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Sangprasat K, Bulaon CJI, Rattanapisit K, Srisangsung T, Jirarojwattana P, Wongwatanasin A, Phoolcharoen W. Production of monoclonal antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin in Nicotiana benthamiana. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2329446. [PMID: 38525945 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2329446] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Botulism is a fatal neurologic disease caused by the botulinum toxin (BoNT) produced by Clostridium botulinum. It is a rare but highly toxic disease with symptoms, such as cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, respiratory failure, muscle weakness, and even death. Currently, two types of antitoxin are used: equine-derived heptavalent antitoxin and human-derived immunoglobulin (BabyBIG®). However, heptavalent treatment may result in hypersensitivity, whereas BabyBIG®, has a low yield. The present study focused on the development of three anti-BoNT monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 1B18, C25, and M2, in Nicotiana benthamiana. The plant-expressed mAbs were purified and examined for size, purity and integrity by SDS-PAGE, western blotting and size-exclusion chromatography. Analysis showed that plant-produced anti-BoNT mAbs can fully assemble in plants, can be purified in a single purification step, and mostly remain as monomeric proteins. The efficiency of anti-BoNT mAbs binding to BoNT/A and B was then tested. Plant-produced 1B18 retained its ability to recognize both mBoNT/A1 and ciBoNT/B1. At the same time, the binding specificities of two other mAbs were determined: C25 for mBoNT/A1 and M2 for ciBoNT/B1. In conclusion, our results confirm the use of plants as an alternative platform for the production of anti-BoNT mAbs. This plant-based technology will serve as a versatile system for the development botulism immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornchanok Sangprasat
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program of Program in Research for Enterprise, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Kaewta Rattanapisit
- Department of Research and Development, Baiya Phytopharm Co. Ltd, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Theerakarn Srisangsung
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program of Program in Research for Enterprise, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Perawat Jirarojwattana
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Moreira C, Rodrigues RR, da Cunha CEP, Donassolo RA, Ferreira MRA, Finger PF, Oliveira HGS, da Cruz KP, Moreira ÂN, Salvarani FM, Conceição FR. Evaluation of long-term immune response in cattle to botulism using a recombinant E. coli bacterin formulated with Montanide™ ISA 50 and aluminum hydroxide adjuvants. Microb Pathog 2024; 189:106596. [PMID: 38395317 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106596] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Botulism is a severe disease caused by potent botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by Clostridium botulinum. This disease is associated with high-lethality outbreaks in cattle, which have been linked to the ingestion of preformed BoNT serotypes C and D, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines. The potency of current commercial toxoids (formaldehyde-inactivated BoNTs) is assured through tests in guinea pigs according to government regulatory guidelines, but their short-term immunity raises concerns. Recombinant vaccines containing the receptor-binding domain have demonstrated potential for eliciting robust protective immunity. Previous studies have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of recombinant E. coli bacterin, eliciting high titers of neutralizing antibodies against C. botulinum and C. perfringens in target animal species. In this study, neutralizing antibody titers in cattle and the long-term immune response against BoNT/C and D were used to assess the efficacy of the oil-based adjuvant compared with that of the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in cattle. The vaccine formulation containing Montanide™ ISA 50 yielded significantly higher titers of neutralizing antibody against BoNT/C and D (8.64 IU/mL and 9.6 IU/mL, respectively) and induced an immune response that lasted longer than the response induced by aluminum, extending between 30 and 60 days. This approach represents a straightforward, cost-effective strategy for recombinant E. coli bacterin, enhancing both the magnitude and duration of the immune response to botulism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clovis Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil.
| | - Rafael R Rodrigues
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Carlos E P da Cunha
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Donassolo
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Marcos R A Ferreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Paula F Finger
- Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 97508-000, Brazil
| | - Hanna G S Oliveira
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, Pará, CEP 68740-970, Brazil
| | - Karoline P da Cruz
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, Pará, CEP 68740-970, Brazil
| | - Ângela N Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Felipe M Salvarani
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, Pará, CEP 68740-970, Brazil
| | - Fabricio R Conceição
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
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Gregg BM, Matsumura T, Wentz TG, Tepp WH, Bradshaw M, Stenmark P, Johnson EA, Fujinaga Y, Pellett S. Botulinum neurotoxin X lacks potency in mice and in human neurons. mBio 2024; 15:e0310623. [PMID: 38347673 PMCID: PMC10936432 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03106-23] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are a class of toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) and other species of Clostridia. BoNT/X is a putative novel botulinum neurotoxin identified through genome sequencing and capable of SNARE cleavage, but its neurotoxic potential in humans and vertebrates remained unclear. The C. botulinum strain producing BoNT/X, Strain 111, encodes both a plasmid-borne bont/b2 as well as the chromosomal putative bont/x. This study utilized C. botulinum Strain 111 from Japan as well as recombinantly produced full-length BoNT/X to more fully analyze this putative pathogenic toxin. We confirmed production of full-length, catalytically active native BoNT/X by C. botulinum Strain 111, produced as a disulfide-bonded dichain polypeptide similar to other BoNTs. Both the purified native and the recombinant BoNT/X had high enzymatic activity in vitro but displayed very low potency in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal cells and in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of up to 50 µg of native BoNT/X in mice did not result in botulism; however, mild local paralysis was observed after injection of 2 μg into the gastrocnemius muscle. We further demonstrate that the lack of toxicity by BoNT/X is due to inefficient neuronal cell association and entry, which can be rescued by replacing the receptor binding domain of BoNT/X with that of BoNT/A. These data demonstrate that BoNT/X is not a potent vertebrate neurotoxin like the classical seven serotypes of BoNTs. IMPORTANCE The family of botulinum neurotoxins comprises the most potent toxins known to humankind. New members of this family of protein toxins as well as more distantly related homologs are being identified. The discovery of BoNT/X via bioinformatic screen in 2017 as a putative new BoNT serotype raised concern about its potential as a pathogenic agent with no available countermeasures. This study for the first time assessed both recombinantly produced and native purified BoNT/X for its vertebrate neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brieana M. Gregg
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Takuhiro Matsumura
- Department of Bacteriology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Travis G. Wentz
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William H. Tepp
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Marite Bradshaw
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Pål Stenmark
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eric A. Johnson
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Yukako Fujinaga
- Department of Bacteriology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Sabine Pellett
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Karcioglu O, Akman C, Atnis I. Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Botox Application and Iatrogenic Botulism: Panacea or Peril? Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:CPD-EPUB-138682. [PMID: 38409723 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128284720240212111926] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) creates temporary paralysis in the muscles by acting on the muscle-nerve junction. It is injected into the mimic muscles when a decrease in the movements of the mimic muscles is desired. Despite many favorable applications, the use of BoNT-A is not without drawbacks. Although there is no expected serious side effect on health in BoNT-A treatments, various problems can be encountered in patients treated for aesthetic purposes. Botulism is a rare but potentially life-threatening syndrome, which is caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which acts on the nervous system, vegetative forms of C. botulinum can only survive in anaerobic conditions, while spore forms are common in nature and can withstand harsh conditions. Botulism can stem from bacterial spores which release toxin in the body; in the form of enteric botulism, and wound botulism. The cases that develop 'iatrogenic botulism' after such procedures are usually those receiving high-dose toxin for therapeutic purposes. The treatment of botulism mainly consists of anti-toxin therapy and, if necessary, intensive care to prevent organ failures, including respiratory support. This article aims to cover all these issues related to botulism and other adverse outcomes related to BoNT-A injection in light of the most recent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozgur Karcioglu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Canan Akman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
| | - Ilknur Atnis
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Niğde Omer Halisdemir Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Nigde, Turkey
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Delort A, Cottone G, Malliavin TE, Müller MM. Conformational Space of the Translocation Domain of Botulinum Toxin: Atomistic Modeling and Mesoscopic Description of the Coiled-Coil Helix Bundle. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2481. [PMID: 38473729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052481] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of botulinum multi-domain neurotoxins (BoNTs) arises from a sequence of molecular events, in which the translocation of the catalytic domain through the membrane of a neurotransmitter vesicle plays a key role. A recent structural study of the translocation domain of BoNTs suggests that the interaction with the membrane is driven by the transition of an α helical switch towards a β hairpin. Atomistic simulations in conjunction with the mesoscopic Twister model are used to investigate the consequences of this proposition for the toxin-membrane interaction. The conformational mobilities of the domain, as well as the effect of the membrane, implicitly examined by comparing water and water-ethanol solvents, lead to the conclusion that the transition of the switch modifies the internal dynamics and the effect of membrane hydrophobicity on the whole protein. The central two α helices, helix 1 and helix 2, forming two coiled-coil motifs, are analyzed using the Twister model, in which the initial deformation of the membrane by the protein is caused by the presence of local torques arising from asymmetric positions of hydrophobic residues. Different torque distributions are observed depending on the switch conformations and permit an origin for the mechanism opening the membrane to be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grazia Cottone
- Department of Physics and Chemistry-Emilio Segré, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Pillai CA, Thirunavukkarasu N, Gonzalez-Escalona N, Melka D, Curry P, Binet R, Tallent S, Brown E, Sharma S. Closed genome sequence of Clostridium botulinum type B1 strain isolated from an infant botulism case in the United States. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0085423. [PMID: 38179913 PMCID: PMC10868279 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00854-23] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
We present the closed genome sequence of the Clostridium botulinum BT-22100019 strain isolated from the stool specimen of an infant diagnosed with botulism. With 4.33-Mb genome size and 28.0% G + C content, the bont/B1 gene encoded for botulinum neurotoxin serotype B was found on a 262 kb plasmid arranged in a ha+ orfx - cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A. Pillai
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Nagarajan Thirunavukkarasu
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Narjol Gonzalez-Escalona
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - David Melka
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Phillip Curry
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Rachel Binet
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Sandra Tallent
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Eric Brown
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Shashi Sharma
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
