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Silva MD, Melo LDR. Phage-Host Interaction Analysis Using Flow Cytometry. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2734:133-140. [PMID: 38066366 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3523-0_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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Phage-host interactions are commonly evaluated by culture-based methods. However, these techniques are very laborious and time-consuming. Therefore, other time-efficient, not labor-intensive, and cost-effective methods have been developed.This chapter describes the methodology used to assess the susceptibility of planktonic cultures of bacteria to phage infection and to study their interactions over time by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Daniela Silva
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga & Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga & Guimarães, Portugal.
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2
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da Silva JD, Melo LDR, Santos SB, Kropinski AM, Xisto MF, Dias RS, da Silva Paes I, Vieira MS, Soares JJF, Porcellato D, da Silva Duarte V, de Paula SO. Genomic and proteomic characterization of vB_SauM-UFV_DC4, a novel Staphylococcus jumbo phage. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:7231-7250. [PMID: 37741937 PMCID: PMC10638138 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12743-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most relevant mastitis pathogens in dairy cattle, and the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance genes presents a significant health issue in both veterinary and human fields. Among the different strategies to tackle S. aureus infection in livestock, bacteriophages have been thoroughly investigated in the last decades; however, few specimens of the so-called jumbo phages capable of infecting S. aureus have been described. Herein, we report the biological, genomic, and structural proteomic features of the jumbo phage vB_SauM-UFV_DC4 (DC4). DC4 exhibited a remarkable killing activity against S. aureus isolated from the veterinary environment and stability at alkaline conditions (pH 4 to 12). The complete genome of DC4 is 263,185 bp (GC content: 25%), encodes 263 predicted CDSs (80% without an assigned function), 1 tRNA (Phe-tRNA), multisubunit RNA polymerase, and an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. Moreover, comparative analysis revealed that DC4 can be considered a new viral species belonging to a new genus DC4 and showed a similar set of lytic proteins and depolymerase activity with closely related jumbo phages. The characterization of a new S. aureus jumbo phage increases our understanding of the diversity of this group and provides insights into the biotechnological potential of these viruses. KEY POINTS: • vB_SauM-UFV_DC4 is a new viral species belonging to a new genus within the class Caudoviricetes. • vB_SauM-UFV_DC4 carries a set of RNA polymerase subunits and an RNA-directed DNA polymerase. • vB_SauM-UFV_DC4 and closely related jumbo phages showed a similar set of lytic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Duarte da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Luís D R Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering - CEB, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sílvio B Santos
- Centre of Biological Engineering - CEB, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Mariana Fonseca Xisto
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Roberto Sousa Dias
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Isabela da Silva Paes
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Marcella Silva Vieira
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - José Júnior Ferreira Soares
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Davide Porcellato
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Vinícius da Silva Duarte
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway.
| | - Sérgio Oliveira de Paula
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
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Sousa C, Ferreira R, Santos SB, Azevedo NF, Melo LDR. Advances on diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:671-692. [PMID: 36264672 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2125287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The association of Helicobacter pylori to several gastric diseases, such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, and its high prevalence worldwide, raised the necessity to use methods for a proper and fast diagnosis and monitoring the pathogen eradication. Available diagnostic methods can be classified as invasive or non-invasive, and the selection of the best relies on the clinical condition of the patient, as well as on the sensitivity, specificity, and accessibility of the diagnostic test. This review summarises all diagnostic methods currently available, including the invasive methods: endoscopy, histology, culture, and molecular methods, and the rapid urease test (RUT), as well as the non-invasive methods urea breath test (UBT), serological assays, biosensors, and microfluidic devices and the stool antigen test (SAT). Moreover, it lists the diagnostic advantages and limitations, as well as the main advances for each methodology. In the end, research on the development of new diagnostic methods, such as bacteriophage-based H. pylori diagnostic tools, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Sousa
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rute Ferreira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvio B Santos
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno F Azevedo
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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da Silva JD, Bens L, Santos AJDC, Lavigne R, Soares J, Melo LDR, Vallino M, Dias RS, Drulis-Kawa Z, de Paula SO, Wagemans J. Isolation and Characterization of the Acadevirus Members BigMira and MidiMira Infecting a Highly Pathogenic Proteus mirabilis Strain. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2141. [PMID: 37763984 PMCID: PMC10537623 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092141] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic pathogen and is responsible for more than 40% of all cases of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Healthcare-associated infections have been aggravated by the constant emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Because of this, the use of phages to combat bacterial infections gained renewed interest. In this study, we describe the biological and genomic features of two P. mirabilis phages, named BigMira and MidiMira. These phages belong to the Acadevirus genus (family Autographiviridae). BigMira and MidiMira are highly similar, differing only in four missense mutations in their phage tail fiber. These mutations are sufficient to impact the phages' depolymerase activity. Subsequently, the comparative genomic analysis of ten clinical P. mirabilis strains revealed differences in their antibiotic resistance profiles and lipopolysaccharide locus, with the latter potentially explaining the host range data of the phages. The massive presence of antimicrobial resistance genes, especially in the phages' isolation strain P. mirabilis MCS, highlights the challenges in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. The findings reinforce BigMira and MidiMira phages as candidates for phage therapy purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Duarte da Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil; (J.D.d.S.); (A.J.d.C.S.); (J.S.); (S.O.d.P.)
| | - Lene Bens
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Division of Animal and Human Health Engineering, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.B.); (R.L.)
| | - Adriele J. do Carmo Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil; (J.D.d.S.); (A.J.d.C.S.); (J.S.); (S.O.d.P.)
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Division of Animal and Human Health Engineering, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.B.); (R.L.)
| | - José Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil; (J.D.d.S.); (A.J.d.C.S.); (J.S.); (S.O.d.P.)
| | - Luís D. R. Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Marta Vallino
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council of Italy, 10135 Torino, Italy;
| | - Roberto Sousa Dias
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil;
| | - Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, University of Wroclaw, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Sérgio Oliveira de Paula
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil; (J.D.d.S.); (A.J.d.C.S.); (J.S.); (S.O.d.P.)
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil;
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Division of Animal and Human Health Engineering, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.B.); (R.L.)
