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Haemophilus ducreyi Cutaneous Ulcer Strains Are Nearly Identical to Class I Genital Ulcer Strains. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003918. [PMID: 26147869 PMCID: PMC4492979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although cutaneous ulcers (CU) in the tropics is frequently attributed to Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue, the causative agent of yaws, Haemophilus ducreyi has emerged as a major cause of CU in yaws-endemic regions of the South Pacific islands and Africa. H. ducreyi is generally susceptible to macrolides, but CU strains persist after mass drug administration of azithromycin for yaws or trachoma. H. ducreyi also causes genital ulcers (GU) and was thought to be exclusively transmitted by microabrasions that occur during sex. In human volunteers, the GU strain 35000HP does not infect intact skin; wounds are required to initiate infection. These data led to several questions: Are CU strains a new variant of H. ducreyi or did they evolve from GU strains? Do CU strains contain additional genes that could allow them to infect intact skin? Are CU strains susceptible to azithromycin? Methodology/Principal Findings To address these questions, we performed whole-genome sequencing and antibiotic susceptibility testing of 5 CU strains obtained from Samoa and Vanuatu and 9 archived class I and class II GU strains. Except for single nucleotide polymorphisms, the CU strains were genetically almost identical to the class I strain 35000HP and had no additional genetic content. Phylogenetic analysis showed that class I and class II strains formed two separate clusters and CU strains evolved from class I strains. Class I strains diverged from class II strains ~1.95 million years ago (mya) and CU strains diverged from the class I strain 35000HP ~0.18 mya. CU and GU strains evolved under similar selection pressures. Like 35000HP, the CU strains were highly susceptible to antibiotics, including azithromycin. Conclusions/Significance These data suggest that CU strains are derivatives of class I strains that were not recognized until recently. These findings require confirmation by analysis of CU strains from other regions. Cutaneous ulcers (CU) in children living in equatorial Africa and the South Pacific islands have long been attributed to yaws, which is caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue. However, PCR-based cross sectional surveys done in yaws-endemic regions show that Haemophilus ducreyi is the leading cause of CU in these regions. H. ducreyi classically causes the genital ulcer (GU) disease chancroid and was once thought to be exclusively sexually transmitted. We show that CU strains obtained from Samoa and Vanuatu are genetically nearly identical to class 1 GU strains and contain no additional genetic content. The CU strains are highly susceptible to antibiotics, including azithromycin. The data suggest an urgent need to obtain and analyze CU isolates from Africa and other countries in the South Pacific and to search for environmental sources of the organism.
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Barlow PG, Svoboda P, Mackellar A, Nash AA, York IA, Pohl J, Davidson DJ, Donis RO. Antiviral activity and increased host defense against influenza infection elicited by the human cathelicidin LL-37. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25333. [PMID: 22031815 PMCID: PMC3198734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The extensive world-wide morbidity and mortality caused by influenza A viruses highlights the need for new insights into the host immune response and novel treatment approaches. Cationic Host Defense Peptides (CHDP, also known as antimicrobial peptides), which include cathelicidins and defensins, are key components of the innate immune system that are upregulated during infection and inflammation. Cathelicidins have immunomodulatory and anti-viral effects, but their impact on influenza virus infection has not been previously assessed. We therefore evaluated the effect of cathelicidin peptides on disease caused by influenza A virus in mice. The human cathelicidin, LL-37, and the murine cathelicidin, mCRAMP, demonstrated significant anti-viral activity in vivo, reducing disease severity and viral replication in infected mice to a similar extent as the well-characterized influenza virus-specific antiviral drug zanamivir. In vitro and in vivo experiments suggested that the peptides may act directly on the influenza virion rather than via receptor-based mechanisms. Influenza virus-infected mice treated with LL-37 had lower concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lung than did infected animals that had not been treated with cathelicidin peptides. These data suggest that treatment of influenza-infected individuals with cathelicidin-derived therapeutics, or modulation of endogenous cathelicidin production may provide significant protection against disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G. Barlow
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Pavel Svoboda
- Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Annie Mackellar
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony A. Nash
- The Roslin Institute and Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ian A. York
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jan Pohl
- Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Donald J. Davidson
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ruben O. Donis
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Yeung A, Cameron DW, Desjardins M, Lee BC. Use of signature-tagged mutagenesis to identify virulence determinants in Haemophilus ducreyi responsible for ulcer formation. J Microbiol Methods 2011; 84:290-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2010.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2010] [Revised: 12/10/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Mount KLB, Townsend CA, Bauer ME. Haemophilus ducreyi is resistant to human antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007; 51:3391-3. [PMID: 17620373 PMCID: PMC2043175 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00473-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the susceptibility of Haemophilus ducreyi to antimicrobial peptides likely to be encountered in vivo during human infection. H. ducreyi was significantly more resistant than Escherichia coli to the bactericidal effects of all peptides tested. Class I and II H. ducreyi strains exhibited similar levels of resistance to antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy L B Mount
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
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Spann CT, Tutrone WD, Weinberg JM, Scheinfeld N, Ross B. Topical antibacterial agents for wound care: a primer. Dermatol Surg 2003; 29:620-6. [PMID: 12786706 DOI: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.2003.29143.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Although often overlooked, topical antibiotic agents play an important role in dermatology. Their many uses include prophylaxis against cutaneous infections, treatment of minor wounds and infections, and elimination of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. For these indications, they are advantageous over their systemic counterparts because they deliver a higher concentration of medication directly to the desired area and are less frequently implicated in causing bacterial resistance. The ideal topical antibiotic has a broad spectrum of activity, has persistent antibacterial effects, and has minimal toxicity or incidence of allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace Thornton Spann
- Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York 10025, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Virendra N Sehgal
- Dermato-Venereology (Skin/VD) Center, Sehgal Nursing Home, Panchwati, Azadpur, Delhi, India.
