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Abukhalid N, Islam S, Ndzeidze R, Bermudez LE. Mycobacterium avium Subsp. hominissuis Interactions with Macrophage Killing Mechanisms. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111365. [PMID: 34832521 PMCID: PMC8623537 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitously found throughout the environment. NTM can cause respiratory infections in individuals with underlying lung conditions when inhaled, or systemic infections when ingested by patients with impaired immune systems. Current therapies can be ineffective at treating NTM respiratory infections, even after a long course or with multidrug treatment regimens. NTM, such as Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis (M. avium), is an opportunistic pathogen that shares environments with ubiquitous free-living amoeba and other environmental hosts, possibly their evolutionary hosts. It is highly likely that interactions between M. avium and free-living amoeba have provided selective pressure on the bacteria to acquire survival mechanisms, which are also used against predation by macrophages. In macrophages, M. avium resides inside phagosomes and has been shown to exit it to infect other cells. M. avium’s adaptation to the hostile intra-phagosomal environment is due to many virulence mechanisms. M. avium is able to switch the phenotype of the macrophage to be anti-inflammatory (M2). Here, we have focused on and discussed the bacterial defense mechanisms associated with the intra-phagosome phase of infection. M. avium possesses a plethora of antioxidant enzymes, including the superoxide dismutases, catalase and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase. When these defenses fail or are overtaken by robust oxidative burst, many other enzymes exist to repair damage incurred on M. avium proteins, including thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase. Finally, M. avium has several oxidant sensors that induce transcription of antioxidant enzymes, oxidation repair enzymes and biofilm- promoting genes. These expressions induce physiological changes that allow M. avium to survive in the face of leukocyte-generated oxidative stress. We will discuss the strategies used by M. avium to infect human macrophages that evolved during its evolution from free-living amoeba. The more insight we gain about M. avium’s mode of pathogenicity, the more targets we can have to direct new anti-virulence therapies toward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah Abukhalid
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (N.A.); (S.I.); (R.N.)
| | - Sabrina Islam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (N.A.); (S.I.); (R.N.)
| | - Robert Ndzeidze
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (N.A.); (S.I.); (R.N.)
| | - Luiz E. Bermudez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (N.A.); (S.I.); (R.N.)
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Correspondence:
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2
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Gelendi S, Taylor S, D'Aout C, Pitchford C, Coldrick O, Sanchez-Jimenez C, O'Halloran C. Mycobacterium avium infection associated with sterile polyarthritis in a dog. J Small Anim Pract 2021; 63:154-158. [PMID: 34468983 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A 1-year-old male neutered Portuguese Podengo dog was presented for lameness, inappetence, pyrexia, diarrhoea and abdominal moderate to severe lymphadenomegaly. Cytology of synovial fluid revealed neutrophilic inflammation in multiple joints suggestive of immune-mediated polyarthritis. Cytology of fine-needle-aspiration material obtained from lymph nodes revealed macrophages with intracytoplasmic, rod-like Ziehl-Neelsen positive staining structures, indicative of mycobacteria. Four-month treatment with enrofloxacin, rifampicin and clarithromycin resulted in clinical improvement and resolution of polyarthritis as evidenced on repeat synoviocentesis, but diarrhoea recurred, Ziehl-Neelsen positive organisms were again found on lymph node cytology and analysis of the 16S rRNA-gene using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool facility resulted in a match to Mycobacterium avium with 100% sequence identity. Treatment was adjusted to include pradofloxacin, doxycycline, rifampicin and ethambutol and 3 months later the dog is clinically normal. Based on the literature search, this is the first time canine Mycobacterium avium infection associated with immune-mediated polyarthritis is reported. Based on scoping searches, this is the first report of canine Mycobacterium avium infection associated with immune-mediated polyarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gelendi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3HL, UK
| | - S Taylor
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3HL, UK
| | - C D'Aout
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3HL, UK
| | - C Pitchford
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Synlab VPG, Exeter, Devon, EX5 2FN, UK
| | - O Coldrick
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Synlab VPG, Exeter, Devon, EX5 2FN, UK
| | - C Sanchez-Jimenez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3HL, UK
| | - C O'Halloran
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
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3
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Proctor CR, Rhoads WJ, Keane T, Salehi M, Hamilton K, Pieper KJ, Cwiertny DM, Prévost M, Whelton AJ. Considerations for large building water quality after extended stagnation. AWWA Water Sci 2020; 2:e1186. [PMID: 32838226 DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/qvj3b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The unprecedented number of building closures related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is concerning because water stagnation will occur in many buildings that do not have water management plans in place. Stagnant water can have chemical and microbiological contaminants that pose potential health risks to occupants. Health officials, building owners, utilities, and other entities are rapidly developing guidance to address this issue, but the scope, applicability, and details included in the guidance vary widely. To provide a primer of large building water system preventative and remedial strategies, peer-reviewed, government, industry, and nonprofit literature relevant to water stagnation and decontamination practices for plumbing was synthesized. Preventative practices to help avoid the need for recommissioning (e.g., routine flushing) and specific actions, challenges, and limitations associated with recommissioning were identified and characterized. Considerations for worker and occupant safety were also indicated. The intended audience of this work includes organizations developing guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R Proctor
