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Batista Araújo MR, Bernardes Sousa MÂ, Seabra LF, Caldeira LA, Faria CD, Bokermann S, Sant'Anna LO, Dos Santos LS, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Cutaneous infection by non-diphtheria-toxin producing and penicillin-resistant Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain in a patient with diabetes mellitus. Access Microbiol 2022; 3:000284. [PMID: 35018328 PMCID: PMC8742586 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000284] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diphtheria is a potentially fatal infection, mostly caused by diphtheria toxin (DT)-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains. During the last decades, the isolation of DT-producing C. diphtheriae strains has been decreasing worldwide. However, non-DT-producing C. diphtheriae strains emerged as causative agents of cutaneous and invasive infections. Although endemic in countries with warm climates, cutaneous diphtheria is rarely reported in Brazil. Presently, an unusual case of skin lesion in a Brazilian elderly diabetic patient infected by a penicillin-resistant non-DT-producing C. diphtheriae strain was reported. Laboratory diagnosis included mass spectrometry and multiplex PCR analyses. Since cutaneous diphtheria lesions are possible sources of secondary diphtheria cases and systemic diseases and considering that penicillin is the first line of antimicrobial agent for the treatment of these infections, the detection of penicillin-resistant strains of diphtheria bacilli should be a matter of concern. Thus, cases similar to the presently reported should be appropriately investigated and treated, particularly in patients with risk factor (s) for the development of C. diphtheriae invasive infections, such as diabetes. Moreover, health professionals must be aware of the presence of C. diphtheriae in cutaneous lesions of lower limbs, a common type of morbidity in diabetic patients, especially in tropical and subtropical countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Roberto Batista Araújo
- Operational Technical Nucleus, Microbiology, Hermes Pardini Institute. Av. das Nações, 3801 - Parque Jardim Itaú, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mireille Ângela Bernardes Sousa
- Operational Technical Nucleus, Microbiology, Hermes Pardini Institute. Av. das Nações, 3801 - Parque Jardim Itaú, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luisa Ferreira Seabra
- Operational Technical Nucleus, Microbiology, Hermes Pardini Institute. Av. das Nações, 3801 - Parque Jardim Itaú, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Letícia Aparecida Caldeira
- Operational Technical Nucleus, Microbiology, Hermes Pardini Institute. Av. das Nações, 3801 - Parque Jardim Itaú, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carmem Dolores Faria
- Bacterial and Fungal Diseases Service, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Bokermann
- Center of Bacteriology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Secretary of Health of the State of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lincoln Oliveira Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, The Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Diphtheria, National Health Foundation, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Louisy Sanches Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, The Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Diphtheria, National Health Foundation, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Luíza Mattos-Guaraldi
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, The Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Diphtheria, National Health Foundation, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Otshudiema JO, Acosta AM, Cassiday PK, Hadler SC, Hariri S, Tiwari TSP. Respiratory illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and C. ulcerans, and use of diphtheria anti-toxin in the United States, 1996-2018. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e2799-e2806. [PMID: 32818967 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and C. ulcerans, and use of diphtheria anti-toxin in the United States, 1996-2018. BACKGROUND Respiratory diphtheria is a toxin-mediated disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Diphtheria-like illness, clinically indistinguishable from diphtheria, is caused by C. ulcerans, a zoonotic bacterium that can also produce diphtheria toxin. In the United States, respiratory diphtheria is nationally notifiable: specimens from suspected cases are submitted to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for species and toxin confirmation, and diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) is obtained from CDC for treatment. We summarize the epidemiology of respiratory diphtheria and diphtheria-like illness and describe DAT use during 1996-2018 in the United States. METHODS We described respiratory diphtheria cases reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) and C. ulcerans-related diphtheria-like illness identified through specimen submissions to CDC during 1996-2018. We reviewed DAT requests from 1997-2018. RESULTS From 1996-2018, 14 respiratory diphtheria cases were reported to NNDSS. Among these 14 cases, 1 was toxigenic and 3 were non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae by culture and Elek, 6 were culture-negative but PCR-positive for diphtheria toxin gene, 1 was culture-positive without further testing, and the remaining 3 were either not tested or tested negative. Five cases of respiratory diphtheria-like illness caused by toxigenic C. ulcerans were identified. DAT was requested by healthcare providers for 151 suspected diphtheria cases between 1997-2018, with an average of 11 requests per year from 1997-2007, and 3 per year from 2008-2018. CONCLUSIONS Respiratory diphtheria remains rare in the United States, and requests for DAT have declined. Incidental identification of C. ulcerans-related diphtheria-like illness suggests surveillance of this condition might be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- John O Otshudiema
- Epidemic Intelligence Service Program, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Meningitis and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Anna M Acosta
- Meningitis and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Pamela K Cassiday
- Meningitis and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephen C Hadler
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Susan Hariri
- Meningitis and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tejpratap S P Tiwari
- Meningitis and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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3
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Möller J, Musella L, Melnikov V, Geißdörfer W, Burkovski A, Sangal V. Phylogenomic characterisation of a novel corynebacterial species pathogenic to animals. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2020; 113:1225-39. [PMID: 32500295 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-020-01430-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The genus Corynebacterium includes species of biotechnological, medical and veterinary importance. An atypical C. ulcerans strain, W25, was recently isolated from a case of necrotizing lymphadenitis in a wild boar. In this study, we have analysed the genome sequence of this strain and compared the phenotypic and virulence properties with other corynebacterial pathogens. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that strain W25 belongs to a novel species along with PO100/5 and KL1196. The latter strains were isolated from a pig and a roe deer, respectively; hence, this species appears to be associated to animals. The isolate W25 is likely a non-toxigenic tox gene bearing strain and may have compromised abilities to adhere to pharyngeal and laryngeal epithelial cells due to potential loss of the gene functions in spaBC and spaDEF pilus gene clusters. A number of corynebacterial virulence genes are present including pld encoding phospholipase D. Therefore, this strain may be able to cause severe invasive infections in animals and zoonotic infections in humans.
