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Manna S, Ortika BD, Dunne EM, Holt KE, Kama M, Russell FM, Hinds J, Satzke C. A novel genetic variant of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 11A discovered in Fiji. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 24:428.e1-428.e7. [PMID: 28736074 PMCID: PMC5869949 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Objectives As part of annual cross-sectional Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage surveys in Fiji (2012–2015), we detected pneumococci in over 100 nasopharyngeal swabs that serotyped as ‘11F-like’ by microarray. We examined the genetic basis of this divergence in the 11F-like capsular polysaccharide (cps) locus compared to the reference 11F cps sequence. The impact of this diversity on capsule phenotype, and serotype results using genetic and serologic methods were determined. Methods Genomic DNA from representative 11F-like S. pneumoniae isolates obtained from the nasopharynx of Fijian children was extracted and subject to whole genome sequencing. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses were used to identify genetic changes in the cps locus. Capsular phenotypes were evaluated using the Quellung reaction and latex agglutination. Results Compared to published 11F sequences, the wcwC and wcrL genes of the 11F-like cps locus are phylogenetically divergent, and the gct gene contains a single nucleotide insertion within a homopolymeric region. These changes within the DNA sequence of the 11F-like cps locus have modified the antigenic properties of the capsule, such that 11F-like isolates serotype as 11A by Quellung reaction and latex agglutination. Conclusions This study demonstrates the ability of molecular serotyping by microarray to identify genetic variants of S. pneumoniae and highlights the potential for discrepant results between phenotypic and genotypic serotyping methods. We propose that 11F-like isolates are not a new serotype but rather are a novel genetic variant of serotype 11A. These findings have implications for invasive pneumococcal disease surveillance as well as studies investigating vaccine impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Manna
- Pneumococcal Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - B D Ortika
- Pneumococcal Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - E M Dunne
- Pneumococcal Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - K E Holt
- Centre for Systems Genomics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Kama
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
| | - F M Russell
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for International Child Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Hinds
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, United Kingdom; BUGS Bioscience, London Bioscience Innovation Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - C Satzke
- Pneumococcal Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Pond MJ, Hall C, Cole M, Laing KG, Miari V, Jagatia H, Harding-Esch E, Monahan I, Planche T, Hinds J, Ison C, Chisholm S, Butcher PD, Sadiq ST. 005.2 Diagnostic and clinical implications of genotypic fluoroquinolone susceptibility detection for neisseria gonorrhoeae. Br J Vener Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052270.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Dunne EM, Tikkanen L, Balloch A, Gould K, Yoannes M, Phuanukoonnon S, Licciardi PV, Russell FM, Mulholland EK, Satzke C, Hinds J. Characterization of 19A-like 19F pneumococcal isolates from Papua New Guinea and Fiji. New Microbes New Infect 2015; 7:86-8. [PMID: 26339490 PMCID: PMC4547413 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F is routinely performed by PCR targeting the wzy gene of the capsular biosynthetic locus. However, 19F isolates with genetic similarity to 19A have been reported in the United States and Brazil. We screened 78 pneumococcal carriage isolates and found six 19F wzy variants that originated from children in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Isolates were characterized using multilocus sequence typing and opsonophagocytic assays. The 19F wzy variants displayed similar susceptibility to anti-19F IgG antibodies compared to standard 19F isolates. Our findings indicate that these 19F variants may be more common than previously believed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Dunne
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - L Tikkanen
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Balloch
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - K Gould
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Yoannes
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Phuanukoonnon
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - P V Licciardi
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - F M Russell
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - E K Mulholland
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - C Satzke
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - J Hinds
