Conservation and diversity of sap homologues and their organization among Campylobacter fetus isolates

Phenotypic and genetic analyses of two Campylobacter fetus isolates from a patient with relapsed prosthetic valve endocarditis

Campylobacter fetus can cause intestinal and systemic disease in humans and are well established veterinary and economic pathogens. We report the complete genomic sequences of two C. fetus subsp. fetus (Cff) isolates recovered in 2017 (CITCf01) and 2018 (CITCf02) from a case of recurrent prosthetic valve endocarditis. Both were capable of growth aerobically. Their genomes were found to be highly conserved and syntenic with 99.97% average nucleotide identity (ANI) while differences in their respective sap loci defined the temporal separation of their genomes. Based on core genome phylogeny and ANI of 83 Cff genomes belonging to the previously described human-associated Cff lineage, CITCf01 and CITCf02 grouped in a clade of eleven sequence type (ST)3 Cff (including the Cff type strain NCTC 10842T). CITCf01 and CITCf02 were marked for their lack of unique genomic features when compared to isolates within the subspecies and the type strain in particular. We identified point mutations in oxidative stress response genes, among others, that may contribute to aerobiosis. We report a case of Cff causing relapsed prosthetic valve endocarditis and we highlight the sap island as a polymorphic site within the genetically stable ST3 lineage, central to pathogenicity.

Campylobacter fetus releases S-layered and immunoreactive outer membrane vesicles

The study of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) became relevant because of their probable important role in the transfer of virulence factors to host cells. Campylobacter fetus is mainly a mammal pathogen whose virulence characterization is still limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate and to characterize the secretion of OMVs in this bacterium. By transmission electron microscopy, we confirmed the production of OMVs in all the strains assayed. Purified OMVs showed a spherical shape and variable size, although comparable to those of other gram-negative bacteria. We also confirmed the presence of the S-layer on the surface of the OMVs of all the strains assayed with the exception of those derived from the NTCC reference strain. In addition, we demonstrated their immunoreactivity by the dot-blot assay. Hence, C. fetus OMVs could contribute to the modulation of the host response and constitute a candidate to be evaluated as an adjuvant of current vaccines used in the veterinary field. This work represents a platform to drive future studies towards the role of these subcellular structures in C. fetus-host interaction.

Campylobacter fetus subsp. testudinum subsp. nov., isolated from humans and reptiles

A polyphasic study was undertaken to determine the taxonomic position of 13 Campylobacter fetus -like strains from humans (n = 8) and reptiles (n = 5). The results of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS and genomic data from sap analysis, 16S rRNA gene and hsp60 sequence comparison, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization and whole genome sequencing demonstrated that these strains are closely related to C. fetus but clearly differentiated from recognized subspecies of C. fetus . Therefore, this unique cluster of 13 strains represents a novel subspecies within the species C. fetus , for which the name Campylobacter fetus subsp. testudinum subsp. nov. is proposed, with strain 03-427T ( = ATCC BAA-2539T = LMG 27499T) as the type strain. Although this novel taxon could not be differentiated from C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis using conventional phenotypic tests, MALDI-TOF MS revealed the presence of multiple phenotypic biomarkers which distinguish Campylobacter fetus subsp. testudinum subsp. nov. from recognized subspecies of C. fetus .

Epidemiology of bovine venereal campylobacteriosis: geographic distribution and recent advances in molecular diagnostic techniques

Bovine venereal campylobacteriosis (BVC) is a major cause of economic loss to the cattle industries in different parts of the world. Camplylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv), the main causative agent of BVC, is highly adapted to the genital tract of cattle and is transmitted by carrier bulls. However, infertility and abortions can also be caused by the intestinal pathogens C. fetus subsp. fetus (Cff), and C. jenuni, which are not venereally transmitted. Bovine venereal campylobacteriosis, caused by Cfv associated with lowered fertility, embryo mortality and abortion, repeated returns to service, reduced pregnancy rates and extended calving intervals, has the highest prevalence in developing countries where natural breeding in cattle is widely practised. The epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of the disease have been the subject of previous reviews. The main focus of this review is to highlight the epidemiology of this disease with particular reference to geographical distribution and recent advances in molecular diagnostic techniques. It is hoped that further research interest of scientists will be stimulated with a view to finding lasting solutions to the reproductive problems associated with the disease for better livestock productivity, particularly in developing endemic countries.