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Weerasekera D, Hahn J, Herrmann M, Burkovski A. Induction of Necrosis in Human Macrophage Cell Lines by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans Strains Isolated from Fatal Cases of Systemic Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4109. [PMID: 31443569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
When infecting a human host, Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans are able to impair macrophage maturation and induce cell death. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. As a framework for this project, a combination of fluorescence microscopy, cytotoxicity assays, live cell imaging, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting was applied to understand the pathogenicity of two Corynebacterium strains isolated from fatal cases of systemic infections. The results showed a clear cytotoxic effect of the bacteria. The observed survival of the pathogens in macrophages and, subsequent, necrotic lysis of cells may be mechanisms explaining dissemination of C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans to distant organs in the body.
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Weerasekera D, Möller J, Kraner ME, Azevedo Antunes C, Mattos-Guaraldi AL, Burkovski A. Beyond diphtheria toxin: cytotoxic proteins of Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Microbiology (Reading) 2019; 165:876-890. [PMID: 31162026 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Diphtheria toxin is one of the best investigated bacterial toxins and the major virulence factor of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans strains. However, also diphtheria toxin-free strains of these two species can cause severe infections in animals and humans, indicating the presence of additional virulence factors. In this study, we present a first characterization of two proteins with cytotoxic effect in corynebacteria. A putative ribosome-binding protein (AEG80717, CULC809_00177), first annotated in a genome sequencing project of C. ulcerans strain 809, was investigated in detail together with a homologous protein identified in C. diphtheriae strain HC04 (AEX80148, CDHC04_0155) in this study. The corresponding proteins show striking structural similarity to Shiga-like toxins. Interaction of wild-type, mutant and complementation as well as overexpression strains with invertebrate model systems and cell lines were investigated. Depending on the presence of the corresponding genes, detrimental effects were observed in vivo in two invertebrate model systems, Caenorhabditis elegans and Galleria mellonella, and on various animal and human epithelial and macrophage cell lines in vitro. Taken together, our results support the idea that pathogenicity of corynebacteria is a multifactorial process and that new virulence factors may influence the outcome of potentially fatal corynebacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulanthi Weerasekera
- > Microbiology Division, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jens Möller
- > Microbiology Division, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max Edmund Kraner
- Biochemistry Division, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Camila Azevedo Antunes
- > Microbiology Division, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance-LDCIC, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza Mattos-Guaraldi
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance-LDCIC, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- > Microbiology Division, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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6
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Simpson-Lourêdo L, Silva CMF, Hacker E, Souza NF, Santana MM, Antunes CA, Nagao PE, Hirata R Jr, Burkovski A, Villas Bôas MHS, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Detection and virulence potential of a phospholipase D-negative Corynebacterium ulcerans from a concurrent diphtheria and infectious mononucleosis case. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2019; 112:1055-65. [PMID: 30771116 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-019-01240-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Diphtheria by Corynebacterium ulcerans is increasingly occurring in children, adolescents and adults. In addition to diphtheria toxin (DT), phospholipase D (PLD) is considered a virulence factor of C. ulcerans. In the present study, a first case of concurrent diphtheria by a PLD-negative C. ulcerans and infectious mononucleosis (IM) was verified. Clinical and microbiological profiles and binding properties to human Fibrinogen (Fbg), Fibronectin (Fn) and type I collagen (col I) biotinylated proteins and virulence to Caenorhabditis elegans were investigated for C. ulcerans strain 2590 (clinical isolate) and two control strains, including PLD-positive BR-AD22 wild type and PLD-negative ELHA-1 PLD mutant strains. MALDI-TOF assays and a multiplex PCR of genes coding for potentially toxigenic corynebacteria identified strain 2590 as non-DT producing. Interestingly, strain 2590 did not express PLD activity in the CAMP test although the presence of the pld gene was verified. PLD-negative 2590 and a PLD-positive 210932 strains showed similar affinity to Fbg, Fn and type I collagen. C. elegans were able to escape from C. ulcerans strains, independent of PLD and DT production. Higher mortality of nematodes was verified for PLD-negative strains. Additional studies concerning multifactorial virulence potential of C. ulcerans, including environmental conditions remain necessary.
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Yasuda I, Matsuyama H, Ishifuji T, Yamashita Y, Takaki M, Morimoto K, Sekino M, Yanagihara K, Fujii T, Iwaki M, Yamamoto A, Ariyoshi K, Tanaka T. Severe Pneumonia Caused by Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans Infection, Japan. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:588-591. [PMID: 29460755 PMCID: PMC5823354 DOI: 10.3201/eid2403.171837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium ulcerans infection was recently recognized as a zoonosis. We present 2 cases of severe pneumonia complicated by diffuse pseudomembrane formation on the bronchus caused by C. ulcerans–producing diphtheria toxin. Our purpose is to alert medical professionals to the virulence of Corynebacterium species other than C. diphtheriae.
