38734623 PMCID: PMC11088785 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10384-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) is an important bacterial plant pathogen that causes severe damage to the kiwifruit industry worldwide. Three Psa strains were recently obtained from different kiwifruit orchards in Anhui Province, China. The present study mainly focused on the variations in virulence and genome characteristics of these strains based on the pathogenicity assays and comparative genomic analyses. RESULTS Three strains were identified as biovar 3 (Psa3), along with strain QSY6 showing higher virulence than JZY2 and YXH1 in pathogenicity assays. The whole genome assembly revealed that each of the three strains had a circular chromosome and a complete plasmid. The chromosome sizes ranged from 6.5 to 6.6 Mb with a GC content of approximately 58.39 to 58.46%, and a predicted number of protein-coding sequences ranging from 5,884 to 6,019. The three strains clustered tightly with 8 Psa3 reference strains in terms of average nucleotide identity (ANI), whole-genome-based phylogenetic analysis, and pangenome analysis, while they were evolutionarily distinct from other biovars (Psa1 and Psa5). Variations were observed in the repertoire of effectors of the type III secretion system among all 15 strains. Moreover, synteny analysis of the three sequenced strains revealed eight genomic regions containing 308 genes exclusively present in the highly virulent strain QSY6. Further investigation of these genes showed that 16 virulence-related genes highlight several key factors, such as effector delivery systems (type III secretion systems) and adherence (type IV pilus), which might be crucial for the virulence of QSY6. CONCLUSION Three Psa strains were identified and showed variant virulence in kiwifruit plant. Complete genome sequences and comparative genomic analyses further provided a theoretical basis for the potential pathogenic factors responsible for kiwifruit bacterial canker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Yiju Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Min Fu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China.
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Conde‐Pérez K, Buetas E, Aja‐Macaya P, Martin‐De Arribas E, Iglesias‐Corrás I, Trigo‐Tasende N, Nasser‐Ali M, Estévez LS, Rumbo‐Feal S, Otero‐Alén B, Noguera JF, Concha Á, Pardiñas‐López S, Carda‐Diéguez M, Gómez‐Randulfe I, Martínez‐Lago N, Ladra S, Aparicio LA, Bou G, Mira A, Vallejo JA, Poza M. Parvimonas micra can translocate from the subgingival sulcus of the human oral cavity to colorectal adenocarcinoma. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1143-1173. [PMID: 37558206 PMCID: PMC11076991 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral and intestinal samples from a cohort of 93 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 30 healthy controls (non-CRC) were collected for microbiome analysis. Saliva (28 non-CRC and 94 CRC), feces (30 non-CRC and 97 CRC), subgingival fluid (20 CRC), and tumor tissue samples (20 CRC) were used for 16S metabarcoding and/or RNA sequencing (RNAseq) approaches. A differential analysis of the abundance, performed with the ANCOM-BC package, adjusting the P-values by the Holm-Bonferroni method, revealed that Parvimonas was significantly over-represented in feces from CRC patients (P-value < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. A total of 11 Parvimonas micra isolates were obtained from the oral cavity and adenocarcinoma of CRC patients. Genome analysis identified a pair of isolates from the same patient that shared 99.2% identity, demonstrating that P. micra can translocate from the subgingival cavity to the gut. The data suggest that P. micra could migrate in a synergistic consortium with other periodontal bacteria. Metatranscriptomics confirmed that oral bacteria were more active in tumor than in non-neoplastic tissues. We suggest that P. micra could be considered as a CRC biomarker detected in non-invasive samples such as feces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Conde‐Pérez
- meiGAbiome, Microbiology Research Group, Servicio de MicrobiologíaCenter for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC‐ISCIII), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Elena Buetas
- Genomic and Health DepartmentFISABIO Foundation, Center for Advanced Research in Public HealthValenciaSpain
| | - Pablo Aja‐Macaya
- meiGAbiome, Microbiology Research Group, Servicio de MicrobiologíaCenter for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC‐ISCIII), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Elsa Martin‐De Arribas
- Database LaboratoryResearch Center for Information and Communication Technologies (CITIC), University of A Coruña (UDC), Campus de ElviñaSpain
| | - Iago Iglesias‐Corrás
- Database LaboratoryResearch Center for Information and Communication Technologies (CITIC), University of A Coruña (UDC), Campus de ElviñaSpain
| | - Noelia Trigo‐Tasende
- meiGAbiome, Microbiology Research Group, Servicio de MicrobiologíaCenter for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC‐ISCIII), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Mohammed Nasser‐Ali
- meiGAbiome, Microbiology Research Group, Servicio de MicrobiologíaCenter for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC‐ISCIII), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Lara S. Estévez
- Pathological Anatomy Service and BiobankUniversity Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Soraya Rumbo‐Feal
- meiGAbiome, Microbiology Research Group, Servicio de MicrobiologíaCenter for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC‐ISCIII), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Begoña Otero‐Alén
- Pathological Anatomy Service and BiobankUniversity Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Jose F. Noguera
- General and Digestive Surgery ServiceUniversity Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Ángel Concha
- Pathological Anatomy Service and BiobankUniversity Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Simón Pardiñas‐López
- Periodontology and Oral SurgeryPardiñas Medical Dental Clinic, Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Group, Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC)A CoruñaSpain
| | - Miguel Carda‐Diéguez
- Genomic and Health DepartmentFISABIO Foundation, Center for Advanced Research in Public HealthValenciaSpain
| | - Igor Gómez‐Randulfe
- Medical Oncology DepartmentUniversity Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), Maternal and Child HospitalSpain
| | - Nieves Martínez‐Lago
- Medical Oncology DepartmentUniversity Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), Maternal and Child HospitalSpain
| | - Susana Ladra
- Database LaboratoryResearch Center for Information and Communication Technologies (CITIC), University of A Coruña (UDC), Campus de ElviñaSpain
| | - Luis A. Aparicio
- Medical Oncology DepartmentUniversity Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), Maternal and Child HospitalSpain
| | - Germán Bou
- meiGAbiome, Microbiology Research Group, Servicio de MicrobiologíaCenter for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC‐ISCIII), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Alex Mira
- Genomic and Health DepartmentFISABIO Foundation, Center for Advanced Research in Public HealthValenciaSpain
| | - Juan A. Vallejo
- meiGAbiome, Microbiology Research Group, Servicio de MicrobiologíaCenter for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC‐ISCIII), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
| | - Margarita Poza
- meiGAbiome, Microbiology Research Group, Servicio de MicrobiologíaCenter for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), Institute of Biomedical Research (INIBIC), University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC‐ISCIII), Hospital UniversitarioSpain
- Microbiome and Health Group, Faculty of SciencesUniversity of A Coruña (UDC), Campus da ZapateiraSpain
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13
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Soto EF, Alegría M, Sepúlveda F, García K, Higuera G, Castillo D, Fontúrbel FE, Bastías R. Prophages carrying Zot toxins on different Vibrio genomes: A comprehensive assessment using multilayer networks. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16654. [PMID: 38779707 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Vibrios, a group of bacteria that are among the most abundant in marine environments, include several species such as Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which can be pathogenic to humans. Some species of Vibrio contain prophages within their genomes. These prophages can carry genes that code for toxins, such as the zonula occludens toxin (Zot), which contribute to bacterial virulence. Understanding the association between different Vibrio species, prophages and Zot genes can provide insights into their ecological interactions. In this study, we evaluated 4619 Vibrio genomes from 127 species to detect the presence of prophages carrying the Zot toxin. We found 2030 potential prophages with zot-like genes in 43 Vibrio species, showing a non-random association within a primarily modular interaction network. Some prophages, such as CTX or Vf33, were associated with specific species. In contrast, prophages phiVCY and VfO3K6 were found in 28 and 20 Vibrio species, respectively. We also identified six clusters of Zot-like sequences in prophages, with the ZOT2 cluster being the most frequent, present in 34 Vibrio species. This analysis helps to understand the distribution patterns of zot-containing prophages across Vibrio genomes and the potential routes of Zot-like toxin dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban F Soto
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Melissa Alegría
- Núcleo de Investigación en Data Science, Facultad de Ingeniería y Negocios, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Sepúlveda
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Katherine García
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gastón Higuera
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel Castillo
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad SEK, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco E Fontúrbel
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Roberto Bastías
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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14
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Nair S, Barker CR, Bird M, Greig DR, Collins C, Painset A, Chattaway M, Pickard D, Larkin L, Gharbia S, Didelot X, Ribeca P. Presence of phage-plasmids in multiple serovars of Salmonella enterica. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001247. [PMID: 38717818 PMCID: PMC11165635 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence is accumulating in the literature that the horizontal spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes mediated by bacteriophages and bacteriophage-like plasmid (phage-plasmid) elements is much more common than previously envisioned. For instance, we recently identified and characterized a circular P1-like phage-plasmid harbouring a bla CTX-M-15 gene conferring extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. As the prevalence and epidemiological relevance of such mechanisms has never been systematically assessed in Enterobacterales, in this study we carried out a follow-up retrospective analysis of UK Salmonella isolates previously sequenced as part of routine surveillance protocols between 2016 and 2021. Using a high-throughput bioinformatics pipeline we screened 47 784 isolates for the presence of the P1 lytic replication gene repL, identifying 226 positive isolates from 25 serovars and demonstrating that phage-plasmid elements are more frequent than previously thought. The affinity for phage-plasmids appears highly serovar-dependent, with several serovars being more likely hosts than others; most of the positive isolates (170/226) belonged to S. Typhimurium ST34 and ST19. The phage-plasmids ranged between 85.8 and 98.2 kb in size, with an average length of 92.1 kb; detailed analysis indicated a high amount of diversity in gene content and genomic architecture. In total, 132 phage-plasmids had the p0111 plasmid replication type, and 94 the IncY type; phylogenetic analysis indicated that both horizontal and vertical gene transmission mechanisms are likely to be involved in phage-plasmid propagation. Finally, phage-plasmids were present in isolates that were resistant and non-resistant to antimicrobials. In addition to providing a first comprehensive view of the presence of phage-plasmids in Salmonella, our work highlights the need for a better surveillance and understanding of phage-plasmids as AMR carriers, especially through their characterization with long-read sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clare R. Barker