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana
| | - William J Rhoads
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia
| | - Tim Keane
- Legionella Risk Management, Inc. Chalfont Pennsylvania
| | - Maryam Salehi
- Department of Civil Engineering University of Memphis Memphis Tennessee
| | - Kerry Hamilton
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
| | - Kelsey J Pieper
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Northeastern University Boston Massachusetts
| | - David M Cwiertny
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa
- Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa
- Public Policy Center University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa
| | - Michele Prévost
- Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Polytechnique Montreal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Andrew J Whelton
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana
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4
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Proctor CR, Rhoads WJ, Keane T, Salehi M, Hamilton K, Pieper KJ, Cwiertny DM, Prévost M, Whelton AJ. Considerations for Large Building Water Quality after Extended Stagnation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 2:e1186. [PMID: 32838226 PMCID: PMC7323006 DOI: 10.1002/aws2.1186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The unprecedented number of building closures related to the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic is concerning because water stagnation will occur in many buildings that do not have water management plans in place. Stagnant water can have chemical and microbiological contaminants that pose potential health risks to occupants. Health officials, building owners, utilities, and other entities are rapidly developing guidance to address this issue, but the scope, applicability, and details included in the guidance vary widely. To provide a primer of large building water system preventative and remedial strategies, peer‐reviewed, government, industry, and nonprofit literature relevant to water stagnation and decontamination practices for plumbing was synthesized. Preventative practices to help avoid the need for recommissioning (e.g., routine flushing) and specific actions, challenges, and limitations associated with recommissioning were identified and characterized. Considerations for worker and occupant safety were also indicated. The intended audience of this work includes organizations developing guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R Proctor
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette IN
| | - William J Rhoads
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA
| | - Tim Keane
- Consulting Engineer, Legionella Risk Management, Inc PA
| | - Maryam Salehi
- Department of Civil Engineering University of Memphis Memphis TN
| | - Kerry Hamilton
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment Arizona State University Tempe AZ
| | - Kelsey J Pieper
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Northeastern University Boston MA
| | - David M Cwiertny
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City IA.,Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, 251 North Capitol Street, Chemistry Building - Room W195 University of Iowa Iowa City IA.,Public Policy Center, 310 South Grand Ave, 209 South Quadrangle University of Iowa Iowa City IA
| | - Michele Prévost
- Professor and Principal Chairholder, NSERC Industrial Chair on Drinking Water, Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal CP Québec Canada
| | - Andrew J Whelton
- Purdue University, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering West Lafayette IN
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Uwamino Y, Nishimura T, Sato Y, Tamizu E, Uno S, Mori M, Fujiwara H, Kawabe H, Murata M, Hasegawa N. Showering is associated with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: An observational study in Japanese women. J Infect Chemother 2019; 26:211-214. [PMID: 31604605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium complex refers to a group of environmental bacteria which inhabit water and soil. Although Mycobacterium avium complex is capable of causing refractory lung infections, the risk factors for Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease are still unclear. This study aimed to determine the associations between Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease and soil or water exposure. Using questionnaires along with clinical data, we compared soil exposure, along with bathtub bathing and showering habits between 172 women with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease and 339 women without Mycobacterium avium complex infection as controls. Showering was found to be independently associated with the presence of Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (adjusted odds ratio 5.72, 95%, confidence interval 1.99 to 16.46). Although the mean age of the groups was different, an age-matched sub-analysis yielded similar results. These results indicate that showering may be a risk factor for Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Uwamino
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyasu Nishimura
- Health Center, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yasunori Sato
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinoanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiko Tamizu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Uno
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaaki Mori
- Health Center, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Fujiwara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawabe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Murata