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Roja B, Chellapandi P. Design and characterization of a multi-epitope vaccine against Clostridium botulinum A3 Loch Maree intoxication in humans. Gene 2024; 892:147865. [PMID: 37783297 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147865] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum Loch Maree expresses an extremely potent botulinum neurotoxin subtype, A3 causing botulism and several gastrointestinal disorders in mammals. Several recombinant vaccines have been developed for human botulism and no vaccine is currently available for the treatment of diseases caused by other virulence factors. Hence, we designed, constructed, and characterized a multi-epitope vaccine from new virulence proteins identified from this organism using an immunoinformatics approach. The vaccine construct used in this study was designed from 6B cell linear epitopes, 12 cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte epitopes, and 15 helper T cell lymphocyte epitopes, with a defensin adjuvant and adjusting linker sequences. A molecular modeling approach was used to model, refine, and validate the 3D structure of the vaccine construct. Molecular docking studies were performed to determine the stability of the molecular interactions between the vaccine construct and human toll-like receptor 7. The in silico molecular cloning was used to clone a codon-optimized synthetic vaccine gene in pCYB1 vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. The results of this study identified six new virulence proteins: peptidoglycan hydrolase, SCP-like extracellular protein, N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidase, putative membrane protein, drug/metabolite exporter, and bacillolysin. The top B-cell, cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte, and helper T-lymphocyte epitopes were predicted from these virulence proteins with greater accuracy and reliability. HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-A*03:01 were identified as HLA-A-binding alleles for cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte epitopes. DRB1*0110 and DRB1*0115 are the dominant alleles that bind to helper T-cell lymphocyte epitopes. The synthetic gene construct was highly expressed in a heterologous host and produced considerable amounts of antigenic protein. The multi-epitope vaccine is more conservative in the sequence-structure-function link, immunogenic with less allergenicity, and possibly provokes cellular and humoral immunity. The present study suggests that the designed multi-epitope vaccine is a promising prophylactic candidate for the virulence and intoxication caused by subtype A3 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Roja
- Industrial Systems Biology Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - P Chellapandi
- Industrial Systems Biology Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Gutiérrez-Arnal J, Marín C. The Latent Threat in Wild Birds: Clostridium botulinum. Vet Sci 2024; 11:36. [PMID: 38250942 PMCID: PMC10818396 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11010036] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum emerged in 1910, affecting birds across North America, leading to severe outbreaks exacerbated by climate change, decreasing water levels, and inadequate wastewater management. While deadly for birds, its epidemiological impact on humans and other animals remains limited. Despite its significance, understanding and controlling the disease remain challenging. This review delves into the pathogen's epidemiology in wild bird populations, exploring the transmission, pathogenicity, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. The disease's growing concern in wild birds relates to the bacterium's adaptability and expansive spread, evident through genetic similarities among strains across countries. Outbreaks are influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and soil characteristics. Wild birds inadvertently transmit the bacterium, perpetuating the cycle through carcasses and flies. Some species suffer severely, while others, like scavengers, show resistance. Understanding disease mechanisms, involving potential toxin ingestion or internal production, remains ongoing. Clinical signs vary, affecting diverse bird orders. Diagnostic methods evolve, with treatment success varying among affected populations. Prevention and surveillance take precedence due to treatment challenges, emphasising population-based strategies and preventive measures to manage the widespread presence of C. botulinum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Gutiérrez-Arnal
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Calle Santiago Ramón y Cajal 20, 45115 Valencia, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain;
| | - Clara Marín
- Departamento de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Calle Santiago Ramón y Cajal 20, 45115 Valencia, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
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Cersosimo LM, Worley JN, Bry L. Approaching pathogenic Clostridia from a One Health perspective. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.08.574718. [PMID: 38260382 PMCID: PMC10802438 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.08.574718] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Spore-forming pathogens have a unique capacity to thrive in diverse environments, and with temporal persistence afforded through their ability to sporulate. These behaviors require a One Health approach to identify critical reservoirs and outbreak-associated transmission chains, given their capacity to freely move across soils, waterways, foodstuffs, and as commensals or infecting pathogens in human and veterinary populations. Among anaerobic spore-formers, genomic resources for pathogens including C. botulinum, C. difficile, and C. perfringens enable our capacity to identify common and unique factors that support their persistence in diverse reservoirs and capacity to cause disease. Publicly available genomic resources for spore-forming pathogens at NCBI's Pathogen Detection program aid outbreak investigations and longitudinal monitoring in national and international programs in public health and food safety, as well as for local healthcare systems. These tools also enable research to derive new knowledge regarding disease pathogenesis, and to inform strategies in disease prevention and treatment. As global community resources, the continued sharing of strain genomic data and phenotypes further enhances international resources and means to develop impactful applications. We present examples showing use of these resources in surveillance, including capacity to assess linkages among clinical, environmental, and foodborne reservoirs and to further research investigations into factors promoting their persistence and virulence in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Cersosimo
- Massachusetts Host-Microbiome Center, Dept. Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jay N. Worley
- Massachusetts Host-Microbiome Center, Dept. Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lynn Bry
- Massachusetts Host-Microbiome Center, Dept. Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Dept. Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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Harris RA, Flint A, Blondin Brosseau M, Weedmark K, Austin JW. Complete genomes of Clostridium botulinum type B(F) isolates associated with a 1995 foodborne botulism outbreak from commercial pâté reveals a recombination event disrupting the ntnh gene. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001169. [PMID: 38175697 PMCID: PMC10868621 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001169] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Foodborne botulism is a neuroparalytic disease caused by ingestion of foods contaminated with botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), produced by Clostridium botulinum. In 1995 a husband and wife from Québec, Canada, were hospitalized for several months with prolonged muscle paralysis after ingesting a commercial pâté de campagne. Examination of faecal samples from both patients and the pâté produced viable Group I (proteolytic) C. botulinum type B from each of the three samples. Whole genome sequencing revealed that all three isolates contain identical bont/B5 and bont/F2 genes encoded on a plasmid. Both faecal isolate genomes were identical in chromosome and plasmid length, as well as gene content. The genome of the pâté isolate was nearly identical to that of the faecal isolates with the notable difference of a missing 13-gene insertion on the bont/B5 cluster disrupting the ntnh gene. Examination of the insertion revealed several mobile genetic elements that participate in recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annika Flint
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Kelly Weedmark
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - John W. Austin
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Sadeghian Z, Torkaman Asadi F. Clinicopathological insights into an outbreak of foodborne botulism in Hamadan, Iran, in 2023: A microbiological and laboratory findings. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231218888. [PMID: 38144879 PMCID: PMC10748627 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231218888] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Foodborne botulism is one of the potentially fatal forms of food poisoning, usually caused by ingestion of home-canned vegetables, fruits, and dairy and fish products. This study aimed to assess the frequency of signs and symptoms in patients with botulism following the ingestion of homemade Doogh, a traditional milk-based beverage, in Hamadan, Iran in 2023. We also examined the general characteristics of the recruited patients. Methods During an outbreak, 21 patients were referred to the hospital because of food poisoning. All patients had a history of consumption of Doogh. After careful physical examination, all of them were hospitalized. Botulism was suspected in all patients except for the first patient. Results The mean age of admitted patients was 33.09 ± 18.44 years, with 23.80% being males and 76.20% females. Incubation period in our patients was 68 ± 28.48 h. Notable symptoms included diplopia (95.23%), nausea and vomiting (85.71%), blurred vision (80.95%), and dizziness (61.90%). The laboratory results were within the normal range. No deaths occurred in this patient cohort. Furthermore, botulinum spores were detected in Doogh samples collected from the outbreak, confirming the presence of Clostridium botulinum spores as a source of the outbreak. Conclusions This study highlights that the initial manifestations of botulism predominantly involved ophthalmologic abnormalities in most patients. Additionally, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness may manifest in cases of foodborne botulism. Timely diagnosis and treatment of botulism following the consumption of homemade Doogh played a crucial role in achieving positive outcomes, with no fatalities recorded in this patient cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohre Sadeghian
- Nutrition Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Torkaman Asadi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Departman of Infectious Diseases, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Douillard FP, Portinha IM, Derman Y, Woudstra C, Mäklin T, Dorner MB, Korkeala H, Henriques AO, Lindström M. A Novel Prophage-like Insertion Element within yabG Triggers Early Entry into Sporulation in Clostridium botulinum. Viruses 2023; 15:2431. [PMID: 38140671 PMCID: PMC10747680 DOI: 10.3390/v15122431] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporulation is a finely regulated morphogenetic program important in the ecology and epidemiology of Clostridium botulinum. Exogenous elements disrupting sporulation-associated genes contribute to sporulation regulation and introduce diversity in the generally conserved sporulation programs of endospore formers. We identified a novel prophage-like DNA segment, termed the yin element, inserted within yabG, encoding a sporulation-specific cysteine protease, in an environmental isolate of C. botulinum. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the genetic structure of the yin element resembles previously reported mobile intervening elements associated with sporulation genes. Within a pure C. botulinum culture, we observed two subpopulations of cells with the yin element either integrated into the yabG locus or excised as a circular DNA molecule. The dynamics between the two observed conformations of the yin element was growth-phase dependent and likely mediated by recombination events. The yin element was not required for sporulation by C. botulinum but triggered an earlier entry into sporulation than in a related isolate lacking this element. So far, the yin element has not been found in any other C. botulinum strains or other endospore-forming species. It remains to be demonstrated what kind of competitive edge it provides for C. botulinum survival and persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- François P. Douillard
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00350 Helsinki, Finland; (F.P.D.); (I.M.P.); (Y.D.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Inês Martins Portinha
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00350 Helsinki, Finland; (F.P.D.); (I.M.P.); (Y.D.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Yağmur Derman
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00350 Helsinki, Finland; (F.P.D.); (I.M.P.); (Y.D.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Cédric Woudstra
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00350 Helsinki, Finland; (F.P.D.); (I.M.P.); (Y.D.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Tommi Mäklin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, 00560 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Martin B. Dorner
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS3—Biological Toxins, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Hannu Korkeala
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00350 Helsinki, Finland; (F.P.D.); (I.M.P.); (Y.D.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Adriano O. Henriques
- Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal;
| | - Miia Lindström
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00350 Helsinki, Finland; (F.P.D.); (I.M.P.); (Y.D.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
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13
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Abstract
Clostridium botulinum, a polyphyletic Gram-positive taxon of bacteria, is classified purely by their ability to produce botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). BoNT is the primary virulence factor and the causative agent of botulism. A potentially fatal disease, botulism is classically characterized by a symmetrical descending flaccid paralysis, which is left untreated can lead to respiratory failure and death. Botulism cases are classified into three main forms dependent on the nature of intoxication; foodborne, wound and infant. The BoNT, regarded as the most potent biological substance known, is a zinc metalloprotease that specifically cleaves SNARE proteins at neuromuscular junctions, preventing exocytosis of neurotransmitters, leading to muscle paralysis. The BoNT is now used to treat numerous medical conditions caused by overactive or spastic muscles and is extensively used in the cosmetic industry due to its high specificity and the exceedingly small doses needed to exert long-lasting pharmacological effects. Additionally, the ability to form endospores is critical to the pathogenicity of the bacteria. Disease transmission is often facilitated via the metabolically dormant spores that are highly resistant to environment stresses, allowing persistence in the environment in unfavourable conditions. Infant and wound botulism infections are initiated upon germination of the spores into neurotoxin producing vegetative cells, whereas foodborne botulism is attributed to ingestion of preformed BoNT. C. botulinum is a saprophytic bacterium, thought to have evolved its potent neurotoxin to establish a source of nutrients by killing its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Rawson
