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Sorlin P, Brivet E, Jean-Pierre V, Aujoulat F, Besse A, Dupont C, Chiron R, Jumas-Bilak E, Menetrey Q, Marchandin H. Prevalence and variability of siderophore production in the Achromobacter genus. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0295323. [PMID: 38315029 PMCID: PMC10913535 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02953-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogens of environmental origin increasingly isolated in patients with underlying conditions like cystic fibrosis (CF). Despite recent advances, their virulence factors remain incompletely studied, and siderophore production has not yet been investigated in this genus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of siderophores in a large collection of Achromobacter spp. and evaluate the variability according to the origin of the strain and species. A total of 163 strains were studied, including 128 clinical strains (CF and non-CF patients) and 35 strains of environmental origin. Siderophores were quantified by the liquid chrome azurol-sulphonate assay. Species were identified by nrdA gene-based phylogeny. Strains were assigned to 20 species, with Achromobacter xylosoxidans being the most represented (51.5% of strains). Siderophore production was observed in 72.4% of the strains, with amounts ranging from 10.1% to 90% siderophore units. A significantly higher prevalence of siderophore-producing strains and greater production of siderophores were observed for clinical strains compared with strains of environmental origin. Highly variable observations were made according to species: A. xylosoxidans presented unique characteristics (one of the highest prevalence of producing strains and highest amounts produced, particularly by CF strains). Siderophores are important factors for bacterial growth commonly produced by members of the Achromobacter genus. The significance of the observations made during this study must be further investigated. Indeed, the differences observed according to species and the origin of strains suggest that siderophores may represent important determinants of the pathophysiology of Achromobacter spp. infections and also contribute to the particular epidemiological success of A. xylosoxidans in human infections. IMPORTANCE Achromobacter spp. are recognized as emerging opportunistic pathogens in humans with various underlying diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF). Although their pathophysiological traits are increasingly studied, their virulence factors remain incompletely described. Particularly, siderophores that represent important factors of bacterial growth have not yet been studied in this genus. A population-based study was performed to explore the ability of members of the Achromobacter genus to produce siderophores, both overall and in relevant subgroups (Achromobacter species; strain origin, either clinical-from CF or non-CF patients-or environmental). This study provides original data showing that siderophore production is a common trait of Achromobacter strains, particularly observed among clinical strains. The major species, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, encompassed both one of the highest prevalence of siderophore-producing strains and strains producing the largest amounts of siderophores, particularly observed for CF strains. These observations may represent additional advantages accounting for the epidemiological success of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Sorlin
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - E. Brivet
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - V. Jean-Pierre
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Service de Microbiologie et d’Hygiène hospitalière, CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - F. Aujoulat
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - A. Besse
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - C. Dupont
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - R. Chiron
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Centre de Ressources et de Compétences de la Mucoviscidose, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - E. Jumas-Bilak
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Laboratoire d’Écologie Microbienne Hospitalière, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Q. Menetrey
- INFINITE—Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Université de Lille, INSERM U1286, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - H. Marchandin
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Service de Microbiologie et d’Hygiène hospitalière, CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
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Billiot CE, Novak L, McDaniel MS, Lindgren NR, Swords WE. Pathogenesis of Achromobacter xylosoxidans respiratory infections: colonization, persistence, and transcriptome profiling in synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0041623. [PMID: 37909751 PMCID: PMC10715085 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00416-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting epithelial ion transport, resulting in thickened mucus and impaired mucociliary clearance. Persons with CF (pwCF) experience life-long infections of the respiratory mucosa caused by a diverse array of opportunists, which are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there has been increased appreciation for the range and diversity of microbes causing CF-related respiratory infections. The introduction of new therapeutics and improved detection methodology has revealed CF-related opportunists such as Achromobacter xylosoxidans (Ax). Ax is a Gram-negative bacterial species which is widely distributed in environmental sources and has been increasingly observed in sputa and other samples from pwCF, typically in patients in later stages of CF disease. In this study, we characterized CF clinical isolates of Ax and tested colonization and persistence of Ax in respiratory infection using immortalized human CF respiratory epithelial cells and BALB/c mice. Genomic analyses of clinical Ax isolates showed homologs for factors including flagellar synthesis, antibiotic resistance, and toxin secretion systems. Ax isolates adhered to polarized cultures of CFBE41o- human immortalized CF bronchial epithelial cells and caused significant cytotoxicity and depolarization of cell layers. Ax colonized and persisted in mouse lungs for up to 72 h post infection, with inflammatory consequences that include increased neutrophil influx in the lung, lung damage, cytokine production, and mortality. We also identified genes that are differentially expressed in synthetic CF sputum media. Based on these results, we conclude that Ax is an opportunistic pathogen of significance in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Billiot