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Andrade S, Ramalho MJ, Santos SB, Melo LDR, Santos RS, Guimarães N, Azevedo NF, Loureiro JA, Pereira MC. Fighting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Targeted Nanoparticles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109030. [PMID: 37240376 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109030] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the greatest threats to global health. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains at the core of this threat, accounting for about 90% of S. aureus infections widespread in the community and hospital settings. In recent years, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) has emerged as a promising strategy to treat MRSA infections. NPs can act directly as antibacterial agents via antibiotic-independent activity and/or serve as drug delivery systems (DDSs), releasing loaded antibiotics. Nonetheless, directing NPs to the infection site is fundamental for effective MRSA treatment so that highly concentrated therapeutic agents are delivered to the infection site while directly reducing the toxicity to healthy human cells. This leads to decreased AMR emergence and less disturbance of the individual's healthy microbiota. Hence, this review compiles and discusses the scientific evidence related to targeted NPs developed for MRSA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Andrade
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria J Ramalho
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvio B Santos
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Rita S Santos
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Guimarães
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno F Azevedo
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana A Loureiro
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria C Pereira
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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Sande MG, Ferreira D, Rodrigues JL, Melo LDR, Linke D, Silva CJ, Moreira FTC, Sales MGF, Rodrigues LR. Electrochemical Aptasensor for the Detection of the Key Virulence Factor YadA of Yersinia enterocolitica. Biosensors (Basel) 2022; 12:bios12080614. [PMID: 36005012 PMCID: PMC9405658 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
New point-of-care (POC) diagnosis of bacterial infections are imperative to overcome the deficiencies of conventional methods, such as culture and molecular methods. In this study, we identified new aptamers that bind to the virulence factor Yersinia adhesin A (YadA) of Yersinia enterocolitica using cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX). Escherichia coli expressing YadA on the cell surface was used as a target cell. After eight cycles of selection, the final aptamer pool was sequenced by high throughput sequencing using the Illumina Novaseq platform. The sequencing data, analyzed using the Geneious software, was aligned, filtered and demultiplexed to obtain the key nucleotides possibly involved in the target binding. The most promising aptamer candidate, Apt1, bound specifically to YadA with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 11 nM. Apt1 was used to develop a simple electrochemical biosensor with a two-step, label-free design towards the detection of YadA. The sensor surface modifications and its ability to bind successfully and stably to YadA were confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and square wave voltammetry. The biosensor enabled the detection of YadA in a linear range between 7.0 × 104 and 7.0 × 107 CFU mL−1 and showed a square correlation coefficient >0.99. The standard deviation and the limit of detection was ~2.5% and 7.0 × 104 CFU mL−1, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that this novel biosensor incorporating Apt1 can potentially be used as a sensitive POC detection system to aid the diagnosis of Y. enterocolitica infections. Furthermore, this simple yet innovative approach could be replicated to select aptamers for other (bacterial) targets and to develop the corresponding biosensors for their detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G. Sande
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Débora Ferreira
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana L. Rodrigues
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís D. R. Melo
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Dirk Linke
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Carla J. Silva
- CENTI—Center for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials, Rua Fernando Mesquita 278, 4760-034 Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
- CITEVE—Technological Center for the Textile and Clothing Industries of Portugal, Rua Fernando Mesquita 2785, 4760-034 Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
| | - Felismina T. C. Moreira
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- BioMark-CINTESIS/ISEP, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4219-015 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Goreti F. Sales
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- BioMark-CINTESIS/ISEP, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4219-015 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ligia R. Rodrigues
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Ferreira R, Sousa C, Gonçalves RFS, Pinheiro AC, Oleastro M, Wagemans J, Lavigne R, Figueiredo C, Azeredo J, Melo LDR. Characterization and Genomic Analysis of a New Phage Infecting Helicobacter pylori. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147885. [PMID: 35887231 PMCID: PMC9319048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147885] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori, a significant human gastric pathogen, has been demonstrating increased antibiotic resistance, causing difficulties in infection treatment. It is therefore important to develop alternatives or complementary approaches to antibiotics to tackle H. pylori infections, and (bacterio)phages have proven to be effective antibacterial agents. In this work, prophage isolation was attempted using H. pylori strains and UV radiation. One phage was isolated and further characterized to assess potential phage-inspired therapeutic alternatives to H. pylori infections. HPy1R is a new podovirus prophage with a genome length of 31,162 bp, 37.1% GC, encoding 36 predicted proteins, of which 17 were identified as structural. Phage particles remained stable at 37 °C, from pH 3 to 11, for 24 h in standard assays. Moreover, when submitted to an in vitro gastric digestion model, only a small decrease was observed in the gastric phase, suggesting that it is adapted to the gastric tract environment. Together with its other characteristics, its capability to suppress H. pylori population levels for up to 24 h post-infection at multiplicities of infection of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 suggests that this newly isolated phage is a potential candidate for phage therapy in the absence of strictly lytic phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute Ferreira
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.F.); (C.S.); (R.F.S.G.); (A.C.P.); (J.A.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Cláudia Sousa
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.F.); (C.S.); (R.F.S.G.); (A.C.P.); (J.A.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Raquel F. S. Gonçalves
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.F.); (C.S.); (R.F.S.G.); (A.C.P.); (J.A.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Pinheiro
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.F.); (C.S.); (R.F.S.G.); (A.C.P.); (J.A.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mónica Oleastro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Ceu Figueiredo
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Ipatimup—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.F.); (C.S.); (R.F.S.G.); (A.C.P.); (J.A.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luís D. R. Melo
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.F.); (C.S.); (R.F.S.G.); (A.C.P.); (J.A.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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Ribeiro HG, Nilsson A, Melo LDR, Oliveira A. Analysis of intact prophages in genomes of Paenibacillus larvae: An important pathogen for bees. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:903861. [PMID: 35923395 PMCID: PMC9341999 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.903861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Paenibacillus larvae is the etiological agent of American Foulbrood (AFB), a highly contagious and worldwide spread bacterial disease that affects honeybee brood. In this study, all complete P. larvae genomes available on the NCBI database were analyzed in order to detect presence of prophages using the PHASTER software. A total of 55 intact prophages were identified in 11 P. larvae genomes (5.0 ± 2.3 per genome) and were further investigated for the presence of genes encoding relevant traits related to P. larvae. A closer look at the prophage genomes revealed the presence of several putative genes such as metabolic and antimicrobial resistance genes, toxins or bacteriocins, potentially influencing host performance. Some of the coding DNA sequences (CDS) were present in all ERIC-genotypes, while others were only found in a specific genotype. While CDS encoding toxins and antitoxins such as HicB and MazE were found in prophages of all bacterial genotypes, others, from the same category, were provided by prophages particularly to ERIC I (enhancin-like toxin), ERIC II (antitoxin SocA) and ERIC V strains (subunit of Panton-Valentine leukocidin system (PVL) LukF-PV). This is the first in-depth analysis of P. larvae prophages. It provides better knowledge on their impact in the evolution of virulence and fitness of P. larvae, by discovering new features assigned by the viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique G. Ribeiro