- Clostridia Research Group, BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, The Biodiscovery Institute, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andrew W Dempster
- Clostridia Research Group, BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, The Biodiscovery Institute, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Christopher M Humphreys
- Clostridia Research Group, BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, The Biodiscovery Institute, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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14
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Kihara K, Kajiyama Y, Kimura Y, Okazaki S, Esa N, Nobe R, Shimizu K, Ohno K, Motooka D, Matsumura T, Shimazu T, Nakamura S, Fujinaga Y, Mochizuki H. Adult-onset botulism in a Japanese woman with prolonged spore excretion. J Infect Chemother 2023; 29:1172-1176. [PMID: 37598776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.08.009] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
We report a case of an 80-year-old woman with botulism from 2020 in Osaka, Japan. The patient complained of dysarthria and dizziness. On the same day, the patient developed respiratory failure, and was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. Subsequently, ophthalmoparesis and quadriparesis progressed rapidly. Ten days after onset, the patient failed to respond to any external stimulation. Blood tests showed anemia, and computed tomography revealed undiagnosed cervical cancer. Initially, diagnosis of neuromuscular junction disorder and acute motor neuropathy, including paraneoplastic syndrome, were considered. However, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and plasma exchange were ineffective. A fecal sample on day 30 showed a large number of C. botulinum spores. On day 34, a mouse bioassay revealed botulinum toxin type A in the patient's serum; therefore, a botulinum antitoxin was administered. Later, the patient's muscle strength was gradually improved. However, severe muscle paralysis persisted, and the patient died of cachexia owing to cervical cancer on day 196. The etiology of this case was unknown because no contaminated food was identified during an inspection of the patient's home. Fecal 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota with abundant Enterococcus species. Long-lasting excretion of substantial botulinum spores even on day 30 indicated colonization of C. botulinum in the intestinal tract. This case suggests that C. botulinum colonization with co-existing intestinal dysbiosis may be associated with severe and prolonged symptoms of botulism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Kihara
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuta Kajiyama
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Yasuyoshi Kimura
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shuhei Okazaki
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoya Esa
- Department of Traumatology and Acute Critical Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Nobe
- Department of Traumatology and Acute Critical Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shimizu
- Department of Traumatology and Acute Critical Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Daisuke Motooka
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takuhiro Matsumura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Takeshi Shimazu
- Department of Traumatology and Acute Critical Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shota Nakamura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukako Fujinaga
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hideki Mochizuki
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Dos Santos IR, Raiter J, Brunner CB, Molossi FA, Henker LC, Pont TPD, de Camargo LJ, Alves RS, Canal CW, da Silva Martins A, Silva TA, Borsanelli AC, Driemeier D. An outbreak of type C botulism in free-ranging Southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis). Vet Res Commun 2023:10.1007/s11259-023-10264-1. [PMID: 38008781 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10264-1] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
In the fall of 2021, a significant mortality event in free-ranging Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) occurred on a soccer field in southern Brazil. Approximately 130 adult southern lapwings died after showing weakness and flaccid paralysis, characterized by the inability to move or fly and drooped wings. Due to the large number of animals affected, there was concern that they had been criminally poisoned. The affected birds were found to have ingested maggots in fresh poultry litter incorporated into the grass surface. Postmortem examinations of four southern lapwings revealed no significant gross and histological findings. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for influenza A virus, flavivirus, and paramyxovirus was negative. Based on the epidemiological and clinical findings and the negative viral results, a presumptive diagnosis of botulism was made. This diagnosis was confirmed through mouse bioassay and seroneutralization, which detected botulinum toxin type C. Maggots loaded with botulinum neurotoxins were the probable vehicle for intoxication in the outbreak. Considering the impact of avian botulism on wild bird populations, our results may help prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Ribeiro Dos Santos
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Jacqueline Raiter
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carolina Buss Brunner
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Franciéli Adriane Molossi
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luan Cleber Henker
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Tainah Pereira Dal Pont
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Laura Junqueira de Camargo
- Laboratório de Virologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Raquel Silva Alves
- Laboratório de Virologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cláudio Wageck Canal
- Laboratório de Virologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Andressa da Silva Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Tamires Ataides Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Borsanelli
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - David Driemeier
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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16
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Mertaoja A, Mascher G, Nowakowska MB, Korkeala H, Henriques AO, Lindstrom M. Cellular and population strategies underpinning neurotoxin production and sporulation in Clostridium botulinum type E cultures. mBio 2023; 14:e0186623. [PMID: 37971252 PMCID: PMC10746260 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01866-23] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Toxin production and sporulation are key determinants of pathogenesis in Clostridia. Toxins cause the clinical manifestation of clostridial diseases, including diarrhea and colitis, tissue damage, and systemic effects on the nervous system. Spores ensure long-term survival and persistence in the environment, act as infectious agents, and initiate the host tissue colonization leading to infection. Understanding the interplay between toxin production and sporulation and their coordination in bacterial cells and cultures provides novel intervention points for controlling the public health and food safety risks caused by clostridial diseases. We demonstrate environmentally driven cellular heterogeneity in botulinum neurotoxin and spore production in Clostridium botulinum type E populations and discuss the biological rationale of toxin and spore production in the pathogenicity and ecology of C. botulinum. The results invite to reassess the epidemiology of botulism and may have important implications in the risk assessment and risk management strategies in food processing and human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mertaoja
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gerald Mascher
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria B. Nowakowska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Korkeala
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Adriano O. Henriques
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miia Lindstrom
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Meurice L, Filleul L, Fischer A, Burbaud A, Delvallez G, Diancourt L, Belichon S, Clouzeau B, Malvy D, Oliva-Labadie M, Bragança C, Wilking H, Franca R, Martin G, Godbole G, Tourdjman M, Jourdan-Da Silva N. Foodborne botulism outbreak involving different nationalities during the Rugby World Cup: critical role of credit card data and rapid international cooperation, France, September 2023. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300624. [PMID: 37997664 PMCID: PMC10668258 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.47.2300624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In September 2023, a severe outbreak of type B botulism with fifteen cases was linked to consumption of canned sardines at a restaurant in Bordeaux, France, during the Rugby World Cup. The cases were from seven countries. One death was recorded. Outbreak investigation using credit card data, rapid communication between health authorities of the affected countries and broad media communication allowed identification of cases and exposed persons and prevented further severe outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Meurice
- Santé publique France, Regional office in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bordeaux, France
| | - Laurent Filleul
- Santé publique France, Regional office in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bordeaux, France
| | - Aurélie Fischer
- Regional health agency Nouvelle-Aquitaine (ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Bordeaux, France
| | - Annie Burbaud
- Regional health agency Nouvelle-Aquitaine (ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Bordeaux, France
| | - Gauthier Delvallez
- National Reference Center for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Laure Diancourt
- National Reference Center for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Coralie Bragança
- Poison control center, Bordeaux Hospital Center, Bordeaux, France
| | - Hendrik Wilking
- Robert Koch Institute, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rafaela Franca
- Health Service Executive - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Greg Martin
- Health Service Executive - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gauri Godbole
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Gastrointestinal Pathogens and Food Safety (One Health) Division, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathieu Tourdjman
- Santé publique France, Department of Infectious Disease, Saint-Maurice, France
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18
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Raman S, Yamamoto Y, Suzuki Y, Matsuka Y. Mechanism and clinical use of botulinum neurotoxin in head and facial region. J Prosthodont Res 2023; 67:493-505. [PMID: 36740263 DOI: 10.2186/jpr.jpr_d_22_00238] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a biological toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. BoNT is a potent toxin extensively used in therapeutic interventions. This review provides an updated overview of the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of BoNT in head and facial region. STUDY SELECTION MEDLINE/PubMed searches were conducted using the terms "botulinum neurotoxin" and "dentistry" along with a combination of other related terms. In addition, studies were manually selected from reference lists of the selected articles. RESULTS The Food and Drug Administration in the United States initially approved BoNT to treat strabismus, blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasms. The use of BoNT in dermatology and cosmetics has been widely established and has created a revolution in these fields. Over the years, its applications in various medical specialties have expanded widely. Owing to its safety, efficacy, and long duration of action, it is well-accepted by patients. BoNT/A and BoNT/B are widely used in clinical practice. Several off-label uses of BoNT in the dental fraternity have yielded promising results. We have elaborated on the speculated mechanism of action, dosage, effective sites of injection, and adverse effects of each therapeutic application. The various clinical indications for BoNT include bruxism, myofascial pain, temporomandibular joint dislocation, hemifacial pain, orofacial dystonia, facial paralysis, chronic migraine, and trigeminal neuralgia. CONCLUSIONS BoNT is a safe treatment that can be used effectively, provided that the clinician has adequate knowledge regarding the mechanism, injection techniques, and local and systemic side effects and that it is administered cautiously and purposefully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarnalakshmi Raman
- Department of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yumiko Yamamoto
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Suzuki
- Department of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yoshizo Matsuka
- Department of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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Maeda R, Mori M, Harada S, Izu I, Hirano T, Inoue Y, Yahiro S, Koyama H. Emergence of Novel Type C Botulism Strain in Household Outbreak, Japan. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:2175-2177. [PMID: 37735800 PMCID: PMC10521594 DOI: 10.3201/eid2910.230433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2021, an outbreak of food poisoning caused by Clostridium botulinum type C occurred in Kumamoto, Japan. Analysis of the isolated strain revealed that it possessed the bont/C gene and was slightly different from the reference bont/C gene. The risk for human infection with this new toxin type may be low.