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Yang K, Kruse RL, Lin WV, Musher DM. Corynebacteria as a cause of pulmonary infection: a case series and literature review. Pneumonia (Nathan) 2018; 10:10. [PMID: 30324081 PMCID: PMC6173903 DOI: 10.1186/s41479-018-0054-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In most cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), an etiologic agent is not determined; the most common report from the microbiological evaluation of sputum cites “normal respiratory flora.” Non-diphtheria Corynebacterium spp., a component of this flora, is commonly viewed as a contaminant, but it may be the cause of pneumonia and the frequency with which it causes CAP may be underestimated. Case presentations This report present 3 cases of CAP in which Corynebacterium spp. was clearly the predominant isolate; identification was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Two cases were caused by C. propinquum and one by C. striatum. Two patients had a tracheostomy and one was on hemodialysis. Patients who received an appropriate antibiotic responded well. Conclusion When identified as the predominant isolate in sputum from a patient with CAP, Corynebacterium spp. should be considered as a potential cause of the infection. In cases with patients who have compromised airway clearance or who are immunocompromised, microaspiration may be responsible. While some Corynebacterium spp. are suspectible to antibiotics usually prescribed for CAP, others are susceptible only to vancomycin or aminoglycosides. Vancomycin is thus the appropriate empiric antibiotic, pending speciation and susceptibility test results. The number of reported cases with result of antibiotic susceptibility testing, however, remains limited, and further investigation is needed. Non-diphtheria Corynebacterium spp. represent a noteworthy clinical cause of pneumonia. Identification by Gram stain and as a predominant organism on culture demands careful consideration for management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Weijie V Lin
- 1Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Daniel M Musher
- 1Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,2Infectious Disease Section, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030 USA
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Subedi R, Kolodkina V, Sutcliffe IC, Simpson-Louredo L, Hirata R Jr, Titov L, Mattos-Guaraldi AL, Burkovski A, Sangal V. Genomic analyses reveal two distinct lineages of Corynebacterium ulcerans strains. New Microbes New Infect 2018; 25:7-13. [PMID: 29997890 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium ulcerans is an important zoonotic pathogen which is causing diphtheria-like disease in humans globally. In this study, the genomes of three recently isolated C. ulcerans strains, 4940, 2590 and BR-AD 2649, respectively from an asymptomatic carrier, a patient with pharyngitis and a canine host, were sequenced to investigate their virulence potential. A comparative analysis was performed including the published genome sequences of 16 other C. ulcerans isolates. C. ulcerans strains belong to two lineages; 13 strains are grouped together in lineage 1, and six strains comprise lineage 2. Consistent with the zoonotic nature of C. ulcerans infections, isolates from both the human and canine hosts clustered in both the lineages. Most of the strains possessed spaDEF and spaBC gene clusters along with the virulence genes cpp, pld, cwlH, nanH, rpfI, tspA and vsp1. The gene encoding Shiga-like toxin was only present in one strain, and 11 strains carried the tox gene encoding the diphtheria-like toxin. However, none of strains 4940, 2590 and BR-AD 2649 carried any toxin genes. These strains varied in the number of prophages in their genomes, which suggests that they play an important role in introducing diversity in C. ulcerans. The pan-genomic analyses revealed a variation in the number of membrane-associated and secreted proteins that may contribute to the variation in pathogenicity among different strains.
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10
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Bittel M, Gastiger S, Amin B, Hofmann J, Burkovski A. Surface and Extracellular Proteome of the Emerging Pathogen Corynebacterium ulcerans. Proteomes 2018; 6:E18. [PMID: 29673200 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes6020018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium ulcerans is an emerging pathogen, which is increasingly recognized as an etiological agent of diphtheria, but can also evoke ulcers of the skin and systemic infections in humans. Besides man, the bacteria can colonize a wide variety of different animals, including cattle and pet animals, which might serve as a reservoir for human infections. In this study, surface-located proteins and the exoproteome of two Corynebacterium ulcerans strains were analyzed, since these may have key roles in the interaction of the pathogen with host cells. Strain 809 was isolated from a fatal case of human respiratory tract infection, while strain BR-AD22 was isolated from a nasal swap of an asymptomatic dog. While a very similar pattern of virulence factors was observed in the culture supernatant and surface protein fractions of the two strains, proteome analyses revealed a higher stability of 809 cells compared to strain BR-AD22. During exponential growth, 17% of encoded proteins of strain 809 were detectable in the medium, while 38% of the predicted proteins encoded by the BR-AD22 chromosome were found. Furthermore, the data indicate differential expression of phospholipase D and a cell wall-associated hydrolase, since these were only detected in strain BR-AD22.