- LIBRO – Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS – Associate Laboratory on Biotechnology and Bioengineering, and Electromechanical Systems, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Anna Nilsson
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Luís D. R. Melo
- LIBRO – Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS – Associate Laboratory on Biotechnology and Bioengineering, and Electromechanical Systems, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Luís D. R. Melo,
| | - Ana Oliveira
- LIBRO – Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS – Associate Laboratory on Biotechnology and Bioengineering, and Electromechanical Systems, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Ana Oliveira,
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9
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São-José C, Costa AR, Melo LDR. Editorial: Bacteriophages and Their Lytic Enzymes as Alternative Antibacterial Therapies in the Age of Antibiotic Resistance. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:884176. [PMID: 35401457 PMCID: PMC8991073 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.884176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos São-José
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Costa
- Department of Bionanosciences, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Enginering, LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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10
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Melo LDR, Monteiro R, Pires DP, Azeredo J. Phage-Host Interaction Analysis by Flow Cytometry Allows for Rapid and Efficient Screening of Phages. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020164. [PMID: 35203767 PMCID: PMC8868278 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020164] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, phages have become popular as an alternative to antibiotics. This increased demand for phage therapy needs rapid and efficient methods to screen phages infecting specific hosts. Existing methods are time-consuming, and for clinical purposes, novel, quick, and reliable screening methods are highly needed. Flow cytometry (FC) allows a quick differentiation and enumeration of bacterial cell populations and has been used to assess in vitro the activity of antimicrobial compounds. In this work, we propose FC as a rapid and reliable method to assess the susceptibility of a bacterial population to phage infection. For that, the interaction of phages vB_PaeM_CEB_DP1 and vB_PaeP_PE3 with Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 was characterized by FC. Synchronous infection assays were performed, and samples were collected at different time points and stained with SYTO BC and PI before analysis. Part of the collected samples was used to characterize the expression of early, middle, and late genes by qPCR. Both FC and qPCR results were correlated with phage propagation assays. Results showed that SYTO BC median fluorescence intensity (MFI) values increased in the first 25 min of PE3 and DP1 infection. The increase of fluorescence is due to the expression of phage genes observed by qPCR. Since SYTO BC MFI values increase with gene expression, it allows the determination of host susceptibility to a phage in a short period of time, avoiding false positives caused by lysis from without. In conclusion, this method may allow for a quick and high-throughput real-time screening of different phages to a specific host, which can be crucial for a quick phage selection in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís D. R. Melo
- LIBRO—Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.M.); (D.P.P.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4800-122 Guimarães, Portugal
- Correspondence: (L.D.R.M.); (J.A.); Tel.: +351-253-601-989 (L.D.R.M.); +351-253-604-414 (J.A.)
| | - Rodrigo Monteiro
- LIBRO—Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.M.); (D.P.P.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4800-122 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Diana P. Pires
- LIBRO—Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.M.); (D.P.P.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4800-122 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- LIBRO—Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal; (R.M.); (D.P.P.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4800-122 Guimarães, Portugal
- Correspondence: (L.D.R.M.); (J.A.); Tel.: +351-253-601-989 (L.D.R.M.); +351-253-604-414 (J.A.)
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11
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Sousa C, Ferreira R, Azevedo NF, Oleastro M, Azeredo J, Figueiredo C, Melo LDR. Helicobacter pylori infection: from standard to alternative treatment strategies. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:376-396. [PMID: 34569892 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1975643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [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: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is the major component of the gastric microbiome of infected individuals and one of the aetiological factors of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The increasing resistance to antibiotics worldwide has made the treatment of H. pylori infection a challenge. As a way to overhaul the efficacy of currently used H. pylori antibiotic-based eradication therapies, alternative treatment strategies are being devised. These include probiotics and prebiotics as adjuvants in H. pylori treatment, antimicrobial peptides as alternatives to antibiotics, photodynamic therapy ingestible devices, microparticles and nanoparticles applied as drug delivery systems, vaccines, natural products, and phage therapy. This review provides an updated synopsis of these emerging H. pylori control strategies and discusses the advantages, hurdles, and challenges associated with their development and implementation. An effective human vaccine would be a major achievement although, until now, projects regarding vaccine development have failed or were discontinued. Numerous natural products have demonstrated anti-H. pylori activity, mostly in vitro, but further clinical studies are needed to fully disclose their role in H. pylori eradication. Finally, phage therapy has the potential to emerge as a valid alternative, but major challenges remain, namely the isolation of more H. pylori strictly virulent bacterio(phages).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Sousa
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Rute Ferreira
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno F Azevedo
- Faculty of Engineering, LEPABE - Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Oleastro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ceu Figueiredo
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Ipatimup - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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12
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Abstract
Bacteriophages and bacterial biofilms are widely present in natural environments, a fact that has accelerated the evolution of phages and their bacterial hosts in these particular niches. Phage-host interactions in biofilm communities are rather complex, where phages are not always merely predators but also can establish symbiotic relationships that induce and strengthen biofilms. In this review we provide an overview of the main features affecting phage-biofilm interactions as well as the currently available methods of studying these interactions. In addition, we address the applications of phages for biofilm control in different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana P Pires
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
| | - Luís D R Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
| | - Joana Azeredo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
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13
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Melo LDR, Ferreira R, Costa AR, Oliveira H, Azeredo J. Author Correction: Efficacy and safety assessment of two enterococci phages in an in vitro biofilm wound model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11008. [PMID: 34017053 PMCID: PMC8137687 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90464-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - R Ferreira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana R Costa
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - H Oliveira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - J Azeredo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