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20
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Valdezate S, Carrasco G, Medina MJ, Garrido N, del Pino S, Valiente M, Pallarés MP, Villalon P. Exploring the genetic background of the botulism neurotoxin BoNT/B2 in Spain. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0238023. [PMID: 37750689 PMCID: PMC10581064 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02380-23] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
To determine whether the neurotoxin BoNT/B2 causing botulism in Spain is clonal, the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Clostridium botulinum from food-borne episodes and infant cases of the condition were explored. The botulinum toxin gene (bont) subtype, the variable region of the flagellin gene (flaVR), and a seven-gene multi-locus sequence type were examined by sequencing 37 BoNT-positive cultures obtained over the period 2010 to 2022. Out of 37 botulism events, 16 food-borne episodes and 16 infant cases were associated with bont/b2. Eight bont/b2 alleles were detected [nucleotide distance range 0.0259-0.415%, Hunter and Gaston discrimination index (HGDI) 0.71]. The most common bont/b2 allele corresponded to that of strain Prevot 25 NCASE and its single and double locus variations (87.5%). Four known flaVR types were identified (HGDI 0.79), along with one previously unknown (flaVR-15). Sixteen sequence types (STs) (HGDI 0.89) were recorded including seven new STs (ST164-ST170; 10 new alleles) and five new STs (ST171-ST175; with new allele combinations) were also noted. Correlations among some STs and flaVR types were seen. Overall, the present results show that the combined analysis of bont/b2-flaVR-ST at the nucleotide level could be used to track botulism events in Spain. The neurotoxin BoNT/B2 has largely been responsible for human botulism in Spain. The polymorphism analysis of bont/b2, flaVR typing, and sequence type determinations, revealed a wide variety of clones to be responsible for human botulism, ruling out a common source of acquisition. IMPORTANCE Botulism, a potentially fatal disease, is classically characterized by a symmetrical descending flaccid paralysis, which if left untreated can lead to respiratory failure and death. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), produced by certain species of Clostridium, is the most potent biological toxin known, and the direct cause of botulism. This study characterizes the acquisition in Spain of two forms of botulism, i.e., food-borne and infant botulism, which are largely caused by the main neurotoxin BoNT/B2. Polymorphism analysis of the bont/b2 gene, typing of the flagellin variable region sequence (flaVR), and multilocus sequence typing, were used to explore the genetic background of Clostridium botulinum group I. To our knowledge, this is the first phylogenetic and typing study of botulism undertaken in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Valdezate
- Reference and Research Laboratory for Taxonomy, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Carrasco
- Reference and Research Laboratory for Taxonomy, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - María J. Medina
- Reference and Research Laboratory for Taxonomy, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Noelia Garrido
- Reference and Research Laboratory for Taxonomy, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia del Pino
- Reference and Research Laboratory for Taxonomy, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Monica Valiente
- Reference and Research Laboratory for Taxonomy, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - María P. Pallarés
- Veterinary Unit, Animal Department, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Villalon
- Reference and Research Laboratory for Taxonomy, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Harris RA, Blondin-Brosseau M, Levesque C, Rasmussen PE, Beauchemin S, Austin JW. Viable Clostridium botulinum spores not detected in the household dust of major Canadian cities. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e154. [PMID: 37675600 PMCID: PMC10548537 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823001474] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum causes infant botulism by colonising the intestines and producing botulinum neurotoxin in situ. Previous reports have linked infant botulism cases to C. botulinum spores in household dust, yet the baseline incidence of C. botulinum spores in residential households is currently unknown. Vacuum cleaner dust from 963 households in 13 major Canadian cities was tested for C. botulinum using a novel real-time PCR assay directed against all known subtypes of the botulinum neurotoxin gene. None of the samples tested positive for C. botulinum. Analysis of a random subset of samples by MALDI Biotyper revealed that the most common anaerobic bacterial isolates were of the genus Clostridium and the most common species recovered overall was Clostridium perfringens. Dust that was spiked with C. botulinum spores of each toxin type successfully produced positive real-time PCR reactions. These control experiments indicate that this is a viable method for the detection of C. botulinum spores in household dust. We make several recommendations for future work that may help discover a common environmental source of C. botulinum spores that could lead to effective preventative measures for this rare but deadly childhood disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christine Levesque
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Pat E. Rasmussen
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Suzanne Beauchemin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - John W. Austin
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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22
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Zomer PML, Kamps MJA. Septic shock due to Clostridium botulinum: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2023; 17:401. [PMID: 37679840 PMCID: PMC10485981 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-04044-3] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that forms spores and the neurotoxin botulinum. It is best known for its toxin-induced flaccid paralytic disease, which is deadly without correct treatment. In this report, we show a completely different clinical course with fatal outcome. CASE PRESENTATION A 37-year-old African man born in Sierra Leone was admitted. After admission, his condition rapidly worsened due to severe septic shock and progressive multiorgan failure. No neurological signs were seen. Despite treatment with antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and norepinephrine, the multiorgan failure deteriorated further and he died as a result. Blood and synovial fluid cultures showed Clostridium botulinum. No botulinum toxins were found. CONCLUSION This is a rare case of fatal septic shock due to Clostridium botulinum-induced septic arthritis without any sign of the classic clinical syndrome of botulism.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M L Zomer
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Michelangelolaan 2, 5623 EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - M J A Kamps
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Michelangelolaan 2, 5623 EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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23
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Abstract
During 2006-2021, Canada had 55 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of foodborne botulism, involving 67 cases. The mean annual incidence was 0.01 case/100,000 population. Foodborne botulism in Indigenous communities accounted for 46% of all cases, which is down from 85% of all cases during 1990-2005. Among all cases, 52% were caused by botulinum neurotoxin type E, but types A (24%), B (16%), F (3%), and AB (1%) also occurred; 3% were caused by undetermined serotypes. Four outbreaks resulted from commercial products, including a 2006 international outbreak caused by carrot juice. Hospital data indicated that 78% of patients were transferred to special care units and 70% required mechanical ventilation; 7 deaths were reported. Botulinum neurotoxin type A was associated with much longer hospital stays and more time spent in special care than types B or E. Foodborne botulism often is misdiagnosed. Increased clinician awareness can improve diagnosis, which can aid epidemiologic investigations and patient treatment.
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24
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Kadir SD. Industrial Production and Therapeutic Application of Botulinum Neurotoxin: The Role of C. botulinum Type A. Pharm Nanotechnol 2023; 11:PNT-EPUB-134079. [PMID: 37642004 DOI: 10.2174/2211738511666230825150259] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin has remarkably transitioned from a food safety hazard and biological warfare to an effective therapeutic drug. Currently, botulinum neurotoxins have seven serotypes (BoNT/A-G) in the form of protein complexes produced by Clostridium, a gram-positive and spore-forming bacteria. The conversion of toxins into useful drug substances of choice using the biotechnological process is tremendously increasing. Recent studies have shown that Botulinum neurotoxin-A (BoNT/A) has different biological activities and potencies in experimental and clinical conditions. They also indicate that the manufacturing process influences the potency and efficacy of BoNT/A drugs. Thus, this review focuses on the following criteria: detailed Fed-batch operation that includes the upstream and downstream processing of BoNT/A, the underlying mechanism behind the neurotoxic effect, and commercially available FDA-approved BoNT/A products and their therapeutic uses. Still, some research gaps exist in the mechanism for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Danish Kadir
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a research supervisor at the Web of Science, Edinburg, US
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25
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Turin L, Piccione MM, Crosa F, Dall'Ara P, Filipe J, Zarucco L. Therapeutic Applications of Botulinum Neurotoxins in Veterinary Medicine. Vet Sci 2023; 10:460. [PMID: 37505863 PMCID: PMC10386576 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10070460] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are emerging as multipurpose therapeutic compounds for the treatment of several different syndromes involving peripheral and central nervous systems, and muscular and musculoskeletal disorders both in human and veterinary medicine. Therefore, the study of BoNTs is rapidly developing and identifying newly produced BoNT variants. Efforts should be made to clarify the biological and pharmacological characteristics of these novel BoNTs as well as the natural ones. The high potential of BoNTs as a therapeutic compound for medical syndromes lies in its ability to reach a specific cell type while bypassing other cells, thus having mild or no side effects. In this paper the recent developments in BoNTs are reviewed with the aim of analyzing the current knowledge on BoNTs' biological mechanisms of action, immunogenicity, formulations, and therapeutic applications in the veterinary field, highlighting advantages and drawbacks and identifying the gaps to be filled in order to address research priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta Turin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, LO, Italy
| | - Marina Michela Piccione
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, LO, Italy
| | - Fabio Crosa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences (DSV), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Paola Dall'Ara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, LO, Italy
| | - Joel Filipe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, LO, Italy
| | - Laura Zarucco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences (DSV), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy
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26
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Dabritz HA, Payne JR, Khouri JM. Duration of Fecal Excretion of Clostridium Botulinum and Botulinum Neurotoxin in Patients Recovering from Infant Botulism. J Pediatr 2023; 258:113396. [PMID: 37004956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113396] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
This study sought to determine duration of fecal excretion of Clostridium botulinum organisms and neurotoxin after onset of infant botulism in 66 affected infants. Median excretion was longer for type A than type B patients (organisms: 5.9 vs 3.5 weeks, toxin: 4.8 vs 1.6 weeks, respectively). Toxin excretion always ceased before organism excretion. Antibiotic therapy did not affect duration of excretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydee A Dabritz
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratories Division, Center for Laboratory Sciences, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Jessica R Payne
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratories Division, Center for Laboratory Sciences, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Jessica M Khouri
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratories Division, Center for Laboratory Sciences, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA.
