1
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Bunker ME, Arnold AE, Weiss SL. Wild microbiomes of striped plateau lizards vary with reproductive season, sex, and body size. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20643. [PMID: 36450782 PMCID: PMC9712514 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24518-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term studies of animal microbiomes under natural conditions are valuable for understanding the effects of host demographics and environmental factors on host-associated microbial communities, and how those effects interact and shift over time. We examined how the cloacal microbiome of wild Sceloporus virgatus (the striped plateau lizard) varies under natural conditions in a multi-year study. Cloacal swabs were collected from wild-caught lizards across their entire active season and over three years in southeastern Arizona, USA. Analyses of 16S rRNA data generated on the Illumina platform revealed that cloacal microbiomes of S. virgatus vary as a function of season, sex, body size, and reproductive state, and do so independently of one another. Briefly, microbial diversity was lowest in both sexes during the reproductive season, was higher in females than in males, and was lowest in females when they were vitellogenic, and microbiome composition varied across seasons, sexes, and sizes. The pattern of decreased diversity during reproductive periods with increased sociality is surprising, as studies in other systems often suggest that microbial diversity generally increases with sociality. The cloacal microbiome was not affected significantly by hibernation and was relatively stable from year to year. This study highlights the importance of long term, wide-scale microbiome studies for capturing accurate perspectives on microbiome diversity and composition in animals. It also serves as a warning for comparisons of microbiomes across species, as each may be under a different suite of selective pressures or exhibit short-term variation from external or innate factors, which may differ in a species-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie E. Bunker
- grid.267047.00000 0001 2105 7936Department of Biology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA USA
| | - A. Elizabeth Arnold
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XSchool of Plant Sciences and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
| | - Stacey L. Weiss
- grid.267047.00000 0001 2105 7936Department of Biology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA USA
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2
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Chan N, Shen Z, Mannion A, Kurnick S, Popescu IS, Burton FJ, Calle PP, Fox JG. Helicobacter cyclurae sp. Nov., Isolated From Endangered Blue Iguanas (Cyclura lewisi). Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.676682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) are endangered reptiles found only on Grand Cayman. Previously, DNA for a novel Helicobacter species GCBI1 was detected in sick and dead iguanas. In the current study, fecal and cloacal swab samples were obtained from 25 iguanas. Through molecular and microbiological techniques, a novel Helicobacter species was cultured from feces and characterized, for whom we propose the name Helicobacter cyclurae. This novel helicobacter had a prevalence of 56% by PCR and 20% by culture in samples analyzed. The type strain MIT 16-1353 was catalase, oxidase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase positive. By electron microscopy, H. cyclurae has a curved rod morphology and a single sheathed polar flagellum. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA, gyrB, and hsp60 indicated that these strains were most closely related to Helicobacter sp. 12502256-12 previously isolated from lizards. H. cyclurae has a 1.91-Mb genome with a GC content of 33.37%. There were 1,969 genes with four notable virulence genes: high temperature requirement-A protein-secreted serine protease, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, fibronectin/fibrinogen binding protein, and neutrophil-activating protein. Whole-genome phylogeny, average nucleotide identity, and digital DNA–DNA hybridization analysis confirmed that H. cyclurae is a novel species, and the first helicobacter cultured and characterized from blue iguanas.