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Genomics and Enabling Data, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
| | - Matthew Bird
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David R. Greig
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Caitlin Collins
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Genomics and Enabling Data, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marie Chattaway
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Genomics and Enabling Data, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
| | - Derek Pickard
- The Cambridge Institute for Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Saheer Gharbia
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Genomics and Enabling Data, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Xavier Didelot
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Genomics and Enabling Data, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- School of Public Health and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
| | - Paolo Ribeca
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Genomics and Enabling Data, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, The James Hutton Institute, Edinburgh, UK
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15
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Guillén-Chable F, Valdez Iuit JO, Avila Castro LA, Rosas C, Merino E, Rodríguez-Escamilla Z, Martínez-Núñez MA. Geographical distribution of mobile genetic elements in microbial communities along the Yucatan coast. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301642. [PMID: 38683832 PMCID: PMC11057721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a well-documented strategy used by bacteria to enhance their adaptability to challenging environmental conditions. Through HGT, a group of conserved genetic elements known as mobile genetic elements (MGEs) is disseminated within bacterial communities. MGEs offer numerous advantages to the host, increasing its fitness by acquiring new functions that help bacteria contend with adverse conditions, including exposure to heavy metal and antibiotics. This study explores MGEs within microbial communities along the Yucatan coast using a metatranscriptomics approach. Prior to this research, nothing was known about the coastal Yucatan's microbial environmental mobilome and HGT processes between these bacterial communities. This study reveals a positive correlation between MGEs and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) along the Yucatan coast, with higher MGEs abundance in more contaminated sites. The Proteobacteria and Firmicutes groups exhibited the highest number of MGEs. It's important to highlight that the most abundant classes of MGEs might not be the ones most strongly linked to ARGs, as observed for the recombination/repair class. This work presents the first geographical distribution of the environmental mobilome in Yucatan Peninsula mangroves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Guillén-Chable
- UMDI-Sisal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sisal, Yucatán, México
| | - Johnny Omar Valdez Iuit
- UMDI-Sisal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sisal, Yucatán, México
| | | | - Carlos Rosas
- UMDI-Sisal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sisal, Yucatán, México
| | - Enrique Merino
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Zuemy Rodríguez-Escamilla
- Facultad de Sistemas Biológicos e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, México
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16
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Wang X, Tang Y, Yue X, Wang S, Yang K, Xu Y, Shen Q, Friman VP, Wei Z. The role of rhizosphere phages in soil health. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae052. [PMID: 38678007 PMCID: PMC11065364 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
While the One Health framework has emphasized the importance of soil microbiomes for plant and human health, one of the most diverse and abundant groups-bacterial viruses, i.e. phages-has been mostly neglected. This perspective reviews the significance of phages for plant health in rhizosphere and explores their ecological and evolutionary impacts on soil ecosystems. We first summarize our current understanding of the diversity and ecological roles of phages in soil microbiomes in terms of nutrient cycling, top-down density regulation, and pathogen suppression. We then consider how phages drive bacterial evolution in soils by promoting horizontal gene transfer, encoding auxiliary metabolic genes that increase host bacterial fitness, and selecting for phage-resistant mutants with altered ecology due to trade-offs with pathogen competitiveness and virulence. Finally, we consider challenges and avenues for phage research in soil ecosystems and how to elucidate the significance of phages for microbial ecology and evolution and soil ecosystem functioning in the future. We conclude that similar to bacteria, phages likely play important roles in connecting different One Health compartments, affecting microbiome diversity and functions in soils. From the applied perspective, phages could offer novel approaches to modulate and optimize microbial and microbe-plant interactions to enhance soil health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Wang
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yike Tang
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiufeng Yue
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Keming Yang
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yangchun Xu
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qirong Shen
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ville-Petri Friman
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Zhong Wei
- Jiangsu provincial key lab for solid organic waste utilization, Key lab of organic-based fertilizers of China,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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17
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Kalalah AA, Koenig SSK, Feng P, Bosilevac JM, Bono JL, Eppinger M. Pathogenomes of Shiga Toxin Positive and Negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains TT12A and TT12B: Comprehensive Phylogenomic Analysis Using Closed Genomes. Microorganisms 2024; 12:699. [PMID: 38674643 PMCID: PMC11052207 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040699] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli are zoonotic pathogens that cause food-borne human disease. Among these, the O157:H7 serotype has evolved from an enteropathogenic O55:H7 ancestor through the displacement of the somatic gene cluster and recurrent toxigenic conversion by Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages. However, atypical strains that lack the Shiga toxin, the characteristic virulence hallmark, are circulating in this lineage. For this study, we analyzed the pathogenome and virulence inventories of the stx+ strain, TT12A, isolated from a patient with hemorrhagic colitis, and its respective co-isolated stx- strain, TT12B. Sequencing the genomes to closure proved critical to the cataloguing of subtle strain differentiating sequence and structural polymorphisms at a high-level of phylogenetic accuracy and resolution. Phylogenomic profiling revealed SNP and MLST profiles similar to the near clonal outbreak isolates. Their prophage inventories, however, were notably different. The attenuated atypical non-shigatoxigenic status of TT12B is explained by the absence of both the ΦStx1a- and ΦStx2a-prophages carried by TT12A, and we also recorded further alterations in the non-Stx prophage complement. Phenotypic characterization indicated that culture growth was directly impacted by the strains' distinct lytic phage complement. Altogether, our phylogenomic and phenotypic analyses show that these intimately related isogenic strains are on divergent Stx(+/stx-) evolutionary paths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar A. Kalalah
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Sara S. K. Koenig
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Peter Feng
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Joseph M. Bosilevac
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - James L. Bono
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Mark Eppinger
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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18
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Arce M, Venegas G, Paez K, Latz S, Navarrete P, Caruffo M, Feijoo C, García K, Bastías R. Valp1, a Newly Identified Temperate Phage Facilitating Coexistence of Lysogenic and Non-Lysogenic Populations of Vibrio anguillarum. Pathogens 2024; 13:285. [PMID: 38668240 PMCID: PMC11054321 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040285] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Vibrio anguillarum is a pathogen for several fish and shellfish species. Its ecology is influenced by diverse factors, including bacteriophages. Here, we identify and characterize a new temperate bacteriophage (Valp1) of V. anguillarum. Valp1 is a myovirus with a 60 nm head and a 90 nm contractile tail. Its double-stranded DNA genome of 42,988 bp contains 68 genes, including a protelomerase gene, typical of telomeric phages. Valp1 inhibits the growth of the virulent strain of V. anguillarum PF4, while the derived lysogenic strain P1.1 presents a slight reduction in its growth but is not affected by the presence of Valp1. Both strains present similar virulence in a larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) model, and only slight differences have been observed in their biochemical profile. Co-culture assays reveal that PF4 and P1.1 can coexist for 10 h in the presence of naturally induced Valp1, with the proportion of PF4 ranging between 28% and 1.6%. By the end of the assay, the phage reached a concentration of ~108 PFU/mL, and all the non-lysogenic PF4 strains were resistant to Valp1. This equilibrium was maintained even after five successive subcultures, suggesting the existence of a coexistence mechanism between the lysogenic and non-lysogenic populations of V. anguillarum in conjunction with the phage Valp1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Arce
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile; (M.A.)
| | - Guillermo Venegas
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile; (M.A.)
| | - Karla Paez
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile; (M.A.)
| | - Simone Latz
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile; (M.A.)
| | - Paola Navarrete
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Probiotics, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago 7830490, Chile
| | - Mario Caruffo
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Probiotics, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago 7830490, Chile
- Center for Research and Innovation in Aquaculture (CRIA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820000, Chile
| | - Carmen Feijoo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370146, Chile
| | - Katherine García
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile
| | - Roberto Bastías
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile; (M.A.)
