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Ramos B, Cunha MV. The mobilome of Staphylococcus aureus from wild ungulates reveals epidemiological links at the animal-human interface. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024:124241. [PMID: 38825220 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus thrives at animal-human-environment interfaces. A large-scale work from our group indicated that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in commensal S. aureus strains from wild ungulates is associated with agricultural land cover and livestock farming, raising the hypothesis that AMR genes in wildlife strains may originate from different hosts, namely via exchange of mobile genetic elements (MGE). In this work, we generate the largest available dataset of S. aureus draft genomes from wild ungulates in Portugal and explore their mobilome, which can determine important traits such as AMR, virulence, and host specificity, to understand MGE exchange. Core genome multi-locus sequence typing based on 98 newly generated draft genomes and 101 publicly available genomes from Portugal demonstrated that the genomic relatedness of S. aureus from wild ungulates assigned to livestock-associated sequence types (ST) is greater compared to wild ungulate isolates assigned to human-associated STs. Screening of host specificity determinants disclosed the unexpected presence in wildlife of the immune evasion cluster encoded in φSa3 prophage, described as a human-specific virulence determinant. Additionally, two plasmids, pAVX and pETB, previously associated with avian species and humans, respectively, and the Tn553 transposon were detected. Both pETB and Tn553 encode penicillin resistance through blaZ. Pangenome analysis of wild ungulate isolates shows a core genome fraction of 2133 genes, with isolates assigned to ST72 and ST3224 being distinguished from the remaining by MGEs, although there is no reported role of these in adaptation to wildlife. AMR related gene clusters found in the shell genome are directly linked to resistance against penicillin, macrolides, fosfomycin, and aminoglycosides, and they represent mobile ARGs. Altogether, our findings support epidemiological interactions of human and non-human hosts at interfaces, with MGE exchange, including AMR determinants, associated with putative indirect movements of S. aureus among human and wildlife hosts that might be bridged by livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Ramos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mónica V Cunha
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
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2
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Beck C, Krusche J, Elsherbini AMA, Du X, Peschel A. Phage susceptibility determinants of the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102434. [PMID: 38364502 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common member of the human skin and nose microbiomes and a frequent cause of invasive infections. Transducing phages accomplish the horizontal transfer of resistance and virulence genes by mispackaging of mobile-genetic elements, contributing to severe, therapy-refractory S. epidermidis infections. Lytic phages on the other hand can be interesting candidates for new anti-S. epidermidis phage therapies. Despite the importance of phages, we are only beginning to unravel S. epidermidis phage interactions. Recent studies shed new light on S. epidermidis phage diversity, host range, and receptor specificities. Modulation of cell wall teichoic acids, the major phage receptor structures, along with other phage defense mechanisms, are crucial determinants for S. epidermidis susceptibility to different phage groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ahmed M A Elsherbini
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xin Du
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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3
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Cucić S, Ells T, Guri A, Kropinski AM, Khursigara CM, Anany H. Degradation of Listeria monocytogenes biofilm by phages belonging to the genus Pecentumvirus. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0106223. [PMID: 38315006 PMCID: PMC10952537 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01062-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic foodborne bacterium that is a significant cause of mortality associated with foodborne illness and causes many food recalls attributed to a bacteriological cause. Their ability to form biofilms contributes to the persistence of Listeria spp. in food processing environments. When growing as biofilms, L. monocytogenes are more resistant to sanitizers used in the food industry, such as benzalkonium chloride (BAC), as well as to physical stresses like desiccation and starvation. Lytic phages of Listeria are antagonistic to a broad range of Listeria spp. and may, therefore, have utility in reducing the occurrence of Listeria-associated food recalls by preventing food contamination. We screened nine closely related Listeria phages, including the commercially available Listex P100, for host range and ability to degrade microtiter plate biofilms of L. monocytogenes ATCC 19111 (serovar 1/2a). One phage, CKA15, was selected and shown to rapidly adsorb to its host under conditions relevant to applying the phage in dairy processing environments. Under simulated dairy processing conditions (SDPC), CKA15 caused a 2-log reduction in Lm19111 biofilm bacteria. This work supports the biosanitation potential of phage CKA15 and provides a basis for further investigation of phage-bacteria interactions in biofilms grown under SDPC. IMPORTANCE Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that is especially dangerous for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immune-compromised people. Because of this, the food industry takes its presence in their plants seriously. Food recalls due to L. monocytogenes are common with a high associated economic cost. In food-processing plants, Listeria spp. typically reside in biofilms, which are structures produced by bacteria that shield them from environmental stressors and are often attached to surfaces. The significance of our work is that we show a bacteriophage-a virus-infecting bacteria-can reduce Listeria counts by two orders of magnitude when the bacterial biofilms were grown under simulated dairy processing conditions. This work provides insights into how phages may be tested and used to develop biosanitizers that are effective but are not harmful to the environment or human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevan Cucić
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tim Ells
- Kentville Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Anilda Guri
- Gay Lea Foods Co-operative, Research and Development Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew M. Kropinski
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cezar M. Khursigara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hany Anany
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Wagner TM, Pöntinen AK, Fenzel CK, Engi D, Janice J, Almeida-Santos AC, Tedim AP, Freitas AR, Peixe L, van Schaik W, Johannessen M, Hegstad K. Interactions between commensal Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus lactis and clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium. FEMS MICROBES 2024; 5:xtae009. [PMID: 38606354 PMCID: PMC11008740 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecium (Efm) is a versatile pathogen, responsible for multidrug-resistant infections, especially in hospitalized immunocompromised patients. Its population structure has been characterized by diverse clades (A1, A2, and B (reclassified as E. lactis (Ela)), adapted to different environments, and distinguished by their resistomes and virulomes. These features only partially explain the predominance of clade A1 strains in nosocomial infections. We investigated in vitro interaction of 50 clinical isolates (clade A1 Efm) against 75 commensal faecal isolates from healthy humans (25 clade A2 Efm and 50 Ela). Only 36% of the commensal isolates inhibited clinical isolates, while 76% of the clinical isolates inhibited commensal isolates. The most apparent overall differences in inhibition patterns were presented between clades. The inhibitory activity was mainly mediated by secreted, proteinaceous, heat-stable compounds, likely indicating an involvement of bacteriocins. A custom-made database targeting 76 Bacillota bacteriocins was used to reveal bacteriocins in the genomes. Our systematic screening of the interactions between nosocomial and commensal Efm and Ela on a large scale suggests that, in a clinical setting, nosocomial strains not only have an advantage over commensal strains due to their possession of AMR genes, virulence factors, and resilience but also inhibit the growth of commensal strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Maria Wagner
- Research group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Anna Kaarina Pöntinen
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Carolin Kornelia Fenzel
- Research group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Daniel Engi
- Research group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jessin Janice
- Research group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ana C Almeida-Santos
- UCIBIO. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Microbiologia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana P Tedim
- Group for Biomedical Research in Sepsis (BioSepsis), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Respiratorias (CiberES CB22/06/00035), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana R Freitas
- UCIBIO. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Microbiologia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- 1H- TOXRUN – One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, 4584-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Luísa Peixe
- UCIBIO. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Microbiologia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Willem van Schaik
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Mona Johannessen
- Research group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kristin Hegstad
- Research group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway
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Zhuang Z, Cheng YY, Deng J, Cai Z, Zhong L, Qu JX, Wang K, Yang L. Genomic insights into the phage-defense systems of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia clinical isolates. Microbiol Res 2024; 278:127528. [PMID: 37918082 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a rapidly evolving multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious infections in immunocompromised patients. Although phage therapy is one of promising strategies for dealing with MDR bacteria, the main challenges of phage therapeutics include accumulation of phage resistant mutations and acquisition of the phage defense systems. To systematically evaluate the impact of (pro)phages in shaping genetic and evolutionary diversity of S. maltophilia, we collected 166 S. maltophilia isolates from three hospitals in southern China to analyze its pangenome, virulence factors, prophage regions, and anit-viral immune systems. Pangenome analysis indicated that there are 1328 saturated core genes and 26961 unsaturated accessory genes in the pangenome, suggesting existence of highly variable parts of S. maltophilia genome. The presence of genes in relation to T3SS and T6SS mechanisms suggests the great potential to secrete toxins by the S. maltophilia population, which is contrary to the conventional notion of low-virulence of S. maltophilia. Additionally, we characterized the pan-immune system maps of these clinical isolates against phage infections and revealed the co-harboring of CBASS and anti-CBASS in some strains, suggesting a never-ending arms race and the co-evolutionary dynamic between bacteria and phages. Furthermore, our study predicted 310 prophage regions in S. maltophilia with high genetic diversity. Six viral defense systems were found to be located at specific position of the S. maltophilia prophage genomes, indicating potential evolution of certain site/region similar to bacterial 'defense islands' in prophage. Our study provides novel insights into the S. maltophilia pangenome in relation to phage-defense mechanisms, which extends our understanding of bacterial-phage interactions and might guide the application of phage therapy in combating S. maltophilia infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilin Zhuang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Ying-Ying Cheng
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Jinan University, Shenzhen, PR China; BGI Forensic, Shenzhen 518083, PR China; The First Affiliated Hospital (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Jie Deng
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Zhao Cai
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Lin Zhong
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, PR China
| | - Jiu-Xin Qu
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, PR China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China.
| | - Liang Yang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, PR China; Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China.