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Gregory Fleming James Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Lea Novak
- Department of Pathology, Division of Anatomic Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Melissa S. McDaniel
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Gregory Fleming James Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Natalie R. Lindgren
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Gregory Fleming James Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - W. Edward Swords
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Gregory Fleming James Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Turton K, Parks HJ, Zarodkiewicz P, Hamad MA, Dwane R, Parau G, Ingram RJ, Coll RC, Bryant CE, Valvano MA. The Achromobacter type 3 secretion system drives pyroptosis and immunopathology via independent activation of NLRC4 and NLRP3 inflammasomes. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113012. [PMID: 37598340 PMCID: PMC7614980 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
How the opportunistic Gram-negative pathogens of the genus Achromobacter interact with the innate immune system is poorly understood. Using three Achromobacter clinical isolates from two species, we show that the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) is required to induce cell death in human macrophages by inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis. Macrophages deficient in the inflammasome sensors NLRC4 or NLRP3 undergo pyroptosis upon bacterial internalization, but those deficient in both NLRC4 and NLRP3 do not, suggesting either sensor mediates pyroptosis in a T3SS-dependent manner. Detailed analysis of the intracellular trafficking of one isolate indicates that the intracellular bacteria reside in a late phagolysosome. Using an intranasal mouse infection model, we observe that Achromobacter damages lung structure and causes severe illness, contingent on a functional T3SS. Together, we demonstrate that Achromobacter species can survive phagocytosis by promoting macrophage cell death and inflammation by redundant mechanisms of pyroptosis induction in a T3SS-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Turton
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Hannah J Parks
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Paulina Zarodkiewicz
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Mohamad A Hamad
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rachel Dwane
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Georgiana Parau
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Rebecca J Ingram
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Rebecca C Coll
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Clare E Bryant
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK; Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Miguel A Valvano
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.
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Sandri A, Saitta GM, Veschetti L, Boschi F, Passarelli Mantovani R, Carelli M, Melotti P, Signoretto C, Boaretti M, Malerba G, Lleò MM. In Vivo Inflammation Caused by Achromobacter spp. Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Isolates Exhibiting Different Pathogenic Characteristics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087432. [PMID: 37108596 PMCID: PMC10139000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter spp. lung infection in cystic fibrosis has been associated with inflammation, increased frequency of exacerbations, and decline of respiratory function. We aimed to evaluate in vivo the inflammatory effects of clinical isolates exhibiting different pathogenic characteristics. Eight clinical isolates were selected based on different pathogenic characteristics previously assessed: virulence in Galleria mellonella larvae, cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial cells, and biofilm formation. Acute lung infection was established by intratracheal instillation with 10.5 × 108 bacterial cells in wild-type and CFTR-knockout (KO) mice expressing a luciferase gene under control of interleukin-8 promoter. Lung inflammation was monitored by in vivo bioluminescence imaging up to 48 h after infection, and mortality was recorded up to 96 h. Lung bacterial load was evaluated by CFU count. Virulent isolates caused higher lung inflammation and mice mortality, especially in KO animals. Isolates both virulent and cytotoxic showed higher persistence in mice lungs, while biofilm formation was not associated with lung inflammation, mice mortality, or bacterial persistence. A positive correlation between virulence and lung inflammation was observed. These results indicate that Achromobacter spp. pathogenic characteristics such as virulence and cytotoxicity may be associated with clinically relevant effects and highlight the importance of elucidating their mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Sandri
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Saitta
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Veschetti
- GMLab, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Rebeca Passarelli Mantovani
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Carelli
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Melotti
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy
| | - Caterina Signoretto
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Marzia Boaretti
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Malerba
- GMLab, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Maria M Lleò
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
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5
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Billiot CE, McDaniel MS, Lindgren NR, Swords WE. Pathogenesis of Achromobacter xylosoxidans respiratory infections: colonization and persistence of airway epithelia and differential gene expression in synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium. bioRxiv 2023:2023.04.04.535650. [PMID: 37066231 PMCID: PMC10104045 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.04.535650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting epithelial ion transport, resulting in thickened mucus and impaired mucociliary clearance. Persons with CF (pwCF) experience life-long respiratory mucosal infections caused by a diverse array of opportunists, and these infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for pwCF. In recent years, there has been increased appreciation for the range and diversity of microbes in CF-related respiratory infections. Introduction of new therapeutics and improved detection methodology has revealed CF related opportunists such as Achromobacter xylosoxidans (Ax). Ax is a Gram-negative bacterial species that is widely distributed in the environment and has been increasingly observed in sputa and other samples from pwCF; typically Ax infections occur in patients in later stages of CF disease. In this study, we characterized CF clinical isolates of Ax and tested colonization and persistence of Ax in respiratory infection using immortalized human CF respiratory epithelial cells and BALB/c mice. Genomic analyses of clinical Ax isolates showed homologs for factors involved in flagellar synthesis, antibiotic resistance, and toxin secretion systems. Ax isolates adhered to polarized CFBE14o- human immortalized CF bronchial epithelial cells and caused significant cytotoxicity and depolarization. Ax colonized and persisted in mouse lung for up to 72 hours post infection, with inflammatory consequences that include increased neutrophilia, lung damage, cytokine production, and mortality. Transcript profiling reveled differential expression of Ax genes during growth in SCFM2 synthetic CF sputum media. Based on these results, we conclude that Ax is an opportunistic pathogen of significance in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Billiot
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
- Gregory Fleming James Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Melissa S. McDaniel
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
- Gregory Fleming James Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Natalie R. Lindgren
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
- Gregory Fleming James Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - W. Edward Swords
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
- Gregory Fleming James Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research University of Alabama at Birmingham
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MacDonald L, Keenan S, Di Lorenzo F, Adade NE, Kenna DTD, Millar BC, Moore JE, Ramos Vivas J, Molinaro A, Valvano MA. Polymyxin Resistance and Heteroresistance Are Common in Clinical Isolates of Achromobacter Species and Correlate with Modifications of the Lipid A Moiety of Lipopolysaccharide. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0372922. [PMID: 36519943 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03729-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Achromobacter genus includes opportunistic pathogens that can cause chronic infections in immunocompromised patients, especially in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Treatment of Achromobacter infections is complicated by antimicrobial resistance. In this study, a collection of Achromobacter clinical isolates, from CF and non-CF sources, was investigated for polymyxin B (PmB) resistance. Additionally, the effect of PmB challenge in a subset of isolates was examined and the presence of PmB-resistant subpopulations within the isolates was described. Further, chemical and mass spectrometry analyses of the lipid A of Achromobacter clinical isolates enabled the determination of the most common structures and showed that PmB challenge was associated with lipid A modifications that included the addition of glucosamine and palmitoylation and the concomitant loss of the free phosphate at the C-1 position. This study demonstrates that lipid A modifications associated with PmB resistance are prevalent in Achromobacter and that subresistant populations displaying the addition of positively charged residues and additional acyl chains to lipid A can be selected for and isolated from PmB-sensitive Achromobacter clinical isolates. IMPORTANCE Achromobacter species can cause chronic and potentially severe infections in immunocompromised patients, especially in those with cystic fibrosis. Bacteria cannot be eradicated due to Achromobacter's intrinsic multidrug resistance. We report that intrinsic resistance to polymyxin B (PmB), a last-resort antimicrobial peptide used to treat infections by multiresistant bacteria, is prevalent in Achromobacter clinical isolates; many isolates also display increased resistance upon PmB challenge. Analysis of the lipopolysaccharide lipid A moiety of several Achromobacter species reveals a penta-acylated lipid A, which in the PmB-resistant isolates was modified by the incorporation of glucosamine residues, an additional acyl chain, loss of phosphates, and hydroxylation of acyl chains, all of which can enhance PmB resistance in other bacteria. We conclude that PmB resistance, particularly in Achromobacter isolates from chronic respiratory infections, is a common phenomenon, and that Achromobacter lipid A displays modifications that may confer increased resistance to polymyxins and potentially other antimicrobial peptides.