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Steinstraesser L, Burghard O, Nemzek J, Fan MH, Merry A, Remick DI, Su GL, Steinau HU, Wang SC. Protegrin-1 increases bacterial clearance in sepsis but decreases survival. Crit Care Med 2003; 31:221-6. [PMID: 12545019 DOI: 10.1097/00003246-200301000-00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Iseganan HCl is an antimicrobial peptide under development for the prevention of oral mucositis, a severe consequence of some chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens. Several attributes of iseganan make it an optimal candidate for study in this clinical situation where both local and systemic host defenses may be impaired. These include broad spectrum and rapid bactericidal activity, a lack of observed resistance and cross-resistance and stability in biological fluids. Clinical trials of patients receiving stomatotoxic chemotherapy followed by a haematopoietic stem cell transplant show iseganan reduces the occurrence of oral mucositis and ameliorates sequelae such as mouth pain, throat pain and difficulty swallowing. Iseganan is well-tolerated, which is partly attributable to a lack of systemic absorption following topical oral administration. Other promising areas of investigation include topical oral application for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia and nebulisation for treatment of chronic lung infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. Future studies will expand on the role of iseganan as a novel antimicrobial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis J Giles
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Leukaemia, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 428, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Ramanathan B, Davis EG, Ross CR, Blecha F. Cathelicidins: microbicidal activity, mechanisms of action, and roles in innate immunity. Microbes Infect 2002; 4:361-72. [PMID: 11909747 DOI: 10.1016/s1286-4579(02)01549-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are important host-defense molecules of innate immunity. Cathelicidins are a diverse family of potent, rapidly acting and broadly effective antimicrobial peptides, which are produced by a variety of cells. This review examines the classification, antimicrobial spectrum, mechanism of action, and regulation of cathelicidins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balaji Ramanathan
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-5802, USA
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Binding of protegrin-1 to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia. Respir Res 2002; 3:18. [PMID: 11980587 PMCID: PMC107847 DOI: 10.1186/rr167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2001] [Revised: 01/29/2002] [Accepted: 01/31/2002] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia infections of cystic fibrosis patients' lungs are often resistant to conventional antibiotic therapy. Protegrins are antimicrobial peptides with potent activity against many bacteria, including P. aeruginosa. The present study evaluates the correlation between protegrin-1 (PG-1) sensitivity/resistance and protegrin binding in P. aeruginosa and B. cepacia. METHODS The PG-1 sensitivity/resistance and PG-1 binding properties of P. aeruginosa and B. cepacia were assessed using radial diffusion assays, radioiodinated PG-1, and surface plasmon resonance (BiaCore). RESULTS The six P. aeruginosa strains examined were very sensitive to PG-1, exhibiting minimal active concentrations from 0.0625-0.5 microg/ml in radial diffusion assays. In contrast, all five B. cepacia strains examined were greater than 10-fold to 100-fold more resistant, with minimal active concentrations ranging from 6-10 microg/ml. When incubated with a radioiodinated variant of PG-1, a sensitive P. aeruginosa strain bound considerably more protegrin molecules per cell than a resistant B. cepacia strain. Binding/diffusion and surface plasmon resonance assays revealed that isolated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipid A from the sensitive P. aeruginosa strains bound PG-1 more effectively than LPS and lipid A from resistant B. cepacia strains. CONCLUSION These findings support the hypothesis that the relative resistance of B. cepacia to protegrin is due to a reduced number of PG-1 binding sites on the lipid A moiety of its LPS.
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Steinstraesser L, Klein RD, Aminlari A, Fan MH, Khilanani V, Remick DG, Su GL, Wang SC. Protegrin-1 enhances bacterial killing in thermally injured skin. Crit Care Med 2001; 29:1431-7. [PMID: 11445704 DOI: 10.1097/00003246-200107000-00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Septic complications and the emergence of drug-resistant microbes represent serious risks to patients. Recently, naturally occurring peptides have been discovered that possess potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Protegrin-1 is particularly attractive for clinical use in human wounds because, unlike defensins, protegrin-1 retains broad antimicrobial and antifungal activity at physiologic salt concentration and in the presence of serum. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of protegrin-1 in killing multiple drug-resistant microbes isolated from human burn patients. DESIGN For thein vitroexperiment, bilayer radial diffusion was performed comparing standard antibiotics with protegrin-1 on multiple-drug-resistant microbial organisms isolated from infected burn wounds. In vivo, rats received a 20% total body surface area partial-thickness burn by immersion in 60 degrees C water for 20 secs followed by wound seeding with 106 colony forming units of Silvadene-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. SETTING University of Michigan research laboratory. SUBJECTS Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTIONS Rats were randomized into three groups: those receiving synthetic protegrin-1, acetic acid (carrier), or gentamicin (positive control). Protegrin-1 was administered by topical application or intradermal injection. Wound tissues were harvested aseptically at different time points for quantitative bacterial counts. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed rapid and significant decreases in bacterial counts for protegrin-1-treated groups compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that protegrin-1 potentially may be used as an alternative or adjunct therapy to standard agents used to treat wound infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Steinstraesser
- Departments of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Abstract
Protegrins and their derivatives are a new class of peptide antibiotics based on mammalian antimicrobial peptides. Their pharmacological properties include an unusually broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi and some enveloped viruses. Preclinical and clinical studies of the lead compound, IB-367, developed for topical applications, show promise for the prevention of chemotherapy- and radiation-induced oral mucositis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bellm
- CHS 37-055, Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA
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