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6
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Mohammed HT, Mageeney C, Korenberg J, Graham L, Ware VC. Characterization of novel recombinant mycobacteriophages derived from homologous recombination between two temperate phages. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad210. [PMID: 37713616 PMCID: PMC10700106 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Comparative analyses of mycobacteriophage genomes reveals extensive genetic diversity in genome organization and gene content, contributing to widespread mosaicism. We previously reported that the prophage of mycobacteriophage Butters (cluster N) provides defense against infection by Island3 (subcluster I1). To explore the anti-Island3 defense mechanism, we attempted to isolate Island3 defense escape mutants on a Butters lysogen, but only uncovered phages with recombinant genomes comprised of regions of Butters and Island3 arranged from left arm to right arm as Butters-Island3-Butters (BIBs). Recombination occurs within two distinct homologous regions that encompass lysin A, lysin B, and holin genes in one segment, and RecE and RecT genes in the other. Structural genes of mosaic BIB genomes are contributed by Butters while the immunity cassette is derived from Island3. Consequently, BIBs are morphologically identical to Butters (as shown by transmission electron microscopy) but are homoimmune with Island3. Recombinant phages overcome antiphage defense and silencing of the lytic cycle. We leverage this observation to propose a stratagem to generate novel phages for potential therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidu T Mohammed
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
- Memsel, Inc., 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Catherine Mageeney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Jamie Korenberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, 101 Northern Blvd., Glen Head, NY 11545, USA
| | - Lee Graham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Vassie C Ware
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
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Yew WC, Young GR, Nelson A, Cheung W, Stewart CJ, Bridge SH, Granger C, Berrington JE, Embleton ND, Smith DL. The core phageome and its interrelationship with preterm human milk lipids. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113373. [PMID: 37967008 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Phages and lipids in human milk (HM) may benefit preterm infant health by preventing gastrointestinal pathobiont overgrowth and microbiome modulation. Lipid association may promote vertical transmission of phages to the infant. Despite this, interrelationships between lipids and phages are poorly characterized in preterm HM. Shotgun metagenomics and untargeted lipidomics of phage and lipid profiles from 99 preterm HM samples reveals that phages are abundant and prevalent from the first week and throughout the first 100 days of lactation. Phage-host richness of preterm HM increases longitudinally. Core phage communities characterized by Staphylococcus- and Propionibacterium-infecting phages are significantly correlated with long-chain fatty acid abundances over lactational age. We report here a phage-lipid interaction in preterm HM, highlighting the potential importance of phage carriage in preterm HM. These results reveal possible strategies for phage carriage in HM and their importance in early-life microbiota development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen C Yew
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Gregory R Young
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Andrew Nelson
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - William Cheung
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Christopher J Stewart
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Simon H Bridge
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Claire Granger
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Neonatal Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK
| | - Janet E Berrington
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Neonatal Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK
| | - Nicholas D Embleton
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Darren L Smith
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK.
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8
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Li Y, Zhu F, Manna AC, Chen L, Jiang J, Hong JI, Proctor RA, Bayer AS, Cheung AL, Xiong YQ. Gp05, a Prophage-Encoded Virulence Factor, Contributes to Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Endovascular Infection. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0060023. [PMID: 37358448 PMCID: PMC10434118 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00600-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endovascular infections represent a serious public health threat. We recently demonstrated that the presence of a novel prophage ϕSA169 was associated with vancomycin (VAN) treatment failure in experimental MRSA endocarditis. In this study, we assessed the role of a ϕSA169 gene, ϕ80α_gp05 (gp05), in VAN-persistent outcome using gp05 isogenic MRSA strain sets. Of note, Gp05 significantly influences the intersection of MRSA virulence factors, host immune responses, and antibiotic treatment efficacy, including the following: (i) activity of the significant energy-yielding metabolic pathway (e.g., tricarboxylic acid cycle); (ii) carotenoid pigment production; (iii) (p)ppGpp (guanosine tetra- and pentaphosphate) production, which activates the stringent response and subsequent downstream functional factors (e.g., phenol-soluble modulins and polymorphonuclear neutrophil bactericidal activity); and (iv) persistence to VAN treatment in an experimental infective endocarditis model. These data suggest that Gp05 is a significant virulence factor which contributes to the persistent outcomes in MRSA endovascular infection by multiple pathways. IMPORTANCE Persistent endovascular infections are often caused by MRSA strains that are susceptible to anti-MRSA antibiotics in vitro by CLSI breakpoints. Thus, the persistent outcome represents a unique variant of traditional antibiotic resistance mechanisms and a significant therapeutic challenge. Prophage, a critical mobile genetic element carried by most MRSA isolates, provides their bacterial host with metabolic advantages and resistance mechanisms. However, how prophage-encoded virulence factors interact with the host defense system and antibiotics, driving the persistent outcome, is not well known. In the current study, we demonstrated that a novel prophage gene, gp05, significantly impacts tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, stringent response, and pigmentation, as well as vancomycin treatment outcome in an experimental endocarditis model using isogenic gp05 overexpression and chromosomal deletion mutant MRSA strain sets. The findings significantly advance our understanding of the role of Gp05 in persistent MRSA endovascular infection and provide a potential target for development of novel drugs against these life-threatening infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Fengli Zhu
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Adhar C. Manna
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Liang Chen
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jason Jiang
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Jong-In Hong
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Richard A. Proctor
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Arnold S. Bayer
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ambrose L. Cheung
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Yan Q. Xiong
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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9
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Marshall K, Marsella R. Topical Bacteriophage Therapy for Staphylococcal Superficial Pyoderma in Horses: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Pathogens 2023; 12:828. [PMID: 37375518 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for alternatives to antibiotics. Bacteriophages, which are benign viruses that kill bacteria, are promising. We studied the efficacy of topical bacteriophages for treating equine staphylococcal superficial pyodermas. Eight Staphylococcus aureus isolates were tested against a bacteriophage bank, and a cocktail consisting of two bacteriophages was prepared. Twenty horses with clinical and cytological evidence of superficial pyoderma and confirmed S. aureus infection based on swabbed culture were enrolled in the study. Each horse received both the bacteriophage cocktail and the placebo at two different infection sites, once daily for four weeks. Clinical lesions and cytology were evaluated weekly by an investigator who was unaware of the treatment sites. All infection sites were swabbed and cultured at the end of the study. A linear mixed model showed no significant differences between the placebo and treatment sites in terms of clinical signs, cytological scores of inflammation, and bacterial counts at the end of the study. It is possible that the bacteriophage cocktail killed S. aureus, but cytology scores did not change as new populations of cocci took over. The study limitations included a small sample size and inconsistent control of the underlying causes of pyodermas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalie Marshall
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Rosanna Marsella
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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10
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Ikhimiukor OO, Souza SSR, Marcovici MM, Nye GJ, Gibson R, Andam CP. Leaky barriers to gene sharing between locally co-existing coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species. Commun Biol 2023; 6:482. [PMID: 37137974 PMCID: PMC10156822 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04877-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) are opportunistic pathogens implicated in many human and animal infections. The evolutionary history of CoNS remains obscure because of the historical lack of recognition for their clinical importance and poor taxonomic sampling. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 191 CoNS isolates representing 15 species sampled from diseased animals diagnosed in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. We found that CoNS are important reservoirs of diverse phages, plasmids and mobilizable genes encoding antimicrobial resistance, heavy metal resistance, and virulence. Frequent exchange of DNA between certain donor-recipient partners suggests that specific lineages act as hubs of gene sharing. We also detected frequent recombination between CoNS regardless of their animal host species, indicating that ecological barriers to horizontal gene transfer can be surmounted in co-circulating lineages. Our findings reveal frequent but structured patterns of transfer that exist within and between CoNS species, which are driven by their overlapping ecology and geographical proximity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odion O Ikhimiukor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA.
| | - Stephanie S R Souza
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Michael M Marcovici
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Griffin J Nye
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - Robert Gibson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
- New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Cheryl P Andam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA.