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27
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Patnaik A, Rai SK, Dhaked RK. Recent Advancements and Novel Approaches Contributing to the Present Arsenal of Prophylaxis and Treatment Strategies Against Category A Bacterial Biothreat Agents. Indian J Microbiol 2023; 63:161-172. [PMID: 37325016 PMCID: PMC10220334 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-023-01075-8] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens have always been a part of the ecosystem in which we thrive. Some pathogens have caused deadly outbreaks in the past and have been exploited as an agent of threat. Natural hotspots for these biological pathogens are widely distributed throughout the world and hence they remain clinically important. Technological advancement and change in general lifestyle has driven the evolution of these pathogens into more virulent and resistant variants. There has been a growing concern over the development of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains that could be used as bioweapons. This rapid change in pathogens also propels the field of science to develop and innovate new strategies and methodologies which are superior and safer to the existing ones. Some bacterial agents like-Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis and toxins produced by strains of Clostridium botulinum, have been segregated as Category A substances as they pose imminent threat to public health with a history of life threatening and catastrophic disease. This review highlights some encouraging developments and value additions in the current plan of action for protection against these select biothreat bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinandan Patnaik
- Biotechnology Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, MP 474002 India
| | - Sharad Kumar Rai
- Biotechnology Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, MP 474002 India
| | - Ram Kumar Dhaked
- Biotechnology Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, MP 474002 India
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28
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Torres-Baix E, Muñoz I, Gou P, Fulladosa E, Bover-Cid S. Computed tomography and predictive microbiology for non-invasive evaluation of the impact of dry-cured ham production process conditions on the behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum. Meat Sci 2023; 202:109221. [PMID: 37207553 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109221] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Variability of salt content in dry-cured ham production can pose microbiological food safety issues, especially in salt reduced and/or non-nitrified products. In this regard, computed tomography (CT) could help to non-invasively characterised the product to further adjust the production process and ensure its safety. The aim of this work was to study the application of CT to estimate aw in dry-cured ham to be used by predictive microbiology to evaluate the impact of the production process on the behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum. Effect of nitrite elimination and fat content of hams was also evaluated. Thirty hams with two different fat content levels were characterised analytically and using CT at different key points in the process. The safety of the process was evaluated by applying predictive microbiology using both analytical and CT data as model inputs. Results showed that nitrite and fat content had an impact on the predicted growth potential of the pathogens evaluated. After the resting period, if no nitrite is added, the time needed for 1 log increase (tinc) of L. monocytogenes would shorten by 26% and 22% in lean and fat hams, respectively. After week 12, important differences on tinc values for C. botulinum were found between both groups of hams (ca. 40% shorter in fat hams). CT can provide reliable pixel-to-pixel information for predictive microbiology to evaluate the growth of relevant pathogens, but further studies are needed to validate this combination as a tool to evaluate the safety of the production process.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Torres-Baix
- Esteban Espuña, S.A., C/Mestre Turina, 39 - 41, 17800 Olot, Girona, Spain; IRTA, Food Quality and Technology Program, Finca Camps i Armet s/n, 17121 Monells, Girona, Spain
| | - I Muñoz
- IRTA, Food Quality and Technology Program, Finca Camps i Armet s/n, 17121 Monells, Girona, Spain
| | - P Gou
- IRTA, Food Quality and Technology Program, Finca Camps i Armet s/n, 17121 Monells, Girona, Spain
| | - E Fulladosa
- IRTA, Food Quality and Technology Program, Finca Camps i Armet s/n, 17121 Monells, Girona, Spain.
| | - S Bover-Cid
- IRTA, Food Safety and Functionality Program, Finca Camps i Armet s/n, 17121 Monells, Girona, Spain
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29
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Hamad G, Hafez EE, Sobhy SE, Mehany T, Elfayoumy RA, Elghazaly EM, Eskander M, Tawfik RG, Hussein SM, Pereira L. Detection of Clostridium botulinum in Some Egyptian Fish Products, Its Control In Vitro Using Citrus Leaves Extracts, and Applicability of Citrus limon Leaf Extract in Tuna. Foods 2023; 12:foods12071466. [PMID: 37048287 PMCID: PMC10093640 DOI: 10.3390/foods12071466] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to detect Clostridium botulinum and its control using natural leaf extracts of Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus unshiu in Egyptian fish products, e.g., canned tuna, canned sardine, canned mackerel, fesikh, moloha, and renga, as well the application of C. limon in tuna. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the C. limon leaf extract was also estimated. In the water extract, ascorbic acid, total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC) were determined by volumetric, aluminum chloride, and Folin-Ciocalteu approaches, respectively. The antioxidant ability of the extract was analyzed in vitro via free radical scavenging (DPPH) and Ferric reducing assays. The results showed variability in the distribution of the total number of positive C. botulinum in fish samples from three different governorates under study, which were (24) Alexandria, (16) Beheira, and (17) Gharbia, out of the 120 tested samples in each governorate. Additionally, the findings revealed that all three Citrus extracts contain an appropriate number of secondary metabolites, with a sustainable presence of saponin and tannins in the C. limon extract. Furthermore, all Citrus extracts inhibited bacterial growth by increasing the inhibition zone, with C. limon being the best extract (25 mm) compared to C. sinensis and C. unshiu. The overall results showed the high antioxidant and anti-Clostridium powers (p < 0.05) of C. limon leaf extract, indicating its preservative activity in fishery products during storage. Finally, C. limon leaf extract can fight off C. botulinum and is considered a promising natural preservation candidate in ensuring safe and fresh fishery products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamal Hamad
- Department of Food Technology, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Elsayed E Hafez
- Department of Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Sherien E Sobhy
- Department of Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Taha Mehany
- Department of Food Technology, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Reham A Elfayoumy
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta 34511, Egypt
| | - Eman M Elghazaly
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Matrouh University, Matrouh 51511, Egypt
| | - Michael Eskander
- Department of Food Hygiene and Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt
| | - Rasha G Tawfik
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt
| | - Saleh M Hussein
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Leonel Pereira
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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30
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Roja B, Saranya S, Chellapandi P. Discovery of novel virulence mechanisms in Clostridium botulinum type A3 using genome-wide analysis. Gene 2023; 869:147402. [PMID: 36972858 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147402] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Clostridium botulinum type A is a neurotoxin-producing, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that causes botulism in humans. The evolutionary genomic context of this organism is not yet known to understand its molecular virulence mechanisms in the human intestinal tract. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying virulence and pathogenesis by comparing the genomic contexts across species, serotypes, and subtypes. METHODS A comparative genomic approach was used to analyze evolutionary genomic relationships, intergenomic distances, syntenic blocks, replication origins, and gene abundance with phylogenomic neighbors. RESULTS Type A strains have shown genomic proximity to group I strains with distinct accessory genes and vary even within subtypes. Phylogenomic data showed that type C and D strains were distantly related to a group I and group II strains. Synthetic plots indicated that orthologous genes might have evolved from Clostridial ancestry to subtype A3 strains, whereas syntonic out-paralogs might have emerged between subtypes A3 and A1 through α-events. Gene abundance analysis revealed the key roles of genes involved in biofilm formation, cell-cell communication, human diseases, and drug resistance compared to the pathogenic Clostridia. Moreover, we identified 43 unique genes in the type A3 genome, of which 29 were involved in the pathophysiological processes and other genes contributed to amino acid metabolism. The C. botulinum type A3 genome contains 14 new virulence proteins that can provide the ability to confer antibiotic resistance, virulence exertion and adherence to host cells, the host immune system, and mobility of extrachromosomal genetic elements. CONCLUSION The results of our study provide insight into the understanding of new virulence mechanisms to discover new therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases caused by type A3 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Roja
- Industrial Systems Biology Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Saranya
- Industrial Systems Biology Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - P Chellapandi
- Industrial Systems Biology Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
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31
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Lúquez C, Halpin JL, Dykes J. Unintended consequences: Renaming botulinum neurotoxin-producing species of clostridium and related species. Toxicon 2023; 224:107036. [PMID: 36693544 PMCID: PMC10866187 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107036] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin-producing species of Clostridium are highly diverse. Clostridium botulinum could represent at least four different species of Clostridium. In addition, strains that do not produce botulinum neurotoxin are closely related to toxigenic strains, probably representing the same species. Although reclassification of these organisms has been proposed in the past, their species names have remained unchanged, mainly because of the premise that changing names of medically relevant organisms might cause confusion in the healthcare and scientific community. In this review, we discuss the possible unintended consequences of reclassifying botulinum neurotoxin-producing species of Clostridium, which are of public health, medical, and biodefense interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Lúquez
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | - Janet Dykes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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32
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Miyashita SI, Karatsu S, Fujiishi M, Huang IH, Nagashima Y, Morobishi T, Hosoya K, Hata T, Dong M, Sagane Y. Characterization of Serotype CD Mosaic Botulinum Neurotoxin in Comparison with Serotype C and A. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:123. [PMID: 36828437 PMCID: PMC9962336 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15020123] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), produced by Clostridium botulinum, cleaves proteins involved in neurotransmitter release, thereby triggering flaccid paralyses, which are responsible for botulism. BoNT is classified into seven serotypes (BoNT/A-G); BoNT/A and BoNT/B are used as medical therapeutics and anti-wrinkle reagents. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of BoNT/CD, a mosaic toxin of BoNT/C and BoNT/D, to assess its potential as a therapeutic alternative for BoNT/A. In a cultured neuron assay, BoNT/CD cleaved syntaxin and SNAP-25 with higher efficacy than BoNT/C and BoNT/A. Intramuscularly administrated BoNT/CD induced dose-dependent muscle paralysis, and the paralysis lasted ~21 days in a mouse digit abduction score assay (BoNT/A-induced paralysis lasted ~30 days). BoNT/C failed to induce local paralysis without systemic toxicity. Multiple alignment analyses of the amino acid sequences of the receptor binding domain (HC) of eight BoNT/CDs and two BoNT/Ds showed sequence clustering in five groups. Comparing BoNT/CD strain 003-9 (BoNT/CD003-9) and strain 6813 (BoNT/CD6813) showed that both BoNT/CDs displayed similar efficacies in cultured neurons, but BoNT/CD003-9 displayed higher efficacy in a mouse model than BoNT/CD6813. These findings suggest that BoNT/CD may be a potential alternative for patients who do not respond to existing BoNT-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichiro Miyashita
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shura Karatsu
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mako Fujiishi
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - I Hsun Huang
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuki Nagashima
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tamaki Morobishi
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Keita Hosoya
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hata
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yoshimasa Sagane
- Department of Food, Aroma and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri 099-2493, Hokkaido, Japan
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Panditrao MV, Chung CH, Khouri JM, Barash JR, Motter RN, Dover N, Arnon SS. Dual-Toxin ("Bivalent") Infant Botulism in California, 1976-2020: Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Laboratory Aspects. J Pediatr 2023; 253:8-13. [PMID: 35977619 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.08.016] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the consequences of infant botulism that result from Clostridium botulinum strains that produce 2 botulinum toxin serotypes, termed "bivalent." STUDY DESIGN Epidemiologic investigations used a standard questionnaire. Clostridium botulinum strains were isolated by standard methods. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes and the relative amounts of toxins produced were identified using the standard mouse bioassay. BoNT subtypes and genomic locations were identified by DNA nucleotide sequencing. RESULTS Thirty bivalent cases of infant botulism occurred in the 45 years (1976-2020), representing 2.0% of all California infant botulism cases, in the 3 geographic regions of southern California, the southern Central Valley, and mid-northern California. Toxin serotype combinations were Ba (n = 22), Bf (n = 7), and Ab (n = 1). More patients with illness caused by bivalent C botulinum Ba and Bf strains needed endotracheal intubation at hospital admission, 60.0% (18/30), than did patients with illness caused by monovalent BoNT/B strains, 34.3% (152/443). The Cbotulinum Ba and Bf strains produced BoNT/B5 and either BoNT/A4 or /F2. The Ab strain produced BoNT/A2 and /B1. All toxin gene clusters were on plasmids. CONCLUSIONS Infant botulism caused by bivalent Cbotulinum strains occurs sporadically and in diverse locations in California. Affected patients with bivalent Ba and Bf strains lacked distinguishing epidemiological features but appeared to be more severely paralyzed at hospital presentation than patients with illness caused by only BoNT/B. These bivalent strains produced BoNT subtypes A2, A4, B1, B5, and F2, and all toxin gene clusters were on plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri V Panditrao
- Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Modeling Branch, COVID-19 Response California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Connie H Chung
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Jessica M Khouri
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA.