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Hasegawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Sharp E, Taylor S, O'Halloran C. Unusual presentation of canine Mycobacterium avium infection. Vet Rec 2019; 184:800. [PMID: 31164481 DOI: 10.1136/vr.105311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This short communication describes the clinical and morphological findings, diagnosis and treatment of a case of Mycobacterium avium infection in a golden retriever that presented with a progressive nasal swelling and lymphadenopathy. Although well documented in cats, where cutaneous lesions are frequently recognised, canine M avium infection is less commonly reported, and cutaneous lesions are rare. To the authors' knowledge this is the first documented case of canine M avium infection that presented with a cutaneous lesion but no systemic clinical signs. It occurred in a dog with no previously reported breed predisposition and highlights that in cases of cutaneous histiocytic infiltrate in dogs mycobacterial infection should remain a differential diagnosis, even in the absence of suggestive organisms on histopathological examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Sharp
- Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, Alton, UK
| | | | - Conor O'Halloran
- Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, UK.,Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK
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7
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Abstract
Shower hoses offer an excellent bacterial growth environment in close proximity to a critical end-user exposure route within building drinking water plumbing. However, the health risks associated with and processes underlying the development of biofilms in shower hoses are poorly studied. In a global survey, biofilms from 78 shower hoses from 11 countries were characterized in terms of cell concentration (4.1 × 104-5.8 × 108 cells/cm2), metal accumulation (including iron, lead, and copper), and microbiome composition (including presence of potential opportunistic pathogens). In countries using disinfectant, biofilms had on average lower cell concentrations and diversity. Metal accumulation (up to 5 μg-Fe/cm2, 75 ng-Pb/cm2, and 460 ng-Cu/cm2) seemed to be partially responsible for discoloration in biofilms, and likely originated from other pipes upstream in the building. While some genera that may contain potential opportunistic pathogens (Legionella, detected in 21/78 shower hoses) were positively correlated with biofilm cell concentration, others (Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas) had surprisingly non-existent or negative correlations with biofilm cell concentrations. In a controlled study, 15 identical shower hoses were installed for the same time period in the same country, and both stagnant and flowing water samples were collected. Ecological theory of dispersal and selection helped to explain microbiome composition and diversity of different sample types. Shower hose age was related to metal accumulation but not biofilm cell concentration, while frequency of use appeared to influence biofilm cell concentration. This study shows that shower hose biofilms are clearly a critical element of building drinking water plumbing, and a potential target for building drinking water plumbing monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R Proctor
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Reimann
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bas Vriens
- Department of Water Resources and Drinking Water, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Frederik Hammes
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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8
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Chattopadhyay S, Perkins SD, Shaw M, Nichols TL. Evaluation of Exposure to Brevundimonas diminuta and Pseudomonas aeruginosa during Showering. J Aerosol Sci 2017; 114:77-93. [PMID: 30319141 PMCID: PMC6178840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This study experimentally assessed bacterial water-to-air partitioning coefficients resulting from showerhead aerosolization of water contaminated with Brevundimonas diminuta or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and estimated human exposure through inhalation. Dechlorinated tap water was spiked with two cell densities (109 and 1010 CFU l-1) and cycled at three temperatures (10, 25, and 37 or 40ºC) through a full-scale shower system. For reproducibility, spiked water concentrations were intentionally higher than found in natural environments. Three types of samplers measured size distribution and viable concentrations throughout the system. Results indicate low levels of respirable bioaerosols were generated. The ratio of bacterial contaminant that was effectively aerosolized (bacterial water-to-air partitioning coefficient, PC bwa ) was low - averaging 1.13×10-5 L m-3 for B. diminuta and 8.31×10-6 L m-3 for P. aeruginosa. However, the respirable fraction of aerosolized organisms was high, averaging above 94% (in shower) and above 99% (downstream) for both organisms. This study found no significant difference in bioaerosol load for a forward facing versus reverse facing individual. Further, for the average hot shower (33-43°C) the total number of respirable bioaerosols is higher, but the observed culturability of those aerosolized cells is lower when compared to lower temperatures. Bacterial water to air partitioning coefficients were calculated to predict microbial air concentration and these empirical parameters may be used for assessing inhalation as a route of exposure to pathogens in contaminated waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandip Chattopadhyay
- National Homeland Security Research Center, Office of Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH, 45268 USA
| | | | - Matthew Shaw
- Battelle, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
| | - Tonya L Nichols
- National Homeland Security Research Center, Office of Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH, 45268 USA
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Santos MA, Patel H, Albert A. Nothing to (S)cough at: Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection. Am J Med 2017; 130:153-156. [PMID: 27984010 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Santos
- Department of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Penn.