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11
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do Socorro Fôro Ramos E, Bahia SL, de Oliveira Ribeiro G, Villanova F, de Pádua Milagres FA, Brustulin R, Pandey RP, Deng X, Delwart E, da Costa AC, Leal É. Characterization of Phietavirus Henu 2 in the virome of individuals with acute gastroenteritis. Virus Genes 2023; 59:464-472. [PMID: 37004601 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-023-01990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in phages as potential biotechnological tools in human health owing to the antibacterial activity of these viruses. In this study, we characterized a new member (named PhiV_005_BRA/2016) of the recently identified phage species Phietavirus Henu 2. PhiV_005_BRA/2016 was detected through metagenomic analysis of stool samples of individuals with acute gastroenteritis. PhiV_005_BRA/2016 contains double-stranded linear DNA (dsDNA), it has a genome of 43,513 base pairs (bp), with a high identity score (99%) with phage of the genus Phietavirus, species of Phietavirus Henu 2. Life style prediction indicated that PhiV_005_BRA/2016 is a lysogenic phage whose the main host is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Indeed, we found PhiV_005_BRA/2016 partially integrated in the genome of distinct MRSA strains. Our findings highlights the importance of large-scale screening of bacteriophages to better understand the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacterial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endrya do Socorro Fôro Ramos
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, 66075-000, Brazil
| | - Santana Lobato Bahia
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, 66075-000, Brazil
| | - Geovani de Oliveira Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, 66075-000, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Villanova
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, 66075-000, Brazil
| | - Flávio Augusto de Pádua Milagres
- Secretaria de Saúde do Tocantins, Palmas, Tocantins, 77453-000, Brazil
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Tocantins (LACEN/TO), Palmas, Tocantins, 77016-330, Brazil
| | - Rafael Brustulin
- Secretaria de Saúde do Tocantins, Palmas, Tocantins, 77453-000, Brazil
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Tocantins (LACEN/TO), Palmas, Tocantins, 77016-330, Brazil
| | - Ramendra Pati Pandey
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, Haryana, 131029, India
| | - Xutao Deng
- Vitalant Research Institute, 270 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94118-4417, USA
- Department Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Eric Delwart
- Vitalant Research Institute, 270 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94118-4417, USA
- Department Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | | | - Élcio Leal
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, 66075-000, Brazil.
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12
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Endolysins of bacteriophage vB_Sal-S-S10 can naturally lyse Salmonella enteritidis. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:410. [PMID: 36411417 PMCID: PMC9677904 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03514-y] [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: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The holin-endolysin lysis system plays an essential role in the phage life cycle. Endolysins are promising alternatives to antibiotics, and have been successfully used against Gram-positive bacteria. However, a few endolysins can externally lyse Gram-negative bacteria, due to the inaccessible peptidoglycan layer covered by the envelope. RESULTS This study investigated the lysis system of a new Siphoviridae bacteriophage vB_Sal-S-S10 (S10), which, that was isolated from broiler farms, was found to be able to infect 51.4% (37/72) of tested S. enteritidis strains. Phage S10 genome had a classic holin-endolysin lysis system, except that one holin and one endolysin gene were functionally annotated. The orf 22 adjacent to the lysis cassette was identified as a new endolysin gene. Antibacterial activity assays showed that holin had an intracellular penetrating activity against S. enteritidis 35; both endolysins acted on the cell envelope of S. enteritidis 35 and showed a natural extracellular antibacterial activity, leading to a ~ 1 log titer decrease in 30 min. Protein characterization of lysin1 and lysin2 revealed that the majority of the N-terminus and the C-terminus were hydrophobic amino acids or positively charged. CONCLUSION In this study, a new Salmonella phage vB_Sal-S-S10 (S10) was characterized and showed an ideal development prospect. Phage S10 has a classic holin-endolysin lysis system, carrying an overlapping holin-lysin gene and a novel lysin gene. Both endolysins coded by lysin genes could externally lyse S. enteritidis. The natural extracellular antibacterial character of endolysins would provide necessary information for the development of engineering endolysin as the antibiotic alternative against the infection with multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria.
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Influence of Staphylococcus aureus Strain Background on Sa3int Phage Life Cycle Switches. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112471. [PMID: 36366569 PMCID: PMC9694928 DOI: 10.3390/v14112471] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus asymptomatically colonizes the nasal cavity of mammals, but it is also a leading cause of life-threatening infections. Most human nasal isolates carry Sa3 phages, which integrate into the bacterial hlb gene encoding a sphingomyelinase. The virulence factor-encoding genes carried by the Sa3-phages are highly human-specific, and most animal strains are Sa3 negative. Thus, both insertion and excision of the prophage could potentially confer a fitness advantage to S. aureus. Here, we analyzed the phage life cycle of two Sa3 phages, Φ13 and ΦN315, in different phage-cured S. aureus strains. Based on phage transfer experiments, strains could be classified into low (8325-4, SH1000, and USA300c) and high (MW2c and Newman-c) transfer strains. High-transfer strains promoted the replication of phages, whereas phage adsorption, integration, excision, or recA transcription was not significantly different between strains. RNASeq analyses of replication-deficient lysogens revealed no strain-specific differences in the CI/Mor regulatory switch. However, lytic genes were significantly upregulated in the high transfer strain MW2c Φ13 compared to strain 8325-4 Φ13. By transcriptional start site prediction, new promoter regions within the lytic modules were identified, which are likely targeted by specific host factors. Such host-phage interaction probably accounts for the strain-specific differences in phage replication and transfer frequency. Thus, the genetic makeup of the host strains may determine the rate of phage mobilization, a feature that might impact the speed at which certain strains can achieve host adaptation.
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14
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Characteristics of a novel temperate bacteriophage against Staphylococcus arlettae (vB_SarS_BM31). Int Microbiol 2022; 26:327-341. [PMID: 36336729 PMCID: PMC9638216 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-022-00292-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Staphylococcus arlettae is a rarely reported coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) isolated from infected humans and livestock. Observing phage-bacteria interaction could improve the understanding of bacterial pathogenetic mechanisms, providing foundational evidence for phage therapy or phage detection. Herein, we aimed to characterise and annotate a novel bacteriophage, vB_SarS_BM31 (BM31), specific to S. arlettae. This bacteriophage was isolated from a milk sample associated with bovine mastitis and collected in the Sichuan Province, China. RESULTS The BM31 genome comprised a linear double-stranded DNA of 42,271 base pair in length with a G + C content of 34.59%. A total of 65 open reading frames (ORFs) were assembled from phage DNA, of which 29 were functionally annotated. These functional genes were divided into four modules: the structural, DNA packing and replication, lysis, and lysogeny modules. Holin (ORF25), lysin (ORF26), and integrase (ORF28) were located closely in the entire BM31 genome and were important for lyse or lysogeny cycle of BM31. The phage was identified as a temperate phage according to whole genome analysis and life cycle assay, with basic biological characteristics such as small burst size, short latency period, and narrow host range, consistent with the characteristics of the family Siphoviridae, subcluster B14 of the Staphylococcus bacteriophage. CONCLUSIONS The present isolation and characterisation of BM31 contributes to the Staphylococcus bacteriophage database and provides a theoretical foundation for its potential applications. To the best of our knowledge, BM31 is the only shared and completely reported phage against S. arlettae in the entire public database.