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Buchanan AL, Zobel E, Hinds J, Rosario-Lebron A, Hooks CRR. Can Row Spacing Influence Arthropod Communities in Soybean? Implications for Early and Late Planting. Environ Entomol 2015; 44:557-61. [PMID: 26313960 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvv060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Row spacing in agricultural systems can influence crop yield as well as pest and predator abundances. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) growers in Maryland typically plant in narrow (∼19 cm), medium (∼38 cm), or wide (∼76 cm)-spaced rows, and there is a general lack of information on how these row-spacing schemes influence arthropod abundance and soybean yields. A study was conducted during two growing seasons to determine the effect of soybean row spacing and planting date (early and late) on soybean arthropods and yield. Despite a great deal of variation in arthropod responses to row spacing, and interactions between row spacing and study year, leaf-feeding herbivores were generally more abundant in narrow-spaced soybeans. All arthropod functional groups were more abundant, and yield was greater in early-planted soybeans relative to late-planted soybeans. Potential causes and implications of these finding are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily Zobel
- University of Maryland Department of Entomology, 4112 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD, 20742.Corresponding author, e-mail:
| | - Jermaine Hinds
- University of Maryland Department of Entomology, 4112 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD, 20742.Corresponding author, e-mail:
| | - Armando Rosario-Lebron
- University of Maryland Department of Entomology, 4112 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD, 20742.Corresponding author, e-mail:
| | - Cerruti R R Hooks
- University of Maryland Department of Entomology, 4112 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD, 20742.Corresponding author, e-mail:
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Witney AA, Gould KA, Pope CF, Bolt F, Stoker NG, Cubbon MD, Bradley CR, Fraise A, Breathnach AS, Butcher PD, Planche TD, Hinds J. Genome sequencing and characterization of an extensively drug-resistant sequence type 111 serotype O12 hospital outbreak strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014; 20:O609-18. [PMID: 24422878 DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A series of extensively drug-resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from two outbreaks in UK hospitals were characterized by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Although these isolates were resistant to antibiotics other than colistin, we confirmed that they are still sensitive to disinfectants. The sequencing confirmed that isolates in the larger outbreak were serotype O12, and also revealed that they belonged to sequence type ST111, which is a major epidemic strain of P. aeruginosa throughout Europe. As this is the first reported sequence of an ST111 strain, the genome was examined in depth, focusing particularly on antibiotic resistance and potential virulence genes, and on the reported regions of genome plasticity. High degrees of sequence similarity were discovered between outbreak isolates collected from recently infected patients, isolates from sinks, an isolate from the sewer, and a historical isolate, suggesting that the ST111 strain has been endemic in the hospital for many years. The ability to translate easily from outbreak investigation to detailed genome biology by use of the same data demonstrates the flexibility of WGS application in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Witney
- Division of Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, London, UK
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Hinds J, Wang KH, Marahatta SP, Meyer SLF, Hooks CRR. Sunn hemp cover cropping and organic fertilizer effects on the nematode community under temperate growing conditions. J Nematol 2013; 45:265-271. [PMID: 24379485 PMCID: PMC3873903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted in Maryland to investigate the influence of sunn hemp cover cropping in conjunction with organic and synthetic fertilizers on the nematode community in a zucchini cropping system. Two field treatments, zucchini planted into a sunn hemp living and surface mulch (SH) and zucchini planted into bare-ground (BG) were established during three field seasons from 2009 to 2011. In 2009, although SH slightly increased nematode richness compared with BG by the first harvest (P < 0.10), it reduced nematode diversity and enrichment indices (P < 0.01 and P < 0.10, respectively) and increased the channel index (P < 0.01) compared to BG at the final harvest. This suggests a negative impact of SH on nematode community structure. The experiment was modified in 2010 and 2011 where the SH and BG main plots were further split into two subplots to investigate the added influence of an organic vs. synthetic fertilizer. In 2010, when used as a living and surface mulch in a no-till system, SH increased bacterivorous, fungivorous, and total nematodes (P < 0.05) by the final zucchini harvest, but fertilizer type did not influence nematode community structure. In 2011, when incorporated into the soil before zucchini planting, SH increased the abundance of bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes early in the cropping season. SH increased species richness also at the end of the season (P < 0.05). Fertilizer application did not appear to influence nematodes early in the season. However, in late season, organic fertilizers increased enrichment and structure indices and decreased channel index by the end of the zucchini cropping cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jermaine Hinds