| | - Jason R Barash
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Ruth N Motter
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Nir Dover
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
| | - Stephen S Arnon
- Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, Infectious Diseases Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
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Goldberg B, Danino D, Levinsky Y, Levy I, Straussberg R, Dabaja-Younis H, Guri A, Almagor Y, Tasher D, Elad D, Baider Z, Blum S, Scheuerman O. Infant Botulism, Israel, 2007-2021. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:235-241. [PMID: 36692296 PMCID: PMC9881770 DOI: 10.3201/eid2902.220991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Infant botulism (IB) is an intestinal toxemia that manifests as descending paralysis, constipation, and, in some cases, respiratory failure. Laboratory-confirmed IB cases are rare, and recent data in Israel are lacking. We conducted a national multicenter retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed IB cases reported in Israel during 2007-2021. A total of 8 cases were reported during the study period. During 2019-2021, incidence may have increased because of a cluster of 5 cases. Infant median age for diagnosis was 6.5 months, older than previously reported (3 months). Most cases occurred during March-July. Honey consumption was reported in 1 case, and possible environmental risk factors (living nearby rural or construction areas, dust exposure, and having a father who works as a farmer) were reported in 6 cases. Although IB is rare, its incidence in Israel may have increased over recent years, and its epidemiology and risk factors differ from cases reported previously in Israel.
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Amatsu S, Matsumura T, Zuka M, Fujinaga Y. Molecular engineering of a minimal E-cadherin inhibitor protein derived from Clostridium botulinum hemagglutinin. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102944. [PMID: 36707052 PMCID: PMC9958082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemagglutinin (HA), a nontoxic component of the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) complex, binds to E-cadherin and inhibits E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion. HA is a 470 kDa protein complex comprising six HA1, three HA2, and three HA3 subcomponents. Thus, to prepare recombinant full-length HA in vitro, it is necessary to reconstitute the macromolecular complex from purified HA subcomponents, which involves multiple purification steps. In this study, we developed NanoHA, a minimal E-cadherin inhibitor protein derived from Clostridium botulinum HA with a simple purification strategy needed for production. NanoHA, containing HA2 and a truncated mutant of HA3 (amino acids 380-626; termed as HA3mini), is a 47 kDa single polypeptide (one-tenth the molecular weight of full-length HA, 470 kDa) engineered with three types of modifications: (i) a short linker sequence between the C terminus of HA2 and N terminus of HA3; (ii) a chimeric complex composed of HA2 derived from the serotype C BoNT complex and HA3mini from the serotype B BoNT complex; and (iii) three amino acid substitutions from hydrophobic to hydrophilic residues on the protein surface. We demonstrated that NanoHA inhibits E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion of epithelial cells (e.g., Caco-2 and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells) and disrupts their epithelial barrier. Finally, unlike full-length HA, NanoHA can be transported from the basolateral side to adherens junctions via passive diffusion. Overall, these results indicate that the rational design of NanoHA provides a minimal E-cadherin inhibitor with a wide variety of applications as a lead molecule and for further molecular engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Amatsu
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan.
| | - Takuhiro Matsumura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Masahiko Zuka
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yukako Fujinaga
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan.
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Panova EA, Kleymenov DA, Shcheblyakov DV, Bykonia EN, Mazunina EP, Dzharullaeva AS, Zolotar AN, Derkaev AA, Esmagambetov IB, Sorokin II, Usachev EV, Noskov AN, Ivanov IA, Zatsepin TS, Dmitriev SE, Gushchin VA, Naroditsky BS, Logunov DY, Gintsburg AL. Single-domain antibody delivery using an mRNA platform protects against lethal doses of botulinum neurotoxin A. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1098302. [PMID: 36865543 PMCID: PMC9971915 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1098302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs, VHHs, or nanobodies) are a promising tool for the treatment of both infectious and somatic diseases. Their small size greatly simplifies any genetic engineering manipulations. Such antibodies have the ability to bind hard-to-reach antigenic epitopes through long parts of the variable chains, the third complementarity-determining regions (CDR3s). VHH fusion with the canonical immunoglobulin Fc fragment allows the Fc-fusion single-domain antibodies (VHH-Fc) to significantly increase their neutralizing activity and serum half-life. Previously we have developed and characterized VHH-Fc specific to botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A), that showed a 1000-fold higher protective activity than monomeric form when challenged with five times the lethal dose (5 LD50) of BoNT/A. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA vaccines based on lipid nanoparticles (LNP) as a delivery system have become an important translational technology that has significantly accelerated the clinical introduction of mRNA platforms. We have developed an mRNA platform that provides long-term expression after both intramuscular and intravenous application. The platform has been extensively characterized using firefly luciferase (Fluc) as a reporter. An intramuscular administration of LNP-mRNA encoding VHH-Fc antibody made it possible to achieve its rapid expression in mice and resulted in 100% protection when challenged with up to 100 LD50 of BoNT/A. The presented approach for the delivery of sdAbs using mRNA technology greatly simplifies drug development for antibody therapy and can be used for emergency prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia A Panova
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis A Kleymenov
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry V Shcheblyakov
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Evgeniia N Bykonia
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena P Mazunina
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina S Dzharullaeva
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia N Zolotar
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Artem A Derkaev
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilias B Esmagambetov
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan I Sorokin
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Evgeny V Usachev
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anatoly N Noskov
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor A Ivanov
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Sergey E Dmitriev
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Gushchin
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Virology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris S Naroditsky
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis Y Logunov
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander L Gintsburg
- National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Infectiology Department, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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Ma X, Li K, Li F, Su J, Meng W, Sun Y, Sun H, Sun J, Yuan Y, Lin Y, Hu S, Xu X, He Z. Tracing Foodborne Botulism Events Caused by Clostridium botulinum in Xinjiang Province, China, Using a Core Genome Sequence Typing Scheme. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0116422. [PMID: 36377961 PMCID: PMC9769928 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01164-22] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Foodborne botulism is a rare but life-threatening illness resulting from the action of a potent toxin mainly produced by Clostridium botulinum. It grows in an oxygen-deficient environment and is extremely viable in meat and soy products, making it one of the most virulent bacteria. How to track foodborne botulism events quickly and accurately has become a key issue. Here, we investigated two foodborne botulism events that occurred in Xinjiang in 2019 based on whole-genome sequencing and also successfully traced the relationship between clinical and food C. botulinum isolates using whole-genome core gene markers. All 59 isolates were classified as group I strains. Of the strains isolated in this study, 44 were found to be botulinum toxin A(B), and 15 isolates contained only the toxin B locus. Both the toxin A and B gene segments were located on the chromosome and organized in an ha cluster. Antibiotic resistance and virulence factors were also investigated. A set of 329 universal core gene markers were established using C. botulinum strains from a public database. These core gene markers were applied to the published C. botulinum genomes, and three outbreaks were identified. This work demonstrates that universal core gene markers can be used to trace foodborne botulism events, and we hope that our work will facilitate this effort in future. IMPORTANCE In this study, we analyzed 59 foodborne botulism (FB)-related strains isolated in Xinjiang Province, China. Our findings not only reveal the group classification, neurotoxin locus organization, antibiotic resistance and virulence factors of these strains but also establish a set of core gene markers for tracing foodborne botulism events, which was verified using published genomes. These findings indicate that these gene markers might be used as a potential tracing tool for FB events caused by C. botulinum group I strains, which have relatively stable genomic components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ma
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Kexin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Interdisciplinary Innovation Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Li
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Jing Su
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Weiwei Meng
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Yanming Sun
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jiazheng Sun
- Criminal Investigation School, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghe Yuan
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Yujia Lin
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Songnian Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefang Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zilong He
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Interdisciplinary Innovation Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
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Jarosz A, Grenda T, Goldsztejn M, Kozak B, Kwiatek K. Potential Risk of Botulinum Neurotoxin -producing Clostridia Occurrence in Canned Fish. J Vet Res 2022; 66:605-11. [PMID: 36846039 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2022-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Heat treatment is indispensable in fish canning to provide an acceptable shelf life. Its optimisation reduces the risk of the presence of Clostridium botulinum spores, which could potentially cause botulism cases. This study evaluated canned fish samples for botulism neurotoxin (BoNT)-producing clostridia contamination and can bulging through microbiological contaminant growth. A new analytical approach was developed for detection of such clostridia and phenotypically similar species. Material and Methods A total of 70 canned fish samples suspected of exhibiting bulging features were analysed. Culture methods were used to detect clostridia. The isolates obtained were evaluated on the basis of the exhibited phenotypic characteristics. Also, PCRs were used for the detection of genes determining BoNT production (non-toxic non-haemagglutinin (ntnh) genes) and the amplification of conservative 16S rDNA genes, which were Sanger sequenced. The obtained sequences were analysed using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. Results Clostridium genus species were isolated from 17 (24%) bulging and organoleptically changed samples. No ntnh genes were present in these isolates; however, sequencing confirmed the presence of C. sporogenes, a species with close affinity to C. botulinum. Conclusion To eliminate the threat of foodborne botulism, laboratory diagnostic techniques must detect species of the Clostridium genus and elucidate their ability to produce BoNTs. Although Clostridium botulinum is the most common cause of botulism, the possibility may not be ignored that non-pathogenic Clostridium species may acquire botulinum toxigenicity. The similarity between the isolated strains of C. sporogenes and C. botulinum should be incorporated in the optimisation of heat treatment to guarantee a sterilised, microbiologically safe product.