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15
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Suárez CA, Carrasco ST, Brandolisio FNA, Abatangelo V, Boncompain CA, Peresutti-Bacci N, Morbidoni HR. Bioinformatic Analysis of a Set of 14 Temperate Bacteriophages Isolated from Staphylococcus aureus Strains Highlights Their Massive Genetic Diversity. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0033422. [PMID: 35880893 PMCID: PMC9430571 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00334-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiology and virulence studies of Staphylococcus aureus showed that temperate bacteriophages are one of the most powerful drivers for its evolution not only because of their abundance but also because of the richness of their genetic payload. Here, we report the isolation, genome sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis of 14 bacteriophages induced from lysogenic S. aureus strains from human or veterinary (cattle) origin. The bacteriophages belonged to the Siphoviridae family; were of similar genome size (40 to 45 kbp); and fell into clusters B2, B3, B5, and B7 according to a recent clustering proposal. One of the phages, namely, vB_SauS_308, was the most unusual one, belonging to the sparsely populated subcluster B7 but showing differences in protein family contents compared with the rest of the members. This phage contains a type I endolysin (one catalytic domain and noncanonical cell wall domain [CBD]) and a host recognition module lacking receptor binding protein, cell wall hydrolase, and tail fiber proteins. This phage also lacked virulence genes, which is opposite to what has been reported for subcluster B6 and B7 members. None of six phages, taken as representatives of each of the four subclusters, showed activity on coagulase-negative staphylococci (excepted for two Staphylococcus hominis strains in which propagation and a very slow adsorption rate were observed) nor transducing ability. Immunity tests on S. aureus RN4220 lysogens with each of these phages showed no cross immunity. IMPORTANCE To the best of our knowledge, this set of sequenced bacteriophages is the largest one in South America. Our report describes for the first time the utilization of MultiTwin software to analyze the relationship between phage protein families. Notwithstanding the fact that most of the genetic information obtained correlated with recently published information, due to their geographical origin, the reported analysis adds up to and confirms currently available knowledge of Staphylococcus aureus temperate bacteriophages in terms of phylogeny and role in host evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian A. Suárez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Soledad T. Carrasco
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Facundo N. A. Brandolisio
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Virginia Abatangelo
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Carina A. Boncompain
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Natalia Peresutti-Bacci
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Héctor R. Morbidoni
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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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] [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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Tabassum R, Basit A, Alvi IA, Asif M, Ur Rehman S. TSP, a virulent Podovirus, can control the growth of Staphylococcus aureus for 12 h. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10008. [PMID: 35705576 PMCID: PMC9200855 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13584-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a prevailing nosocomial pathogen that is increasingly isolated in community settings. It shows resistance against all beta-lactam drugs and has acquired mechanisms to resist other groups of antibiotics. To tackle this emerging issue of MRSA, there is an urgent need for antibiotic alternatives, and utilizing lytic bacteriophages is one of the most promising therapeutic approaches. In the present study, a lytic bacteriophage TSP was isolated from hospital wastewater against MRSA. The phage efficiently inhibited bacterial growth for up to 12 h at MOI of 1 and 10. TSP phage showed activity against various isolates of MRSA and MSSA, isolated from different clinical samples, with variable antibiotic susceptibility patterns. The bacteriophage TSP showed stability at varying temperatures (25 °C, 37 °C) and pH values (5–9), while its maximum storage stability was observed at 4 °C. It had a short latent period (20 min) and burst size of 103 ± 5pfu/infected cells. TSP genome sequence and restriction analysis revealed that its genome has a linear confirmation and length of 17,987 bp with an average GC content of 29.7%. According to comparative genomic analysis and phylogenetic tree,TSP phage can be considered a member of genus “P68viruses”. The strong lytic activity and short latent period in addition to its lytic nature makes it a good candidate for phage therapy against MRSA infections, if it proves to be effective in in-vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Tabassum
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Basit
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Iqbal Ahmed Alvi
- Department of Microbiology, Hazara University, Mansehra, KPK, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asif
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.,Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shafiq Ur Rehman
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
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18
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Zhou W, Wen H, Li Y, Gao Y, Zheng X, Yuan L, Zhu G, Yang Z. Whole-Genome Analysis Reveals That Bacteriophages Promote Environmental Adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus via Gene Exchange, Acquisition, and Loss. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061199. [PMID: 35746669 PMCID: PMC9230882 DOI: 10.3390/v14061199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of bacteriophages is experiencing a resurgence owing to their antibacterial efficacy, lack of side effects, and low production cost. Nonetheless, the interactions between Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophages and their hosts remain unexplored. In this study, whole-genome sequences of 188 S. aureus bacteriophages—20 Podoviridae, 56 Herelleviridae, and 112 Siphoviridae—were obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI, USA) genome database. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to estimate their genetic relatedness using single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Comparative analysis was performed to investigate the structural diversity and ortholog groups in the subdividing clusters. Mosaic structures and gene content were compared in relation to phylogeny. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the bacteriophages could be distinguished into three lineages (I–III), including nine subdividing clusters and seven singletons. The subdividing clusters shared similar mosaic structures and core ortholog clusters, including the genes involved in bacteriophage morphogenesis and DNA packaging. Notably, several functional modules of bacteriophages 187 and 2368A shared more than 95% nucleotide sequence identity with prophages in the S. aureus strain RJ1267 and the Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strain SP_11306_4, whereas other modules exhibited little nucleotide sequence similarity. Moreover, the cluster phages shared similar types of holins, lysins, and DNA packaging genes and harbored diverse genes associated with DNA replication and virulence. The data suggested that the genetic diversity of S. aureus bacteriophages was likely due to gene replacement, acquisition, and loss among staphylococcal phages, which may have crossed species barriers. Moreover, frequent module exchanges likely occurred exclusively among the subdividing cluster phages. We hypothesize that during evolution, the S. aureus phages enhanced their DNA replication in host cells and the adaptive environment of their host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyuan Zhou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (W.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (X.Z.); (L.Y.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China;
| | - Hua Wen
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (W.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (X.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Yajie Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (W.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (X.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Yajun Gao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (W.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (X.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Xiangfeng Zheng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (W.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (X.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Lei Yuan
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (W.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (X.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Guoqiang Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China;
| | - Zhenquan Yang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China; (W.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (X.Z.); (L.Y.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-(514)-87978096
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19
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Bari SMN, Chou-Zheng L, Howell O, Hossain M, Hill CM, Boyle TA, Cater K, Dandu VS, Thomas A, Aslan B, Hatoum-Aslan A. A unique mode of nucleic acid immunity performed by a multifunctional bacterial enzyme. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:570-582.e7. [PMID: 35421352 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The perpetual arms race between bacteria and their viruses (phages) has given rise to diverse immune systems, including restriction-modification and CRISPR-Cas, which sense and degrade phage-derived nucleic acids. These complex systems rely upon production and maintenance of multiple components to achieve antiphage defense. However, the prevalence and effectiveness of minimal, single-component systems that cleave DNA remain unknown. Here, we describe a unique mode of nucleic acid immunity mediated by a single enzyme with nuclease and helicase activities, herein referred to as Nhi (nuclease-helicase immunity). This enzyme provides robust protection against diverse staphylococcal phages and prevents phage DNA accumulation in cells stripped of all other known defenses. Our observations support a model in which Nhi targets and degrades phage-specific replication intermediates. Importantly, Nhi homologs are distributed in diverse bacteria and exhibit functional conservation, highlighting the versatility of such compact weapons as major players in antiphage defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Nayeemul Bari
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61821, USA
| | - Lucy Chou-Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61821, USA
| | - Olivia Howell
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61821, USA
| | - Motaher Hossain
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61821, USA
| | - Courtney M Hill
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61821, USA
| | - Tori A Boyle
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61821, USA
| | - Katie Cater
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Vidya Sree Dandu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Alexander Thomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Barbaros Aslan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61821, USA
| | - Asma Hatoum-Aslan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61821, USA.
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20
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Zuppi M, Hendrickson HL, O’Sullivan JM, Vatanen T. Phages in the Gut Ecosystem. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:822562. [PMID: 35059329 PMCID: PMC8764184 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.822562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Phages, short for bacteriophages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria and are the most abundant biological entities on earth found in every explored environment, from the deep sea to the Sahara Desert. Phages are abundant within the human biome and are gaining increasing recognition as potential modulators of the gut ecosystem. For example, they have been connected to gastrointestinal diseases and the treatment efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplant. The ability of phages to modulate the human gut microbiome has been attributed to the predation of bacteria or the promotion of bacterial survival by the transfer of genes that enhance bacterial fitness upon infection. In addition, phages have been shown to interact with the human immune system with variable outcomes. Despite the increasing evidence supporting the importance of phages in the gut ecosystem, the extent of their influence on the shape of the gut ecosystem is yet to be fully understood. Here, we discuss evidence for phage modulation of the gut microbiome, postulating that phages are pivotal contributors to the gut ecosystem dynamics. We therefore propose novel research questions to further elucidate the role(s) that they have within the human ecosystem and its impact on our health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Zuppi
- The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Heather L. Hendrickson
- The School of Natural and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Justin M. O’Sullivan
- The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The Maurice Wilkins Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Tommi Vatanen
- The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
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21
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Abstract
Bacterial pathogens commonly carry prophages that express virulence factors, and human strains of Staphylococcus aureus carry Sa3int phages, which promote immune evasion. Recently, however, these phages have been found in livestock-associated, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (LA-MRSA). This is surprising, as LA-MRSA strains contain a mutated primary bacterial integration site, which likely explains why the rare integration events that do occur mostly happen at alternative locations. Using deep sequencing, we show that after initial integration at secondary sites, Sa3int phages adapt through nucleotide changes in their attachment sequences to increase homology with alternative bacterial attachment sites. Importantly, this homology significantly enhances integrations in new rounds of infections. We propose that promiscuity of the phage-encoded tyrosine recombinase is responsible for establishment of Sa3int phages in LA-MRSA. Our results demonstrate that phages can adopt extensive population heterogeneity, leading to establishment in strains lacking bona fide integration sites. Ultimately, their presence may increase virulence and zoonotic potential of pathogens with major implications for human health.