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19
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Workman RE, Stoltzfus MJ, Keith NC, Euler CW, Bondy-Denomy J, Modell JW. Anti-CRISPR proteins trigger a burst of CRISPR-Cas9 expression that enhances phage defense. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113849. [PMID: 38427560 PMCID: PMC11078563 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas immune systems provide bacteria with adaptive immunity against bacteriophages, but they are often transcriptionally repressed to mitigate auto-immunity. In some cases, CRISPR-Cas expression increases in response to a phage infection, but the mechanisms of induction are largely unknown, and it is unclear whether induction occurs strongly and quickly enough to benefit the bacterial host. In S. pyogenes, Cas9 is both an immune effector and auto-repressor of CRISPR-Cas expression. Here, we show that phage-encoded anti-CRISPR proteins relieve Cas9 auto-repression and trigger a rapid increase in CRISPR-Cas levels during a single phage infective cycle. As a result, fewer cells succumb to lysis, leading to a striking survival benefit after multiple rounds of infection. CRISPR-Cas induction also reduces lysogeny, thereby limiting a route for horizontal gene transfer. Altogether, we show that Cas9 is not only a CRISPR-Cas effector and repressor but also a phage sensor that can mount an anti-anti-CRISPR transcriptional response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E Workman
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Marie J Stoltzfus
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nicholas C Keith
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chad W Euler
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, NY 10021, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Joseph Bondy-Denomy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joshua W Modell
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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20
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Yu X, Cheng L, Yi X, Li B, Li X, Liu X, Liu Z, Kong X. Gut phageome: challenges in research and impact on human microbiota. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1379382. [PMID: 38585689 PMCID: PMC10995246 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1379382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining our health. Fluctuations in the diversity and structure of the gut microbiota have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several metabolic and inflammatory conditions. Dietary patterns, medication, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity can all influence the abundance of different types of microbiota in the gut, which in turn can affect the health of individuals. Intestinal phages are an essential component of the gut microbiome, but most studies predominantly focus on the structure and dynamics of gut bacteria while neglecting the role of phages in shaping the gut microbiome. As bacteria-killing viruses, the distribution of bacteriophages in the intestine, their role in influencing the intestinal microbiota, and their mechanisms of action remain elusive. Herein, we present an overview of the current knowledge of gut phages, their lifestyles, identification, and potential impact on the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Li Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Pathology, Hospital of Shanxi People’s Armed Police, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xin Yi
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Bing Li
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xueqin Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The General Hospital of Jincheng Coal Industry Group, Jincheng, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaomei Kong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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21
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Schüler MA, Daniel R, Poehlein A. Novel insights into phage biology of the pathogen Clostridioides difficile based on the active virome. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1374708. [PMID: 38577680 PMCID: PMC10993401 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1374708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The global pathogen Clostridioides difficile is a well-studied organism, and researchers work on unraveling its fundamental virulence mechanisms and biology. Prophages have been demonstrated to influence C. difficile toxin expression and contribute to the distribution of advantageous genes. All these underline the importance of prophages in C. difficile virulence. Although several C. difficile prophages were sequenced and characterized, investigations on the entire active virome of a strain are still missing. Phages were mainly isolated after mitomycin C-induction, which does not resemble a natural stressor for C. difficile. We examined active prophages from different C. difficile strains after cultivation in the absence of mitomycin C by sequencing and characterization of particle-protected DNA. Phage particles were collected after standard cultivation, or after cultivation in the presence of the secondary bile salt deoxycholate (DCA). DCA is a natural stressor for C. difficile and a potential prophage-inducing agent. We also investigated differences in prophage activity between clinical and non-clinical C. difficile strains. Our experiments demonstrated that spontaneous prophage release is common in C. difficile and that DCA presence induces prophages. Fourteen different, active phages were identified by this experimental procedure. We could not identify a definitive connection between clinical background and phage activity. However, one phage exhibited distinctively higher activity upon DCA induction in the clinical strain than in the corresponding non-clinical strain, although the phage is identical in both strains. We recorded that enveloped DNA mapped to genome regions with characteristics of mobile genetic elements other than prophages. This pointed to mechanisms of DNA mobility that are not well-studied in C. difficile so far. We also detected phage-mediated lateral transduction of bacterial DNA, which is the first described case in C. difficile. This study significantly contributes to our knowledge of prophage activity in C. difficile and reveals novel aspects of C. difficile (phage) biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anja Poehlein
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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22
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Ji Y, Xi H, Chen C, Sun C, Feng X, Lei L, Han W, Gu J. The pig intestinal phageome is an important reservoir and transfer vector for virulence genes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170076. [PMID: 38220020 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) can significantly influence the composition and functions of their host communities, and enhance host pathogenicity via the transport of phage-encoded virulence genes. Phages are the main component of animal gut viruses, however, there are few reports on the piglet gut phageome and its contribution to virulence genes. Here, a total of 185 virulence genes from 59,955 predicted genes of gut phages in weaned piglets were identified, with 0.688 % of the phage contigs coding for at least one virulence gene. The virulence gene pblA was the most abundant, with various virulence genes significantly correlated with gut phages and their encoded mobile gene element (MGE) genes. Importantly, multiple virulence genes and MGE genes coexist in some phage sequences, and up to 12 virulence genes were detected in a single phage sequence, greatly increasing the risk of phage-mediated transmission of virulence genes into the bacterial genome. In addition, diarrhoea has driven changes in the composition and structure of phage and bacterial communities in the intestinal tract of weaned piglets, significantly increasing the abundance of phage contigs encoding both virulence genes and MGE genes in faecal samples, which potentially increases the risk of phage-mediated virulence genes being transfected into the gut bacterial genome. In summary, this study expands our understanding of the gut microbiome of piglets, advances our understanding of the potential role of phages in driving host pathogenesis in the gut system, and provides new insights into the sources of virulence genes and genetic evolution of bacteria in pig farm environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalu Ji
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hengyu Xi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Chong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Changjiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Xin Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Liancheng Lei
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Wenyu Han
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jingmin Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
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23
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Maeda T, Yoshida H, Abe N, Murakami K, Goto M, Takahashi T. Draft genome sequence of emm103/ST1363 Streptococcus pyogenes strain AB1, isolated from the blood of a woman with peritonitis and toxic shock syndrome. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0102723. [PMID: 38289051 PMCID: PMC10868168 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01027-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
We report the draft genome sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes strain AB1 isolated from the blood of a woman with peritonitis-toxic shock syndrome. The genome measured 1.855 Mbp, with a G + C content of 38.3%. Sequences unmapped to the reference genome sequence of M1 SF370 (GenBank accession number AE004092.2) were characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Maeda
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruno Yoshida
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Abe
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Tenri Hospital, Tenri, Nara, Japan
| | - Koichiro Murakami
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Tenri Hospital, Tenri, Nara, Japan
| | - Mieko Goto
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Takahashi
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
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24
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Zhao H, Xu Y, Yang L, Wang Y, Li M, Chen L. Biological Function of Prophage-Related Gene Cluster Δ VpaChn25_RS25055~Δ VpaChn25_0714 of Vibrio parahaemolyticus CHN25. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1393. [PMID: 38338671 PMCID: PMC10855970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the primary foodborne pathogen known to cause gastrointestinal infections in humans. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms of V. parahaemolyticus pathogenicity are not fully understood. Prophages carry virulence and antibiotic resistance genes commonly found in Vibrio populations, and they facilitate the spread of virulence and the emergence of pathogenic Vibrio strains. In this study, we characterized three such genes, VpaChn25_0713, VpaChn25_0714, and VpaChn25_RS25055, within the largest prophage gene cluster in V. parahaemolyticus CHN25. The deletion mutants ΔVpaChn25_RS25055, ΔVpaChn25_0713, ΔVpaChn25_0714, and ΔVpaChn25_RS25055-0713-0714 were derived with homologous recombination, and the complementary mutants ΔVpaChn25_0713-com, ΔVpaChn25_0714-com, ΔVpaChn25_RS25055-com, ΔVpaChn25_RS25055-0713-0714-com were also constructed. In the absence of the VpaChn25_RS25055, VpaChn25_0713, VpaChn25_0714, and VpaChn25_RS25055-0713-0714 genes, the mutants showed significant reductions in low-temperature survivability and biofilm formation (p < 0.001). The ΔVpaChn25_0713, ΔVpaChn25_RS25055, and ΔVpaChn25_RS25055-0713-0714 mutants were also significantly defective in swimming motility (p < 0.001). In the Caco-2 model, the above four mutants attenuated the cytotoxic effects of V. parahaemolyticus CHN25 on human intestinal epithelial cells (p < 0.01), especially the ΔVpaChn25_RS25055 and ΔVpaChn25_RS25055-0713-0714 mutants. Transcriptomic analysis showed that 15, 14, 8, and 11 metabolic pathways were changed in the ΔVpaChn25_RS25055, ΔVpaChn25_0713, ΔVpaChn25_0714, and ΔVpaChn25_RS25055-0713-0714 mutants, respectively. We labeled the VpaChn25_RS25055 gene with superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) and found it localized at both poles of the bacteria cell. In addition, we analyzed the evolutionary origins of the above genes. In summary, the prophage genes VpaChn25_0713, VpaChn25_0714, and VpaChn25_RS25055 enhance V. parahaemolyticus CHN25's survival in the environment and host. Our work improves the comprehension of the synergy between prophage-associated genes and the evolutionary process of V. parahaemolyticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.Z.); (Y.X.); (L.Y.)
| | - Yingwei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.Z.); (Y.X.); (L.Y.)
| | - Lianzhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.Z.); (Y.X.); (L.Y.)
| | - Yaping Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University/McGuire VA Medical Centre, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;
| | - Mingyou Li
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
| | - Lanming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (H.Z.); (Y.X.); (L.Y.)
