1
|
Luu LDW, Kasimov V, Phillips S, Myers GSA, Jelocnik M. Genome organization and genomics in Chlamydia: whole genome sequencing increases understanding of chlamydial virulence, evolution, and phylogeny. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1178736. [PMID: 37287464 PMCID: PMC10242142 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1178736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Chlamydia contains important obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens to humans and animals, including C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae. Since 1998, when the first Chlamydia genome was published, our understanding of how these microbes interact, evolved and adapted to different intracellular host environments has been transformed due to the expansion of chlamydial genomes. This review explores the current state of knowledge in Chlamydia genomics and how whole genome sequencing has revolutionised our understanding of Chlamydia virulence, evolution, and phylogeny over the past two and a half decades. This review will also highlight developments in multi-omics and other approaches that have complemented whole genome sequencing to advance knowledge of Chlamydia pathogenesis and future directions for chlamydial genomics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Don Wai Luu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vasilli Kasimov
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Samuel Phillips
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Garry S. A. Myers
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jelocnik M. Chlamydiae from Down Under: The Curious Cases of Chlamydial Infections in Australia. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120602. [PMID: 31766703 PMCID: PMC6955670 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Australia, the most researched and perhaps the most successful chlamydial species are the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, animal pathogens Chlamydia pecorum and Chlamydia psittaci. C. trachomatis remains the leading cause of sexually transmitted infections in Australians and trachoma in Australian Indigenous populations. C. pecorum is globally recognised as the infamous koala and widespread livestock pathogen, whilst the avian C. psittaci is emerging as a horse pathogen posing zoonotic risks to humans. Certainly not innocuous, the human infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae seem to be less prevalent that other human chlamydial pathogens (namely C. trachomatis). Interestingly, the complete host range for C. pecorum and C. psittaci remains unknown, and infections by other chlamydial organisms in Australian domesticated and wildlife animals are understudied. Considering that chlamydial organisms can be encountered by either host at the human/animal interface, I review the most recent findings of chlamydial organisms infecting Australians, domesticated animals and native wildlife. Furthermore, I also provide commentary from leading Australian Chlamydia experts on challenges and future directions in the Chlamydia research field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs 4557, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Molano M, Tabrizi SN, Phillips S, Danielewski J, Cornall A, Morre SA, Garland SM. Development of a rapid colorimetric multiplex PCR-reverse line blot for the detection and typing of 14 Chlamydia trachomatis genovars. J Med Microbiol 2018; 67:1560-1570. [PMID: 30303481 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for trachoma-associated blindness as well as the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, although the genovars for the former are typically A-C, whilst for the latter they are D-K and for the uncommon infection lymphogranuloma venereum they are L1-3. Nucleotide variations within the ompA gene facilitate the identification of C. trachomatis genovars. This study describes a colorimetric multiplex PCR/RLB typing assay (mPCR-RLB) directed to the VD2 region of the ompA gene for general C. trachomatis positivity and the identification of 14 individual C. trachomatis genovars. METHODOLOGY The assay was validated by analysing 40 blinded samples that included reference strains of C. trachomatis genovars and other non-chlamydial micro-organisms that had been analysed previously using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Ninety clinical samples that had previously been found to be C. trachomatis-positive by qPCR were also evaluated using the mPCR-RLB assay. RESULTS The mPCR-RLB assay showed 100 % agreement with the qPCR in the detection of C. trachomatis reference strains and no cross-reaction of non-chlamydial micro-organisms was observed. In the analysis of the chlamydial clinical samples, 97.8 % were C. trachomatis-positive by mPCR/RLB assay and there was a 96.6 % concordance with the qPCR at the group identification level and a 92.2 % concordance at the genovar level. CONCLUSION The mPCR-RLB assay is a rapid and sensitive methodology for the identification of C. trachomatis genovars associated with urogenital infections, trachoma or lymphogranuloma venereum diseases that can be implemented in clinical settings, helping to identify reinfections and treatment failures and establish the appropriate treatment course.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Molano
- 1Regional HPV Labnet Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sepehr N Tabrizi
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia
- 2Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- 1Regional HPV Labnet Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samuel Phillips
- 2Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- 1Regional HPV Labnet Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Danielewski
- 2Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- 1Regional HPV Labnet Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alyssa Cornall
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia
- 2Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- 1Regional HPV Labnet Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Servaas A Morre
- 5Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research School Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Institute for Public Health Genomics, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- 4Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne M Garland
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia
- 2Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- 1Regional HPV Labnet Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|