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22
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Hatoum-Aslan A. The phages of staphylococci: critical catalysts in health and disease. Trends Microbiol 2021; 29:1117-1129. [PMID: 34030968 PMCID: PMC8578144 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The phages that infect Staphylococcus species are dominant residents of the skin microbiome that play critical roles in health and disease. While temperate phages, which can integrate into the host genome, have the potential to promote staphylococcal pathogenesis, the strictly lytic variety are powerful antimicrobials that are being exploited for therapeutic applications. This article reviews recent insights into the diversity of staphylococcal phages and newly described mechanisms by which they influence host pathogenicity. The latest efforts to harness these viruses to eradicate staphylococcal infections are also highlighted. Decades of research has focused on the temperate phages of Staphylococcus aureus as model systems, thus underscoring the need to broaden basic research efforts to include diverse phages that infect other clinically relevant Staphylococcus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Hatoum-Aslan
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Microbiology, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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23
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Göller PC, Elsener T, Lorgé D, Radulovic N, Bernardi V, Naumann A, Amri N, Khatchatourova E, Coutinho FH, Loessner MJ, Gómez-Sanz E. Multi-species host range of staphylococcal phages isolated from wastewater. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6965. [PMID: 34845206 PMCID: PMC8629997 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27037-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The host range of bacteriophages defines their impact on bacterial communities and genome diversity. Here, we characterize 94 novel staphylococcal phages from wastewater and establish their host range on a diversified panel of 117 staphylococci from 29 species. Using this high-resolution phage-bacteria interaction matrix, we unveil a multi-species host range as a dominant trait of the isolated staphylococcal phages. Phage genome sequencing shows this pattern to prevail irrespective of taxonomy. Network analysis between phage-infected bacteria reveals that hosts from multiple species, ecosystems, and drug-resistance phenotypes share numerous phages. Lastly, we show that phages throughout this network can package foreign genetic material enclosing an antibiotic resistance marker at various frequencies. Our findings indicate a weak host specialism of the tested phages, and therefore their potential to promote horizontal gene transfer in this environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline C. Göller
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tabea Elsener
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Lorgé
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Natasa Radulovic
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Viona Bernardi
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annika Naumann
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nesrine Amri
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ekaterina Khatchatourova
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felipe Hernandes Coutinho
- grid.26811.3c0000 0001 0586 4893Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
| | - Martin J. Loessner
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Gómez-Sanz
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Área de Microbiología Molecular, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain.
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24
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Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophage Against Wastewater Isolates of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2021. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.119291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) not only is a notorious pathogen in clinical settings but also is an environmental issue that its presence in environmental wastewater is highlighted by several reports. Due to the negative impacts of antibiotics, alternatives like bacteriophages, as biocontrol, are considered safe. However, not all bacteriophages are safe. Thus, the characterization of bacteriophages is necessary. Objectives: This study aimed to, firstly isolate MRSA from wastewater and, secondly to perform bacteriophage isolation from the water samples to investigate its physical and genomic characteristics. Methods: Water samples were collected from seven locations across Nagpur city, India, bacteria were isolated on the S. aureus specific agar. For detecting MRSA, we followed the disc diffusion method. Isolation of bacteriophage against MRSA was performed by a modified enrichment method. We investigated its physical characteristics by the one-step growth rate, adsorption rate, host range, survivability, electron microscopy, and genomic sequencing for bioinformatics analysis. Results: Four MRSA were isolated from wastewater samples. We got a bacteriophage against an MRSA from the river Ganga. The bacteriophage belongs to the Podoviridae family, subfamily Autographivirinae. It was stable till 40°C and could survive at a highly alkaline pH. It is specific to its host. The bacteriophage DNA encodes 52 ORF, and all predicted genes are on the same strand; it also encodes a phage RNA polymerase. Conclusions: It is the first report of an S. aureus bacteriophage that belongs to the sub-family Autographivirinae. Our study and literature survey conclude that S. aureus bacteriophages of the Podoviridae family are safe for various downstream applications.
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25
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Kristensen CS, Varming AK, Leinweber HAK, Hammer K, Lo Leggio L, Ingmer H, Kilstrup M. Characterization of the genetic switch from phage ɸ13 important for Staphylococcus aureus colonization in humans. Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1245. [PMID: 34713608 PMCID: PMC8516035 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperate phages are bacterial viruses that after infection either reside integrated into a bacterial genome as prophages forming lysogens or multiply in a lytic lifecycle. The decision between lifestyles is determined by a switch involving a phage-encoded repressor, CI, and a promoter region from which lytic and lysogenic genes are divergently transcribed. Here, we investigate the switch of phage ɸ13 from the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. ɸ13 encodes several virulence factors and is prevalent in S. aureus strains colonizing humans. We show that the ɸ13 switch harbors a cI gene, a predicted mor (modulator of repression) gene, and three high-affinity operator sites binding CI. To quantify the decision between lytic and lysogenic lifestyle, we introduced reporter plasmids that carry the 1.3 kb switch region from ɸ13 with the lytic promoter fused to lacZ into S. aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Analysis of β-galactosidase expression indicated that decision frequency is independent of host factors. The white "lysogenic" phenotype, which relies on the expression of cI, could be switched to a stable blue "lytic" phenotype by DNA damaging agents. We have characterized lifestyle decisions of phage ɸ13, and our approach may be applied to other temperate phages encoding virulence factors in S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla S. Kristensen
- Department of Biotechnology and BiomedicineTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
| | | | | | - Karin Hammer
- Department of Biotechnology and BiomedicineTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
| | - Leila Lo Leggio
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of CopenhagenKobenhavnDenmark
| | - Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenKobenhavnDenmark
| | - Mogens Kilstrup
- Department of Biotechnology and BiomedicineTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
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26
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Loganathan A, Manohar P, Eniyan K, VinodKumar CS, Leptihn S, Nachimuthu R. Phage therapy as a revolutionary medicine against Gram-positive bacterial infections. BENI-SUEF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2021; 10:49. [PMID: 34485539 PMCID: PMC8401357 DOI: 10.1186/s43088-021-00141-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria has created a global emergency, prompting the hunt for an alternative cure. Bacteriophages were discovered over a century ago and have proven to be a successful replacement during antibiotic treatment failure. This review discusses on the scientific investigation of phage therapy for Gram-positive pathogens and general outlook of phage therapy clinical trials and commercialization. MAIN BODY OF THE ABSTRACT This review aimed to highlight the phage therapy in Gram-positive bacteria and the need for phage therapy in the future. Phage therapy to treat Gram-positive bacterial infections is in use for a very long time. However, limited review on the phage efficacy in Gram-positive bacteria exists. The natural efficiency and potency of bacteriophages against bacterial strains have been advantageous amidst the other non-antibiotic agents. The use of phages to treat oral biofilm, skin infection, and recurrent infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria has emerged as a predominant research area in recent years. In addition, the upsurge in research in the area of phage therapy for spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria has added a wealth of information to phage therapy. SHORT CONCLUSION We conclude that the need of phage as an alternative treatment is obvious in future. However, phage therapy can be used as reserve treatment. This review focuses on the potential use of phage therapy in treating Gram-positive bacterial infections, as well as their therapeutic aspects. Furthermore, we discussed the difficulties in commercializing phage drugs and their problems as a breakthrough medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Loganathan
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu India
| | - Prasanth Manohar
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Haining, 314400 Zhejiang People’s Republic of China
- School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University (SAHZU), Hangzhou, Zhejiang People’s Republic of China
| | - Kandasamy Eniyan
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu India
| | - C. S. VinodKumar
- Department of Microbiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davanagere, India
| | - Sebastian Leptihn
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Haining, 314400 Zhejiang People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Infection Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ UK
| | - Ramesh Nachimuthu
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu India
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27
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The Resistome and Mobilome of Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus sciuri C2865 Unveil a Transferable Trimethoprim Resistance Gene, Designated dfrE, Spread Unnoticed. mSystems 2021; 6:e0051121. [PMID: 34374564 PMCID: PMC8407400 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00511-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus sciuri (MRSS) strain C2865 from a stranded dog in Nigeria was trimethoprim (TMP) resistant but lacked formerly described staphylococcal TMP-resistant dihydrofolate reductase genes (dfr). Whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and pan-genome analyses were pursued to unveil the molecular bases for TMP resistance via resistome and mobilome profiling. MRSS C2865 comprised a species subcluster and positioned just above the intraspecies boundary. Lack of species host tropism was observed. S. sciuri exhibited an open pan-genome, while MRSS C2865 harbored the highest number of unique genes (75% associated with mobilome). Within this fraction, we discovered a transferable TMP resistance gene, named dfrE, which confers high-level TMP resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. dfrE was located in a novel multidrug resistance mosaic plasmid (pUR2865-34) encompassing adaptive, mobilization, and segregational stability traits. dfrE was formerly denoted as dfr_like in Exiguobacterium spp. from fish farm sediment in China but escaped identification in one macrococcal and diverse staphylococcal genomes in different Asian countries. dfrE shares the highest identity with dfr of soil-related Paenibacillus anaericanus (68%). Data analysis discloses that dfrE has emerged from a single ancestor and places S. sciuri as a plausible donor. C2865 unique fraction additionally enclosed novel chromosomal mobile islands, including a multidrug-resistant pseudo-SCCmec cassette, three apparently functional prophages (Siphoviridae), and an SaPI4-related staphylococcal pathogenicity island. Since dfrE seems not yet common in staphylococcal clinical specimens, our data promote early surveillance and enable molecular diagnosis. We evidence the genome plasticity of S. sciuri and highlight its role as a resourceful reservoir for adaptive traits. IMPORTANCE The discovery and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRG) and their mobilization platforms are critical to understand the evolution of bacterial resistance and to restrain further expansion. Limited genomic data are available on Staphylococcus sciuri; regardless, it is considered a reservoir for critical AMRG and mobile elements. We uncover a transferable staphylococcal TMP resistance gene, named dfrE, in a novel mosaic plasmid harboring additional resistance, adaptive, and self-stabilization features. dfrE is present but evaded detection in diverse species from varied sources geographically distant. Our analyses evidence that the dfrE-carrying element has emerged from a single ancestor and position S. sciuri as the donor species for dfrE spread. We also identify novel mobilizable chromosomal islands encompassing AMRG and three unrelated prophages. We prove high intraspecies heterogenicity and genome plasticity for S. sciuri. This work highlights the importance of genome-wide ecological studies to facilitate identification, characterization, and evolution routes of bacteria adaptive features.