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14
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Ferreira R, Amado R, Padrão J, Ferreira V, Dias NM, Melo LDR, Santos SB, Nicolau A. The first sequenced Sphaerotilus natans bacteriophage- characterization and potential to control its filamentous bacterium host. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:6136272. [PMID: 33587121 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are ubiquitous entities present in every conceivable habitat as a result of their bacterial parasitism. Their prevalence and impact in the ecology of bacterial communities and their ability to control pathogens make their characterization essential, particularly of new phages, improving knowledge and potential application. The isolation and characterization of a new lytic phage against Sphaerotilus natans strain DSM 6575, named vB_SnaP-R1 (SnaR1), is here described. Besides being the first sequenced genome of a Sphaerotilus natans infecting phage, 99% of its 41507 bp genome lacks homology with any other sequenced phage, revealing its uniqueness and previous lack of knowledge. Moreover, SnaR1 is the first Podoviridae phage described infecting this bacterium. Sphaerotilus natans is an important filamentous bacterium due to its deleterious effect on wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and thus, phages may play a role as novel biotechnological tools against filamentous overgrowth in WWTP. The lytic spectrum of SnaR1 was restricted to its host strain, infecting only one out of three S. natans strains and infection assays revealed its ability to reduce bacterial loads. Results suggest SnaR1 as the prototype of a new phage genus and demonstrates its potential as a non-chemical alternative to reduce S. natans DSM 6575 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute Ferreira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui Amado
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Jorge Padrão
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Vânia Ferreira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nicolina M Dias
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sílvio B Santos
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Nicolau
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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15
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Abstract
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have emerged as major pathogens in healthcare-associated facilities, being S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus and, more recently, S. lugdunensis, the most clinically relevant species. Despite being less virulent than the well-studied pathogen S. aureus, the number of CoNS strains sequenced is constantly increasing and, with that, the number of virulence factors identified in those strains. In this regard, biofilm formation is considered the most important. Besides virulence factors, the presence of several antibiotic-resistance genes identified in CoNS is worrisome and makes treatment very challenging. In this review, we analyzed the different aspects involved in CoNS virulence and their impact on health and food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela França
- Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (V.G.); (N.L.)
| | | | | | - Luís D. R. Melo
- Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (V.G.); (N.L.)
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16
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Oliveira VC, Macedo AP, Melo LDR, Santos SB, Hermann PRS, Silva-Lovato CH, Paranhos HFO, Andrade D, Watanabe E. Bacteriophage Cocktail-Mediated Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm on Endotracheal Tube Surface. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:78. [PMID: 33467548 PMCID: PMC7830274 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although different strategies to control biofilm formation on endotracheal tubes have been proposed, there are scarce scientific data on applying phages for both removing and preventing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms on the device surface. Here, the anti-biofilm capacity of five bacteriophages was evaluated by a high content screening assay. We observed that biofilms were significantly reduced after phage treatment, especially in multidrug-resistant strains. Considering the anti-biofilm screens, two phages were selected as cocktail components, and the cocktail's ability to prevent colonization of the endotracheal tube surface was tested in a dynamic biofilm model. Phage-coated tubes were challenged with different P. aeruginosa strains. The biofilm growth was monitored from 24 to 168 h by colony forming unit counting, metabolic activity assessment, and biofilm morphology observation. The phage cocktail promoted differences of bacterial colonization; nonetheless, the action was strain dependent. Phage cocktail coating did not promote substantial changes in metabolic activity. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a higher concentration of biofilm cells in control, while tower-like structures could be observed on phage cocktail-coated tubes. These results demonstrate that with the development of new coating strategies, phage therapy has potential in controlling the endotracheal tube-associated biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane C. Oliveira
- Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network—HEID, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Bandeirantes Avenue 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil; (V.C.O.); (P.R.S.H.); (D.A.)
- Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil; (A.P.M.); (C.H.S.-L.); (H.F.O.P.)
| | - Ana P. Macedo
- Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil; (A.P.M.); (C.H.S.-L.); (H.F.O.P.)
| | - Luís D. R. Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering—CEB, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (L.D.R.M.); (S.B.S.)
| | - Sílvio B. Santos
- Centre of Biological Engineering—CEB, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (L.D.R.M.); (S.B.S.)
| | - Paula R. S. Hermann
- Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network—HEID, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Bandeirantes Avenue 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil; (V.C.O.); (P.R.S.H.); (D.A.)
- Department of Nursing, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasília 72220-275, Brazil
| | - Cláudia H. Silva-Lovato
- Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil; (A.P.M.); (C.H.S.-L.); (H.F.O.P.)
| | - Helena F. O. Paranhos
- Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil; (A.P.M.); (C.H.S.-L.); (H.F.O.P.)
| | - Denise Andrade
- Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network—HEID, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Bandeirantes Avenue 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil; (V.C.O.); (P.R.S.H.); (D.A.)
| | - Evandro Watanabe
- Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network—HEID, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Bandeirantes Avenue 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil; (V.C.O.); (P.R.S.H.); (D.A.)
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-904, Brazil
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17
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Grainha T, Magalhães AP, Melo LDR, Pereira MO. Pitfalls Associated with Discriminating Mixed-Species Biofilms by Flow Cytometry. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9110741. [PMID: 33121057 PMCID: PMC7694060 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9110741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Since biofilms are ubiquitous in different settings and act as sources of disease for humans, reliable methods to characterize and quantify these microbial communities are required. Numerous techniques have been employed, but most of them are unidirectional, labor intensive and time consuming. Although flow cytometry (FCM) can be a reliable choice to quickly provide a multiparametric analysis, there are still few applications on biofilms, and even less on the study of inter-kingdom communities. This work aimed to give insights into the application of FCM in order to more comprehensively analyze mixed-species biofilms, formed by different Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans strains, before and after exposure to antimicrobials. For comparison purposes, biofilm culturability was also assessed determining colony-forming units. The results showed that some aspects, namely the microbial strain used, the morphological state of the cells and the biofilm matrix, make the accurate analysis of FCM data difficult. These aspects were even more challenging when double-species biofilms were being inspected, as they could engender data misinterpretations. The outcomes draw our attention towards the need to always take into consideration the characteristics of the biofilm samples to be analyzed through FCM, and undoubtedly link to the need for optimization of the processes tailored for each particular case study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luís D. R. Melo
- Correspondence: (L.D.R.M.); (M.O.P.); Tel.: +351-253-601-989 (L.D.R.M.); +351-253-604-402 (M.O.P.)
| | - Maria O. Pereira
- Correspondence: (L.D.R.M.); (M.O.P.); Tel.: +351-253-601-989 (L.D.R.M.); +351-253-604-402 (M.O.P.)