| | - Hardikkumar Patel
- Department of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Penn
| | - Adam Albert
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lebanon, Penn
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Yong D, Tee KK, Yin WF, Chan KG. Characterization and Comparative Overview of Complete Sequences of the First Plasmids of Pandoraea across Clinical and Non-clinical Strains. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1606. [PMID: 27790203 PMCID: PMC5064223 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, information on plasmid analysis in Pandoraea spp. is scarce. To address the gap of knowledge on this, the complete sequences of eight plasmids from Pandoraea spp. namely Pandoraea faecigallinarum DSM 23572T (pPF72-1, pPF72-2), Pandoraea oxalativorans DSM 23570T (pPO70-1, pPO70-2, pPO70-3, pPO70-4), Pandoraea vervacti NS15 (pPV15) and Pandoraea apista DSM 16535T (pPA35) were studied for the first time in this study. The information on plasmid sequences in Pandoraea spp. is useful as the sequences did not match any known plasmid sequence deposited in public databases. Replication genes were not identified in some plasmids, a situation that has led to the possibility of host interaction involvement. Some plasmids were also void of par genes and intriguingly, repA gene was also not discovered in these plasmids. This further leads to the hypothesis of host-plasmid interaction. Plasmid stabilization/stability protein-encoding genes were observed in some plasmids but were not established for participating in plasmid segregation. Toxin-antitoxin systems MazEF, VapBC, RelBE, YgiT-MqsR, HigBA, and ParDE were identified across the plasmids and their presence would improve plasmid maintenance. Conjugation genes were identified portraying the conjugation ability amongst Pandoraea plasmids. Additionally, we found a shared region amongst some of the plasmids that consists of conjugation genes. The identification of genes involved in replication, segregation, toxin-antitoxin systems and conjugation, would aid the design of drugs to prevent the survival or transmission of plasmids carrying pathogenic properties. Additionally, genes conferring virulence and antibiotic resistance were identified amongst the plasmids. The observed features in the plasmids shed light on the Pandoraea spp. as opportunistic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delicia Yong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kok Keng Tee
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wai-Fong Yin
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Moat J, Rizoulis A, Fox G, Upton M. Domestic shower hose biofilms contain fungal species capable of causing opportunistic infection. J Water Health 2016; 14:727-737. [PMID: 27740540 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2016.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The domestic environment can be a source of pathogenic bacteria. We show here that domestic shower hoses may harbour potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Well-developed biofilms were physically removed from the internal surface of shower hoses collected in four locations in England and Scotland. Amplicon pyrosequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA targets revealed the presence of common aquatic and environmental bacteria, including members of the Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and non-tuberculous Mycobacteria. These bacteria are associated with infections in immunocompromised hosts and are widely reported in shower systems and as causes of water-acquired infection. More importantly, this study represents the first detailed analysis of fungal populations in shower systems and revealed the presence of sequences related to Exophiala mesophila, Fusarium fujikuroi and Malassezia restricta. These organisms can be associated with the environment and healthy skin, but also with infection in compromised and immuno-competent hosts and occurrence of dandruff. Domestic showering may result in exposure to aerosols of bacteria and fungi that are potentially pathogenic and toxigenic. It may be prudent to limit development of these biofilms by the use of disinfectants, or regular replacement of hoses, where immuno-compromised persons are present.
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MESH Headings
- Bacteria/classification
- Bacteria/isolation & purification
- Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
- Biofilms/growth & development
- England
- Fungi/classification
- Fungi/isolation & purification
- Fungi/physiology
- Opportunistic Infections/microbiology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- RNA, Bacterial/genetics
- RNA, Bacterial/metabolism
- RNA, Fungal/genetics
- RNA, Fungal/metabolism
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/metabolism
- RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/metabolism
- Scotland
- Water Microbiology
- Water Supply
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Affiliation(s)
- John Moat
- Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, UK E-mail: ; Current address: AV Hill Building, University of Manchester, Rumford Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Athanasios Rizoulis
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Graeme Fox
- Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, UK E-mail:
| | - Mathew Upton
- Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, UK E-mail: ; Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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