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3
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Desiderio TM, Stacy NI, Ossiboff RJ, Iredale M, Archer LL, Alexander AB, Heard DJ, Crevasse SE, Craft WF, Fredholm DVE, Donnelly KA, Rosenberg JF, Childress AL, Russell K, Wellehan JFX. Identification of a novel mortality-associated Helicobacter species in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), qPCR test development and validation, and correlation with mortality in a wildlife rehabilitation population. Vet Microbiol 2021; 259:109136. [PMID: 34214906 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The genus Helicobacter includes spiral-shaped bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria, class Epsilonproteobacteria, order Campylobacteriales, that have been associated with disease in animals, including reptiles. Three wild gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) index cases presented between 2012 and 2019 with nasal discharge, lethargy, and weight loss. Cytological examination of nasal discharge from all 3 tortoises identified marked heterophilic and mild histiocytic rhinitis with abundant extracellular and phagocytized spiral shaped bacteria that stained positive with Warthin-Starry stain. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed this to be a novel Helicobacter species. Two tortoises died despite treatment attempts, and the third was moribund and was euthanized. Histological examination of the nasal mucosa (n = 3) showed granulocytic to lymphocytic rhinitis with variable mucosal hyperplasia, erosion, and ulceration; Warthin-Starry staining highlighted the presence of spiral bacteria in the untreated tortoise. Genus-specific primers were designed, and the gyrA and groEL genes were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis shows that this organism and other previously characterized Helicobacter from tortoises form a clade. Development and cross-validation of two qPCR diagnostic assays for the gyrA and groEL genes showed significant correlation of the results of two assays (P < 0.0001). These assays were used to survey nasal wash samples from 31 rehabilitating gopher tortoises. Mortality of tortoises significantly correlated with higher Helicobacter loads detected by qPCR (P = 0.028). Appropriate quarantine protocols for tortoises during rehabilitation should consider this organism. Upper respiratory disease in tortoises may involve complex microbial ecology; factors beyond Mycoplasmopsis (Mycoplasma) agassizii should be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasha M Desiderio
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Nicole I Stacy
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Robert J Ossiboff
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Marley Iredale
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Linda L Archer
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Amy B Alexander
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Darryl J Heard
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Sarah E Crevasse
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - William F Craft
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Daniel V E Fredholm
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Kyle A Donnelly
- Brevard Zoo and Sea Turtle Healing Center, Melbourne, FL, 32940, USA
| | - Justin F Rosenberg
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - April L Childress
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Kathy Russell
- Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, Gainesville, FL, 32606, USA
| | - James F X Wellehan
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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4
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Conley KJ, Seimon TA, Popescu IS, Wellehan JFX, Fox JG, Shen Z, Haakonsson J, Seimon A, Brown AT, King V, Burton F, Calle PP. Systemic Helicobacter infection and associated mortalities in endangered Grand Cayman blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) and introduced green iguanas (Iguana iguana). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247010. [PMID: 33606766 PMCID: PMC7894872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme maintains a captive breeding and head-starting program for endangered Grand Cayman blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. In May 2015, program staff encountered two lethargic wild Grand Cayman blue iguanas within the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (QEIIBP). Spiral-shaped bacteria were identified on peripheral blood smears from both animals, which molecular diagnostics identified as a novel Helicobacter species (provisionary name Helicobacter sp. GCBI1). Between March 2015 and February 2017, 11 Grand Cayman blue iguanas were identified with the infection. Two of these were found dead and nine were treated; five of the nine treated animals survived the initial infection. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene suggests Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 is most closely related to Helicobacter spp. in chelonians. We developed a Taqman qPCR assay specific for Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 to screen tissue and/or blood samples from clinical cases, fecal and cloacal samples from clinically healthy Grand Cayman blue iguanas, including previously infected and recovered iguanas, and iguanas housed adjacent to clinical cases. Fecal and/or cloacal swab samples were all negative, suggesting that Grand Cayman blue iguanas do not asymptomatically carry this organism nor shed this pathogen per cloaca post infection. Retrospective analysis of a 2014 mortality event affecting green iguanas (Iguana iguana) from a separate Grand Cayman location identified Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 in two of three cases. The source of infection and mode of transmission are yet to be confirmed. Analysis of rainfall data reveal that all infections occurred during a multi-year dry period, and most occurred shortly after the first rains at the end of seasonal drought. Additionally, further screening has identified Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 from choanal swabs of clinically normal green iguanas in the QEIIBP, suggesting they could be asymptomatic carriers and a potential source of the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth J. Conley