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, 4112 Plant Sciences Bldg., College Park, MD 20742
| | - Koon-Hui Wang
- Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawai'i, 3050 Maile Way, Room 310, Honolulu, HI 96822
| | | | - Susan L F Meyer
- USDA, ARS, Nematology Laboratory, Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC)-West, Bldg. 010A, Rm. 112, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - Cerruti R R Hooks
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, 4112 Plant Sciences Bldg., College Park, MD 20742
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Salter SJ, Hinds J, Gould KA, Lambertsen L, Hanage WP, Antonio M, Turner P, Hermans PWM, Bootsma HJ, O'Brien KL, Bentley SD. Variation at the capsule locus, cps, of mistyped and non-typable Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates. Microbiology (Reading) 2012; 158:1560-1569. [PMID: 22403189 PMCID: PMC3541774 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.056580-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The capsule polysaccharide locus (cps) is the site of the capsule biosynthesis gene cluster in encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae. A set of pneumococcal samples and non-pneumococcal streptococci from Denmark, the Gambia, the Netherlands, Thailand, the UK and the USA were sequenced at the cps locus to elucidate serologically mistyped or non-typable isolates. We identified a novel serotype 33B/33C mosaic capsule cluster and previously unseen serotype 22F capsule genes, disrupted and deleted cps clusters, the presence of aliB and nspA genes that are unrelated to capsule production, and similar genes in the non-pneumococcal samples. These data provide greater understanding of diversity at a locus which is crucial to the antigenic diversity of the pathogen and current vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Salter
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - J Hinds
- St George's, University of London, UK
| | - K A Gould
- St George's, University of London, UK
| | | | - W P Hanage
- Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M Antonio
- Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - P Turner
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, UK.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - P W M Hermans
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - H J Bootsma
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - K L O'Brien
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - S D Bentley
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
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Hooks CRR, Wang KH, Meyer SLF, Lekveishvili M, Hinds J, Zobel E, Rosario-Lebron A, Lee-Bullock M. Impact of No-till Cover Cropping of Italian Ryegrass on Above and Below Ground Faunal Communities Inhabiting a Soybean Field with Emphasis on Soybean Cyst Nematodes. J Nematol 2011; 43:172-81. [PMID: 23430284 PMCID: PMC3547345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2011] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Two field trials were conducted between 2008 and 2010 in Maryland to evaluate the ability of an Italian ryegrass (IR) (Lolium multiflorum) cover crop to reduce populations of plant-parasitic nematodes while enhancing beneficial nematodes, soil mites and arthropods in the foliage of a no-till soybean (Glycine max) planting. Preplant treatments were: 1) previous year soybean stubble (SBS); and 2) herbicide-killed IR cover crop + previous year soybean stubble (referred to as IR). Heterodera glycines population densities were very low and no significant difference in population densities of H. glycines or Pratylenchus spp. were observed between IR and SBS. Planting of IR increased abundance of bacterivorous nematodes in 2009. A reverse trend was observed in 2010 where SBS had higher abundance of bacterivorous nematodes and nematode richness at the end of the cover cropping period. Italian ryegrass also did not affect insect pests on soybean foliage. However, greater populations of spiders were found on soybean foliage in IR treatments during both field trials. Potential causes of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cerruti R R Hooks
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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Waddell SJ, Hinds J, Butcher PD. Whole genome analysis using microarrays. Methods Mol Biol 2009; 465:83-93. [PMID: 20560056 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-207-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The development of microarray technology has allowed the genomes of mycobacteria to be directly compared to identify DNA regions that differ between strains due to deletion, insertion, or sequence divergence. The use of microarrays in comparative genomics has proved to be a valuable tool for comparing both mycobacterial species and strains. We describe here the methodology for comparing two mycobacterial DNA samples by microarray hybridization, from labeling and slide preparation, to DNA microarray analysis options. Further developments in microarray design and methodology promise to ensure that microarrays remain an important resource for comparative genomic studies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Waddell
- Medical Microbiology, Division of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE, UK.