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25
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Gunathilake KMD, Makumi A, Loignon S, Tremblay D, Labrie S, Svitek N, Moineau S. Diversity of Salmonella enterica phages isolated from chicken farms in Kenya. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0272923. [PMID: 38078723 PMCID: PMC10783031 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02729-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica infections are one of the leading causes of diarrhoeal diseases that spread to humans from animal sources such as poultry. Hence, keeping poultry farms free of Salmonella is essential for consumer safety and for a better yield of animal products. However, the emergence of antibiotic resistance due to over usage has sped up the search for alternative biocontrol methods such as the use of bacteriophages. Isolation and characterization of novel bacteriophages are key to adapt phage-based biocontrol applications. Here, we isolated and characterized Salmonella phages from samples collected at chicken farms and slaughterhouses in Kenya. The genomic characterization of these phage isolates revealed that they belong to four ICTV (International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses) phage genera. All these phages are lytic and possibly suitable for biocontrol applications because no lysogenic genes or virulence factors were found in their genomes. Hence, we recommend further studies on these phages for their applications in Salmonella biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. M. Damitha Gunathilake
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec city, Quebec, Canada
| | - Angela Makumi
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stéphanie Loignon
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec city, Quebec, Canada
| | - Denise Tremblay
- Félix d'Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses, Université Laval, Québec city, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Nicholas Svitek
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sylvain Moineau
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec city, Quebec, Canada
- Félix d'Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses, Université Laval, Québec city, Quebec, Canada
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26
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Wang RH, Yang S, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Wang X, Xu Z, Wang J, Li SC. PhageScope: a well-annotated bacteriophage database with automatic analyses and visualizations. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D756-D761. [PMID: 37904614 PMCID: PMC10767790 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria or archaea. Understanding the diverse and intricate genomic architectures of phages is essential to study microbial ecosystems and develop phage therapy strategies. However, the existing phage databases are short of meticulous annotations. To this end, we propose PhageScope (https://phagescope.deepomics.org), an online phage database with comprehensive annotations. PhageScope harbors a collection of 873 718 phage sequences from various sources. Applying fifteen state-of-the-art tools to perform systematic annotations and analyses, PhageScope provides annotations on genome completeness, host range, lifestyle information, taxonomy classification, nine types of structural and functional genetic elements, and three types of comparative genomic studies for curated phages. Additionally, PhageScope incorporates automatic analyses and visualizations for curated and customized phages, serving as an efficient platform for phage study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo Han Wang
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Zhixuan Liu
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yuanzheng Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Xueying Wang
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan), Dongguan, China
| | - Zixin Xu
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jianping Wang
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Shuai Cheng Li
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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27
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Andriyanov PA, Kashina DD, Menshikova AN. Genomic analysis of multidrug-resistant Delftia tsuruhatensis isolated from raw bovine milk. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1321122. [PMID: 38239723 PMCID: PMC10794605 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1321122] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Delftia tsuruhatensis is a gram-negative, aerobic bacterium mostly known as an organic pollutant degrading and growth-promoting microorganism. However, it recently emerged as an opportunistic human pathogen. To date, the source of D. tsuruhatensis infection is not clear. The majority of studies of D. tsuruhatensis have focused on environmental or clinical strains, while investigations of D. tsuruhatensis strains isolated from food sources are limited. In the present study, we report the case of D. tsuruhatensis isolation from raw bovine milk. Classical bacteriology approaches, as well as next-generation sequencing and comparative genomics, were used to characterize the features of the D. tsuruhatensis MR-6/3H strain. The MR-6/3H strain was resistant to 19 antimicrobials among 23 tested, including all aminoglycosides, phenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and almost all β-lactams. Phylogenetically, the MR-6/3H was close to clinical origin strains, including those previously isolated in Russia. Comparative genomics revealed the presence of putative antimicrobial resistance genes in the MR-6/3H isolate, mostly associated with efflux systems. Notably, genus-specific OXA-926-like β-lactamase was also detected. In all, 27 putative virulence factors were predicted, the majority of which were associated with motility, adherence, stress survival, siderophore synthesis, and immunomodulation. In the MR-6/3H genome, the five prophage regions were identified, including two with intact levels. Integrons and CRISPR-Cas systems were not detected in the MR-6/3H isolate. Thus, our findings suggest that raw milk can be the potential source of and transmission route for the dissemination of multidrug-resistant D. tsuruhatensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel A. Andriyanov
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Branch in Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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28
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Aljabali AAA, Aljbaly MBM, Obeid MA, Shahcheraghi SH, Tambuwala MM. The Next Generation of Drug Delivery: Harnessing the Power of Bacteriophages. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2738:279-315. [PMID: 37966606 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3549-0_18] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The use of biomaterials, such as bacteriophages, as drug delivery vehicles (DDVs) has gained increasing interest in recent years due to their potential to address the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. Bacteriophages offer several advantages as drug carriers, such as high specificity for targeting bacterial cells, low toxicity, and the ability to be engineered to express specific proteins or peptides for enhanced targeting and drug delivery. In addition, bacteriophages have been shown to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance, which is a major concern in the field of antimicrobial therapy. Many initiatives have been taken to take up various payloads selectively and precisely by surface functionalization of the outside or interior of self-assembling viral protein capsids. Bacteriophages have emerged as a promising platform for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including drugs, genes, and imaging agents. They possess several properties that make them attractive as drug delivery vehicles, including their ability to specifically target bacterial cells, their structural diversity, their ease of genetic manipulation, and their biocompatibility. Despite the potential advantages of using bacteriophages as drug carriers, several challenges and limitations need to be addressed. One of the main challenges is the limited host range of bacteriophages, which restricts their use to specific bacterial strains. However, this can also be considered as an advantage, as it allows for precise and targeted drug delivery to the desired bacterial cells. The use of biomaterials, including bacteriophages, as drug delivery vehicles has shown promising potential to address the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential of these biomaterials and address the challenges and limitations associated with their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa A A Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
| | | | - Mohammad A Obeid
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Seyed Hossein Shahcheraghi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, Brayford Pool Campus, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.
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29
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Xu Y, Sun J, Hu J, Bao Z, Wang M. Characterization and Preliminary Application of a Novel Lytic Vibrio parahaemolyticus Bacteriophage vB_VpaP_SJSY21. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17529. [PMID: 38139356 PMCID: PMC10744069 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417529] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Litopenaeus vannamei is one of the most economically significant aquatic species globally. However, the emergence of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in recent years has resulted in substantial losses within the L. vannamei farming industry. Phage therapy holds promise as an effective strategy for preventing and controlling bacterial infections like AHPND, thereby promoting the healthy and sustainable growth of the shrimp aquaculture sector. In this study, a novel and unique Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteriophage, named vB_VpaP_SJSY21, was successfully isolated from sewage samples. Using transmission electron microscopy, it was observed that phage SJSY21 has an elongated shell. Notably, phage SJSY21 exhibited high infection efficiency, with an optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of only 0.01 and a remarkably short latent period of 10 min, resulting in a lysis quantity of 508. Furthermore, phage SJSY21 demonstrated notable heat resistance and the capacity to withstand high temperatures during preservation, thus holding potential for application in phage therapy. Whole-genome sequencing and analysis confirmed that phage SJSY21 has a genome size of 110,776 bp, classifying it as a new member of the short-tailed bacteriophage family. Additionally, cultivation experiments indicated that phage SJSY21 has the potential to enhance the survival of L. vannamei in culture systems, thereby offering innovative prospects for the application of phage therapy in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajin Xu
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (Y.X.); (J.S.); (Z.B.)
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572040, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (Y.X.); (J.S.); (Z.B.)
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572040, China
| | - Jingjie Hu
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (Y.X.); (J.S.); (Z.B.)
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572040, China
| | - Zhenmin Bao
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (Y.X.); (J.S.); (Z.B.)
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572040, China
| | - Mengqiang Wang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (Y.X.); (J.S.); (Z.B.)