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11
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Schick J, Etschel P, Bailo R, Ott L, Bhatt A, Lepenies B, Kirschning C, Burkovski A, Lang R. Toll-Like Receptor 2 and Mincle Cooperatively Sense Corynebacterial Cell Wall Glycolipids. Infect Immun 2017; 85:e00075-17. [PMID: 28483856 DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00075-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans cause invasive disease in humans and animals. Host sensing of corynebacteria is largely uncharacterized, albeit the recognition of lipoglycans by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) appears to be important for macrophage activation by corynebacteria. The members of the order Corynebacterineae (e.g., mycobacteria, nocardia, and rhodococci) share a glycolipid-rich cell wall dominated by mycolic acids (termed corynomycolic acids in corynebacteria). The mycolic acid-containing cord factor of mycobacteria, trehalose dimycolate, activates the C-type lectin receptor (CLR) Mincle. Here, we show that glycolipid extracts from the cell walls of several pathogenic and nonpathogenic Corynebacterium strains directly bound to recombinant Mincle in vitro Macrophages deficient in Mincle or its adapter protein Fc receptor gamma chain (FcRγ) produced severely reduced amounts of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and of nitric oxide (NO) upon challenge with corynebacterial glycolipids. Consistently, cell wall extracts of a particular C. diphtheriae strain (DSM43989) lacking mycolic acid esters neither bound Mincle nor activated macrophages. Furthermore, TLR2 but not TLR4 was critical for sensing of cell wall extracts and whole corynebacteria. The upregulation of Mincle expression upon encountering corynebacteria required TLR2. Thus, macrophage activation by the corynebacterial cell wall relies on TLR2-driven robust Mincle expression and the cooperative action of both receptors.
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12
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Katsukawa C, Komiya T, Umeda K, Goto M, Yanai T, Takahashi M, Yamamoto A, Iwaki M. Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans isolated from a hunting dog and its diphtheria toxin antibody titer. Microbiol Immunol 2017; 60:177-86. [PMID: 26853714 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 11/07/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans is a zoonotic pathogen that produces diphtheria toxin and causes a diphtheria-like illness in humans. The organism is known to infect and circulate among dogs, which can then transmit it to humans. Furthermore, previous studies have found that C. ulcerans is carried by wild animals, including game animals. In the present study, we tested hunting and companion dogs for the presence of toxigenic C. ulcerans and succeeded in isolating the bacterium from a hunting dog. Moreover, several hunting dogs had serum diphtheria antitoxin titers that were higher than the titers required for protection in humans, suggesting a history of exposure to toxigenic Corynebacterium strains. Notably, ribotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and tox gene sequencing demonstrated that the isolate from the hunting dog clustered with previously characterized C. ulcerans strains isolated from wild animals, as opposed to groups of isolates from humans and companion dogs. Interestingly, the wild animal cluster also contains an isolate from an outdoor breeding dog, which could have formed a bridge between isolates from wild animals and those from companion dogs. The results presented herein provide insight into the mechanism by which the zoonotic pathogen C. ulcerans circulates among wild animals, hunting and companion dogs, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Katsukawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, 1-3-69 Nakamichi, Higashinari-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 537-0025
| | - Takako Komiya
- Department of Bacteriology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, 208-0011
| | - Kaoru Umeda
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka City Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences, 8-34 Tojo-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 543-0026
| | - Minami Goto
- Department of Pathogenetic Veterinary Sciences, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu-shi, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Tokuma Yanai
- Department of Pathogenetic Veterinary Sciences, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu-shi, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Motohide Takahashi
- Department of Bacteriology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, 208-0011
| | - Akihiko Yamamoto
- Department of Bacteriology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, 208-0011
| | - Masaaki Iwaki
- Department of Bacteriology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, 208-0011
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Abstract
While formerly known infections of Corynebacterium ulcerans are rare and mainly associated with contact to infected cattle, C. ulcerans has become an emerging pathogen today. In Western Europe, cases of respiratory diphtheria caused by C. ulcerans have been reported more often than infections by Corynebacterium diphtheria, while systemic infections are also increasingly reported. Little is known about factors that contribute to host colonization and virulence of this zoonotic pathogen. Research in this field has received new impetus by the publication of several C. ulcerans genome sequences in the past years. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the basic knowledge of C. ulcerans, as well as the recent advances made in the analysis of putative virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Hacker
- Professur für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Camila A Antunes
- Professur für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Laboratory of Diphtheria and Clinically Important Corynebacteria (LDCIC), Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana L Mattos-Guaraldi
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Clinically Important Corynebacteria (LDCIC), Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- Professur für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Tauch
- Centrum für Biotechnologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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Barka EA, Vatsa P, Sanchez L, Gaveau-Vaillant N, Jacquard C, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Klenk HP, Clément C, Ouhdouch Y, van Wezel GP. Taxonomy, Physiology, and Natural Products of Actinobacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 80:1-43. [PMID: 26609051 PMCID: PMC4711186 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00019-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 896] [Impact Index Per Article: 112.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinobacteria are Gram-positive bacteria with high G+C DNA content that constitute one of the largest bacterial phyla, and they are ubiquitously distributed in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Many Actinobacteria have a mycelial lifestyle and undergo complex morphological differentiation. They also have an extensive secondary metabolism and produce about two-thirds of all naturally derived antibiotics in current clinical use, as well as many anticancer, anthelmintic, and antifungal compounds. Consequently, these bacteria are of major importance for biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. Actinobacteria play diverse roles in their associations with various higher organisms, since their members have adopted different lifestyles, and the phylum includes pathogens (notably, species of Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Propionibacterium, and Tropheryma), soil inhabitants (e.g., Micromonospora and Streptomyces species), plant commensals (e.g., Frankia spp.), and gastrointestinal commensals (Bifidobacterium spp.). Actinobacteria also play an important role as symbionts and as pathogens in plant-associated microbial communities. This review presents an update on the biology of this important bacterial phylum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essaid Ait Barka