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O'Sullivan DM, Hinds J, Butcher PD, Gillespie SH, McHugh TD. Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA repair in response to subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin. J Antimicrob Chemother 2008; 62:1199-202. [PMID: 18799471 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkn387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate how the SOS response, an error-prone DNA repair pathway, is expressed following subinhibitory quinolone treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS Genome-wide expression profiling followed by quantitative RT (qRT)-PCR was used to study the effect of ciprofloxacin on M. tuberculosis gene expression. RESULTS Microarray analysis showed that 16/110 genes involved in DNA protection, repair and recombination were up-regulated. There appeared to be a lack of downstream genes involved in the SOS response. qRT-PCR detected an induction of lexA and recA after 4 h and of dnaE2 after 24 h of subinhibitory treatment. CONCLUSIONS The pattern of gene expression observed following subinhibitory quinolone treatment differed from that induced after other DNA-damaging agents (e.g. mitomycin C). The expression of the DnaE2 polymerase response was significantly delayed following subinhibitory quinolone exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M O'Sullivan
- Centre for Medical Microbiology, Department of Infection, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, Hampstead, London NW3 2PF, UK
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Stabler RA, Gerding DN, Songer JG, Drudy D, Brazier JS, Trinh HT, Witney AA, Hinds J, Wren BW. Comparative phylogenomics of Clostridium difficile reveals clade specificity and microevolution of hypervirulent strains. J Bacteriol 2006; 188:7297-305. [PMID: 17015669 PMCID: PMC1636221 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00664-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is the most frequent cause of nosocomial diarrhea worldwide, and recent reports suggested the emergence of a hypervirulent strain in North America and Europe. In this study, we applied comparative phylogenomics (whole-genome comparisons using DNA microarrays combined with Bayesian phylogenies) to model the phylogeny of C. difficile, including 75 diverse isolates comprising hypervirulent, toxin-variable, and animal strains. The analysis identified four distinct statistically supported clusters comprising a hypervirulent clade, a toxin A(-) B(+) clade, and two clades with human and animal isolates. Genetic differences among clades revealed several genetic islands relating to virulence and niche adaptation, including antibiotic resistance, motility, adhesion, and enteric metabolism. Only 19.7% of genes were shared by all strains, confirming that this enteric species readily undergoes genetic exchange. This study has provided insight into the possible origins of C. difficile and its evolution that may have implications in disease control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Stabler
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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Hinds J, Dixon T, Dix D. A strategy to minimise the impact of maternal HIV. Arch Dis Child 2005; 90:1319. [PMID: 16301569 PMCID: PMC1720205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
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Newcombe J, Jeynes JC, Mendoza E, Hinds J, Marsden GL, Stabler RA, Marti M, McFadden JJ. Phenotypic and transcriptional characterization of the meningococcal PhoPQ system, a magnesium-sensing two-component regulatory system that controls genes involved in remodeling the meningococcal cell surface. J Bacteriol 2005; 187:4967-75. [PMID: 15995212 PMCID: PMC1169531 DOI: 10.1128/jb.187.14.4967-4975.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously identified and characterized a two-component regulatory system in the meningococcus with homology to the phoP-phoQ system in salmonella and showed that allele replacement of the NMB0595 regulator gene led to loss of virulence, sensitivity to antimicrobial peptides, perturbed protein expression, and magnesium-sensitive growth. On the basis of these findings we proposed that the system should be designated the meningococcal PhoPQ system. Here we further characterized the NMB0595 mutant and demonstrated that it had increased membrane permeability and was unable to form colonies on solid media with low magnesium concentrations, features that are consistent with disruption of PhoPQ-mediated modifications to the lipooligosaccharide structure. We examined the transcriptional profiles of wild-type and NMB0595 mutant strains and found that magnesium-regulated changes in gene expression are completely abrogated in the mutant, indicating that, similar to the salmonella PhoPQ system, the meningococcal PhoPQ system is regulated by magnesium. Transcriptional profiling of the mutant indicated that, also similar to the salmonella PhoPQ system, the meningococcal system is involved in control of virulence and remodeling of the bacterial cell surface in response to the host environment. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the PhoP homologue plays a role in the meningococcus similar to the role played by PhoP in salmonella. Elucidating the role that the PhoPQ system and PhoPQ-regulated genes play in the response of the meningococcus to the host environment may provide new insights into the pathogenic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Newcombe