The use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting for the detection of Campylobacter fetus immunoglobulins in the cervico-vaginal mucus of female cattle

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to detect antigen-specific secretory IgA antibodies to Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis in bovine vaginal mucus with a protein extract of the Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis by the acid glycine extraction method. Mean optical density measurement (λ=450 nm) was 0.143±0.9. The most immunoreactive protein bands of the Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis or Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus recognized by IgA in immunoblotting, using bovine vaginal mucus samples, migrate at 42.6 kDa. The protein that migrates at 93 kDa was recognized exclusively for C. fetus subsp. venerealis. A positive vaginal mucus sample of a cow from negative herd recognized antigens of C. jejuni subsp. jejuni e C. fetus subsp. fetus.

Genetic relationships among reptilian and mammalian Campylobacter fetus strains determined by multilocus sequence typing

Reptile Campylobacter fetus isolates and closely related strains causing human disease were characterized by multilocus sequence typing. They shared approximately 90% nucleotide sequence identity with classical mammalian C. fetus, and there was evidence of recombination among members of these two groups. The reptile group represents a possible separate genomospecies capable of infecting humans.

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction to detect and differentiate Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus and Campylobacter fetus -species venerealis: use on UK isolates of C. fetus and other Campylobacter spp

AIMS

Subspeciation of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus (CFF) and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (CFV) is important for international animal import regulations. Phenotyping can be unreliable, and genotyping by techniques like pulsed field gel electrophoresis is difficult in routine diagnostic laboratories. A PCR subspeciation technique has been reported [Aust Vet J (1997) 75, 827]; we aimed to develop this PCR and investigate its use on UK C. fetus isolates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We augmented the PCR with further primers, and tested 76 isolates of C. fetus and 16 isolates of other Campylobacter spp. PCR failed to correlate well with phenotyping, especially for CFV. We characterized the amplicon of the CFV-specific primers (reported as plasmid derived, but unavailable on the public databases); and predicted a parA gene sequence, anticipated to be plasmid-associated. However, although plasmid isolations from selected CFV isolates demonstrated the presence of several plasmids, there was no correlation between plasmid profile and PCR result. Further, the parA sequence was not detected by PCR in any of the plasmid bands.

CONCLUSIONS

This PCR is not suitable for subspeciation of C. fetus in the UK. The results suggest that this is a reflection of the presence of an unusual clone of CFV currently present in cattle in this country.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

PCR cannot substitute for phenotyping of C. fetus isolates in the UK. The reasons for failure of PCR genotyping may reflect local strains and/or plasmid profiles. Further study is required to better elucidate molecular sub-speciation of C. fetus.

Genetic divergence of Campylobacter fetus strains of mammal and reptile origins

Campylobacter fetus is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen of both humans and animals. Two subspecies have been identified, Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis, and there are two serotypes, A and B. To further investigate the genetic diversity among C. fetus strains of different origins, subspecies, and serotypes, we performed multiple genetic analyses by utilizing random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and DNA-DNA hybridization. All 10 primers used for the RAPD analyses can distinguish C. fetus strains of reptile and mammal origin, five can differentiate between C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis strains, and four showed differences between type A and type B isolates from mammals. PFGE with SmaI and SalI digestion showed varied genome patterns among different C. fetus strains, but for mammalian C. fetus isolates, genome size was well conserved (mean, 1.52 +/- 0.06 Mb for SmaI and 1.52 +/- 0.05 Mb for SalI). DNA-DNA hybridization demonstrated substantial genomic-homology differences between strains of mammal and reptile origin. In total, these data suggest that C. fetus subsp fetus strains of reptile and mammal origin have genetic divergence more extensive than that between the two subspecies and that between the type A and type B strains. Combining these studies with sequence data, we conclude that there has been substantial genetic divergence between Campylobacter fetus of reptile and mammal origin. Diagnostic tools have been developed to differentiate among C. fetus isolates for taxonomic and epidemiologic uses.

Campylobacter fetus of reptile origin as a human pathogen

A Campylobacter species was isolated from blood from a febrile patient with precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and after antibiotic treatment, a similar bacterium was isolated from blood 37 days later. Although phenotypic testing did not definitively identify the organisms, molecular analysis indicated that they were the same strain of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus and were of reptile origin.