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28
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Pinto G, Minnich SA, Hovde CJ, Oliveira H, Smidt H, Almeida C, Azeredo J. The interactions of bacteriophage Ace and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli during biocontrol. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:fiab105. [PMID: 34329454 PMCID: PMC8492476 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiab105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Strictly lytic phages are considered powerful tools for biocontrol of foodborne pathogens. Safety issues needed to be addressed for the biocontrol of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) include: lysogenic conversion, Shiga toxin production through phage induction, and emergence/proliferation of bacteriophage insensitive mutants (BIMs). To address these issues, two new lytic phages, vB_EcoS_Ace (Ace) and vB_EcoM_Shy (Shy), were isolated and characterized for life cycle, genome sequence and annotation, pH stability and efficacy at controlling STEC growth. Ace was efficient in controlling host planktonic cells and did not stimulate the production of the Stx prophage or Shiga toxin. A single dose of phage did not lead to the selection of BIMs. However, when reintroduced, BIMs were detected after 24 h of incubation. The gain of resistance was associated with lower virulence, as a subset of BIMs failed to agglutinate with O157-specific antibody and were more sensitive to human serum complement. BIM's biofilm formation capacity and susceptibility to disinfectants was equal to that of the wild-type strain. Overall, this work demonstrated that phage Ace is a safe biocontrol agent against STEC contamination and that the burden of BIM emergence did not represent a greater risk in environmental persistence and human pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graça Pinto
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- INIAV, IP-National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Scott A Minnich
- Animal Veterinary and Food Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 83844-3025 USA
| | - Carolyn J Hovde
- Animal Veterinary and Food Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 83844-3025 USA
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carina Almeida
- INIAV, IP-National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
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29
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Rai A, Khairnar K. Overview of the risks of Staphylococcus aureus infections and their control by bacteriophages and bacteriophage-encoded products. Braz J Microbiol 2021; 52:2031-2042. [PMID: 34251609 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-021-00566-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of secondary infections in hospitals and a challenging pathogen in food industries. Decades after it was first reported, β-lactam-resistant S. aureus remains a subject of intense research owing to the ever-increasing issue of drug resistance. S. aureus bacteriophages (phages) or their encoded products are considered an alternative to antibiotics as they have been shown to be effective in treating some S. aureus-associated infections. In this review, we present a concise collection of the literature on the pathogenic potential of S. aureus and examine the prospects of using S. aureus phages and their encoded products as antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Rai
- Environmental Virology Cell, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Krishna Khairnar
- Environmental Virology Cell, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India. .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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30
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Sequence-Function Relationships in Phage-Encoded Bacterial Cell Wall Lytic Enzymes and Their Implications for Phage-Derived Product Design. J Virol 2021; 95:e0032121. [PMID: 33883227 PMCID: PMC8223927 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00321-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage (endo)lysins are thought to be a viable alternative to usual antibiotic chemotherapy to fight resistant bacterial infections. However, a comprehensive view of lysins' structure and properties regarding their function, with an applied focus, is somewhat lacking. Current literature suggests that specific features typical of lysins from phages infecting Gram-negative bacteria (G-) (higher net charge and amphipathic helices) are responsible for improved interaction with the G- envelope. Such antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-like elements are also of interest for antimicrobial molecule design. Thus, this study aims to provide an updated view on the primary structural landscape of phage lysins to clarify the evolutionary importance of several sequence-predicted properties, particularly for the interaction with the G- surface. A database of 2,182 lysin sequences was compiled, containing relevant information such as domain architectures, data on the phages' host bacteria, and sequence-predicted physicochemical properties. Based on such classifiers, an investigation of the differential appearance of certain features was conducted. This analysis revealed different lysin architectural variants that are preferably found in phages infecting certain bacterial hosts. In particular, some physicochemical properties (higher net charge, hydrophobicity, hydrophobic moment, and aliphatic index) were associated with G- phage lysins, appearing specifically at their C-terminal end. Information on the remarkable genetic specialization of lysins regarding the features of the bacterial hosts is provided, specifically supporting the nowadays-common hypothesis that lysins from G- usually contain AMP-like regions. IMPORTANCE Phage-encoded lytic enzymes, also called lysins, are one of the most promising alternatives to common antibiotics. The potential of lysins as novel antimicrobials to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria not only arises from features such as a lower chance to provoke resistance but also from their versatility as synthetic biology parts. Functional modules derived from lysins are currently being used for the design of novel antimicrobials with desired properties. This study provides a view of the lysin diversity landscape by examining a set of phage lysin genes. We have uncovered the fundamental differences between the lysins from phages that infect bacteria with different superficial architectures and, thus, the reach of their specialization regarding cell wall structures. These results provide clarity and evidence to sustain some of the common hypotheses in current literature, as well as making available an updated and characterized database of lysins sequences for further developments.
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31
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Rohmer C, Wolz C. The Role of hlb-Converting Bacteriophages in Staphylococcus aureus Host Adaption. Microb Physiol 2021; 31:109-122. [PMID: 34126612 DOI: 10.1159/000516645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
As an opportunistic pathogen of humans and animals, Staphylococcus aureus asymptomatically colonizes the nasal cavity but is also a leading cause of life-threatening acute and chronic infections. The evolution of S. aureus resulting from short- and long-term adaptation to diverse hosts is tightly associated with mobile genetic elements. S. aureus strains can carry up to four temperate phages, many of which possess accessory genes encoding staphylococcal virulence factors. More than 90% of human nasal isolates of S. aureus have been shown to carry Sa3int phages, whereas invasive S. aureus isolates tend to lose these phages. Sa3int phages integrate as prophages into the bacterial hlb gene, disrupting the expression of the sphingomyelinase Hlb, an important virulence factor under specific infection conditions. Virulence factors encoded by genes carried by Sa3int phages include staphylokinase, enterotoxins, chemotaxis-inhibitory protein, and staphylococcal complement inhibitor, all of which are highly human specific and probably essential for bacterial survival in the human host. The transmission of S. aureus from humans to animals is strongly correlated with the loss of Sa3int phages, whereas phages are regained once a strain is transmitted from animals to humans. Thus, both the insertion and excision of prophages may confer a fitness advantage to this bacterium. There is also growing evidence that Sa3int phages may perform "active lysogeny," a process during which prophages are temporally excised from the chromosome without forming intact phage particles. The molecular mechanisms controlling the peculiar life cycle of Sa3int phages remain largely unclear. Nevertheless, their regulation is likely fine-tuned to ensure bacterial survival within different hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Rohmer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Wolz
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", Tübingen, Germany
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32
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Pinto G, Sampaio M, Dias O, Almeida C, Azeredo J, Oliveira H. Insights into the genome architecture and evolution of Shiga toxin encoding bacteriophages of Escherichia coli. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:366. [PMID: 34011288 PMCID: PMC8136144 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07685-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A total of 179 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) complete genomes were analyzed in terms of serotypes, prophage coding regions, and stx gene variants and their distribution. We further examined the genetic diversity of Stx-converting phage genomes (Stx phages), focusing on the lysis-lysogeny decision and lytic cassettes. Results We show that most STEC isolates belong to non-O157 serotypes (73 %), regardless the sources and geographical regions. While the majority of STEC genomes contain a single stx gene (61 %), strains containing two (35 %), three (3 %) and four (1 %) stx genes were also found, being stx2 the most prevalent gene variant. Their location is exclusively found in intact prophage regions, indicating that they are phage-borne. We further demonstrate that Stx phages can be grouped into four clusters (A, B, C and D), three subclusters (A1, A2 and A3) and one singleton, based on their shared gene content. This cluster distribution is in good agreement with their predicted virion morphologies. Stx phage genomes are highly diverse with a vast number of 1,838 gene phamilies (phams) of related sequences (of which 677 are orphams i.e. unique genes) and, although having high mosaicism, they are generally organized into three major transcripts. While the mechanisms that guide lysis–lysogeny decision are complex, there is a strong selective pressure to maintain the stx genes location close to the lytic cassette composed of predicted SAR-endolysin and pin-holin lytic proteins. The evolution of STEC Stx phages seems to be strongly related to acquiring genetic material, probably from horizontal gene transfer events. Conclusions This work provides novel insights on the genetic structure of Stx phages, showing a high genetic diversity throughout the genomes, where the various lysis-lysogeny regulatory systems are in contrast with an uncommon, but conserved, lytic system always adjacent to stx genes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07685-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graça Pinto
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,INIAV, IP-National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Marta Sampaio
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Oscar Dias
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carina Almeida