- School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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Woodall CA, Jones MA, Barrow PA, Hinds J, Marsden GL, Kelly DJ, Dorrell N, Wren BW, Maskell DJ. Campylobacter jejuni gene expression in the chick cecum: evidence for adaptation to a low-oxygen environment. Infect Immun 2005; 73:5278-85. [PMID: 16041056 PMCID: PMC1201244 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.8.5278-5285.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional profiling of Campylobacter jejuni during colonization of the chick cecum identified 59 genes that were differentially expressed in vivo compared with the genes in vitro. The data suggest that C. jejuni regulates electron transport and central metabolic pathways to alter its physiological state during establishment in the chick cecum.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Woodall
- Institute for Animal Health, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
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Redfield RJ, Cameron ADS, Qian Q, Hinds J, Ali TR, Kroll JS, Langford PR. A novel CRP-dependent regulon controls expression of competence genes in Haemophilus influenzae. J Mol Biol 2005; 347:735-47. [PMID: 15769466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2005.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2004] [Revised: 12/23/2004] [Accepted: 01/05/2005] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural competence for DNA uptake is common among bacteria but its evolutionary function is controversial. Resolving the dispute requires a detailed understanding of both how cells decide to take up DNA and how the DNA is processed during and after uptake. We have used whole-genome microarrays to follow changes in gene expression during competence development in wild-type Haemophilus influenzae cells, and to characterize dependence of competence-induced transcription on known regulatory factors. This analysis confirmed the existence of a postulated competence regulon, characterized by a promoter-associated 22 bp competence regulatory element (CRE) closely related to the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) binding consensus. This CRE regulon contains 25 genes in 13 transcription units, only about half of which have been previously associated with competence. The new CRE genes encode a periplasmic ATP-dependent DNA ligase, homologs of SSB, RadC and the Bacillus subtilis DNA uptake protein ComEA, and eight genes of unknown function. Competence-induced transcription of genes in the CRE regulon is strongly dependent on cAMP, consistent with the known role of catabolite regulation in competence. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays confirmed that CRE sequences are a new class of CRP-binding site. The essential competence gene sxy is induced early in competence development and is required for competence-induced transcription of CRE-regulon genes but not other CRP-regulated genes, suggesting that Sxy may act as an accessory factor directing CRP to CRE sites. Natural selection has united these 25 genes under a common regulatory mechanism. Elucidating this mechanism, and the functions of the genes, will provide a valuable window into the evolutionary function of natural competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary J Redfield
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z4.
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McCluskey J, Hinds J, Husain S, Witney A, Mitchell TJ. A two-component system that controls the expression of pneumococcal surface antigen A (PsaA) and regulates virulence and resistance to oxidative stress in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mol Microbiol 2004; 51:1661-75. [PMID: 15009893 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2003.03917.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent genomic-based studies have identified 13 two-component signal transduction systems (TCS) in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacterial TCSs are important for regulating expression of bacterial genes, including those which are important to the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. We have used virulence assays together with microarray analysis to investigate the importance of pneumococcal TCS04 in the virulence and gene regulation of this pathogen. Deletion mutants of the response regulator of TCS04, rr04, were examined in three independent pneumococcal strains representing three different pneumococcal serotypes. Analysis of the virulence of the three strains enabled us to identify a serotype-specific attenuation of virulence due to deletion of rr04. Microarray comparison of the transcriptional profiles of the wild-type strains with the rr04 mutants allowed us to determine which transcriptional changes were occurring in the rr04 mutants. Virulence-associated changes were demonstrated in the attenuated strain with significant downregulation of a previously determined virulence locus, psaB, psaC and psaA.
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Affiliation(s)
- J McCluskey
- Division of Infection and Immunity, IBLS, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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Hinchliffe SJ, Isherwood KE, Stabler RA, Oyston PCF, Hinds J, Titbal RW, Wren BW. Separated at Birth? Microarray Analysis of Two Strikingly Similar YersiniaSpecies. Comp Funct Genomics 2002; 3:355-7. [PMID: 18629274 PMCID: PMC2448438 DOI: 10.1002/cfg.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2002] [Accepted: 06/12/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S. J. Hinchliffe
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - R. A. Stabler
- Department of Medical Microbiology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | | | - J. Hinds
- Department of Medical Microbiology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - R. W. Titbal
- DSTL, CBS Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - B. W. Wren
