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Howes M, Currie BJ. Melioidosis and Activation from Latency: The "Time Bomb" Has Not Occurred. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 111:156-160. [PMID: 38806042 PMCID: PMC11229659 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0007] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis has long been considered able to exist in a latent form. Seropositivity among U.S. soldiers returning from the Vietnam conflict led to melioidosis being dubbed "the Vietnamese time bomb." Cases assigned to "(re)activation from latency" over 30 years of the Darwin Prospective Melioidosis Study (DPMS) were reviewed and reassessed and additional cases from DPMS years 31-34 were added. Historical reports of melioidosis attributed to activation from latency were reviewed. Some earlier DPMS cases and most historical cases described as activation from latency more accurately reflect undiagnosed chronic melioidosis, often with relapsing-remitting courses, rather than truly latent, asymptomatic infection. Such protracted disease should now be diagnosable much earlier, provided melioidosis is considered and laboratory facilities are available. The longest plausible duration of asymptomatic latency remains 29 years. In conclusion, activation from latency is a rare event in melioidosis, accounting in our analysis for under 3% of DPMS cases, consistent with why the Vietnamese time bomb never eventuated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Howes
- Infectious Diseases Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Bart J Currie
- Infectious Diseases Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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Plum MTW, Cheung HC, Iscar PR, Chen Y, Gan YH, Basler M. Burkholderia thailandensis uses a type VI secretion system to lyse protrusions without triggering host cell responses. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:676-692.e5. [PMID: 38640929 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.03.013] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
To spread within a host, intracellular Burkholderia form actin tails to generate membrane protrusions into neighboring host cells and use type VI secretion system-5 (T6SS-5) to induce cell-cell fusions. Here, we show that B. thailandensis also uses T6SS-5 to lyse protrusions to directly spread from cell to cell. Dynamin-2 recruitment to the membrane near a bacterium was followed by a short burst of T6SS-5 activity. This resulted in the polymerization of the actin of the newly invaded host cell and disruption of the protrusion membrane. Most protrusion lysis events were dependent on dynamin activity, caused no cell-cell fusion, and failed to be recognized by galectin-3. T6SS-5 inactivation decreased protrusion lysis but increased galectin-3, LC3, and LAMP1 accumulation in host cells. Our results indicate that B. thailandensis specifically activates T6SS-5 assembly in membrane protrusions to disrupt host cell membranes and spread without alerting cellular responses, such as autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hoi Ching Cheung
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Yahua Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
| | - Yunn-Hwen Gan
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
| | - Marek Basler
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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Savelkoel J, Tiemensma M, Birnie E, Wiersinga WJ, Currie BJ, Roelofs JJTH. A Graphical Overview of the Histopathology of Human Melioidosis: A Case Series. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad367. [PMID: 37547853 PMCID: PMC10400137 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Melioidosis, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, has a major global health impact and a wide range of different disease manifestations. Histopathological descriptions of melioidosis remain limited. Granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells are considered classic features. We aim to present a graphical overview of histopathological manifestations of melioidosis, serving as an aid in diagnosing this disease. Methods We performed a retrospective international multicenter laboratory-based analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue from culture-confirmed melioidosis autopsy and biopsy cases. Available FFPE tissue was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and immunostainings including a monoclonal antibody targeting the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of B pseudomallei. Tissue with site-specific cultures and/or positive CPS staining were included in the graphical histopathological overview. Results We identified tissue of 8 autopsy and 5 biopsy cases. Pneumonia and soft tissue abscesses were the leading foci of disease displaying mainly necrosis and suppuration. Infrequent disease manifestations included involvement of bone marrow and adrenal glands in an autopsy case and biopsied mediastinal tissue, the latter being the only case in which we identified multinucleated giant cells. Using the CPS staining, we demonstrated granulomata as part of rare gastric tissue involvement. Conclusions We found fatal melioidosis to be a necrotizing and suppurative inflammation, usually without multinucleated giant cell formation. Gastric and mediastinal involvement points to ingestion and inhalation as possible routes of infection. The CPS staining proved beneficial as an aid to establish a histopathological diagnosis. Our graphical overview can be used by infectious diseases specialists, microbiologists, and pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelmer Savelkoel
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marianne Tiemensma
- Territory Pathology, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Emma Birnie
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - W Joost Wiersinga
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart J Currie
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Joris J T H Roelofs
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Rahim MA, Khan MAY, Chowdhury TA, Ananna MA. Septicemic melioidosis complicating undiagnosed chronic kidney disease and beta-thalassemia minor in a Bangladeshi farmer. SAUDI JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES AND TRANSPLANTATION 2021; 31:1411-1414. [PMID: 33565456 DOI: 10.4103/1319-2442.308358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease in many countries including Bangladesh. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent for melioidosis. Here, we report an autochthonous case of septicemic melioidosis occurring in a middle-aged non-diabetic Bangladeshi farmer who presented with prolonged pyrexia and splenomegaly. Diagnostic workup revealed splenic micro-abscesses, previously undetected chronic kidney disease (CKD) and beta-thalassemia minor. This case stresses the importance of searching for less common risk factors for melioidosis such as CKD and hemolytic anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Abdur Rahim
- Department of Nephrology, Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Muhammad Abu Yousuf Khan
- Department of Nephrology, Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tufayel Ahmed Chowdhury
- Department of Nephrology, Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mehruba Alam Ananna
- Department of Nephrology, Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Multinucleated Giant Cell Formation as a Portal to Chronic Bacterial Infections. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111637. [PMID: 33113944 PMCID: PMC7690659 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides a snapshot of chronic bacterial infections through the lens of Burkholderia pseudomallei and detailing its ability to establish multi-nucleated giant cells (MNGC) within the host, potentially leading to the formation of pyogranulomatous lesions. We explore the role of MNGC in melioidosis disease progression and pathology by comparing the similarities and differences of melioidosis to tuberculosis, outline the concerted events in pathogenesis that lead to MNGC formation, discuss the factors that influence MNGC formation, and consider how they fit into clinical findings reported in chronic cases. Finally, we speculate about future models and techniques that can be used to delineate the mechanisms of MNGC formation and function.