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572040, China
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30
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Malekian N, Sainath S, Al-Fatlawi A, Schroeder M. Word-based GWAS harnesses the rich potential of genomic data for E. coli quinolone resistance. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1276332. [PMID: 38152371 PMCID: PMC10751334 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1276332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Quinolone resistance presents a growing global health threat. We employed word-based GWAS to explore genomic data, aiming to enhance our understanding of this phenomenon. Unlike traditional variant-based GWAS analyses, this approach simultaneously captures multiple genomic factors, including single and interacting resistance mutations and genes. Analyzing a dataset of 92 genomic E. coli samples from a wastewater treatment plant in Dresden, we identified 54 DNA unitigs significantly associated with quinolone resistance. Remarkably, our analysis not only validated known mutations in gyrA and parC genes and the results of our variant-based GWAS but also revealed new (mutated) genes such as mdfA, the AcrEF-TolC multidrug efflux system, ptrB, and hisI, implicated in antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, our study identified joint mutations in 14 genes including the known gyrA gene, providing insights into potential synergistic effects contributing to quinolone resistance. These findings showcase the exceptional capabilities of word-based GWAS in unraveling the intricate genomic foundations of quinolone resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Malekian
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Srividhya Sainath
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ali Al-Fatlawi
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- ITRDC, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Michael Schroeder
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (ScaDS.AI), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Colautti A, Comi G, Peterlunger E, Iacumin L. Ancient Roman bacterium against current issues: strain Aquil_B6, Paenisporosarcina quisquiliarum, or Psychrobacillus psychrodurans? Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0068623. [PMID: 37975675 PMCID: PMC10714998 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00686-23] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Since 1988, through the United States government's founding, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has provided an invaluable service to scientific advancement. The universality and total freedom of use if on the one hand allow the use of this database on a global level by all researchers for their valuable work, on the other hand, it has the disadvantage of making it difficult to check the correctness of all the materials present. It is, therefore, of fundamental importance for the correctness and ethics of research to improve the databases at our disposal, identifying and amending the critical issues. This work aims to provide the scientific community with a new sequence for the type strain Paenisporosarcina quisquiliarum SK 55 and broaden the knowledge of the Psychrobacillus psychrodurans species, in particular, considering the ancient strain Aquil_B6 found in an ancient Roman amphora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Colautti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Science, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Comi
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Science, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Enrico Peterlunger
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Science, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Lucilla Iacumin
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Science, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Heredia-Ponce Z, Secchi E, Toyofuku M, Marinova G, Savorana G, Eberl L. Genotoxic stress stimulates eDNA release via explosive cell lysis and thereby promotes streamer formation of Burkholderia cenocepacia H111 cultured in a microfluidic device. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:96. [PMID: 38071361 PMCID: PMC10710452 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00464-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA is a component of biofilms, but the triggers of DNA release during biofilm formation and how DNA contributes to biofilm development are poorly investigated. One key mechanism involved in DNA release is explosive cell lysis, which is a consequence of prophage induction. In this article, the role of explosive cell lysis in biofilm formation was investigated in the opportunistic human pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia H111 (H111). Biofilm streamers, flow-suspended biofilm filaments, were used as a biofilm model in this study, as DNA is an essential component of their matrix. H111 contains three prophages on chromosome 1 of its genome, and the involvement of each prophage in causing explosive cell lysis of the host and subsequent DNA and membrane vesicle (MV) release, as well as their contribution to streamer formation, were studied in the presence and absence of genotoxic stress. The results show that two of the three prophages of H111 encode functional lytic prophages that can be induced by genotoxic stress and their activation causes DNA and MVs release by explosive cell lysis. Furthermore, it is shown that the released DNA enables the strain to develop biofilm streamers, and streamer formation can be enhanced by genotoxic stress. Overall, this study demonstrates the involvement of prophages in streamer formation and uncovers an often-overlooked problem with the use of antibiotics that trigger the bacterial SOS response for the treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaira Heredia-Ponce
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, 8008, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Secchi
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Masanori Toyofuku
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability (MiCS), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Gabriela Marinova
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, 8008, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Savorana
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Leo Eberl
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, 8008, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Valadez-Cano C, Reyes-Prieto A, Lawrence J. Novel virulent and temperate cyanophages predicted to infect Microcoleus associated with anatoxin-producing benthic mats. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:3319-3332. [PMID: 37849433 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Cyanophages are crucial for regulating cyanobacterial populations, but their influence on anatoxin-producing Microcoleus mat dynamics remains unexplored. Here, we use metagenomics to explore phage presence in benthic mats from the Wolastoq|Saint John River (New Brunswick, Canada) and the Eel River (California, USA). We recovered multiple viral-like sequences associated with different putative bacterial hosts, including two cyanophage genomes with apparently different replication strategies. A temperate cyanophage was found integrated in the genomes of Microcoleus sp. 3 recovered from the Eel River and is phylogenetically related to Phormidium phages. We also recovered novel virulent cyanophage genomes from Wolastoq and Eel River mats that were dominated by anatoxin-producing Microcoleus species predicted to be the host. Despite the geographical distance, these genomes have similar sizes (circa 239 kbp) and share numerous orthologous genes with high sequence identity. A considerable reduction of the anatoxin-producing Microcoleus species in Wolastoq mats following the emergence of the virulent phage suggests that phage infections have an important role in limiting the abundance of this toxigenic cyanobacterium and releasing anatoxins into the surrounding water. Our results constitute the first report of cyanophages predicted to infect mat-forming Microcoleus species associated with anatoxin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilio Valadez-Cano
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Adrian Reyes-Prieto
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Janice Lawrence
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
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Zhang S, Hu X, Zhang C, Ju Y, Liu X, Wei Y. Dopamine alters phage morphology to exert an anti-infection effect. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1272447. [PMID: 38029195 PMCID: PMC10666287 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1272447] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiviral drug development is important for human health, and the emergence of novel COVID-19 variants has seriously affected human lives and safety. A bacteriophage-a bacterial virus with a small and simple structure-is an ideal experimental candidate for studying the interactions between viruses and their hosts. In this study, the effects and mechanisms of catecholamines on phages were explored, and dopamine (DA) was found to have general and efficient anti-infection effects. A clear dose-dependent effect was observed when different phages were treated with DA, with higher DA concentrations exhibiting stronger anti-phage activity. The half maximal inhibitory concentration values of DA for vB-EcoS-IME167, T4 Phage, and VMY22 were determined as 0.26, 0.12, and 0.73 mg mL-1, respectively. The anti-phage effect of DA increased with treatment duration. In addition, the anti-infection activities of DA against vB-EcoS-IME167, T4 Phage, and VMY22 were increased by 105, 104, and 104 folds compared to that of the control. This ability of DA was observed only in phages and not in the host bacteria. Morphological changes of phages were observed under transmission electron microscopy following their treatment with DA, and considerable changes in adsorption were confirmed via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These results suggest that the anti-phage effect of DA is primarily due to the destruction of the external structure of the phage. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to report the universal anti-phage infection effect of dopamine, which provides novel information regarding DA and forms a basis for further research and development of antiviral drugs. Moreover, it provides a new perspective for the research about the defense and counter-defense of bacteria and bacteriophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengting Zhang
- School of Ethnic Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiuling Hu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yani Ju
- School of Ethnic Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Faculty of Narcotics Control, Yunnan Police College, Kunming, China
| | - Yunlin Wei
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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Vilas Bhagwat P, Ravindran C, Irudayarajan L. Characterization of the defense properties of healthy and diseased coral mucus. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:108001. [PMID: 37838065 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.108001] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The surface mucus layer of corals aids in feeding, silt removal, and defense against pathogens. However, first line of defense of secreted mucus of corals against tissue damage generated through pathogen or environmental factors is poorly understood. Hence, we used various methods such as a well diffusion assay and tests for quorum quenching, free radical scavenging, antioxidant enzyme expression and phenoloxidase (PO) activity to determine the mucus defense properties using mucus of healthy and diseased Porites sp. and Acropora sp. Interestingly the coral mucus showed antimicrobial activity against coral pathogens such as bacteria and protozoan ciliates. Inhibition of the N-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) molecule suggests quorum quenching. Free radical scavenging of mucus was screened using hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods, which was found significantly more in diseased corals (p < 0.05). Antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and peroxidase activity were observed in both the diseased and healthy coral mucus. The presence of serine and metalloproteases was also detected in coral mucus. Further, phenoloxidase (PO) activity was highest in diseased coral mucus affected by pink line syndrome and white patch Acropora sp. disease than the healthy coral mucus. Thus, the present study of antimicrobial properties, antioxidant enzymes, and quorum quenching properties in coral mucus may aid in understanding the corals defense and survival against pathogens and any abiotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phartade Vilas Bhagwat
- Biological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula-403004, Goa, India; Department of Biotechnology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa 403206, India
| | - Chinnarajan Ravindran
- Biological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula-403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
| | - Lawrance Irudayarajan