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Dorrell N, Mangan JA, Laing KG, Hinds J, Linton D, Al-Ghusein H, Barrell BG, Parkhill J, Stoker NG, Karlyshev AV, Butcher PD, Wren BW. Whole genome comparison of Campylobacter jejuni human isolates using a low-cost microarray reveals extensive genetic diversity. Genome Res 2001; 11:1706-15. [PMID: 11591647 PMCID: PMC311159 DOI: 10.1101/gr.185801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of bacterial food-borne diarrhoeal disease throughout the world, and yet is still a poorly understood pathogen. Whole genome microarray comparisons of 11 C. jejuni strains of diverse origin identified genes in up to 30 NCTC 11168 loci ranging from 0.7 to 18.7 kb that are either absent or highly divergent in these isolates. Many of these regions are associated with the biosynthesis of surface structures including flagella, lipo-oligosaccharide, and the newly identified capsule. Other strain-variable genes of known function include those responsible for iron acquisition, DNA restriction/modification, and sialylation. In fact, at least 21% of genes in the sequenced strain appear dispensable as they are absent or highly divergent in one or more of the isolates tested, thus defining 1300 C. jejuni core genes. Such core genes contribute mainly to metabolic, biosynthetic, cellular, and regulatory processes, but many virulence determinants are also conserved. Comparison of the capsule biosynthesis locus revealed conservation of all the genes in this region in strains with the same Penner serotype as strain NCTC 11168. By contrast, between 5 and 17 NCTC 11168 genes in this region are either absent or highly divergent in strains of a different serotype from the sequenced strain, providing further evidence that the capsule accounts for Penner serotype specificity. These studies reveal extensive genetic diversity among C. jejuni strains and pave the way toward identifying correlates of pathogenicity and developing improved epidemiological tools for this problematic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Dorrell
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Zwelling LA, Chan D, Altschuler E, Mayes J, Hinds J, Pettit GR. Effect of bryostatin 1 on drug-induced, topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage and topoisomerase II gene expression in human leukemia cells. Biochem Pharmacol 1991; 41:829-32. [PMID: 1847817 DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(91)90087-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Unlike PMA, bryostatin 1 has been found to have a minimal effect on drug-induced topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage and no effect on topoisomerase II mRNA levels. Furthermore, bryostatin 1 overcame the down-regulatory effects of PMA treatment on (1) drug-induced, topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage, (2) drug-induced cytotoxicity, and (3) topoisomerase II gene expression. Thus, it is unlikely that the effects of phorbol ester treatment on topoisomerase II-mediated events are a direct consequence of protein kinase C activation per se. Rather, the results with bryostatin 1 suggest that the phorbol ester effects are related to more distal effects of phorbol ester treatment that may be related to monocytoid differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Zwelling
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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Saunders E, Curry C, Hinds J, Kong BW, Medakovic M, Poland M, Roper K. Labetalol compared with propranolol in the treatment of black hypertensive patients. J Clin Hypertens 1987; 3:294-302. [PMID: 3312502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A double-blind parallel group study was conducted to examine the effects of oral labetalol, in doses from 100 to 800 mg BID, and propranolol, 40 to 320 mg, in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. The doses of labetalol (n = 74) and propranolol (n = 79) were titrated weekly to achieve a sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of less than 90 mmHg or at least a 10-mmHg decrease from placebo baseline on two consecutive visits. A 2-month fixed-dose maintenance phase followed in which a diuretic could be added if the sitting DBP was greater than or equal to 100 mmHg on maximum doses of either drug. BP and heart rate were measured 8-12 hours after a dose in the sitting and standing positions. Labetalol was significantly more effective at the end of monotherapy than propranolol was in lowering both the sitting (p less than .05) and standing (p less than .04) DBP. The reduction in the systolic, although more pronounced for those on labetalol, was not significantly different; 53% of patients had a "good" response to labetalol compared with 30% of the propranolol group. Propranolol significantly (p less than 0.01) lowered heart rate compared with labetalol. Nine patients in the labetalol group and 10 in the propranolol group required a diuretic. The decrease in BP after the addition of a diuretic was comparable. Changes in plasma lipids were not significant, but HDL increased 9% with labetalol and decreased 2% with propranolol. Triglycerides increased 25% with labetalol and 31% with propranolol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- E Saunders
- Division of Hypertension, University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore
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Hinds J. Pay differentials. Performing according to pay? Health Soc Serv J 1985; 95:866-7. [PMID: 10272658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
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Carlson G, Curry C, Falkner B, Farrand M, Glueck C, Hinds J, Kaufmann P, Kong W, McAdoo W, McDonald R, McSherry E, Payne G, Sandler E, Schneiderman N, Shulman N, Kuller L, Tyroler H. Summary of workshop II: Working Group on Risk Factors. Am Heart J 1984. [DOI: 10.1016/0002-8703(84)90659-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Hinds J. The National Health Service Training Authority--a training innovation. Health Serv Manpow Rev 1983; 9:7-10. [PMID: 10260070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
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Hinds J. Obituary: Chisholm McDowell. N Z Med J 1977; 86:150-1. [PMID: 341007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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