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Tracie A. Seimon
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - James F. X. Wellehan
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - James G. Fox
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Zeli Shen
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jane Haakonsson
- Department of Environment, Cayman Islands Government, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Anton Seimon
- Center for Environmental Policy, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, United States of America
| | - Ania Tomaszewicz Brown
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Veronica King
- St. Matthew’s University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Fred Burton
- Department of Environment, Cayman Islands Government, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Paul P. Calle
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, Bronx, New York, United States of America
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5
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Abdel-Glil MY, Hotzel H, Tomaso H, Linde J. Phylogenomic Analysis of Campylobacter fetus Reveals a Clonal Structure of Insertion Element IS Cfe1 Positive Genomes. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:585374. [PMID: 33281781 PMCID: PMC7688749 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.585374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Subspecies of the species Campylobacter fetus are associated with specific host niches including mammals and reptiles. Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus is a zoonotic pathogen infecting humans. Infections can vary from an acute intestinal illness to severe systemic infections, with sheep and cattle as major reservoirs. In contrast, Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis causes bovine genital campylobacteriosis, which leads to abortion in cattle and a high economic burden for the farmers. Therefore, high-quality molecular subtyping is indispensable for interventional epidemiology. We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 283 Campylobacter fetus strains from 18 countries and compared several methods for Campylobacter fetus subtyping, including WGS, multilocus sequence typing, PCR assays, and the presence of the insertion element ISCfe1. We identified a highly clonal clade (designated as clade 1) that harbors the insertion sequence ISCfe1. The presence of this insertion sequence is an essential diagnostic tool for the identification of the subspecies Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis, serving as a target for several PCR assays. However, we have found a high sequence variability for the ISCfe1 besides the presence of ISCfe1-paralogues in certain other genomes (n = 7) which may cause incorrect diagnostic results. Clade 1 seems to be the cattle-specific clade of this species. We propose that only this clade might be designated as Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis as it harbors the ISCfe1 marker sequence, which is a major target for molecular methods currently used for Campylobacter fetus subspecies identification. Fostering this proposal, we defined eleven stable nucleotide markers specific for this clade. Additionally, we developed a bioinformatics toolbox for the fast identification of this clade based on WGS data. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that WGS can be used for Campylobacter fetus subtyping overcoming limitations of current PCR and MLST protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Y Abdel-Glil
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Ash Sharqiyah, Egypt
| | - Helmut Hotzel
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Herbert Tomaso
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Jörg Linde
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
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6
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Kongnum K, Taweerodjanakarn S, Hongpattarakere T. Longitudinal characterization of bifidobacterial abundance and diversity profile developed in Thai healthy infants. Arch Microbiol 2020; 202:1425-1438. [PMID: 32185412 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-01856-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The early bifidobacterial colonization and development of infant gut is considered crucial for the immediate and lifelong health of human host. This study longitudinally analyzed and characterized fecal bifidobacterial profiles in association with feeding regimens observed in six infants during 5 months after birth. The dominant fecal microbiota of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli/enterococci, clostridia, bacteroides and eubacteria were specifically enumerated using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Breastfeeding exhibited close association with the predomination of bifidobacteria with the highest relative abundance of 32-70% detected in both infants with exclusive breastfeeding. The nested PCR-DGGE technique revealed high diversity existing within a bifidobacterial species with multiple strain variants of B. bifidum, B. longum, B. breve and B. dentium continuously detected in feces of exclusively breast- and combination-fed infants over the period of 5 months. Contrarily, B. breve, B. adolescentis, B. dentium, B. bifidum, B. faecale, B. kashiwanohense and B. lactis detected in all exclusively formula-fed infants seem to be transient species. The persisting strains seem to derive primarily from maternal breastmilk as demonstrated by PCR-DGGE profiles of human milk and feces from three mother-infant pairs. The results suggested the pivotal role of breastfeeding regimen in supporting colonization and succession of bifidobacteria in infant gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanitta Kongnum
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Siriporn Taweerodjanakarn
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Tipparat Hongpattarakere
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand.