- Biological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula-403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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Hodgeman R, Mann R, Djitro N, Savin K, Rochfort S, Rodoni B. The pan-genome of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) confirms ancestral lineage and reveals gene rearrangements within Map Type S. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:656. [PMID: 37907856 PMCID: PMC10619280 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09752-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date genomic studies on Map have concentrated on Type C strains with only a few Type S strains included for comparison. In this study the entire pan-genome of 261 Map genomes (205 Type C, 52 Type S and 4 Type B) and 7 Mycobacterium avium complex (Mac) genomes were analysed to identify genomic similarities and differences between the strains and provide more insight into the evolutionary relationship within this Mycobacterial species. RESULTS Our analysis of the core genome of all the Map isolates identified two distinct lineages, Type S and Type C Map that is consistent with previous phylogenetic studies of Map. Pan-genome analysis revealed that Map has a larger accessory genome than Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (Maa) and Type C Map has a larger accessory genome than Type S Map. In addition, we found large rearrangements within Type S strains of Map and little to none in Type C and Type B strains. There were 50 core genes identified that were unique to Type S Map and there were no unique core genes identified between Type B and Type C Map strains. In Type C Map we identified an additional CE10 CAZyme class which was identified as an alpha/beta hydrolase and an additional polyketide and non-ribosomal peptide synthetase cluster. Consistent with previous analysis no plasmids and only incomplete prophages were identified in the genomes of Map. There were 45 hypothetical CRISPR elements identified with no associated cas genes. CONCLUSION This is the most comprehensive comparison of the genomic content of Map isolates to date and included the closing of eight Map genomes. The analysis revealed that there is greater variation in gene synteny within Type S strains when compared to Type C indicating that the Type C Map strain emerged after Type S. Further analysis of Type C and Type B genomes revealed that they are structurally similar with little to no genetic variation and that Type B Map may be a distinct clade within Type C Map and not a different strain type of Map. The evolutionary lineage of Maa and Map was confirmed as emerging after M. hominissuis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Hodgeman
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
- School of Applied Systems Biology, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
| | - Rachel Mann
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Noel Djitro
- School of Applied Systems Biology, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Keith Savin
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Simone Rochfort
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Brendan Rodoni
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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Han R, Hong Y, Xu R, Guo W, Zhang M, Lu Z, Han Q, Mo Z, Dan X, Li Y. Genomic evidence of genetic diversity and functional evolution in Flavobacterium columnare. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1240471. [PMID: 37840739 PMCID: PMC10568018 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1240471] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Flavobacterium columnare is the causative agent of columnaris disease in freshwater fish. Columnaris disease can cause heavy economic losses in aquaculture. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was used to characterize this pathogen. F. columnare isolate AH-01 had a circular chromosome and plasmid that encoded a total of 3,022 genes. Isolate GX-01 only had a circular chromosome and encoded 2,965 genes. Genomic islands, prophage regions, and CRISPR/Cas systems were identified in both genomes. Both genomes presented evidence of gene variation and horizontal transfer, both of which are the essential components of genetic diversity, genome plasticity, and functional evolution. Single-gene phylogeny and comparative genome analyses were performed to investigate the variation and evolution of this pathogen. Genetic analysis of 16S rRNA and housekeeping gene sequences significantly clustered 55 F. columnare isolates into four clades. The intragroup identity of the 16S rRNA gene exceeded 99%, while the intergroup identity was below the species delineation threshold. We discovered significant translocation, inversion, and rearrangement events that influenced local synteny within each group. Notably, the observed alignments varied considerably among all the studied groups. The core genomes of all strains with available sequences comprised 747 genes, corresponding to approximately 25% of the genome. Core genome multilocus sequence typing, genome-wide orthology and phylogenetic analyses, and average nucleotide identity suggested that the currently existing F. columnare was an assemblage of several distinct species, with levels of divergence at least equivalent to those between recognized bacterial species. The present investigation provided genomic evidence of gene variation and horizontal transfer, which were the basis of genetic diversity, genome plasticity, and functional evolution. The findings supported a proposed new taxonomic perspective on F. columnare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Han
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Nansha-South China Agricultural University Fishery Research Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Hong
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruilong Xu
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Guo
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingshu Zhang
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijun Lu
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Han
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zequan Mo
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Nansha-South China Agricultural University Fishery Research Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueming Dan
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Nansha-South China Agricultural University Fishery Research Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanwei Li
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Nansha-South China Agricultural University Fishery Research Institute, Guangzhou, China
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Alkhalil SS. The role of bacteriophages in shaping bacterial composition and diversity in the human gut. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1232413. [PMID: 37795308 PMCID: PMC10546012 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1232413] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiota of the gut has continued to co-evolve alongside their human hosts conferring considerable health benefits including the production of nutrients, drug metabolism, modulation of the immune system, and playing an antagonistic role against pathogen invasion of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The gut is said to provide a habitat for diverse groups of microorganisms where they all co-habit and interact with one another and with the immune system of humans. Phages are bacterial parasites that require the host metabolic system to replicate via the lytic or lysogenic cycle. The phage and bacterial populations are regarded as the most dominant in the gut ecosystem. As such, among the various microbial interactions, the phage-bacteria interactions, although complex, have been demonstrated to co-evolve over time using different mechanisms such as predation, lysogenic conversion, and phage induction, alongside counterdefense by the bacterial population. With the help of models and dynamics of phage-bacteria interactions, the complexity behind their survival in the gut ecosystem was demystified, and their roles in maintaining gut homeostasis and promoting the overall health of humans were elucidated. Although the treatment of various gastrointestinal infections has been demonstrated to be successful against multidrug-resistant causative agents, concerns about this technique are still very much alive among researchers owing to the potential for phages to evolve. Since a dearth of knowledge exists regarding the use of phages for therapeutic purposes, more studies involving experimental models and clinical trials are needed to widen the understanding of bacteria-phage interactions and their association with immunological responses in the gut of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia S. Alkhalil
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Alquwayiyah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Shikov AE, Merkushova AV, Savina IA, Nizhnikov AA, Antonets KS. The man, the plant, and the insect: shooting host specificity determinants in Serratia marcescens pangenome. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1211999. [PMID: 38029097 PMCID: PMC10656689 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1211999] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Serratia marcescens is most commonly known as an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections. It, however, was shown to infect a wide range of hosts apart from vertebrates such as insects or plants as well, being either pathogenic or growth-promoting for the latter. Despite being extensively studied in terms of virulence mechanisms during human infections, there has been little evidence of which factors determine S. marcescens host specificity. On that account, we analyzed S. marcescens pangenome to reveal possible specificity factors. Methods We selected 73 high-quality genome assemblies of complete level and reconstructed the respective pangenome and reference phylogeny based on core genes alignment. To find an optimal pipeline, we tested current pangenomic tools and obtained several phylogenetic inferences. The pangenome was rich in its accessory component and was considered open according to the Heaps' law. We then applied the pangenome-wide associating method (pan-GWAS) and predicted positively associated gene clusters attributed to three host groups, namely, humans, insects, and plants. Results According to the results, significant factors relating to human infections included transcriptional regulators, lipoproteins, ABC transporters, and membrane proteins. Host preference toward insects, in its turn, was associated with diverse enzymes, such as hydrolases, isochorismatase, and N-acetyltransferase with the latter possibly exerting a neurotoxic effect. Finally, plant infection may be conducted through type VI secretion systems and modulation of plant cell wall synthesis. Interestingly, factors associated with plants also included putative growth-promoting proteins like enzymes performing xenobiotic degradation and releasing ammonium irons. We also identified overrepresented functional annotations within the sets of specificity factors and found that their functional characteristics fell into separate clusters, thus, implying that host adaptation is represented by diverse functional pathways. Finally, we found that mobile genetic elements bore specificity determinants. In particular, prophages were mainly associated with factors related to humans, while genetic islands-with insects and plants, respectively. Discussion In summary, functional enrichments coupled with pangenomic inferences allowed us to hypothesize that the respective host preference is carried out through distinct molecular mechanisms of virulence. To the best of our knowledge, the presented research is the first to identify specific genomic features of S. marcescens assemblies isolated from different hosts at the pangenomic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton E. Shikov
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasiya V. Merkushova
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Iuliia A. Savina
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anton A. Nizhnikov
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kirill S. Antonets
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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40
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Gu BL, She Y, Pei GK, Du Y, Yang R, Ma LX, Zhao Q, Gao SG. Systematic analysis of prophages carried by Porphyromonas gingivalis. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 113:105489. [PMID: 37572952 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
To systematically investigate the prophages carrying in Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) strains, analyze potential antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence genes in these prophages. We collected 90 whole genome sequences of P. gingivalis from NCBI and utilized the Prophage Hunter online software to predict prophages; Comprehensive antibiotic research database (CARD) and virulence factors database (VFDB) were adopted to analyze the ARGs and virulence factors (VFs) carried by the prophages. Sixty-nine prophages were identified among 24/90 P. gingivalis strains, including 17 active prophages (18.9%) and 52 ambiguous prophages (57.8%). The proportion of prophages carried by each P. gingivalis genome ranged from 0.5% to 6.7%. A total of 188 antibiotic resistance genes belonging to 25 phenotypes and 46 different families with six mechanisms of antibiotic resistance were identified in the 17 active prophages. Three active prophages encoded 4 virulence genes belonging to type III and type VI secretion systems. The potential hosts of these virulence genes included Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhi, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In conclusion, 26.7% P. gingivalis strains carry prophages, while the proportion of prophage genes in the P. gingivalis genome is relatively low. In addition, approximately 39.7% of the P. gingivalis prophage genes have ARGs identified, mainly against streptogramin, peptides, and aminoglycosides. Only a few prophages carry virulence genes. Prophages may play an important role in the acquisition, dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes, and pathogenicity evolution in P. gingivalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Gu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - Y She
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - G K Pei
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - Y Du
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - R Yang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - L X Ma
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - Q Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - S G Gao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital (College of Clinical Medicine) of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jianxi, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China.