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18
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Oliveira VC, Bim FL, Monteiro RM, Macedo AP, Santos ES, Silva-Lovato CH, Paranhos HFO, Melo LDR, Santos SB, Watanabe E. Identification and Characterization of New Bacteriophages to Control Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm on Endotracheal Tubes. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:580779. [PMID: 33123112 PMCID: PMC7573221 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.580779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies involving antimicrobial-coated endotracheal tubes are scarce, and new approaches to control multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on these devices should be investigated. In this study, five new P. aeruginosa bacteriophages from domestic sewage were isolated. All of them belong to the order Caudovirales, Myoviridae family. They are pH and heat stable and produce 27 to 46 particles after a latent period of 30 min at 37°C. Their dsDNA genome (ranging from ∼62 to ∼65 kb) encodes 65 to 89 different putative proteins. They exhibit a broad lytic spectrum and infect 69.7% of the P. aeruginosa strains tested. All the bacteriophages were able to reduce the growth of P. aeruginosa strains in planktonic form. The bacteriophages were also able to reduce the biofilm viability rates and the metabolic activity of P. aeruginosa strains in a model of biofilms associated with endotracheal tubes. In addition, scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed disrupted biofilms and cell debris after treatment of bacteriophages, revealing remarkable biofilm reduction. The lytic activity on multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa biofilm indicates that the isolated bacteriophages might be considered as good candidates for therapeutic studies and for the application of bacteriophage-encoded products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane C Oliveira
- Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe L Bim
- Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rachel M Monteiro
- Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Macedo
- Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Emerson S Santos
- Department of Clinical Toxicological and Bromatologic Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Cláudia H Silva-Lovato
- Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Helena F O Paranhos
- Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luís D R Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sílvio B Santos
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Evandro Watanabe
- Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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19
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Santos SB, Cunha AP, Macedo M, Nogueira CL, Brandão A, Costa SP, Melo LDR, Azeredo J, Carvalho CM. Bacteriophage‐receptor binding proteins for multiplex detection of
Staphylococcus
and
Enterococcus
in blood. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:3286-3298. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.27489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sílvio B. Santos
- Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga Portugal
| | | | - Mariana Macedo
- Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga Portugal
| | - Catarina L. Nogueira
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Braga Portugal
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores – Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN) and IN – Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnolnology Lisbon Portugal
| | - Ana Brandão
- Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga Portugal
| | - Susana P. Costa
- Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga Portugal
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Braga Portugal
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores – Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN) and IN – Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnolnology Lisbon Portugal
| | - Luís D. R. Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga Portugal
| | - Carla M. Carvalho
- Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga Portugal
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Braga Portugal
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20
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Costa SP, Dias NM, Melo LDR, Azeredo J, Santos SB, Carvalho CM. A novel flow cytometry assay based on bacteriophage-derived proteins for Staphylococcus detection in blood. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6260. [PMID: 32277078 PMCID: PMC7148305 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62533-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are considered a major cause of death worldwide. Staphylococcus spp. are one of the most BSIs prevalent bacteria, classified as high priority due to the increasing multidrug resistant strains. Thus, a fast, specific and sensitive method for detection of these pathogens is of extreme importance. In this study, we have designed a novel assay for detection of Staphylococcus in blood culture samples, which combines the advantages of a phage endolysin cell wall binding domain (CBD) as a specific probe with the accuracy and high-throughput of flow cytometry techniques. In order to select the biorecognition molecule, three different truncations of the C-terminus of Staphylococcus phage endolysin E-LM12, namely the amidase (AMI), SH3 and amidase+SH3 (AMI_SH3) were cloned fused with a green fluorescent protein. From these, a higher binding efficiency to Staphylococcus cells was observed for AMI_SH3, indicating that the amidase domain possibly contributes to a more efficient binding of the SH3 domain. The novel phage endolysin-based flow cytometry assay provided highly reliable and specific detection of 1-5 CFU of Staphylococcus in 10 mL of spiked blood, after 16 hours of enrichment culture. Overall, the method developed herein presents advantages over the standard BSIs diagnostic methods, potentially contributing to an early and effective treatment of BSIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana P Costa
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nicolina M Dias
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sílvio B Santos
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carla M Carvalho
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal.
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Melo LDR, Oliveira H, Pires DP, Dabrowska K, Azeredo J. Phage therapy efficacy: a review of the last 10 years of preclinical studies. Crit Rev Microbiol 2020; 46:78-99. [DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2020.1729695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luís D. R. Melo
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Diana P. Pires
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Krystyna Dabrowska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Ribeiro HG, Melo LDR, Oliveira H, Boon M, Lavigne R, Noben JP, Azeredo J, Oliveira A. Characterization of a new podovirus infecting Paenibacillus larvae. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20355. [PMID: 31889094 PMCID: PMC6937236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56699-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Paenibacillus larvae infecting phage API480 (vB_PlaP_API480) is the first reported podovirus for this bacterial species, with an 58 nm icosahedral capsid and a 12 × 8 nm short, non-contractile tail. API480 encodes 77 coding sequences (CDSs) on its 45,026 bp dsDNA genome, of which 47 were confirmed using mass spectrometry. This phage has got very limited genomic and proteomic similarity to any other known ones registered in public databases, including P. larvae phages. Comparative genomics indicates API480 is a new species as it's a singleton with 28 unique proteins. Interestingly, the lysis module is highly conserved among P. larvae phages, containing a predicted endolysin and two putative holins. The well kept overall genomic organisation (from the structural and morphogenetic modules to the host lysis, DNA replication and metabolism related proteins) confirms a common evolutionary ancestor among P. larvae infecting phages. API480 is able to infect 69% of the 61 field strains with an ERIC I genotype, as well as ERIC II strains. Furthermore, this phage is very stable when exposed to high glucose concentrations and to larval gastrointestinal conditions. This highly-specific phage, with its broad lytic activity and stability in hive conditions, might potentially be used in the biocontrol of American Foulbrood (AFB).