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Parul Vatsa
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Lisa Sanchez
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Nathalie Gaveau-Vaillant
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Cedric Jacquard
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | | | - Hans-Peter Klenk
- School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Christophe Clément
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Yder Ouhdouch
- Faculté de Sciences Semlalia, Université Cadi Ayyad, Laboratoire de Biologie et de Biotechnologie des Microorganismes, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Gilles P van Wezel
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Sylvius Laboratories, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Corynebacterium ulcerans is an emerging pathogen transmitted by a zoonotic pathway with a very broad host spectrum to humans. Despite rising numbers of infections and potentially fatal outcomes, data on the molecular basis of pathogenicity are scarce. In this study, the interaction of 2 C. ulcerans isolates - one from an asymptomatic dog, one from a fatal case of human infection - with human macrophages was investigated. C. ulcerans strains were able to survive in macrophages for at least 20 hours. Uptake led to delay of phagolysosome maturation and detrimental effects on the macrophages as deduced from cytotoxicity measurements and FACS analyses. The data presented here indicate a high infectious potential of this emerging pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Hacker
- a Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Professur für Mikrobiologie ; Erlangen , Germany
| | - Lisa Ott
- a Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Professur für Mikrobiologie ; Erlangen , Germany
| | - Jan Schulze-Luehrmann
- b Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Universitätsklinikum Erlangen; Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie; Immunologie und Hygiene ; Erlangen , Germany
| | - Anja Lührmann
- b Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Universitätsklinikum Erlangen; Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie; Immunologie und Hygiene ; Erlangen , Germany
| | - Veit Wiesmann
- c Fraunhofer Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen (IIS) ; Erlangen , Germany
| | - Thomas Wittenberg
- c Fraunhofer Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen (IIS) ; Erlangen , Germany
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- a Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Professur für Mikrobiologie ; Erlangen , Germany
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Hacker E, Ott L, Hasselt K, Mattos-Guaraldi AL, Tauch A, Burkovski A. Colonization of human epithelial cell lines by Corynebacterium ulcerans from human and animal sources. Microbiology (Reading) 2015; 161:1582-1591. [PMID: 26066797 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Corynebacterium ulcerans is an emerging pathogen transmitted by a zoonotic pathway to humans. Despite rising numbers of infections and potentially fatal outcomes, data on the colonization of the human host are lacking up to now. In this study, adhesion of two C. ulcerans isolates to human epithelial cells, invasion of host cells and the function of two putative virulence factors with respect to these processes were investigated. C. ulcerans strains BR-AD22 and 809 were able to adhere to Detroit562 and HeLa cells, and invade these epithelial cell lines with a rate comparable to other pathogens as shown by scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and replication assays. Infection led to detrimental effects on the cells as deduced from measurements of transepithelial resistance. Mutant strains of putative virulence factors phospholipase D and DIP0733 homologue CULC22_00609 generated in this study showed no influence on colonization under the experimental conditions tested. The data presented here indicate a high infectious potential of this emerging pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Hacker
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Ott
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | - Andreas Tauch
- Centrum für Biotechnologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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17
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Antunes JMADP, Ribeiro MG, Demoner LDC, Ramos JN, Baio PVP, Simpson-Louredo L, Santos CS, Hirata R, Ferioli RB, Romera ARC, Vieira VV, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Cutaneous abscess caused by Corynebacterium lactis in a companion dog. Vet Microbiol 2015; 178:163-6. [PMID: 25937144 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many new, emerging and re-emerging diseases of humans are caused by pathogens which originate from animals or products of animal origin. Corynebacterium lactis, a recently described species of the genus Corynebacterium, was first isolated from milk of asymptomatic cows. In the present study a cutaneous abscess caused by C. lactis in a dog was recognized by cytologic and histologic examination in addition to 16S rRNA gene analysis of the microorganism. Therefore, C. lactis should be included among other bacterial species recognized as emerging pathogens for companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Márcio Garcia Ribeiro
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Departmento de Veterinaria, Higiene e Saúde Pública, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Juliana Nunes Ramos
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC/Fiocruz, Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microrganismos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde-INCQS/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas FCM/UERJ, Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica-LDCIC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Victor Pereira Baio
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde-INCQS/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas FCM/UERJ, Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica-LDCIC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Liliane Simpson-Louredo
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde-INCQS/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas FCM/UERJ, Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica-LDCIC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Cíntia Silva Santos
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas FCM/UERJ, Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica-LDCIC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Raphael Hirata
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas FCM/UERJ, Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica-LDCIC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Verônica Viana Vieira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC/Fiocruz, Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microrganismos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde-INCQS/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Ana Luíza Mattos-Guaraldi
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas FCM/UERJ, Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica-LDCIC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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18
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Silva Ado S, Baraúna RA, de Sá PC, das Graças DA, Carneiro AR, Thouvenin M, Azevedo V, Badell E, Guiso N, da Silva AL, Ramos RT. Draft Genome Sequence of Corynebacterium ulcerans FRC58, Isolated from the Bronchitic Aspiration of a Patient in France. Genome Announc 2014; 2:e01132-13. [PMID: 24407640 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01132-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Corynebacterium ulcerans is a bacterial species with high importance because it causes infections in animals and, rarely, in humans. Its virulence mechanisms remain unclear. The current study describes the draft genome of C. ulcerans FRC58, which was isolated from the bronchitic aspiration of a patient in France.