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Jiang S, Chen K, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Tang Y, Huang W, Xiong X, Chen S, Chen C, Wang L. A DNA phosphorothioation-based Dnd defense system provides resistance against various phages and is compatible with the Ssp defense system. mBio 2023; 14:e0093323. [PMID: 37260233 PMCID: PMC10470545 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00933-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
DndABCDE-catalyzed DNA phosphorothioation (PT), in which the nonbridging oxygen is swapped with a sulfur atom, was first identified in the bacterial genome. Usually, this modification gene cluster is paired with a restriction module consisting of DndF, DndG, and DndH. Although the mechanisms for the antiphage activity conferred by this Dnd-related restriction and modification (R-M) system have been well characterized, several features remain unclear, including the antiphage spectrum and potential interference with DNA methylation. Recently, a novel PT-related R-M system, composed of the modification module SspABCD paired with a single restriction enzyme, SspE, was revealed to be widespread in the bacterial kingdom, which aroused our interest in the interaction between Dnd- and Ssp-based R-M systems. In this study, we discussed the action of Dnd-related R-M systems against phages and demonstrated that the host could benefit from the protection provided by Dnd-related R-M systems against infection by various lytic phages as well as temperate phages. However, this defense barrier would fail against lysogenic phages. Interestingly, DNA methylation, even in the consensus sequence recognized by the Dnd system, could not weaken the restriction efficiency. Finally, we explored the interaction between Dnd- and Ssp-based R-M systems and found that these two systems were compatible. This study not only expands our knowledge of Dnd-associated R-M systems but also reveals a complex interaction between different defense barriers that coexist in the cell. IMPORTANCE Recently, we decoded the mechanism of Dnd-related R-M systems against genetic parasites. In the presence of exogenous DNA that lacks PT, the macromolecular machine consisting of DndF, DndG, and DndH undergoes conformational changes to perform DNA binding, translocation, and DNA nicking activities and scavenge the foreign DNA. However, several questions remain unanswered, including questions regarding the antiphage spectrum, potential interference by DNA methylation, and interplay with other PT-dependent R-M systems. Here, we revealed that the host could benefit from Dnd-related R-M systems for a broad range of antiphage activities, regardless of the presence of DNA methylation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the convergence of Dnd- and Ssp-related R-M systems could confer to the host a stronger antiphage ability through the additive suppression of phage replication. This study not only deepens our understanding of PT-related defense barriers but also expands our knowledge of the arms race between bacteria and their predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susu Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingying Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yueying Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yaru Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wanqiu Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaolin Xiong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shi Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Ragunathan PT, Ng Kwan Lim E, Ma X, Massé E, Vanderpool CK. Mechanisms of Regulation of Cryptic Prophage-Encoded Gene Products in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0012923. [PMID: 37439671 PMCID: PMC10448788 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00129-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The dicBF operon of Qin cryptic prophage in Escherichia coli K-12 encodes the small RNA (sRNA) DicF and small protein DicB, which regulate host cell division and are toxic when overexpressed. While new functions of DicB and DicF have been identified in recent years, the mechanisms controlling the expression of the dicBF operon have remained unclear. Transcription from dicBp, the major promoter of the dicBF operon, is repressed by DicA. In this study, we discovered that transcription of the dicBF operon and processing of the polycistronic mRNA is regulated by multiple mechanisms. DicF sRNA accumulates during stationary phase and is processed from the polycistronic dicBF mRNA by the action of both RNase III and RNase E. DicA-mediated transcriptional repression of dicBp can be relieved by an antirepressor protein, Rem, encoded on the Qin prophage. Ectopic production of Rem results in cell filamentation due to strong induction of the dicBF operon, and filamentation is mediated by DicF and DicB. Spontaneous derepression of dicBp occurs in a subpopulation of cells independent of the antirepressor. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the bistable switch of λ phage with DicA and DicC performing functions similar to those of CI and Cro, respectively. Additional experiments demonstrate stress-dependent induction of the dicBF operon. Collectively, our results illustrate that toxic genes carried on cryptic prophages are subject to layered mechanisms of control, some that are derived from the ancestral phage and some that are likely later adaptations. IMPORTANCE Cryptic or defective prophages have lost genes necessary to excise from the bacterial chromosome and produce phage progeny. In recent years, studies have found that cryptic prophage gene products influence diverse aspects of bacterial host cell physiology. However, to obtain a complete understanding of the relationship between cryptic prophages and the host bacterium, identification of the environmental, host, or prophage-encoded factors that induce the expression of cryptic prophage genes is crucial. In this study, we examined the regulation of a cryptic prophage operon in Escherichia coli encoding a small RNA and a small protein that are involved in inhibiting bacterial cell division, altering host metabolism, and protecting the host bacterium from phage infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preethi T. Ragunathan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Evelyne Ng Kwan Lim
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Xiangqian Ma
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Eric Massé
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Carin K. Vanderpool
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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González de Aledo M, Blasco L, Lopez M, Ortiz-Cartagena C, Bleriot I, Pacios O, Hernández-García M, Cantón R, Tomas M. Prophage identification and molecular analysis in the genomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from critical care patients. mSphere 2023; 8:e0012823. [PMID: 37366636 PMCID: PMC10449497 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00128-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Prophages are bacteriophages integrated into the bacterial host's chromosome. This research aims to analyze and characterize the existing prophages within a collection of 53 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from intensive care units (ICUs) in Portugal and Spain. A total of 113 prophages were localized in the collection, with 18 of them being present in more than one strain simultaneously. After annotation, five of them were discarded as incomplete, and the 13 remaining prophages were characterized. Of 13, 10 belonged to the siphovirus tail morphology group, 2 to the podovirus tail morphology group, and 1 to the myovirus tail morphology group. All prophages had a length ranging from 20,199 to 63,401 bp and a GC% between 56.2% and 63.6%. The number of open reading frames (ORFs) oscillated between 32 and 88, and in 3/13 prophages, more than 50% of the ORFs had an unknown function. With our findings, we show that prophages are present in the majority of the P. aeruginosa strains isolated from Portuguese and Spanish critically ill patients, many of them found in more than one circulating strain at the same time and following a similar clonal distribution pattern. Although a great sum of ORFs had an unknown function, number of proteins in relation to viral defense (anti-CRISPR proteins, toxin/antitoxin modules, proteins against restriction-modification systems) as well as to prophage interference into their host's quorum sensing system and regulatory cascades were found. This supports the idea that prophages have an influence in bacterial pathogenesis and anti-phage defense. IMPORTANCE Despite being known for decades, prophages remain understudied when compared to the lytic phages employed in phage therapy. This research aims to shed some light into the nature, composition, and role of prophages found within a set of circulating strains of Pseudomas aeruginosa, with special attention to high-risk clones. Given the fact that prophages can effectively influence bacterial pathogenesis, prophage basic research constitutes a topic of growing interest. Furthermore, the abundance of viral defense and regulatory proteins within prophage genomes detected in this study evidences the importance of characterizing the most frequent prophages in circulating clinical strains and in high-risk clones if phage therapy is to be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel González de Aledo
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS); CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia Blasco
- Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (INIBIC); Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC); Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Maria Lopez
- Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (INIBIC); Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC); Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Concha Ortiz-Cartagena
- Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (INIBIC); Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC); Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Inés Bleriot
- Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (INIBIC); Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC); Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Olga Pacios
- Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (INIBIC); Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC); Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Marta Hernández-García
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS); CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Cantón
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS); CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Study Group on Mechanisms of Action and Resistance to Antimicrobials (GEMARA) on behalf of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Tomas
- Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (INIBIC); Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC); Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Study Group on Mechanisms of Action and Resistance to Antimicrobials (GEMARA) on behalf of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
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Pustam A, Jayaraman J, Ramsubhag A. Comparative genomics and virulome analysis reveal unique features associated with clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae from Trinidad, West Indies. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283583. [PMID: 37428714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae are closely related human pathogens of global concern. The more recently described K. quasipneumoniae shares similar morphological characteristics with K. pneumoniae and is commonly misidentified as this species using traditional laboratory techniques. The vast mobilome in these pathogenic bacteria influences the dissemination of virulence factors in high-risk environments and it is, therefore, critical to monitor strains for developing effective clinical management strategies. Herein, this study utilized Illumina sequencing to characterize the whole genomes of nine clinical K. pneumoniae and one K. quasipneumoniae isolate obtained from patients of 3 major hospitals in Trinidad, West Indies. Reconstruction of the assembled genomes and implementation of several bioinformatic tools revealed unique features such as high pathogenicity islands associated with the isolates. The K. pneumoniae isolates were categorized as classical (n = 3), uropathogenic (n = 5), or hypervirulent (n = 1) strains. In silico multilocus sequence typing, and phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates were related to several international high-risk genotypes, including sequence types ST11, ST15, ST86, and ST307. Analysis of the virulome and mobilome of these pathogens showed unique and clinically important features including the presence of genes associated with Type 1 and Type 3 fimbriae, the aerobactin and yersiniabactin siderophore systems, the K2 and O1/2, and the O3 and O5 serotypes. These genes were either on or in close proximity to insertion sequence elements, phage sequences, and plasmids. Several secretion systems including the Type VI system and relevant effector proteins were prevalent in the local isolates. This is the first comprehensive study investigating the genomes of clinical K. pneumoniae and K. quasipneumoniae isolates from Trinidad, West Indies. The data presented illustrate the diversity of Trinidadian clinical K. pneumoniae isolates as well as significant virulence biomarkers and mobile elements associated with these isolates. Additionally, the genomes of the local isolates will add to global databases and thus can be used in future surveillance or genomic studies in this country and the wider Caribbean region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Pustam
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Jayaraj Jayaraman
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Adesh Ramsubhag
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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Orfei B, Pothier JF, Fenske L, Blom J, Moretti C, Buonaurio R, Smits THM. Race-specific genotypes of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato are defined by the presence of mobile DNA elements within the genome. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1197706. [PMID: 37476164 PMCID: PMC10354423 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1197706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato is the causal agent of bacterial speck of tomato, an important disease that results in severe crop production losses worldwide. Currently, two races within phylogroup 01a (PG01a) are described for this pathogen. Race 0 strains have avirulence genes for the expression of type III system-associated effectors AvrPto1 and AvrPtoB, that are recognized and targeted by the effector-triggered immunity in tomato cultivars having the pto race-specific resistance gene. Race 1 strains instead lack the avrPto1 and avrPtoB genes and are therefore capable to aggressively attack all tomato cultivars. Here, we have performed the complete genome sequencing and the analysis of P. syringae pv. tomato strain DAPP-PG 215, which was described as a race 0 strain in 1996. Our analysis revealed that its genome comprises a 6.2 Mb circular chromosome and two plasmids (107 kb and 81 kb). The results indicate that the strain is phylogenetically closely related to strains Max13, K40, T1 and NYS-T1, all known race 1 strains. The chromosome of DAPP-PG 215 encodes race 1-associated genes like avrA and hopW1 and lacks race 0-associated genes like hopN1, giving it a race 1 genetic background. However, the genome harbors a complete ortholog of avrPto1, which allows the strain to display a race 0 phenotype. Comparative genomics with several PG01a genomes revealed that mobile DNA elements are rather involved in the evolution of the two different races.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Orfei