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique G Ribeiro
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Maarten Boon
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Paul Noben
- Biomedical Research Institute and Transnational University Limburg, Hasselt University, Agoralaan D, 3590, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Oliveira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
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Barros J, Melo LDR, Poeta P, Igrejas G, Ferraz MP, Azeredo J, Monteiro FJ. Lytic bacteriophages against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli isolates from orthopaedic implant-associated infections. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2019; 54:329-337. [PMID: 31229670 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [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: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Orthopaedic implant-associated infections are a devastating complication of orthopaedic surgery with a significant impact on patients and healthcare systems. The aims of this work were to describe the patterns of antimicrobial resistance, pathogenicity and virulence of clinical bacterial isolates from orthopaedic implant-associated infections and to further isolate and characterise bacteriophages that are efficient in controlling these bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli isolated from orthopaedic infections showed multiresistance patterns to the most frequently used antibiotics in clinical settings. The presence of mobile genetic elements (mecA, Tn916/Tn1545 and intl1) and virulence determinants (icaB, cna, hlb, cylLs, cylM, agg, gelE, fsr and fimA) highlighted the pathogenicity of these isolates. Moreover, the isolates belonged to clonal complexes associated with the acquisition of pathogenicity islands and antimicrobial resistance genes by recombination and horizontal gene transfer. Bacteriophages vB_SauM_LM12, vB_EfaS_LM99 and vB_EcoM_JB75 were characterised and their ability to infect clinical isolates of S. aureus, E. faecalis and E. coli, respectively, was assessed. Morphological and genomic analyses revealed that vB_EfaS_LM99 and vB_EcoM_JB75 belong to the Siphoviridae and Myoviridae families, respectively, and no genes associated with lysogeny were found. The bacteriophages showed low latent periods, high burst sizes, broad host ranges and tolerance to several environmental conditions. Moreover, they showed high efficiency and specificity to infect and reduce clinical bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Therefore, the results obtained suggest that the bacteriophages used in this work are a promising approach to control these pathogens involved in orthopaedic implant-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Barros
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB-Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal; FEUP-Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Luís D R Melo
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Poeta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal; LAQV‑REQUIMTE, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gilberto Igrejas
- LAQV‑REQUIMTE, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal; Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Maria P Ferraz
- FP-ENAS/CEBIMED-University Fernando Pessoa Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit/Biomedical Research Center, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Fernando J Monteiro
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB-Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal; FEUP-Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Oliveira H, Sampaio M, Melo LDR, Dias O, Pope WH, Hatfull GF, Azeredo J. Staphylococci phages display vast genomic diversity and evolutionary relationships. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:357. [PMID: 31072320 PMCID: PMC6507118 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bacteriophages are the most abundant and diverse entities in the biosphere, and this diversity is driven by constant predator–prey evolutionary dynamics and horizontal gene transfer. Phage genome sequences are under-sampled and therefore present an untapped and uncharacterized source of genetic diversity, typically characterized by highly mosaic genomes and no universal genes. To better understand the diversity and relationships among phages infecting human pathogens, we have analysed the complete genome sequences of 205 phages of Staphylococcus sp. Results These are predicted to encode 20,579 proteins, which can be sorted into 2139 phamilies (phams) of related sequences; 745 of these are orphams and possess only a single gene. Based on shared gene content, these phages were grouped into four clusters (A, B, C and D), 27 subclusters (A1-A2, B1-B17, C1-C6 and D1-D2) and one singleton. However, the genomes have mosaic architectures and individual genes with common ancestors are positioned in distinct genomic contexts in different clusters. The staphylococcal Cluster B siphoviridae are predicted to be temperate, and the integration cassettes are often closely-linked to genes implicated in bacterial virulence determinants. There are four unusual endolysin organization strategies found in Staphylococcus phage genomes, with endolysins predicted to be encoded as single genes, two genes spliced, two genes adjacent and as a single gene with inter-lytic-domain secondary translational start site. Comparison of the endolysins reveals multi-domain modularity, with conservation of the SH3 cell wall binding domain. Conclusions This study provides a high-resolution view of staphylococcal viral genetic diversity, and insights into their gene flux patterns within and across different phage groups (cluster and subclusters) providing insights into their evolution. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5647-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Oliveira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Marta Sampaio
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Oscar Dias
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Welkin H Pope
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Graham F Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Oliveira A, Sousa JC, Silva AC, Melo LDR, Sillankorva S. Chestnut Honey and Bacteriophage Application to Control Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli Biofilms: Evaluation in an ex vivo Wound Model. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1725. [PMID: 30108574 PMCID: PMC6080586 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [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: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic skin wounds represent a major burn both economically and socially. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli are among the most common colonizers of infected wounds and are prolific biofilm formers. Biofilms are a major problem in infections due to their increasingly difficult control and eradication, and tolerance to multiple prescribed drugs. As so, alternative methods are necessary. Bacteriophages (phages) and honey are both seen as a promising approach for biofilm related infections. Phages have specificity toward a bacterial genus, species or even strain, self-replicating nature, and avoid dysbiosis. Honey has gained acknowledgment due to its antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. In this work, the effect of E. coli and P. aeruginosa phages vB_EcoS_CEB_EC3a and vB_PaeP_PAO1-D and chestnut honey, alone and combined, were tested using in vitro (polystyrene) and ex vivo (porcine skin) models and against mono and dual-species biofilms of these bacteria. In general, colonization was higher in the porcine skins and the presence of a second microorganism in a consortium of species did not affect the effectiveness of the treatments. The antibacterial effect of combined therapy against dual-species biofilms led to bacterial reductions that were greater for biofilms formed on polystyrene than on skin. Monospecies biofilms of E. coli were better destroyed with phages and honey than P. aeruginosa monospecies biofilms. Overall, the combined phage-honey formulations resulted in higher efficacies possibly due to honey's capacity to damage the bacterial cell membrane and also to its ability to penetrate the biofilm matrix, promoting and enhancing the subsequent phage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sanna Sillankorva
- Centre of Biological Engineering, Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Melo LDR, França A, Brandão A, Sillankorva S, Cerca N, Azeredo J. Assessment of Sep1virus interaction with stationary cultures by transcriptional and flow cytometry studies. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018; 94:5061119. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Angela França
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Brandão
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sanna Sillankorva
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Cerca
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Melo LDR, Brandão A, Akturk E, Santos SB, Azeredo J. Characterization of a New Staphylococcus aureus Kayvirus Harboring a Lysin Active against Biofilms. Viruses 2018; 10:v10040182. [PMID: 29642449 PMCID: PMC5923476 DOI: 10.3390/v10040182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [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: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most relevant opportunistic pathogens involved in many biofilm-associated diseases, and is a major cause of nosocomial infections, mainly due to the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains. Consequently, alternative methods to eradicate the pathogen are urgent. It has been previously shown that polyvalent staphylococcal kayviruses and their derived endolysins are excellent candidates for therapy. Here we present the characterization of a new bacteriophage: vB_SauM-LM12 (LM12). LM12 has a broad host range (>90%; 56 strains tested), and is active against several MRSA strains. The genome of LM12 is composed of a dsDNA molecule with 143,625 bp, with average GC content of 30.25% and codes for 227 Coding Sequences (CDSs). Bioinformatics analysis did not identify any gene encoding virulence factors, toxins, or antibiotic resistance determinants. Antibiofilm assays have shown that this phage significantly reduced the number of viable cells (less than one order of magnitude). Moreover, the encoded endolysin also showed activity against biofilms, with a consistent biomass reduction during prolonged periods of treatment (of about one order of magnitude). Interestingly, the endolysin was shown to be much more active against stationary-phase cells and suspended biofilm cells than against intact and scraped biofilms, suggesting that cellular aggregates protected by the biofilm matrix reduced protein activity. Both phage LM12 and its endolysin seem to have a strong antimicrobial effect and broad host range against S. aureus, suggesting their potential to treat S. aureus biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís D R Melo
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Ana Brandão
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Ergun Akturk
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Silvio B Santos
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Joana Azeredo
- LIBRO-Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057, Braga, Portugal.