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Ross BN, Thiriot JD, Wilson SM, Torres AG. Predicting toxins found in toxin-antitoxin systems with a role in host-induced Burkholderia pseudomallei persistence. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16923. [PMID: 33037311 PMCID: PMC7547725 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73887-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bpm) is a bacterial pathogen that causes Melioidosis, a disease with up to 40% mortality and an infection relapse of 15-23% despite antibiotic treatment. Ineffective clearance of Bpm by antibiotics is believed to be due to persistence, a hibernation-like survival mechanism modulated, in part, by toxin-antitoxin systems (TAS). Several organisms possess a repertoire of TASs but defining environmental cues eliciting their activity is hindered by laborious in vitro experiments, especially when there are many toxins with redundant function. Here, we identified which of 103 proteins in Bpm that share features found in toxins of the TAS and repurposed transcriptional data to identify which ones play a role in surviving intracellular host defenses. Putative toxins with the strongest transcriptional response were found to have low conservation between Bpm strains, while toxins that were constitutively expressed were highly conserved. Further examination of highly conserved toxins BPSS0899, BPSS1321, and BPSL1494 showed that they were functional, and their mutation led to reduce survival within macrophages and reduced in vivo persistence-associated pathology (abscesses) during treatment, but did not affect macrophages persistence. These findings highlight the utility of a data-driven approach to select putative toxins and suggests a selective role for some TAS in host survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany N Ross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Joseph D Thiriot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Shane M Wilson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Alfredo G Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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Increased Mortality in Mice following Immunoprophylaxis Therapy with High Dosage of Nicotinamide in Burkholderia Persistent Infections. Infect Immun 2018; 87:IAI.00592-18. [PMID: 30323029 PMCID: PMC6300628 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00592-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial persistence, known as noninherited antibacterial resistance, is a factor contributing to the establishment of long-lasting chronic bacterial infections. In this study, we examined the ability of nicotinamide (NA) to potentiate the activity of different classes of antibiotics against Burkholderia thailandensis persister cells. Bacterial persistence, known as noninherited antibacterial resistance, is a factor contributing to the establishment of long-lasting chronic bacterial infections. In this study, we examined the ability of nicotinamide (NA) to potentiate the activity of different classes of antibiotics against Burkholderia thailandensis persister cells. Here we demonstrate that addition of NA in in vitro models of B. thailandensis infection resulted in a significant depletion of the persister population in response to various classes of antibiotics. We applied microfluidic bioreactors with a continuous medium flow to study the effect of supplementation with an NA gradient on the recovery of B. thailandensis persister populations. A coculture of human neutrophils preactivated with 50 µM NA and B. thailandensis resulted in the most efficient reduction in the persister population. Applying single-cell RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and quantitative PCR, we found that NA inhibited gene expression of the stringent response regulator relA, implicated in the regulation of the persister metabolic state. We also demonstrate that a therapeutic dose of NA (250 mg/kg of body weight), previously applied as immunoprophylaxis against antibiotic-resistant bacterial species, produced adverse effects in an in vivo murine model of infection with the highly pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, indicating that therapeutic dose and metabolite effects have to be carefully evaluated and tailored for every case of potential clinical application.
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Franko J, McCall JL, Barnett JB. Evaluating Macrophages in Immunotoxicity Testing. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1803:255-296. [PMID: 29882145 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8549-4_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages are a heterogeneous group of cells that have a multitude of functions depending on their differentiation state. While classically known for their phagocytic and antigen presentation abilities, it is now evident that these cells fulfill homeostatic functions beyond the elimination of invading pathogens. In addition, macrophages have also been implicated in the downregulation of inflammatory responses following pathogen removal, tissue remodeling, repair, and angiogenesis. Alterations in macrophage differentiation and/or activity due to xenobiotic exposure can have grave consequences on organismal homeostasis, potentially contributing to disease due to immunosuppression or chronic inflammatory responses, depending upon the pathways affected. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the macrophages subtypes, their origin and a general discussion of several different assays used to assess their functional status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Franko
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jamie L McCall
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - John B Barnett
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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Abstract
Melioidosis well known as a 'great mimicker' is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Even though majority of the patients present with acute infection, around 18 % can present as chronic infection. These latent foci of infection may reactivate to cause fulminant infection at a later date. Due to lack of clinical suspicion and good laboratory facility latent infections are often misdiagnosed and treated as tuberculosis. Chronic splenic granuloma is a rare manifestation of Melioidosis . Deep seated abscess requires atleast 4 weeks of intensive treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Ceftazidime , the drug of choice for melioidosis can cause drug induced thrombocytopenia. Simultaneous use of diclofenac may potentiate this phenomenon. Treatment with meropenem may be life saving in such situitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fibi Ninan
- Department of General Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ajay Kumar Mishra
- Department of General Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ajoy Oommen John
- Department of General Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramya Iyadurai
- Department of General Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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