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Aiyer A, Das T, Whiteley GS, Glasbey T, Kriel FH, Farrell J, Manos J. The Efficacy of an N-Acetylcysteine-Antibiotic Combination Therapy on Achromobacter xylosoxidans in a Cystic Fibrosis Sputum/Lung Cell Model. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2886. [PMID: 36359406 PMCID: PMC9687303 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disorder causing dysfunctional ion transport resulting in the accumulation of viscous mucus. This environment fosters a chronic bacterial biofilm-associated infection in the airways. Achromobacter xylosoxidans, a gram-negative aerobic bacillus, has been increasingly associated with antibiotic resistance and chronic colonisation in CF. In this study, we aimed to create a reproducible model of CF infection using an artificial sputum medium (ASMDM-1) with bronchial (BEAS-2B) and macrophage (THP-1) cells to test A. xylosoxidans infection and treatment toxicity. This study was conducted in three distinct stages. First, the tolerance of BEAS-2B cell lines and two A. xylosoxidans strains against ASMDM-1 was optimised. Secondly, the cytotoxicity of combined therapy (CT) comprising N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the antibiotics colistin or ciprofloxacin was tested on cells alone in the sputum model in both BEAS-2B and THP-1 cells. Third, the efficacy of CT was assessed in the context of a bacterial infection within the live cell/sputum model. We found that a model using 20% ASMDM-1 in both cell populations tolerated a colistin-NAC-based CT and could significantly reduce bacterial loads in vitro (~2 log10 CFU/mL compared to untreated controls). This pilot study provides the foundation to study other bacterial opportunists that infect the CF lung to observe infection and CT kinetics. This model also acts as a springboard for more complex co-culture models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Aiyer
- Charles Perkins Centre, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Theerthankar Das
- Charles Perkins Centre, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Gregory S. Whiteley
- Charles Perkins Centre, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Whiteley Corporation, Level 5, 12 Mount Street North Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2566, Australia
| | - Trevor Glasbey
- Whiteley Corporation, 19-23 Laverick Avenue, Tomago, NSW 2322, Australia
| | - Frederik H. Kriel
- Whiteley Corporation, 19-23 Laverick Avenue, Tomago, NSW 2322, Australia
| | - Jessica Farrell
- Charles Perkins Centre, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Whiteley Corporation, Level 5, 12 Mount Street North Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
| | - Jim Manos
- Charles Perkins Centre, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Zhao L, Ma YM, Yang B, Han WX, Zhao WH, Chai HL, Zhang ZS, Zhan YJ, Wang LF, Xing Y, Yu LF, Wang JL, Ding YL, Liu YH. Comparative analysis of microbial communities in different growth stages of Dermacentor nuttalli. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1021426. [PMID: 36311671 PMCID: PMC9614212 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1021426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks were identified as arthropods that are pathogenic vectors. Dermacentor nuttalli is one of the dominant tick species in Inner Mongolia, and it carries and transmits a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. However, at present, only the detection of D. nuttalli adult ticks and D. nuttalli different developmental stages carrying one specific pathogen, or the next-generation sequencing of D. nuttalli adult ticks were available. In this study, we investigated the microbial community structures of D. nuttalli in different growth stages under laboratory artificial feeding conditions. Total DNA was extracted from seven growth stages (female adult ticks, eggs, larval ticks, engorged larval ticks, nymphal ticks, engorged nymphal ticks, and second-generation adult ticks) obtained from laboratory artificial feeding of engorged D. nuttalli female ticks in Inner Mongolia. Then, the 16S rDNA V3-V4 hypervariable region was amplified to construct an Illumina PE250 library. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform. The sequencing data were analyzed using molecular biology software and platforms. The Illumina PE250 sequencing results showed that the egg stage had the highest diversity and number of species (28.74%, 98/341), while the engorged nymph stage had the lowest diversity and number of species (9.72%, 21/216). A total of 387 genera of 22 phyla were annotated in D. nuttalli, with 9 phyla and 57 genera found throughout all 7 growth stages. The dominant phylum was Proteobacteria; the dominant genera were Arsenophonus and Rickettsia; and the genera with the highest relative abundance in the 7 growth stages were Pseudomonas, Paenalcaligenes, Arsenophonus, Arsenophonus, Pseudomonas, Arsenophonus, and Rickettsia, respectively. Among the 23 exact species annotated, Brucella melitensis exhibits pathogeny that poses a serious threat to humans and animals. In this study, the microbial community composition at different growth stages of D. nuttalli was comprehensively analyzed for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yi-Min Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Animal Disease Control Center of Ordos, Ordos City, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Han