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19
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Simpson-Louredo L, Ramos JN, Peixoto RS, Santos LS, Antunes CA, Ladeira EM, Santos CS, Vieira VV, Bôas MHSV, Hirata R, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Corynebacterium ulcerans isolates from humans and dogs: fibrinogen, fibronectin and collagen-binding, antimicrobial and PFGE profiles. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2013; 105:343-52. [PMID: 24281735 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-013-0080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Corynebacterium ulcerans has been increasingly isolated as an emerging zoonotic agent of diphtheria and other infections from companion animals. Since pets are able to act as symptomless carriers, it is also essential to identify virulence potential for humans of these isolates. In this work the ability of C. ulcerans to bind to fibrinogen (Fbg), fibronectin (Fn) and Type I collagen as well the genetic relationship among strains isolated from human and asymptomatic dogs in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) were analyzed. Five pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles were demonstrated (I, II, III, IV and V). In addition, the IV and V profiles exhibiting ≥85 % similarity were expressed by the BR-AD41 and BR-AD61 strains from companion dogs living in the same neighborhood. Independent of the PFGE-types, human and dog isolates showed affinity to Fbg, Fn and collagen. Heterogeneity of PFGE profiles indicated endemicity of C. ulcerans in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. Differences in the expression of adhesins to the human extracellular matrix may contribute to variations in the virulence and zoonotic potential of C. ulcerans strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliane Simpson-Louredo
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance-LDCIC, Collaborating Center for Diphtheria of CGLAB/SVS/MS, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro-UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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20
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Torres LDFC, Ribeiro D, Hirata R, Pacheco LGC, Souza MC, dos Santos LS, dos Santos CS, Salah M, da Costa MM, Ribeiro MG, Selim SA, Azevedo VADC, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction to identify and determine the toxigenicity of Corynebacterium spp with zoonotic potential and an overview of human and animal infections. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2013; 108:S0074-02762013000300272. [PMID: 23778659 PMCID: PMC4005569 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762013000300003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 04/29/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis constitute a group of potentially toxigenic microorganisms that are related to different infectious processes in animal and human hosts. Currently, there is a lack of information on the prevalence of disease caused by these pathogens, which is partially due to a reduction in the frequency of routine laboratory testing. In this study, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay that can simultaneously identify and determine the toxigenicity of these corynebacterial species with zoonotic potential was developed. This assay uses five primer pairs targeting the following genes: rpoB (Corynebacterium spp), 16S rRNA (C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis), pld (C. pseudotuberculosis), dtxR (C. diphtheriae) and tox [diphtheria toxin (DT) ]. In addition to describing this assay, we review the literature regarding the diseases caused by these pathogens. Of the 213 coryneform strains tested, the mPCR results for all toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains of C . diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis were in 100% agreement with the results of standard biochemical tests and PCR-DT. As an alternative to conventional methods, due to its advantages of specificity and speed, the mPCR assay used in this study may successfully be applied for the diagnosis of human and/or animal diseases caused by potentially toxigenic corynebacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciene de Fátima Costa Torres
- Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Dayana Ribeiro
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Raphael Hirata
- Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Monica Cristina Souza
- Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Louisy Sanches dos Santos
- Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Cíntia Silva dos Santos
- Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Mohammad Salah
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade do Cairo, Giza, Egito
| | | | - Marcio Garcia Ribeiro
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Salah A Selim
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade do Cairo, Giza, Egito
| | | | - Ana Luiza Mattos-Guaraldi
- Laboratório de Difteria e Corinebactérias de Importância Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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21
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Urakawa T, Seto J, Yamamoto A, Nakajima T, Goto S. Subcutaneous abscess formation in the upper extremity caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans. J Med Microbiol 2013; 62:489-493. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.051458-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Urakawa
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tsuruoka Municipal Shonai Hospital, 4-20 Izumi-machi, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata 997-8515, Japan
| | - Junji Seto
- Department of Microbiology, Yamagata Prefectural Institute of Public Health, 1-6-6 Toka-machi, Yamagata 990-0031, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yamamoto
- Department of Bacteriology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Tomoko Nakajima
- Central Inspection Department, Tsuruoka Municipal Shonai Hospital, 4-20 Izumi-machi, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata 997-8515, Japan
| | - Shinichi Goto
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tsuruoka Municipal Shonai Hospital, 4-20 Izumi-machi, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata 997-8515, Japan
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22
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Dias AADSDO, Santos LS, Sabbadini PS, Santos CS, Silva Junior FC, Napoleão F, Nagao PE, Villas-Bôas MHS, Hirata Junior R, Guaraldi ALM. Corynebacterium ulcerans diphtheria: an emerging zoonosis in Brazil and worldwide. Rev Saude Publica 2012; 45:1176-91. [PMID: 22124745 DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102011000600021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2010] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The article is a literature review on the emergence of human infections caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans in many countries including Brazil. Articles in Medline/PubMed and SciELO databases published between 1926 and 2011 were reviewed, as well as articles and reports of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. It is presented a fast, cost-effective and easy to perform screening test for the presumptive diagnosis of C. ulcerans and C. diphtheriae infections in most Brazilian public and private laboratories. C. ulcerans spread in many countries and recent isolation of this pathogen in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, is a warning to clinicians, veterinarians, and microbiologists on the occurrence of zoonotic diphtheria and C. ulcerans dissemination in urban and rural areas of Brazil and/or Latin America.