- INIAV, IP-National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
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Łobocka M, Dąbrowska K, Górski A. Engineered Bacteriophage Therapeutics: Rationale, Challenges and Future. BioDrugs 2021; 35:255-280. [PMID: 33881767 PMCID: PMC8084836 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-021-00480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The current problems with increasing bacterial resistance to antibacterial therapies, resulting in a growing frequency of incurable bacterial infections, necessitates the acceleration of studies on antibacterials of a new generation that could offer an alternative to antibiotics or support their action. Bacteriophages (phages) can kill antibiotic-sensitive as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and thus are a major subject of such studies. Their efficacy in curing bacterial infections has been demonstrated in in vivo experiments and in the clinic. Unlike antibiotics, phages have a narrow range of specificity, which makes them safe for commensal microbiota. However, targeting even only the most clinically relevant strains of pathogenic bacteria requires large collections of well characterized phages, whose specificity would cover all such strains. The environment is a rich source of diverse phages, but due to their complex relationships with bacteria and safety concerns, only some naturally occurring phages can be considered for therapeutic applications. Still, their number and diversity make a detailed characterization of all potentially promising phages virtually impossible. Moreover, no single phage combines all the features required of an ideal therapeutic agent. Additionally, the rapid acquisition of phage resistance by bacteria may make phages already approved for therapy ineffective and turn the search for environmental phages of better efficacy and new specificity into an endless race. An alternative strategy for acquiring phages with desired properties in a short time with minimal cost regarding their acquisition, characterization, and approval for therapy could be based on targeted genome modifications of phage isolates with known properties. The first example demonstrating the potential of this strategy in curing bacterial diseases resistant to traditional therapy is the recent successful treatment of a progressing disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection in a teenage patient with the use of an engineered phage. In this review, we briefly present current methods of phage genetic engineering, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and provide examples of genetically engineered phages with a modified host range, improved safety or antibacterial activity, and proven therapeutic efficacy. We also summarize novel uses of engineered phages not only for killing pathogenic bacteria, but also for in situ modification of human microbiota to attenuate symptoms of certain bacterial diseases and metabolic, immune, or mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Łobocka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Andrzej Górski
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
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Valente LG, Pitton M, Fürholz M, Oberhaensli S, Bruggmann R, Leib SL, Jakob SM, Resch G, Que YA, Cameron DR. Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages from the human skin microbiome that infect Staphylococcus epidermidis. FEMS MICROBES 2021; 2:xtab003. [PMID: 37334235 PMCID: PMC10117716 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtab003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy might be a useful approach for the treatment of nosocomial infections; however, only few lytic phages suitable for this application are available for the opportunistic pathogen, Staphylococcus epidermidis. In the current study, we developed an efficient method to isolate bacteriophages present within the human skin microbiome, by using niche-specific S. epidermidis as the host for phage propagation. Staphylococcus epidermidis was identified on the forehead of 92% of human subjects tested. These isolates were then used to propagate phages present in the same skin sample. Plaques were observable on bacterial lawns in 46% of the cases where S. epidermidis was isolated. A total of eight phage genomes were genetically characterized, including the previously described phage 456. A total of six phage sequences were unique, and spanned each of the major staphylococcal phage families; Siphoviridae (n = 3), Podoviridae (n = 1) and Myoviridae (n = 2). One of the myoviruses (vB_SepM_BE06) was identified on the skin of three different humans. Comparative analysis identified novel genes including a putative N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase gene. The host-range of each unique phage was characterized using a panel of diverse staphylococcal strains (n = 78). None of the newly isolated phages infected more than 52% of the S. epidermidis strains tested (n = 44), and non-S. epidermidis strains where rarely infected, highlighting the narrow host-range of the phages. One of the phages (vB_SepM_BE04) was capable of killing staphylococcal cells within biofilms formed on polyurethane catheters. Uncovering a richer diversity of available phages will likely improve our understanding of S. epidermidis-phage interactions, which will be important for future therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Monika Fürholz
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Simone Oberhaensli
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit and SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rémy Bruggmann
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit and SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephen L Leib
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephan M Jakob
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Grégory Resch
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yok-Ai Que
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - David R Cameron
- Corresponding author: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital; Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. Tel: +41 31 632 42 55; E-mail:
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Shimamori Y, Pramono AK, Kitao T, Suzuki T, Aizawa SI, Kubori T, Nagai H, Takeda S, Ando H. Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Phage SaGU1 that Infects Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates from Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:1267-1276. [PMID: 33638001 PMCID: PMC7997843 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02395-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which colonizes healthy human skin, may cause diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Treatment for such AD cases involves antibiotic use; however, alternate treatments are preferred owing to the development of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to characterize the novel bacteriophage SaGU1 as a potential agent for phage therapy to treat S. aureus infections. SaGU1 that infects S. aureus strains previously isolated from the skin of patients with AD was screened from sewage samples in Gifu, Japan. Its genome was sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatics tools, and the morphology, lytic activity, stability, and host range of the phage were determined. The SaGU1 genome was 140,909 bp with an average GC content of 30.2%. The viral chromosome contained 225 putative protein-coding genes and four tRNA genes, carrying neither toxic nor antibiotic resistance genes. Electron microscopy analysis revealed that SaGU1 belongs to the Myoviridae family. Stability tests showed that SaGU1 was heat-stable under physiological and acidic conditions. Host range testing revealed that SaGU1 can infect a broad range of S. aureus clinical isolates present on the skin of AD patients, whereas it did not kill strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are symbiotic resident bacteria on human skin. Hence, our data suggest that SaGU1 is a potential candidate for developing a phage therapy to treat AD caused by pathogenic S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzuki Shimamori
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.,Division of Molecular Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, 1-5-1 Tenjin-cho, Kiryu, Gunma, 376-8515, Japan
| | - Ajeng K Pramono
- Laboratory of Phage Biologics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan
| | - Tomoe Kitao
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan
| | - Tohru Suzuki
- Genome Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Aizawa
- Prefectural University of Hiroshima, 562 Nanatsuka, Shobara, Hiroshima, 727-0023, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kubori
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.,G-CHAIN, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nagai
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.,G-CHAIN, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan
| | - Shigeki Takeda
- Division of Molecular Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, 1-5-1 Tenjin-cho, Kiryu, Gunma, 376-8515, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ando
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan. .,Laboratory of Phage Biologics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan. .,G-CHAIN, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.
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36
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Ene A, Miller-Ensminger T, Mores CR, Giannattasio-Ferraz S, Wolfe AJ, Abouelfetouh A, Putonti C. Examination of Staphylococcus aureus Prophages Circulating in Egypt. Viruses 2021; 13:337. [PMID: 33671574 PMCID: PMC7926752 DOI: 10.3390/v13020337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus infections are of growing concern given the increased incidence of antibiotic resistant strains. Egypt, like several other countries, has seen alarming increases in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections. This species can rapidly acquire genes associated with resistance, as well as virulence factors, through mobile genetic elements, including phages. Recently, we sequenced 56 S. aureus genomes from Alexandria Main University Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt, complementing 17 S. aureus genomes publicly available from other sites in Egypt. In the current study, we found that the majority (73.6%) of these strains contain intact prophages, including Biseptimaviruses, Phietaviruses, and Triaviruses. Further investigation of these prophages revealed evidence of horizontal exchange of the integrase for two of the prophages. These Egyptian S. aureus prophages are predicted to encode numerous virulence factors, including genes associated with immune evasion and toxins, including the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-associated genes lukF-PV/lukS-PV. Thus, prophages are likely to be a major contributor to the virulence of S. aureus strains in circulation in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Ene
- Bioinformatics Program, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA; (A.E.); (T.M.-E.)
| | - Taylor Miller-Ensminger
- Bioinformatics Program, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA; (A.E.); (T.M.-E.)
| | - Carine R. Mores
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; (C.R.M.); (A.J.W.)
| | - Silvia Giannattasio-Ferraz
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil;
| | - Alan J. Wolfe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; (C.R.M.); (A.J.W.)
| | - Alaa Abouelfetouh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 25435, Egypt;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alalamein International University, Alalamein 51718, Egypt
| | - Catherine Putonti
- Bioinformatics Program, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA; (A.E.); (T.M.-E.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; (C.R.M.); (A.J.W.)