- Inner Mongolia Saikexing Reproductive Biotechnology (Group) Co., Ltd., Hohhot, China
| | - Wei-Hong Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hai-Liang Chai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhan-Sheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yong-Jie Zhan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Li-Feng Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yu Xing
- Shanghai Origingene Bio-pharm Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Lu-Fei Yu
- Shanghai Origingene Bio-pharm Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Ling Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yu-Lin Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yong-Hong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China,*Correspondence: Yong-Hong Liu
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Veschetti L, Boaretti M, Saitta GM, Passarelli Mantovani R, Lleò MM, Sandri A, Malerba G. Achromobacter spp. prevalence and adaptation in cystic fibrosis lung infection. Microbiol Res 2022; 263:127140. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Pickrum AM, Riegert MO, Wells C, Brockman K, Frank DW. The In Vitro Replication Cycle of Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Identification of Virulence Genes Associated with Cytotoxicity in Macrophages. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0208322. [PMID: 35856670 PMCID: PMC9430717 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02083-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter xylosoxidans is an opportunistic pathogen implicated in a wide variety of human infections including the ability to colonize the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The role of A. xylosoxidans in human pathology remains controversial due to the lack of optimized in vitro and in vivo model systems to identify and test bacterial gene products that promote a pathological response. We have previously identified macrophages as a target host cell for A. xylosoxidans-induced cytotoxicity. By optimizing our macrophage infection model, we determined that A. xylosoxidans enters macrophages and can reside within a membrane bound vacuole for extended periods of time. Intracellular replication appears limited with cellular lysis preceding an enhanced, mainly extracellular replication cycle. Using our optimized in vitro model system along with transposon mutagenesis, we identified 163 genes that contribute to macrophage cytotoxicity. From this list, we characterized a giant RTX adhesin encoded downstream of a type one secretion system (T1SS) that mediates bacterial binding and entry into host macrophages, an important first step toward cellular toxicity and inflammation. The RTX adhesin is encoded by other human isolates and is recognized by antibodies present in serum isolated from CF patients colonized by A. xylosoxidans, indicating this virulence factor is produced and deployed in vivo. This study represents the first characterization of A. xylosoxidans replication during infection and identifies a variety of genes that may be linked to virulence and human pathology. IMPORTANCE Patients affected by CF develop chronic bacterial infections characterized by inflammatory exacerbations and tissue damage. Advancements in sequencing technologies have broadened the list of opportunistic pathogens colonizing the CF lung. A. xylosoxidans is increasingly recognized as an opportunistic pathogen in CF, yet our understanding of the bacterium as a contributor to human disease is limited. Genomic studies have identified potential virulence determinants in A. xylosoxidans isolates, but few have been mechanistically studied. Using our optimized in vitro cell model, we identified and characterized a bacterial adhesin that mediates binding and uptake by host macrophages leading to cytotoxicity. A subset of serum samples from CF patients contains antibodies that recognize the RTX adhesion, suggesting, for the first time, that this virulence determinant is produced in vivo. This work furthers our understanding of A. xylosoxidans virulence factors at a mechanistic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M. Pickrum
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Molly O. Riegert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Clive Wells
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kenneth Brockman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dara W. Frank