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Inanoglu S, Barbosa-Cánovas GV, Sablani SS, Zhu MJ, Keener L, Tang J. High-pressure pasteurization of low-acid chilled ready-to-eat food. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2022; 21:4939-4970. [PMID: 36329575 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13058] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The working population growth have created greater consumer demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. Pasteurization is one of the most common preservation methods for commercial production of low-acid RTE cold-chain products. Proper selection of a pasteurization method plays an important role not only in ensuring microbial safety but also in maintaining food quality during storage. Better retention of flavor, color, appearance, and nutritional value of RTE products is one of the reasons for the food industry to adopt novel technologies such as high-pressure processing (HPP) as a substitute or complementary technology for thermal pasteurization. HPP has been used industrially for the pasteurization of high-acid RTE products. Yet, this method is not commonly used for pasteurization of low-acid RTE food products, due primarily to the need of additional heating to thermally inactivate spores, coupled with relatively long treatment times resulting in high processing costs. Practical Application: Food companies would like to adopt novel technologies such as HPP instead of using conventional thermal processes, yet there is a lack of information on spoilage and the shelf-life of pasteurized low-acid RTE foods (by different novel pasteurization methods including HPP) in cold storage. This article provides an overview of the microbial concerns and related regulatory guidelines for the pasteurization of low-acid RTE foods and summarizes the effects of HPP in terms of microbiology (both pathogens and spoilage microorganisms), quality, and shelf-life on low-acid RTE foods. This review also includes the most recent research articles regarding a comparison between HPP pasteurization and thermal pasteurization treatments and the limitations of HPP for low-acid chilled RTE foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeyye Inanoglu
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Gustavo V Barbosa-Cánovas
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Center for Nonthermal Processing of Food, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Shyam S Sablani
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Mei-Jun Zhu
- School of Food Science, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Larry Keener
- International Product Safety Consultants, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Juming Tang
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Tian R, Widel M, Imanian B. The Light Chain Domain and Especially the C-Terminus of Receptor-Binding Domain of the Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) Are the Hotspots for Amino Acid Variability and Toxin Type Diversity. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13. [PMID: 36292800 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are the most potent toxins in the world. They are produced by a few dozens of strains within several clostridial species. The toxin that they produce can cause botulism, a flaccid paralysis in humans and other animals. With seven established serologically different types and over 40 subtypes, BoNTs are among the most diverse known toxins. The toxin, its structure, its function and its physiological effects on the neural cell and animal hosts along with its diversity have been the subjects of numerous studies. However, many gaps remain in our knowledge about the BoNT toxin and the species that produce them. One of these gaps involves the distribution and extent of variability along the full length of the gene and the protein as well as its domains and subdomains. In this study, we performed an extensive analysis of all of the available 143 unique BoNT-encoding genes and their products, and we investigated their diversity and evolution. Our results indicate that while the nucleotide variability is almost uniformly distributed along the entire length of the gene, the amino acid variability is not. We found that most of the differences were concentrated along the protein's light chain (LC) domain and especially, the C-terminus of the receptor-binding domain (HCC). These two regions of the protein are thus identified as the main source of the toxin type differentiation, and consequently, this toxin's versatility to bind different receptors and their isoforms and act upon different substrates, thus infecting different hosts.
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Cottone G, Chiodo L, Maragliano L, Popoff MR, Rasetti-Escargueil C, Lemichez E, Malliavin TE. In Silico Conformational Features of Botulinum Toxins A1 and E1 According to Intraluminal Acidification. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090644. [PMID: 36136581 PMCID: PMC9500700 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090644] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the most toxic compounds found in nature, their molecular mechanism of action is far from being elucidated. A key event is the conformational transition due to acidification of the interior of synaptic vesicles, leading to translocation of the BoNT catalytic domain into the neuronal cytosol. To investigate these conformational variations, homology modeling and atomistic simulations are combined to explore the internal dynamics of the sub-types BoNT/A1 (the most-used sub-type in medical applications) and BoNT/E1 (the most kinetically efficient sub-type). This first simulation study of di-chain BoNTs in closed and open states considers the effects of both neutral and acidic pH. The conformational mobility is driven by domain displacements of the ganglioside-binding site in the receptor binding domain, the translocation domain (HCNT) switch, and the belt α-helix, which present multiple conformations, depending on the primary sequence and the pH. Fluctuations of the belt α-helix are observed for closed conformations of the toxins and at acidic pH, while patches of more solvent-accessible residues appear under the same conditions in the core translocation domain HCNT. These findings suggest that, during translocation, the higher mobility of the belt could be transmitted to HCNT, leading to the favorable interaction of HCNT residues with the non-polar membrane environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Cottone
- Department of Physics and Chemistry Emilio Segré, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Letizia Chiodo
- Department of Engineering, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Via Á. del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Maragliano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Michel-Robert Popoff
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Inserm U1306, Unité des Toxines Bactériennes, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Christine Rasetti-Escargueil
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Inserm U1306, Unité des Toxines Bactériennes, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Lemichez
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Inserm U1306, Unité des Toxines Bactériennes, 75015 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (E.L.); (T.E.M.)
| | - Thérèse E. Malliavin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3528, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, 75015 Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques (LPCT), CNRS UMR7019, University of Lorraine, 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- Laboratoire International Associé, CNRS and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- Correspondence: (E.L.); (T.E.M.)
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Nguyen DH, Nguyen TT, Nguyen HT. Investigation of botulism in free-range duck farming in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Open Vet J 2022; 12:632-638. [PMID: 36589392 PMCID: PMC9789775 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2022.v12.i5.7] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most common diseases in free-range ducks in the Mekong Delta is botulism. Botulism is a poultry disease caused by botulinum exotoxin of Clostridium botulinum. Aim To evaluate the prevalence of botulism in free-range ducks in the Mekong Delta and the risk of infection by determining the presence of C. botulinum in the farming environment. Methods Research was carried out on 200 duck flocks with 187,050 individuals raised freely in the fields in the provinces of the Mekong Delta, including An Giang, Can Tho, Hau Giang, and Kien Giang. The ducks were diagnosed with botulism based on clinical symptoms. To demonstrate the presence of botulinum neurotoxins and identify serotype, samples of serum and/or gut were analyzed by mouse bioassay. Samples of soil (n = 600), water (n = 600), crabs (n = 216), and snails (n = 400) were taken from the grazing regions for C. botulinum analysis by PCR assay. Results There were 1.19% (2,235/187,050) free-range ducks in the Mekong Delta positive for botulism. Clinical symptoms of botulism including limberneck, drooping eyelids-enlarged pupils, and leg paralysis were prevalent across free-range ducks, with the frequency of 87.92% (1,965/2,235), 90.07% (2,013/2,235), and 79.78% (1,783/2,235), respectively. The lesions of pulmonary edema-hemorrhage, hemorrhagic liver, and gas-producing intestines were common, accounting for 86.19% (362/420), 95.48% (401/420), and 92.14% (387/420), respectively. Botulin toxin type C was found in a considerable number of serum samples, accounting for 40.48% (51/126). Meanwhile, the percentage of serum samples containing botulin toxin types E and D was 28.57% (36/126) and 25.40% (32/126), respectively. Clostridium botulinum was detected in the farming environment specifically 17.5% (105/600) in soil, 19.67% (118/600) in water, 8.33% (18/216) in crabs, and 3.00% (12/400) in snails. Conclusion The free-range ducks in the Mekong Delta were at high risk of botulism because of the latent presence of C. botulinum in the farming environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duc-Hien Nguyen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Thu-Tam Nguyen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Huu-Thanh Nguyen
- An Giang University, An Giang, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Dong Y, Wang W, Jiang T, Xu J, Li M, Yan S, Li F, Fanning S. A Family Outbreak of Type E Botulism Caused by Contaminated Vacuum-Packed Ambient-Stored Chili Chicken Feet in Zhangjiakou, China. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2022; 19:613-621. [PMID: 35900283 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2022.0003] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidemiological investigation and laboratory-based confirmation were performed on samples from a family botulism outbreak in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, China. Forty-four samples, including 14 samples (leftover food, and swabs taken of both food packaging bags and dishes, and serum and vomitus of the victims) related to outbreak and 30 causative food products after outbreak, were collected and analyzed. Isolation, bacterial identification, toxin detection, and whole-genome sequencing of Clostridium spp. cultured from the latter samples and animal assays were performed. Mice injected with the cultures of the leftover chili chicken feet, together with the inner layer of its packaging bag, the plate for serving it, and supernatant of two patients' serum that demonstrated the typical signs of botulism. The polyvalent anti-botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) and the monovalent anti-BoNT/E exhibited protective effects when administered to mice. Three Clostridium botulinum cultures were obtained and verified to be positive for BoNT/E. The whole genome analysis of the isolates revealed that the classic bont/e gene orfX cluster was found to be located on the chromosomes of all three isolates. Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis suggested that these might be from the same source. Our findings indicated that this botulism outbreak occurred following the ingestion of vacuum-packed chili chicken feet contaminated with BoNT/E produced by C. botulinum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinping Dong
- Microbiology Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China.,UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Wei Wang
- Microbiology Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Microbiology Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Microbiology Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Menghan Li
- Microbiology Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Shaofei Yan
- Microbiology Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Fengqin Li
- Microbiology Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Séamus Fanning
- Microbiology Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China.,UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Edmunds S, Vugia DJ, Rosen HE, Wong KK, Dykes JK, Griffin PM, Chatham-Stephens K. Inadequate Refrigeration of Some Commercial Foods Is a Continued Cause of Foodborne Botulism in the United States, 1994-2021. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2022; 19:417-422. [PMID: 35713923 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2021.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Foodborne botulism is a rapidly progressive potentially fatal paralyzing illness caused by the consumption of botulinum neurotoxin, which is most commonly produced by Clostridium botulinum. Refrigeration is the primary barrier to botulinum neurotoxin production in many processed foods. C. botulinum toxin production has occurred and caused botulism in the United States when foods that were not processed to destroy spores of C. botulinum were stored in an anaerobic environment and not properly refrigerated. We identified 37 cases, including 4 deaths, that occurred during 1994-2021 in the United States from 13 events associated with inadequate refrigeration of commercially produced products. In 11 events, the patient stored the product unrefrigerated at home; in 2 events, a product was kept unrefrigerated at the store before the consumer purchased it. In three events, refrigeration instructions were inadequate or not easily accessible (one label printed on outer but not inner packaging, one label not clearly visible, and one label was not in English). The number of people affected per event ranged from 1 to 16. Using enhanced cost estimates for foodborne botulism cases from a published economic model, these events were estimated to cost >$79M. Potential solutions to this recurring problem include the addition of a secondary barrier, such as an acidifier, to prevent botulinum toxin production, and better labeling to convey risks of refrigerated foods that have not been processed to destroy spores of C. botulinum and to decrease the occurrence of improper storage and handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Edmunds
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Duc J Vugia
- California Department of Public Health, Richmond and Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hilary E Rosen
- California Department of Public Health, Richmond and Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Karen K Wong
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Janet K Dykes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Enteric Diseases Laboratory Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Patricia M Griffin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kevin Chatham-Stephens
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Goin P, Hagenkötter B, Gendrin V, Garnier P, Klopfenstein T, Zayet S. Pauci-symptomatic foodborne botulism due to Clostridium botulinum type B with predominant ophthalmologic presentation possibly after consumption of honey. Anaerobe 2022;:102578. [PMID: 35489618 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2022.102578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Foodborne botulism, a toxin-mediated illness caused by Clostridium botulinum, is a public health emergency, and rarely reported in France. We report herein the case of two family members (a father and his son) from Franche-Comté, France, presented with ophthalmological symptoms which occurred after non-specific gastro-intestinal symptoms after a trip to Serbia with a recent consumption of artisanal honey, and suggestive of botulism. The suspected intoxication appeared to be caused by a type B strain of C. botulinum, as demonstrated by toxin-neutralization in the lethal mouse bioassay. Regarding the mild-to-moderate form, the patients were treated symptomatically with monitoring, against antitoxins, with no evidence of relapse afterwards. We want to highlight the importance of recognizing clinical ophthalmologic botulism symptoms as unreactive bilateral mydriasis with lack of accommodation to contribute to earlier diagnosis in case of pauci-symptomatic botulism.