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
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Distinct clonal lineages and within-host diversification shape invasive Staphylococcus epidermidis populations. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009304. [PMID: 33544760 PMCID: PMC7891712 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
S. epidermidis is a substantial component of the human skin microbiota, but also one of the major causes of nosocomial infection in the context of implanted medical devices. We here aimed to advance the understanding of S. epidermidis genotypes and phenotypes conducive to infection establishment. Furthermore, we investigate the adaptation of individual clonal lines to the infection lifestyle based on the detailed analysis of individual S. epidermidis populations of 23 patients suffering from prosthetic joint infection. Analysis of invasive and colonizing S. epidermidis provided evidence that invasive S. epidermidis are characterized by infection-supporting phenotypes (e.g. increased biofilm formation, growth in nutrient poor media and antibiotic resistance), as well as specific genetic traits. The discriminating gene loci were almost exclusively assigned to the mobilome. Here, in addition to IS256 and SCCmec, chromosomally integrated phages was identified for the first time. These phenotypic and genotypic features were more likely present in isolates belonging to sequence type (ST) 2. By comparing seven patient-matched nasal and invasive S. epidermidis isolates belonging to identical genetic lineages, infection-associated phenotypic and genotypic changes were documented. Besides increased biofilm production, the invasive isolates were characterized by better growth in nutrient-poor media and reduced hemolysis. By examining several colonies grown in parallel from each infection, evidence for genetic within-host population heterogeneity was obtained. Importantly, subpopulations carrying IS insertions in agrC, mutations in the acetate kinase (AckA) and deletions in the SCCmec element emerged in several infections. In summary, these results shed light on the multifactorial processes of infection adaptation and demonstrate how S. epidermidis is able to flexibly repurpose and edit factors important for colonization to facilitate survival in hostile infection environments. S. epidermidis is a substantial component of the human skin microbiota, but also a major cause of nosocomial infections related to implanted medical devices. While phenotypic and genotypic determinants supporting invasion were identified, none appears to be necessary. By analysis of S. epidermidis from prosthetic joint infections, we here show that adaptive events are of importance during the transition from commensalism to infection. Adaptation to the infectious lifestyle is characterised by the development of intra-clonal heterogeneity, increased biofilm formation and enhanced growth in iron-free and nutrient-poor media, as well as reduced production of hemolysins. Importantly, during infection subpopulations emerge that carry mutations in a number of genes, most importantly the acetate kinase (ackA) and the β-subunit of the RNA polymerase (rpoB), have deleted larger chromosomal fragments (e.g. within the SCCmec element) or IS insertions in AgrC, a component of the master quorum sensing system in S. epidermidis. These results shed light on the multifactorial processes of infection adaptation and demonstrate how S. epidermidis is able to flexibly repurpose and edit factors important for colonization to facilitate survival under hostile infection conditions. While mobilome associated factors are important for S. epidermidis invasive potential, the species possesses a multi-layered and complex ability for adaptation to hostile environments, supporting the progression to chronic implant-associated infections.
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França A, Gaio V, Lopes N, Melo LDR. Virulence Factors in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci. Pathogens 2021; 10:170. [PMID: 33557202 PMCID: PMC7913919 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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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VIRIDIC-A Novel Tool to Calculate the Intergenomic Similarities of Prokaryote-Infecting Viruses. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111268. [PMID: 33172115 PMCID: PMC7694805 DOI: 10.3390/v12111268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide-based intergenomic similarities are useful to understand how viruses are related with each other and to classify them. Here we have developed VIRIDIC, which implements the traditional algorithm used by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), Bacterial and Archaeal Viruses Subcommittee, to calculate virus intergenomic similarities. When compared with other software, VIRIDIC gave the best agreement with the traditional algorithm, which is based on the percent identity between two genomes determined by BLASTN. Furthermore, VIRIDIC proved best at estimating the relatedness between more distantly-related phages, relatedness that other tools can significantly overestimate. In addition to the intergenomic similarities, VIRIDIC also calculates three indicators of the alignment ability to capture the relatedness between viruses: the aligned fractions for each genome in a pair and the length ratio between the two genomes. The main output of VIRIDIC is a heatmap integrating the intergenomic similarity values with information regarding the genome lengths and the aligned genome fraction. Additionally, VIRIDIC can group viruses into clusters, based on user-defined intergenomic similarity thresholds. The sensitivity of VIRIDIC is given by the BLASTN. Thus, it is able to capture relationships between viruses having in common even short genomic regions, with as low as 65% similarity. Below this similarity level, protein-based analyses should be used, as they are the best suited to capture distant relationships. VIRIDIC is available at viridic.icbm.de, both as a web-service and a stand-alone tool. It allows fast analysis of large phage genome datasets, especially in the stand-alone version, which can be run on the user's own servers and can be integrated in bioinformatics pipelines. VIRIDIC was developed having viruses of Bacteria and Archaea in mind; however, it could potentially be used for eukaryotic viruses as well, as long as they are monopartite.
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The Complete Genome Sequence of the Staphylococcus Bacteriophage Metroid. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:2975-2979. [PMID: 32727926 PMCID: PMC7466978 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Phages infecting bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus play an important role in their host’s ecology and evolution. On one hand, horizontal gene transfer from phage can encourage the rapid adaptation of pathogenic Staphylococcus enabling them to escape host immunity or access novel environments. On the other hand, lytic phages are promising agents for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially those resistant to antibiotics. As part of an ongoing effort to gain novel insights into bacteriophage diversity, we characterized the complete genome of the Staphylococcus bacteriophage Metroid, a cluster C phage with a genome size of 151kb, encompassing 254 predicted protein-coding genes as well as 4 tRNAs. A comparative genomic analysis highlights strong similarities – including a conservation of the lysis cassette – with other Staphylococcus cluster C bacteriophages, several of which were previously characterized for therapeutic applications.
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RNA-seq reveals downregulated osteochondral genes potentially related to tibia bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis in broilers. BMC Genet 2020; 21:58. [PMID: 32493207 PMCID: PMC7271470 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-00862-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) develops in the growth plate (GP) of the proximal femur and tibia and is initiated by damage to the less mineralized chondrocytes followed by colonization of opportunistic bacteria. This condition affects approximately 1% of all birds housed, being considered one of the major causes of lameness in fast growing broilers. Although several studies have been previously performed aiming to understand its pathogenesis, the molecular mechanisms involved with BCO remains to be elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to generate a profile of global differential gene expression involved with BCO in the tibia of commercial broilers, through RNA sequencing analysis to identity genes and molecular pathways involved with BCO in chickens. Results Our data showed 192 differentially expressed (DE) genes: 63 upregulated and 129 downregulated in the GP of the tibia proximal epiphysis of BCO-affected broilers. Using all DE genes, six Biological Processes (BP) were associated with bone development (connective tissue development, cartilage development, skeletal system development, organ morphogenesis, system development and skeletal system morphogenesis). The analyses of the upregulated genes did not indicate any significant BP (FDR < 0.05). However, with the downregulated genes, the same BP were identified when using all DE genes in the analysis, with a total of 26 coding genes explaining BCO in the tibia: ACAN, ALDH1A2, CDH7, CHAD, CHADL, COL11A1, COMP, CSGALNACT1, CYR61, FRZB, GAL3ST1, HAPLN1, IHH, KIF26B, LECT1, LPPR1, PDE6B, RBP4A, SERINC5, SFRP1, SOX8, SOX9, TENM2, THBS1, UCHL1 and WFIKKN2. In addition, seven transcription factors were also associated to BCO: NFATC2, MAFB, HIF1A-ARNT, EWSR1-FLI1, NFIC, TCF3 and NF-KAPPAB. Conclusions Our data show that osteochondral downregulated genes are potential molecular causes of BCO in broilers, and the bacterial process seems to be, in fact, a secondary condition. Sixteen genes responsible for bone and cartilage formation were downregulated in BCO-affected broilers being strong candidate genes to trigger this disorder.
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A Kayvirus Distant Homolog of Staphylococcal Virulence Determinants and VISA Biomarker Is a Phage Lytic Enzyme. Viruses 2020; 12:v12030292. [PMID: 32156046 PMCID: PMC7150955 DOI: 10.3390/v12030292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcal bacteriophages of the Kayvirus genus are candidates for therapeutic applications. One of their proteins, Tgl, is slightly similar to two staphylococcal virulence factors, secreted autolysins of lytic transglycosylase motifs IsaA and SceD. We show that Tgl is a lytic enzyme secreted by the bacterial transport system and localizes to cell peripheries like IsaA and SceD. It causes lysis of E. coli cells expressing the cloned tgl gene, but could be overproduced when depleted of signal peptide. S. aureus cells producing Tgl lysed in the presence of nisin, which mimics the action of phage holin. In vitro, Tgl protein was able to destroy S. aureus cell walls. The production of Tgl decreased S. aureus tolerance to vancomycin, unlike the production of SceD, which is associated with decreased sensitivity to vancomycin. In the genomes of kayviruses, the tgl gene is located a few genes away from the lysK gene, encoding the major endolysin. While lysK is a late phage gene, tgl can be transcribed by a host RNA polymerase, like phage early genes. Taken together, our data indicate that tgl belongs to the kayvirus lytic module and encodes an additional endolysin that can act in concert with LysK in cell lysis.
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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] [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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