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Le Goff M, Vastel M, Lebrun R, Mansuelle P, Diarra A, Grandjean T, Triponney P, Imbert G, Gosset P, Dessein R, Garnier F, Durand E. Characterization of the Achromobacter xylosoxidans Type VI Secretion System and Its Implication in Cystic Fibrosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:859181. [PMID: 35782124 PMCID: PMC9245596 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.859181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Achromobacter are environmental germs, with an unknown reservoir. It can become opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients, causing bacteremia, meningitis, pneumonia, or peritonitis. In recent years, Achromobacter xylosoxidans has emerged with increasing incidence in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Recent studies showed that A. xylosoxidans is involved in the degradation of the respiratory function of patients with CF. The respiratory ecosystem of patients with CF is colonized by bacterial species that constantly fight for space and access to nutrients. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) empowers this constant bacterial antagonism, and it is used as a virulence factor in several pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the T6SS genes in A. xylosoxidans isolated in patients with CF. We also evaluated clinical and molecular characteristics of T6SS-positive A. xylosoxidans strains. We showed that A. xylosoxidans possesses a T6SS gene cluster and that some environmental and clinical isolates assemble a functional T6SS nanomachine. A. xylosoxidans T6SS is used to target competing bacteria, including other CF-specific pathogens. Finally, we demonstrated the importance of the T6SS in the internalization of A. xylosoxidans in lung epithelial cells and that the T6SS protein Hcp is detected in the sputum of patients with CF. Altogether, these results suggest for the first time a role of T6SS in CF-lung colonization by A. xylosoxidans and opens promising perspective to target this virulence determinant as innovative theranostic options for CF management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Le Goff
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), Aix-Marseille Université - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7255, Marseille, France
| | - Manon Vastel
- Université de Limoges, INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Limoges, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1092, Limoges, France
| | - Régine Lebrun
- Plateforme Protéomique de l’Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille Protéomique, Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) FR 3479, Marseille, France
| | - Pascal Mansuelle
- Plateforme Protéomique de l’Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille Protéomique, Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) FR 3479, Marseille, France
| | - Ava Diarra
- Université de Lille, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9017-CIIL-Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Teddy Grandjean
- Université de Lille, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9017-CIIL-Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Pauline Triponney
- Centre National de Référence de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques , Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France
| | | | - Philippe Gosset
- Université de Lille, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9017-CIIL-Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Rodrigue Dessein
- Université de Lille, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9017-CIIL-Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Fabien Garnier
- Université de Limoges, INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Limoges, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1092, Limoges, France
- *Correspondence: Eric Durand, ; ; Fabien Garnier,
| | - Eric Durand
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), Aix-Marseille Université - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7255, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), Aix-Marseille Université - Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7255, INSERM, Marseille, France
- *Correspondence: Eric Durand, ; ; Fabien Garnier,
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Bonis BM, Hunter RC. JMM Profile: Achromobacter xylosoxidans: the cloak-and-dagger opportunist. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35587447 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter xylosoxidans is associated with resilient nosocomial infections, with bacteraemia, pneumonia and chronic cystic fibrosis lung infection being the most common clinical presentations. Innate multi-drug resistance and a suite of virulence factors select for A. xylosoxidans infection during long-term antibiotic therapy, contributing to its persistence, treatment recalcitrance, association with poor clinical outcomes and emergence as a problematic pathogen. Horizontal gene transfer and maintenance of large genomes underpin the resilience and cosmopolitan lifestyle of A. xylosoxidans, and complicate its phylogenetic characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Bonis