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Venezia J, Cassiday PK, Marini RP, Shen Z, Buckley EM, Peters Y, Taylor N, Dewhirst FE, Tondella ML, Fox JG. Characterization of Corynebacterium species in macaques. J Med Microbiol 2012; 61:1401-1408. [PMID: 22723254 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.045377-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Corynebacterium are important primary and opportunistic pathogens. Many are zoonotic agents. In this report, phenotypic (API Coryne analysis), genetic (rpoB and 16S rRNA gene sequencing), and physical methods (MS) were used to distinguish the closely related diphtheroid species Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, and to definitively diagnose Corynebacterium renale from cephalic implants of rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) macaques used in cognitive neuroscience research. Throat and cephalic implant cultures yielded 85 isolates from 43 macaques. Identification by API Coryne yielded C. ulcerans (n = 74), Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (n = 2), C. renale or most closely related to C. renale (n = 3), and commensals and opportunists (n = 6). The two isolates identified as C. pseudotuberculosis by API Coryne required genetic and MS analysis for accurate characterization as C. ulcerans. Of three isolates identified as C. renale by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, only one could be confirmed as such by API Coryne, rpoB gene sequencing and MS. This study emphasizes the importance of adjunct methods in identification of coryneforms and is the first isolation of C. renale from cephalic implants in macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Venezia
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Pamela K Cassiday
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Robert P Marini
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Zeli Shen
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ellen M Buckley
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yaicha Peters
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Nancy Taylor
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Floyd E Dewhirst
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics, The Forsyth Institute, 245 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Maria L Tondella
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - James G Fox
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Santos SS, Pardal S, Proença DN, Lopes RJ, Ramos JA, Mendes L, Morais PV. Diversity of cloacal microbial community in migratory shorebirds that use the Tagus estuary as stopover habitat and their potential to harbor and disperse pathogenic microorganisms. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2012; 82:63-74. [PMID: 22571242 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2012.01407.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of the cloacal microbial community in migratory shorebirds, caught at the Tagus estuary, Portugal, was assessed by cultivation (R2A and Nutrient Agar media) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiling (DGGE) to provide a better understanding of the birds' potential to harbor and disperse pathogens. Three different bird species belonging to four different populations were studied: common redshank (Tringa totanus), black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and nominate and Icelandic populations of black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa). DGGE profiling and partial 16S RNA gene sequences of 240 isolates, and 26 DGGE bands resulting in 58 clones, were analyzed. Most isolates were members of the phylum Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and only a small portion belonged to the Proteobacteria and Deinococcus-Thermus phyla. Potentially pathogenic strains carried by the birds were found such as Helicobacter and Staphylococcus in all bird species, and Clostridium, Mycobacterium, Rhodococcus, Legionella and Corynebacterium in black-winged stilts. Unexpectedly, bacteria from the phylum Deinococcus-Thermus were isolated in shorebirds and were present in all the bird species studied.
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25
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Ott L, McKenzie A, Baltazar MT, Britting S, Bischof A, Burkovski A, Hoskisson PA. Evaluation of invertebrate infection models for pathogenic corynebacteria. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 65:413-21. [PMID: 22443092 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2012.00963.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 03/08/2012] [Accepted: 03/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
For several pathogenic bacteria, model systems for host-pathogen interactions were developed, which provide the possibility of quick and cost-effective high throughput screening of mutant bacteria for genes involved in pathogenesis. A number of different model systems, including amoeba, nematodes, insects, and fish, have been introduced, and it was observed that different bacteria respond in different ways to putative surrogate hosts, and distinct model systems might be more or less suitable for a certain pathogen. The aim of this study was to develop a suitable invertebrate model for the human and animal pathogens Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, and Corynebacterium ulcerans. The results obtained in this study indicate that Acanthamoeba polyphaga is not optimal as surrogate host, while both Caenorhabtitis elegans and Galleria larvae seem to offer tractable models for rapid assessment of virulence between strains. Caenorhabtitis elegans gives more differentiated results and might be the best model system for pathogenic corynebacteria, given the tractability of bacteria and the range of mutant nematodes available to investigate the host response in combination with bacterial virulence. Nevertheless, Galleria will also be useful in respect to innate immune responses to pathogens because insects offer a more complex cell-based innate immune system compared with the simple innate immune system of C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Ott
- Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Trost E, Al-Dilaimi A, Papavasiliou P, Schneider J, Viehoever P, Burkovski A, Soares SC, Almeida SS, Dorella FA, Miyoshi A, Azevedo V, Schneider MP, Silva A, Santos CS, Santos LS, Sabbadini P, Dias AA, Hirata R Jr, Mattos-Guaraldi AL, Tauch A. Comparative analysis of two complete Corynebacterium ulcerans genomes and detection of candidate virulence factors. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:383. [PMID: 21801446 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium ulcerans has been detected as a commensal in domestic and wild animals that may serve as reservoirs for zoonotic infections. During the last decade, the frequency and severity of human infections associated with C. ulcerans appear to be increasing in various countries. As the knowledge of genes contributing to the virulence of this bacterium was very limited, the complete genome sequences of two C. ulcerans strains detected in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro were determined and characterized by comparative genomics: C. ulcerans 809 was initially isolated from an elderly woman with fatal pulmonary infection and C. ulcerans BR-AD22 was recovered from a nasal sample of an asymptomatic dog. Results The circular chromosome of C. ulcerans 809 has a total size of 2,502,095 bp and encodes 2,182 predicted proteins, whereas the genome of C. ulcerans BR-AD22 is 104,279 bp larger and comprises 2,338 protein-coding regions. The minor difference in size of the two genomes is mainly caused by additional prophage-like elements in the C. ulcerans BR-AD22 chromosome. Both genomes show a highly similar order of orthologous coding regions; and both strains share a common set of 2,076 genes, demonstrating their very close relationship. A screening for prominent virulence factors revealed the presence of phospholipase D (Pld), neuraminidase H (NanH), endoglycosidase E (EndoE), and subunits of adhesive pili of the SpaDEF type that are encoded in both C. ulcerans genomes. The rbp gene coding for a putative ribosome-binding protein with striking structural similarity to Shiga-like toxins was additionally detected in the genome of the human isolate C. ulcerans 809. Conclusions The molecular data deduced from the complete genome sequences provides considerable knowledge of virulence factors in C. ulcerans that is increasingly recognized as an emerging pathogen. This bacterium is apparently equipped with a broad and varying set of virulence factors, including a novel type of a ribosome-binding protein. Whether the respective protein contributes to the severity of human infections (and a fatal outcome) remains to be elucidated by genetic experiments with defined bacterial mutants and host model systems.