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali (DSA3), Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Joël F. Pothier
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Research Group, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Linda Fenske
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Chiaraluce Moretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali (DSA3), Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberto Buonaurio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali (DSA3), Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Theo H. M. Smits
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Research Group, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Wädenswil, Switzerland
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Carroll LM, Piacenza N, Cheng RA, Wiedmann M, Guldimann C. A multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica Typhimurium DT104 complex lineage circulating among humans and cattle in the USA lost the ability to produce pertussis-like toxin ArtAB. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen001050. [PMID: 37402177 PMCID: PMC10438809 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001050] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104) can infect both humans and animals and is often multidrug-resistant (MDR). Previous studies have indicated that, unlike most S . Typhimurium, the overwhelming majority of DT104 strains produce pertussis-like toxin ArtAB via prophage-encoded genes artAB . However, DT104 that lack artAB have been described on occasion. Here, we identify an MDR DT104 complex lineage circulating among humans and cattle in the USA, which lacks artAB (i.e. the ‘U.S. artAB -negative major clade’; n =42 genomes). Unlike most other bovine- and human-associated DT104 complex strains from the USA (n =230 total genomes), which harbour artAB on prophage Gifsy-1 (n =177), members of the U.S. artAB -negative major clade lack Gifsy-1, as well as anti-inflammatory effector gogB . The U.S. artAB -negative major clade encompasses human- and cattle-associated strains isolated from ≥11 USA states over a 20-year period. The clade was predicted to have lost artAB , Gifsy-1 and gogB circa 1985–1987 (95 % highest posterior density interval 1979.0–1992.1). When compared to DT104 genomes from other regions of the world (n =752 total genomes), several additional, sporadic artAB , Gifsy-1 and/or gogB loss events among clades encompassing five or fewer genomes were observed. Using phenotypic assays that simulate conditions encountered during human and/or bovine digestion, members of the U.S. artAB -negative major clade did not differ from closely related Gifsy-1/artAB /gogB -harbouring U.S. DT104 complex strains (ANOVA raw P >0.05); thus, future research is needed to elucidate the roles that artAB , gogB and Gifsy-1 play in DT104 virulence in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Carroll
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, SciLifeLab, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Integrated Science Lab, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nicolo Piacenza
- Chair for Food Safety and Analytics, Ludwig-Maximillians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rachel A. Cheng
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Martin Wiedmann
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Claudia Guldimann
- Chair for Food Safety and Analytics, Ludwig-Maximillians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Zhang X, Li Y, Zhang K, Yin Y, Wang J, Wang L, Wang Z, Zhang R, Wang H, Zhang Z. Graphene oxide affects bacteriophage infection of bacteria by promoting the formation of biofilms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163027. [PMID: 36963686 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) is increasingly used in a range of fields, such as electronics, biosensors, drug delivery, and water treatment, and the likelihood of its release into the environment is increasing correspondingly. GO is involved in the formation of biofilms and leads bacteria to over proliferate, but the effects of GO on bacteriophage infection remain unexplored. We noted bacterial overgrowth in experiments when GO was used to treat the bacterial culture medium, leading us to question whether bacterial proliferation caused by GO affects phage infection of target bacteria. Treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa with GO at a low dosage (0.02 mg/mL) led to biofilm expansion in LB medium. Biofilm formation in the presence of GO affected the ability of bacteriophages to kill bacteria and reproduce. Similarly, the presence of GO deposits increased the ratio of bacteria to phage, providing a favorable environment for bacterial growth. Additionally, increasing the positive electrical charge in the culture environment inhibited the rejection of bacteriophages by negatively charged GO, improving phage reproduction. Finally, adding GO to sewage in imitation field experiments significantly increased the bacterial diversity and richness in the sewage, stimulating a significant increase in the variety and number of bacteria. Collectively, these results indicate that GO hinders phage infection by providing a bacterial refuge. The results of this study provide valuable insights into how GO interacts with bacteriophages to explore the effects on bacterial growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Ying Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China; School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Kexin Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China; School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Yansong Yin
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China; School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Jie Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Luocheng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Zhexing Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Ruiling Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China; School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250102, China.
| | - Haijun Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China; School of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China.
| | - Zhong Zhang
- Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China.
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Kho CJY, Lau MML, Chung HH, Chew IYY, Gan HM. Whole-Genome Sequencing of Pseudomonas koreensis Isolated from Diseased Tor tambroides. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:255. [PMID: 37356021 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03354-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Unlike environmental P. koreensis isolated from soil, which has been studied extensively for its role in promoting plant growth, pathogenic P. koreensis isolated from fish has been rarely reported. Therefore, we investigated and isolated the possible pathogen that is responsible for the diseased state of Tor tambroides. Herein, we reported the morphological and biochemical characteristics, as well as whole-genome sequences of a newly identified P. koreensis strain. We assembled a high-quality draft genome of P. koreensis CM-01 with a contig N50 value of 233,601 bp and 99.5% BUSCO completeness. The genome assembly of P. koreensis CM-01 is consists of 6,171,880 bp with a G+C content of 60.5%. Annotation of the genome identified 5538 protein-coding genes, 3 rRNA genes, 54 tRNAs, and no plasmids were found. Besides these, 39 interspersed repeat and 141 tandem repeat sequences, 6 prophages, 51 genomic islands, 94 insertion sequences, 4 clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, 5 antibiotic-resistant genes, and 150 virulence genes were also predicted in the P. koreensis CM-01 genome. Culture-based approach showed that CM-01 strain exhibited resistance against ampicillin, aztreonam, clindamycin, and cefoxitin with a calculated multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index value of 0.4. In addition, the assembled CM-01 genome was successfully annotated against the Cluster of Orthologous Groups of proteins database, Gene Ontology database, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway database. A comparative analysis of CM-01 with three representative strains of P. koreensis revealed that 92% of orthologous clusters were conserved among these four genomes, and only the CM-01 strain possesses unique elements related to pathogenicity and virulence. This study provides fundamental phenotypic and genomic information for the newly identified P. koreensis strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Jia Yung Kho
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Melinda Mei Lin Lau
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Hung Hui Chung
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Ivy Yee Yen Chew
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Han Ming Gan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
- Patriot Biotech Sdn. Bhd., 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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Ali Y, Inusa I, Sanghvi G, Mandaliya V, Bishoyi AK. The current status of phage therapy and its advancement towards establishing standard antimicrobials for combating multi drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Microb Pathog 2023:106199. [PMID: 37336428 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Phage therapy; a revived antimicrobial weapon, has great therapeutic advantages with the main ones being its ability to eradicate multidrug-resistant pathogens as well as selective toxicity, which ensures that beneficial microbiota is not harmed, unlike antibiotics. These therapeutic properties make phage therapy a novel approach for combating resistant pathogens. Since millions of people across the globe succumb to multidrug-resistant infections, the implementation of phage therapy as a standard antimicrobial could transform global medicine as it offers greater therapeutic advantages than conventional antibiotics. Although phage therapy has incomplete clinical data, such as a lack of standard dosage and the ideal mode of administration, the conducted clinical studies report its safety and efficacy in some case studies, and therefore, this could lessen the concerns of its skeptics. Since its discovery, the development of phage therapeutics has been in a smooth progression. Concerns about phage resistance in populations of pathogenic bacteria are raised when bacteria are exposed to phages. Bacteria can use restriction-modification, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) defense, or mutations in the phage receptors to prevent phage invasion. Phage resistance, however, is often costly for the bacteria and may lead to a reduction in its virulence. The ongoing competition between bacteria and phage, on the other hand, ensures the emergence of phage strains that have evolved to infect resistant bacteria. A phage can quickly adapt by altering one or more aspects of its mode of infection, evading a resistance mechanism through genetic modifications, or directly thwarting the CRISPR-Cas defense. Using phage-bacterium coevolution as a technique could be crucial in the development of phage therapy as well. Through its recent advancement, gene-editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas allow the bioengineering of phages to produce phage cocktails that have broad spectrum activities, which could maximize the treatment's efficacy. This review presents the current state of phage therapy and its progression toward establishing standard medicine for combating antibiotic resistance. Recent clinical trials of phage therapy, some important case studies, and other ongoing clinical studies of phage therapy are all presented in this review. Furthermore, the recent advancement in the development of phage therapeutics, its application in various sectors, and concerns regarding its implementation are also highlighted here. Phage therapy has great potential and could help the fight against drug-resistant bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yussuf Ali
- Department of Microbiology, Marwadi University, Gujarat, India
| | - Ibrahim Inusa
- Department of Information Technology, Marwadi University, Gujarat, India
| | - Gaurav Sanghvi
- Department of Microbiology, Marwadi University, Gujarat, India
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Morales G, Abelson B, Reasoner S, Miller J, Earl AM, Hadjifrangiskou M, Schmitz J. The Role of Mobile Genetic Elements in Virulence Factor Carriage from Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Cases of Escherichia coli Bacteriuria. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0471022. [PMID: 37195213 PMCID: PMC10269530 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04710-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is extremely diverse genotypically and phenotypically. Individual strains can variably carry diverse virulence factors, making it challenging to define a molecular signature for this pathotype. For many bacterial pathogens, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) constitute a major mechanism of virulence factor acquisition. For urinary E. coli, the total distribution of MGEs and their role in the acquisition of virulence factors is not well defined, including in the context of symptomatic infection versus asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). In this work, we characterized 151 isolates of E. coli, derived from patients with either urinary tract infection (UTI) or ASB. For both sets of E. coli, we catalogued the presence of plasmids, prophage, and transposons. We analyzed MGE sequences for the presence of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes. These MGEs were associated with only ~4% of total virulence associated genes, while plasmids contributed to ~15% of antimicrobial resistance genes under consideration. Our analyses suggests that, across strains of E. coli, MGEs are not a prominent driver of urinary tract pathogenesis and symptomatic infection. IMPORTANCE Escherichia coli is the most common etiological agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs), with UTI-associated strains designated "uropathogenic" E. coli or UPEC. Across urinary strains of E. coli, the global landscape of MGEs and its relationship to virulence factor carriage and clinical symptomatology require greater clarity. Here, we demonstrate that many of the putative virulence factors of UPEC are not associated with acquisition due to MGEs. The current work enhances our understanding of the strain-to-strain variability and pathogenic potential of urine-associated E. coli and points toward more subtle genomic differences distinguishing ASB from UTI isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Morales
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Benjamin Abelson
- Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Seth Reasoner
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jordan Miller
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ashlee M. Earl
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria Hadjifrangiskou
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jonathan Schmitz
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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