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 689 23rd Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ryan C Hunter
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 689 23rd Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Hardy KS, Tessmer MH, Frank DW, Audia JP. Perspectives on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion System Effector ExoU and Its Subversion of the Host Innate Immune Response to Infection. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:880. [PMID: 34941717 PMCID: PMC8708460 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, Gram-negative pathogen and an important cause of hospital acquired infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Highly virulent P. aeruginosa strains use a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject exoenzyme effectors directly into the cytoplasm of a target host cell. P. aeruginosa strains that express the T3SS effector, ExoU, associate with adverse outcomes in critically ill patients with pneumonia, owing to the ability of ExoU to rapidly damage host cell membranes and subvert the innate immune response to infection. Herein, we review the structure, function, regulation, and virulence characteristics of the T3SS effector ExoU, a highly cytotoxic phospholipase A2 enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kierra S. Hardy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36608, USA;
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36608, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Maxx H. Tessmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Dara W. Frank
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jonathon P. Audia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36608, USA;
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36608, USA
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Menetrey Q, Sorlin P, Jumas-Bilak E, Chiron R, Dupont C, Marchandin H. Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: Emerging Pathogens Well-Armed for Life in the Cystic Fibrosis Patients' Lung. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050610. [PMID: 33919046 PMCID: PMC8142972 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), the lung is a remarkable ecological niche in which the microbiome is subjected to important selective pressures. An inexorable colonization by bacteria of both endogenous and environmental origin is observed in most patients, leading to a vicious cycle of infection–inflammation. In this context, long-term colonization together with competitive interactions among bacteria can lead to over-inflammation. While Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, the two pathogens most frequently identified in CF, have been largely studied for adaptation to the CF lung, in the last few years, there has been a growing interest in emerging pathogens of environmental origin, namely Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The aim of this review is to gather all the current knowledge on the major pathophysiological traits, their supporting mechanisms, regulation and evolutionary modifications involved in colonization, virulence, and competitive interactions with other members of the lung microbiota for these emerging pathogens, with all these mechanisms being major drivers of persistence in the CF lung. Currently available research on A. xylosoxidans complex and S. maltophilia shows that these emerging pathogens share important pathophysiological features with well-known CF pathogens, making them important members of the complex bacterial community living in the CF lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Menetrey
- HydroSciences Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Univ Montpellier, 34093 Montpellier, France; (Q.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Pauline Sorlin
- HydroSciences Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Univ Montpellier, 34093 Montpellier, France; (Q.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Estelle Jumas-Bilak
- HydroSciences Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Univ Montpellier, Department d’Hygiène Hospitalière, CHU Montpellier, 34093 Montpellier, France; (E.J.-B.); (C.D.)
| | - Raphaël Chiron
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Centre de Ressources et de Compétences de la Mucoviscidose, CHU de Montpellier, 34093 Montpellier, France;
| | - Chloé Dupont
- HydroSciences Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Univ Montpellier, Department d’Hygiène Hospitalière, CHU Montpellier, 34093 Montpellier, France; (E.J.-B.); (C.D.)
| | - Hélène Marchandin
- HydroSciences Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Univ Montpellier, Service de Microbiologie et Hygiène Hospitalière, CHU Nîmes, 34093 Nîmes, France
- UMR 5151 HydroSciences Montpellier, Equipe Pathogènes Hydriques Santé Environnements, U.F.R. des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université de Montpellier, 15, Avenue Charles Flahault, BP 14491, CEDEX 5, 34093 Montpellier, France
- Correspondence:
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