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7
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Hou L, Zhang A, Wang R, Zhao P, Zhang D, Jiang Y, Diddugodage CJ, Wang X, Ni Z, Xu S. Brassinosteroid Regulates Root Development with Highly Redundant Genes in Hexaploid Wheat. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 60:1761-1777. [PMID: 31099397 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcz088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Brassinosteroid (BR) plays an important role in plant development and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, but its specific function remains largely unknown in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), preventing its utilization in this important crop. In this study, the function of BR and its underlying cytological role in wheat root development were comprehensively investigated. Our findings demonstrated that BR has a conserved function in regulating root length in wheat, and novel roles in regulating lateral root emergence and root diameter were uncovered. Analyses of BR homologous gene composition and evolutionary divergence demonstrated that the genetic framework of the wheat BR pathway was close to that of rice, but contained highly redundant homologous copies of genes from the subgenome A, B and D. These homologous copies showed active expression and shared a conserved BR response. The expression of wheat DWF4 and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) genes in Arabidopsis confirmed that multiple homologous copies maintained their conserved function in regulating root development, highlighting their redundant status and indicating that a special challenge exists in wheat gene modification to deal with this high redundancy. However, our results suggested that the hypermorphic effect of T. aestivum GSK (TaGSK) genes with point mutations may be an effective approach to overcome this redundancy in the manipulation of BR signaling in wheat. Our study provides fundamental data uncovering the function of BR in wheat root development, the underlying genetic basis and a possible strategy to manipulate BR signaling in hexaploid wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruochen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongzhi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yujie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chamila Jeewani Diddugodage
- Grain Legumes and Oil Crops Research and Development Centre, Department of Agriculture, Angunakolapelessa, Sri Lanka
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhongfu Ni
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shengbao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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8
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Gilbert MJ, Duim B, Zomer AL, Wagenaar JA. Living in Cold Blood: Arcobacter, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter in Reptiles. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1086. [PMID: 31191467 PMCID: PMC6530492 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Species of the Epsilonproteobacteria genera Arcobacter, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter are commonly associated with vertebrate hosts and some are considered significant pathogens. Vertebrate-associated Epsilonproteobacteria are often considered to be largely confined to endothermic mammals and birds. Recent studies have shown that ectothermic reptiles display a distinct and largely unique Epsilonproteobacteria community, including taxa which can cause disease in humans. Several Arcobacter taxa are widespread amongst reptiles and often show a broad host range. Reptiles carry a large diversity of unique and novel Helicobacter taxa, which apparently evolved in an ectothermic host. Some species, such as Campylobacter fetus, display a distinct intraspecies host dichotomy, with genetically divergent lineages occurring either in mammals or reptiles. These taxa can provide valuable insights in host adaptation and co-evolution between symbiont and host. Here, we present an overview of the biodiversity, ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of reptile-associated Epsilonproteobacteria from a broader vertebrate host perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J Gilbert
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Birgitta Duim
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Aldert L Zomer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jaap A Wagenaar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
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9
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Mannion A, Shen Z, Fox JG. Comparative genomics analysis to differentiate metabolic and virulence gene potential in gastric versus enterohepatic Helicobacter species. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:830. [PMID: 30458713 PMCID: PMC6247508 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5171-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The genus Helicobacter are gram-negative, microaerobic, flagellated, mucus-inhabiting bacteria associated with gastrointestinal inflammation and classified as gastric or enterohepatic Helicobacter species (EHS) according to host species and colonization niche. While there are over 30 official species, little is known about the physiology and pathogenic mechanisms of EHS, which account for most in the genus, as well as what genetic factors differentiate gastric versus EHS, given they inhabit different hosts and colonization niches. The objective of this study was to perform a whole-genus comparative analysis of over 100 gastric versus EHS genomes in order to identify genetic determinants that distinguish these Helicobacter species and provide insights about their evolution/adaptation to different hosts, colonization niches, and mechanisms of virulence. Results Whole-genome phylogeny organized Helicobacter species according to their presumed gastric or EHS classification. Analysis of orthologs revealed substantial heterogeneity in physiological and virulence-related genes between gastric and EHS genomes. Metabolic reconstruction predicted that unlike gastric species, EHS appear asaccharolytic and dependent on amino/organic acids to fuel metabolism. Additionally, gastric species lack de novo biosynthetic pathways for several amino acids and purines found in EHS and instead rely on environmental uptake/salvage pathways. Comparison of virulence factor genes between gastric and EHS genomes identified overlapping yet distinct profiles and included canonical cytotoxins, outer membrane proteins, secretion systems, and survival factors. Conclusions The major differences in predicted metabolic function suggest gastric species and EHS may have evolved for survival in the nutrient-rich stomach versus the nutrient-devoid environments, respectively. Contrasting virulence factor gene profiles indicate gastric species and EHS may utilize different pathogenic mechanisms to chronically infect hosts and cause inflammation and tissue damage. The findings from this study provide new insights into the genetic differences underlying gastric versus EHS and support the need for future experimental studies to characterize these pathogens. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-5171-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Mannion
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Zeli Shen
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James G Fox
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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10
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Gilbert MJ, Duim B, van der Graaf-van Bloois L, Wagenaar JA, Zomer AL. Homologous Recombination between Genetically Divergent Campylobacter fetus Lineages Supports Host-Associated Speciation. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:716-722. [PMID: 29608720 PMCID: PMC5830970 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination is a major driver of bacterial speciation. Genetic divergence and host association are important factors influencing homologous recombination. Here, we study these factors for Campylobacter fetus, which shows a distinct intraspecific host dichotomy. Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus (Cff) and venerealis are associated with mammals, whereas C. fetus subsp. testudinum (Cft) is associated with reptiles. Recombination between these genetically divergent C. fetus lineages is extremely rare. Previously it was impossible to show whether this barrier to recombination was determined by the differential host preferences, by the genetic divergence between both lineages or by other factors influencing recombination, such as restriction-modification, CRISPR/Cas, and transformation systems. Fortuitously, a distinct C. fetus lineage (ST69) was found, which was highly related to mammal-associated C. fetus, yet isolated from a chelonian. The whole genome sequences of two C. fetus ST69 isolates were compared with those of mammal- and reptile-associated C. fetus strains for phylogenetic and recombination analysis. In total, 5.1–5.5% of the core genome of both ST69 isolates showed signs of recombination. Of the predicted recombination regions, 80.4% were most closely related to Cft, 14.3% to Cff, and 5.6% to C. iguaniorum. Recombination from C. fetus ST69 to Cft was also detected, but to a lesser extent and only in chelonian-associated Cft strains. This study shows that despite substantial genetic divergence no absolute barrier to homologous recombination exists between two distinct C. fetus lineages when occurring in the same host type, which provides valuable insights in bacterial speciation and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J Gilbert
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.,Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands (RAVON), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Birgitta Duim
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Linda van der Graaf-van Bloois
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap A Wagenaar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Aldert L Zomer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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11
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Rudolf CA, Jaimes A, Espinosa-Blanco AS, Contreras M, García-Amado MA. Oral and Cloacal Helicobacter Detection in Wild and Captive Orinoco Crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius) in Venezuela. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:567-569. [PMID: 29975587 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter species can colonize digestive tract of animals and humans and have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases; however, this genus has not been studied in crocodiles. Our objective was to detect by PCR Helicobacter genus and Helicobacter pylori in oral and cloacal swabs from Orinoco crocodiles of two wild (Cojedes River System and Capanaparo River) and two captive breeding centers (CBCs; Masaguaral Ranch and UNELLEZ) populations. Bacterial DNA was found in 100% of oral samples (10 wild and 10 captives), and in the 95% of cloacal samples (10 wild and 9 captives). In wild populations, Helicobacter spp. was not detected, whereas in CBCs, Helicobacter was detected in 10% of the oral samples, and 66.7% of cloacal samples. H. pylori was detected in two Orinoco crocodiles. Two cloacal non-pylori Helicobacter amplicons were sequenced, showing low similarity (≤97%) to Helicobacter sequences reported. This is the first report of Helicobacter species, including H. pylori in Crocodylus intermedius from CBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla A Rudolf
- 1 Laboratorio de Fisiología Gastrointestinal, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) , Caracas, Venezuela
| | - América Jaimes
- 1 Laboratorio de Fisiología Gastrointestinal, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) , Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Ariel S Espinosa-Blanco
- 2 Laboratorio de Ecología y Genética de Poblaciones, Centro de Ecología, IVIC, Caracas, Venezuela .,3 Grupo de Estudios Ornitológicos y Fauna Silvestre, GEO-UPTC , Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, UPTC, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Monica Contreras
- 1 Laboratorio de Fisiología Gastrointestinal, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) , Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María Alexandra García-Amado
- 1 Laboratorio de Fisiología Gastrointestinal, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) , Caracas, Venezuela
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