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Dias AASO, Silva FC, Santos LS, Ribeiro-Carvalho MM, Sabbadini PS, Santos CS, Filardy AA, Myioshi A, Azevedo VA, Hirata R, Villas-Bôas MHS, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Strain-dependent arthritogenic potential of the zoonotic pathogen Corynebacterium ulcerans. Vet Microbiol 2011; 153:323-31. [PMID: 21742447 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 04/30/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
During the last decade the majority of diphtheria cases in Europe had Corynebacterium ulcerans as the etiologic agent with dogs and cats as the reservoir hosts. However, little has been documented about the virulence factors of this zoonotic pathogen. To set up an in vivo experimental C. ulcerans infection model, conventional Swiss Webster mice were intravenously infected with different doses (from 1 × 10(7) to 5 × 10(9) bacteria per mouse) of C. ulcerans strains, namely 809 (from human lower respiratory tract), BR-AD22 (from asymptomatic dog nares) and CDC-KC279. Mortality rates were demonstrated by LD(50) values ranging from 1.9 × 10(8) to 1.3 × 10(9). Viable bacteria were recovered from blood, kidneys, liver, spleen and joints. For CDC-KC279 and 809 strains (2 × 10(8)mL(-1)) approximately 85% and 72% of animals with articular lesions were observed, respectively; BR-AD22-infected mice showed no signs of arthritis. CDC-KC279 and 809 strains exhibited higher arthritogenic potential when compared to the homologous toxigenic (ATCC27012) and non-toxigenic (ATCC27010) strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. A high number of affected joints and arthritis index in addition to the histopathological features, including subcutaneous edema, inflammatory infiltrate, damage to bone tissue and synoviocyte hypertrophy, indicated a strain-dependent ability of C. ulcerans strains to cause severe polyarthritis. A correlation between the arthritis index and systemic levels of IL-6 and TNF-α was observed for C. ulcerans strains, with the exception of the non-arthritogenic BR-AD22 strain. In conclusion, C. ulcerans revealed a strain-dependent arthritogenic potential independent of DNAse, PLD and diphtheria toxin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A S O Dias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Vigilância Sanitária/Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil
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Abstract
Two Corynebacterium strains were isolated from lymph nodes of wild boars showing severe alterations caused by caseous lymphadenitis. The wild boars came from different districts in southern Germany; one was found dead, the other had been shot. The two Corynebacterium strains obtained were both positive for phospholipase D. Further analysis of biochemical profiles did not allow unambiguous differentiation between Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy as well as partial sequencing of the genes for 16S rRNA and RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) clearly identified both strains as Corynebacterium ulcerans. The tox gene for diphtheria toxin (DT) could be detected in both porcine isolates by PCR. Partial DNA sequencing of this tox gene showed significant differences from sequences described for other Corynebacterium ulcerans strains and a higher degree of similarity to that of Corynebacterium diphtheria. Production of diphtheria toxin could not be detected. These results indicate that wild game could be a reservoir for zoonotic Corynebacterium ulcerans.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Contzen
- Chemisches und Veterinaeruntersuchungsamt (CVUA) Stuttgart, Fellbach, Germany
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Dias AA, Silva FC, Pereira GA, Souza MC, Camello TC, Damasceno JA, Pacheco LG, Miyoshi A, Azevedo VA, Hirata R, Bôas MH, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Corynebacterium ulceransIsolated from an Asymptomatic Dog Kept in an Animal Shelter in the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 10:743-8. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre A.S.O. Dias
- Post Graduation Program in Health Surveillance-National Institute of Quality Control in Health, Oswaldo Cruz
| | - Feliciano C. Silva
- Post Graduation Program in Health Surveillance-National Institute of Quality Control in Health, Oswaldo Cruz
| | - Gabriela A. Pereira
- Foundation and Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Medical Relevance, Faculty of Medicine, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Monica C. Souza
- Foundation and Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Medical Relevance, Faculty of Medicine, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thereza C.F. Camello
- Foundation and Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Medical Relevance, Faculty of Medicine, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José A.L.D. Damasceno
- Foundation and Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Medical Relevance, Faculty of Medicine, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luis G.C. Pacheco
- Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Anderson Miyoshi
- Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vasco A. Azevedo
- Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Raphael Hirata
- Foundation and Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Medical Relevance, Faculty of Medicine, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria H.S.V. Bôas
- Post Graduation Program in Health Surveillance-National Institute of Quality Control in Health, Oswaldo Cruz
| | - Ana L. Mattos-Guaraldi
- Foundation and Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Medical Relevance, Faculty of Medicine, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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