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Oliveira A, Ribeiro HG, Silva AC, Silva MD, Sousa JC, Rodrigues CF, Melo LDR, Henriques AF, Sillankorva S. Synergistic Antimicrobial Interaction between Honey and Phage against Escherichia coli Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2407. [PMID: 29276503 PMCID: PMC5727068 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic wounds afford a hostile environment of damaged tissues that allow bacterial proliferation and further wound colonization. Escherichia coli is among the most common colonizers of infected wounds and it is a prolific biofilm former. Living in biofilm communities, cells are protected, become more difficult to control and eradicate, and less susceptible to antibiotic therapy. This work presents insights into the proceedings triggering E. coli biofilm control with phage, honey, and their combination, achieved through standard antimicrobial activity assays, zeta potential and flow cytometry studies and further visual insights sought by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Two Portuguese honeys (PF2 and U3) with different floral origin and an E. coli-specific phage (EC3a), possessing depolymerase activity, were tested against 24- and 48-h-old biofilms. Synergic and additive effects were perceived in some phage–honey experiments. Combined therapy prompted similar phenomena in biofilm cells, visualized by electron microscopy, as the individual treatments. Honey caused minor membrane perturbations to complete collapse and consequent discharge of cytoplasmic content, and phage completely destroyed cells leaving only vesicle-like structures and debris. Our experiments show that the addition of phage to low honey concentrations is advantageous, and that even fourfold diluted honey combined with phage, presents no loss of antibacterial activity toward E. coli. Portuguese honeys possess excellent antibiofilm activity and may be potential alternative therapeutic agents in biofilm-related wound infection. Furthermore, to our knowledge this is the first study that assessed the impacts of phage–honey combinations in bacterial cells. The synergistic effect obtained was shown to be promising, since the antiviral effect of honey limits the emergence of phage resistant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Oliveira
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Henrique G Ribeiro
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana C Silva
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria D Silva
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Jessica C Sousa
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Célia F Rodrigues
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana F Henriques
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sanna Sillankorva
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Schuster D, Rickmeyer J, Gajdiss M, Thye T, Lorenzen S, Reif M, Josten M, Szekat C, Melo LDR, Schmithausen RM, Liégeois F, Sahl HG, Gonzalez JPJ, Nagel M, Bierbaum G. Differentiation of Staphylococcus argenteus (formerly: Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex 75) by mass spectrometry from S. aureus using the first strain isolated from a wild African great ape. Int J Med Microbiol 2016; 307:57-63. [PMID: 27931949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The species Staphylococcus argenteus was separated recently from Staphylococcus aureus (Tong S.Y., F. Schaumburg, M.J. Ellington, J. Corander, B. Pichon, F. Leendertz, S.D. Bentley, J. Parkhill, D.C. Holt, G. Peters, and P.M. Giffard, 2015). The objective of this work was to characterise the genome of a non-human S. argenteus strain, which had been isolated from the faeces of a wild-living western lowland gorilla in Gabon, and analyse the spectrum of this species in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The full genome sequence revealed a scarcity of virulence genes and absence of resistance genes, indicating a decreased virulence potential compared to S. aureus and the human methicillin-resistant S. argenteus isolate MSHR1132T. Spectra obtained by MALDI-TOF MS and the analysis of available sequences in the genome databases identified several MALDI-TOF MS signals that clearly differentiate S. argenteus, the closely related Staphylococcus schweitzeri and S. aureus. In conclusion, in the absence of biochemical tests that identify the three species, mass spectrometry should be employed as method of choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schuster
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jasmin Rickmeyer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Mike Gajdiss
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Thorsten Thye
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Dept. Molecular Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Lorenzen
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Dept. Molecular Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marion Reif
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaele Josten
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christiane Szekat
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Luís D R Melo
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ricarda M Schmithausen
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Florian Liégeois
- UMR IRD224-CNRS5290-UM MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), Centre IRD France-Sud, 911, Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Hans-Georg Sahl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jean-Paul J Gonzalez
- CIRMF (Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Michael Nagel
- CIRMF (Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Gabriele Bierbaum
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Clinic of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
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Melo LDR, Veiga P, Cerca N, Kropinski AM, Almeida C, Azeredo J, Sillankorva S. Development of a Phage Cocktail to Control Proteus mirabilis Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1024. [PMID: 27446059 PMCID: PMC4923195 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is an enterobacterium that causes catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) due to its ability to colonize and form crystalline biofilms on the catheters surface. CAUTIs are very difficult to treat, since biofilm structures are highly tolerant to antibiotics. Phages have been used widely to control a diversity of bacterial species, however, a limited number of phages for P. mirabilis have been isolated and studied. Here we report the isolation of two novel virulent phages, the podovirus vB_PmiP_5460 and the myovirus vB_PmiM_5461, which are able to target, respectively, 16 of the 26 and all the Proteus strains tested in this study. Both phages have been characterized thoroughly and sequencing data revealed no traces of genes associated with lysogeny. To further evaluate the phages’ ability to prevent catheter’s colonization by Proteus, the phages adherence to silicone surfaces was assessed. Further tests in phage-coated catheters using a dynamic biofilm model simulating CAUTIs, have shown a significant reduction of P. mirabilis biofilm formation up to 168 h of catheterization. These results highlight the potential usefulness of the two isolated phages for the prevention of surface colonization by this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís D R Melo
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Veiga
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Cerca
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga Braga, Portugal
| | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Departments of Food Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada
| | - Carina Almeida
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga Braga, Portugal
| | - Sanna Sillankorva
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga Braga, Portugal