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Ben David A, Papir Y, Hazan O, Redelman M, Diamant E, Barnea A, Torgeman A, Zichel R. High Cell Density Cultivation Process for the Expression of Botulinum Neurotoxin a Receptor Binding Domain. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:281. [PMID: 35448890 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14040281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor-binding domain of botulinum neurotoxin (HC fragment), is a promising botulism vaccine candidate. In the current study, fermentation strategies were evaluated to upscale HC fragment expression. A simple translation of the growth conditions from shake flasks to a batch fermentation process resulted in limited culture growth and protein expression (OD of 11 and volumetric protein yields of 123 mg/L). Conducting fed-batch fermentation with rich media and continuous nutrient supplementation significantly improved culture growth (OD of 40.3) and protein expression (1093 mg/L). A further increase in HC fragment yield was achieved by high cell density cultivation (HCDC). The bacterium was grown in a defined medium and with a combined bolus/continuous feed of nutrients to maintain desired oxygen levels and prevent acetate accumulation. The final OD of the process was 260, and the volumetric yield of the HC fragment was 2065 mg/L, which reflects improvement by an order of magnitude. Purified HC fragments, produced by HCDC, exhibited typical biochemical and protective characteristics in mice. Taken together, the advancements achieved in this study promote large-scale production of the HC fragment in E. coli for use in anti-botulism vaccines.
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Raja SM, Guptill JT, Juel VC, Walter EB, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Hill H, Sendra E, Hauser B, Jackson P, Tomic M, Espinoza Y, Swamy GK. First-in-Human Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Single Doses of NTM-1633, a Novel Mixture of Monoclonal Antibodies against Botulinum Toxin E. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022;:e0173221. [PMID: 35311524 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01732-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulism is a rare, life-threatening paralytic disease caused by botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). Available treatments including an equine antitoxin and human immune globulin are given postexposure and challenging to produce and administer. NTM-1633 is an equimolar mixture of 3 human IgG monoclonal antibodies, E1, E2, and E3, targeting BoNT serotype E (BoNT/E). This first-in-human study assessed the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and immunogenicity of NTM-1633. This double-blind, single-center, placebo-controlled dose escalation study randomized 3 cohorts of healthy volunteers to receive a single intravenous dose of NTM-1633 (0.033, 0.165, or 0.330 mg/kg) or saline placebo. Safety monitoring included physical examinations, clinical laboratory studies, and vital signs. Blood sampling was performed at prespecified time points for PK and immunogenicity analyses. Twenty-four subjects received study product (18 NTM-1633; 6 placebo), and no deaths were reported. An unrelated serious adverse event was reported in a placebo subject. Adverse events in the NTM-1633 groups were generally mild and similar in frequency and severity to the placebo group, and no safety signal was identified. NTM-1633 has a favorable PK profile with a half-life >10 days for the 0.330 mg/kg dose and an approximately linear relationship with respect to maximum concentration and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0→t). NTM-1633 also demonstrated low immunogenicity. NTM-1633 is well tolerated at the administered doses. The favorable safety, PK, and immunogenicity profile supports further development as a treatment for BoNT/E intoxication and postexposure prophylaxis.
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Kobayashi N, Abe K, Akagi S, Kitamura M, Shiraishi Y, Yamaguchi A, Yutani M, Amatsu S, Matsumura T, Nomura N, Ozaki N, Obana N, Fujinaga Y. Membrane Vesicles Derived From Clostridium botulinum and Related Clostridial Species Induce Innate Immune Responses via MyD88/TRIF Signaling in vitro. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:720308. [PMID: 35185840 PMCID: PMC8851338 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.720308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum neurotoxin complexes that cause botulism. Previous studies elucidated the molecular pathogenesis of botulinum neurotoxin complexes; however, it currently remains unclear whether other components of the bacterium affect host cells. Recent studies provided insights into the role of bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) produced by some bacterial species in host immunity and pathology. We herein examined and compared the cellular effects of MVs isolated from four strains of C. botulinum with those of closely related Clostridium sporogenes and two strains of the symbiont Clostridium scindens. MVs derived from all strains induced inflammatory cytokine expression in intestinal epithelial and macrophage cell lines. Cytokine expression was dependent on myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD) 88 and TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF), essential adaptors for toll-like receptors (TLRs), and TLR1/2/4. The inhibition of actin polymerization impeded the uptake of MVs in RAW264.7 cells, however, did not reduce the induction of cytokine expression. On the other hand, the inhibition of dynamin or phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) suppressed the induction of cytokine expression by MVs, suggesting the importance of these factors downstream of TLR signaling. MVs also induced expression of Reg3 family antimicrobial peptides via MyD88/TRIF signaling in primary cultured mouse small intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). The present results indicate that MVs from C. botulinum and related clostridial species induce host innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhide Kobayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kimihiro Abe
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Akagi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mayu Kitamura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yoshitake Shiraishi
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Aki Yamaguchi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yutani
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Sho Amatsu
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takuhiro Matsumura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Nomura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Ozaki
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Nozomu Obana
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yukako Fujinaga
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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Wentz TG, Tremblay BJM, Bradshaw M, Doxey AC, Sharma SK, Sauer JD, Pellett S. Endogenous CRISPR-Cas Systems in Group I Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium sporogenes Do Not Directly Target the Botulinum Neurotoxin Gene Cluster. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:787726. [PMID: 35222299 PMCID: PMC8865420 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.787726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Most strains of proteolytic group I Clostridium botulinum (G1 C. botulinum) and some strains of Clostridium sporogenes possess genes encoding botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), a potent neuroparalytic agent. Within G1 C. botulinum, conserved bont gene clusters of three major toxin serotypes (bont/A/B/F) can be found on conjugative plasmids and/or within chromosomal pathogenicity islands. CRISPR-Cas systems enable site-specific targeting of previously encountered mobile genetic elements (MGE) such as plasmids and bacteriophage through the creation of a spacer library complementary to protospacers within the MGEs. To examine whether endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems restrict the transfer of bont gene clusters across strains we conducted a bioinformatic analysis profiling endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems from 241 G1 C. botulinum and C. sporogenes strains. Approximately 6,200 CRISPR spacers were identified across the strains and Type I-B, III-A/B/D cas genes and CRISPR array features were identified in 83% of the strains. Mapping the predicted spacers against the masked strain and RefSeq plasmid dataset identified 56,000 spacer-protospacer matches. While spacers mapped heavily to targets within bont(+) plasmids, no protospacers were identified within the bont gene clusters. These results indicate the toxin is not a direct target of CRISPR-Cas but the plasmids predominantly responsible for its mobilization are. Finally, while the presence of a CRISPR-Cas system did not reliably indicate the presence or absence of a bont gene cluster, comparative genomics across strains indicates they often occupy the same hypervariable loci common to both species, potentially suggesting similar mechanisms are involved in the acquisition and curation of both genomic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis G. Wentz
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States,Division of Microbiology, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States,Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - Marite Bradshaw
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Andrew C. Doxey
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Shashi K. Sharma
- Division of Microbiology, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - John-Demian Sauer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Sabine Pellett
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States,*Correspondence: Sabine Pellett,
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Li T, Ning N, Iacobino A, Zhang L, Wang H, Franciosa G. Novel Putative Transposable Element Associated with the Subtype E5 Botulinum Toxin Gene Cluster of Neurotoxigenic Clostridium butyricum Type E Strains from China. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:906. [PMID: 35055088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, a whole-genome comparison of three Clostridium butyricum type E strains from Italy and the United States with different C. botulinum type E strains indicated that the bont/e gene might be transferred between the two clostridia species through transposition. However, transposable elements (TEs) have never been identified close to the bont/e gene. Herein, we report the whole genome sequences for four neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains that originated in China. An analysis of the obtained genome sequences revealed the presence of a novel putative TE upstream of the bont/e gene in the genome of all four strains. Two strains of environmental origin possessed an additional copy of the putative TE in their megaplasmid. Similar putative TEs were found in the megaplasmids and, less frequently, in the chromosomes of several C. butyricum strains, of which two were neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains, and in the chromosome of a single C. botulinum type E strain. We speculate that the putative TE might potentially transpose the bont/e gene at the intracellular and inter-cellular levels. However, the occasional TE occurrence in the clostridia genomes might reflect rare transposition events.
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