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Oliveira A, Leite M, Kluskens LD, Santos SB, Melo LDR, Azeredo J. The First Paenibacillus larvae Bacteriophage Endolysin (PlyPl23) with High Potential to Control American Foulbrood. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132095. [PMID: 26167894 PMCID: PMC4500393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endolysins, which are peptidoglycan-degrading enzymes expressed during the terminal stage of the reproduction cycle of bacteriophages, have great potential to control Gram-positive pathogens. This work describes the characterization of a novel endolysin (PlyPl23) encoded on the genome of Paenibacillus larvae phage phiIBB_Pl23 with high potential to control American foulbrood. This bacterial disease, caused by P. larvae, is widespread in North America and Europe and causes important economic losses in apiculture. The restriction to antibiotic residues in honey imposed by the EU legislation hinders its therapeutic use to combat American foulbrood and enforces the development of alternative antimicrobial methods. The new endolysin described herein has an N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase catalytic domain and exhibits a broad-spectrum activity against common P. larvae genotypes. Moreover, the enzyme displays high antimicrobial activity in a range of pH that matches environmental conditions (pH between 5.0 and 7.0), showing its feasible application in the field. At pH 7.0, a concentration of 0.2 μM of enzyme was enough to lyse 104 CFU.mL-1 of P. larvae in no more than 2 h. The presence of sucrose and of the substances present in the larvae gut content did not affect the enzyme activity. Interestingly, an increase of activity was observed when PlyPl23 was previously incubated in royal jelly. Furthermore, in vivo safety evaluation assays demonstrated that this enzyme is not toxic to the bee larvae. The present work describes for the first time an endolysin encoded in a P. larvae phage that presents high potential to integrate a commercial product to control the problematic American foulbrood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Oliveira
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710–057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Marta Leite
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710–057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Leon D. Kluskens
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710–057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sílvio B. Santos
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710–057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís D. R. Melo
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710–057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710–057, Braga, Portugal
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Melo LDR, Sillankorva S, Ackermann HW, Kropinski AM, Azeredo J, Cerca N. Characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis phage vB_SepS_SEP9 - a unique member of the Siphoviridae family. Res Microbiol 2014; 165:679-85. [PMID: 25303835 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 04/02/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Relatively few phages (<10) of coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) have been described. Staphylococcus epidermidis phage vB_SepS_SEP9 is a siphovirus with a unique morphology as a staphylococcal phage, possessing a very long tail. Its genome is unique and unrelated to any phage genomes deposited in public databases. It appears to encode a nonfunctional integrase. Due to the not having a recognizable lysogeny module, the phage is unable lysogenize. The genome comprises 129 coding sequences (CDS), 46 of which have an assigned function and 59 are unique. Its unique morphology and genome led to the proposal of the establishment of a new Siphoviridae genus named "Sep9likevirus".
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sanna Sillankorva
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Hans-Wolfgang Ackermann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1X 4C6, Canada
| | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Guelph, ON N1G 3W4, Canada; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Cerca
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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Melo LDR, Sillankorva S, Ackermann HW, Kropinski AM, Azeredo J, Cerca N. Isolation and characterization of a new Staphylococcus epidermidis broad-spectrum bacteriophage. J Gen Virol 2013; 95:506-515. [PMID: 24189619 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.060590-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is considered an important nosocomial pathogen, being very tolerant to the host immune system and antibiotherapy, particularly when in biofilms. Due to its high resistance, alternative antimicrobial strategies are under development. The use of bacteriophages is seen as an important strategy to combat pathogenic organisms. In this study, a S. epidermidis myovirus, SEP1, was isolated and characterized. The genome of this phage was sequenced and shown to be related peripherally to the genus Twortlikevirus. However, when compared with other phages of this genus, it showed DNA sequence identities no greater than 58.2 %. As opposed to other polyvalent viruses of the genus Twortlikevirus, SEP1 is highly specific to S. epidermidis strains. The good infectivity shown by this phage as well as its high lytic spectrum suggested that it might be a good candidate for therapeutic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís D R Melo
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sanna Sillankorva
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Hans-Wolfgang Ackermann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1X 4C6, Canada
| | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.,Public Health Agency of Canada, Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Guelph, ON N1G 3W4, Canada
| | - Joana Azeredo
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Cerca
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal
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Carvalhais V, Delgado-Rastrollo M, Melo LDR, Cerca N. Controlled RNA contamination and degradation and its impact on qPCR gene expression in S. epidermidis biofilms. J Microbiol Methods 2013; 95:195-200. [PMID: 23999274 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2013.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
RNA quality is of utmost importance to perform gene expression quantification by qPCR. The classical methods used to determine RNA quality are based on electrophoresis and spectrophotometer assessment, namely A(260)/A(280) and A(260)/A(230) ratios. It was previously shown that due to the complex nature of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms, RNA extraction procedures could impact mRNA quality and thus accurate quantification. Herein, we contaminated and degraded RNA extracted from S. epidermidis biofilms, and assessed the effect on gene expression by qPCR. As expected, thermal degradation of RNA had a significant impact on gene expression on two out of the three tested genes. On the other hand, the contamination of the extracted RNA yielded an interesting result: while most contaminants did not changed the purity indicators or the integrity of RNA, significant changes on gene expression levels were found. This work confirms that poor RNA extraction has an important impact in qPCR quantification, emphasizing the consequences of carry-over contaminants on gene expression studies. Additionally, our results show that the parameters commonly used to assess the quality of extracted RNA from bacterial cultures seem to be insufficient to ensure reliable gene expression determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Carvalhais
- IBB - Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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