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Mezcord V, Escalante J, Nishimura B, Traglia GM, Sharma R, Vallé Q, Tuttobene MR, Subils T, Marin I, Pasteran F, Actis LA, Tolmasky ME, Bonomo RA, Rao G, Ramirez MS. Induced Heteroresistance in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) via Exposure to Human Pleural Fluid (HPF) and Its Impact on Cefiderocol Susceptibility. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11752. [PMID: 37511511 PMCID: PMC10380697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates, such as hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), bacteremia, and skin and soft tissue infections, among others, are particularly challenging to treat. Cefiderocol, a chlorocatechol-substituted siderophore antibiotic, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 and prescribed for the treatment of CRAB infections. Despite the initial positive treatment outcomes with this antimicrobial, recent studies reported a higher-than-average all-cause mortality rate in patients treated with cefiderocol compared to the best available therapy. The cause(s) behind these outcomes remains unconfirmed. A plausible hypothesis is heteroresistance, a phenotype characterized by the survival of a small proportion of cells in a population that is seemingly isogenic. Recent results have demonstrated that the addition of human fluids to CRAB cultures leads to cefiderocol heteroresistance. Here, we describe the molecular and phenotypic analyses of CRAB heteroresistant bacterial subpopulations to better understand the nature of the less-than-expected successful outcomes after cefiderocol treatment. Isolation of heteroresistant variants of the CRAB strain AMA40 was carried out in cultures supplemented with cefiderocol and human pleural fluid (HPF). Two AMA40 variants, AMA40 IHC1 and IHC2, were resistant to cefiderocol. To identify mutations and gene expression changes associated with cefiderocol heteroresistance, we subjected these variants to whole genome sequencing and global transcriptional analysis. We then assessed the impact of these mutations on the pharmacodynamic activity of cefiderocol via susceptibility testing, EDTA and boronic acid inhibition analysis, biofilm formation, and static time-kill assays. Heteroresistant variants AMA40 IHC1 and AMA40 IHC2 have 53 chromosomal mutations, of which 40 are common to both strains. None of the mutations occurred in genes associated with high affinity iron-uptake systems or β-lactam resistance. However, transcriptional analyses demonstrated significant modifications in levels of expression of genes associated with iron-uptake systems or β-lactam resistance. The blaNDM-1 and blaADC-2, as well as various iron-uptake system genes, were expressed at higher levels than the parental strain. On the other hand, the carO and ompA genes' expression was reduced. One of the mutations common to both heteroresistant strains was mapped within ppiA, a gene associated with iron homeostasis in other species. Static time-kill assays demonstrated that supplementing cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth with human serum albumin (HAS), the main protein component of HPF, considerably reduced cefiderocol killing activity for all three strains tested. Notably, collateral resistance to amikacin was observed in both variants. We conclude that exposing CRAB to fluids with high HSA concentrations facilitates the rise of heteroresistance associated with point mutations and transcriptional upregulation of genes coding for β-lactamases and biofilm formation. The findings from this study hold significant implications for understanding the emergence of CRAB resistance mechanisms against cefiderocol treatment. This understanding is vital for the development of treatment guidelines that can effectively address the challenges posed by CRAB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vyanka Mezcord
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (V.M.)
| | - Jenny Escalante
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (V.M.)
| | - Brent Nishimura
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (V.M.)
| | - German M. Traglia
- Unidad de Genómica y Bioinformática, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Salto 50000, Uruguay
| | - Rajnikant Sharma
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (Q.V.)
| | - Quentin Vallé
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (Q.V.)
| | - Marisel R. Tuttobene
- Área Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), Rosario 2000, Argentina
| | - Tomás Subils
- Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos de Rosario (IPROBYQ, CONICET-UNR), Rosario 2000, Argentina
| | - Ingrid Marin
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (V.M.)
| | - Fernando Pasteran
- National Regional Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance (NRL), Servicio Antimicrobianos, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires 1282, Argentina
| | - Luis A. Actis
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Marcelo E. Tolmasky
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (V.M.)
| | - Robert A. Bonomo
- Research Service and GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Biochemistry, Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- CWRU-Cleveland VAMC Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Epidemiology (Case VA CARES), Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Gauri Rao
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (Q.V.)
| | - María S. Ramirez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (V.M.)
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Cerbino GN, Traglia GM, Ayala Nuñez T, Parmeciano Di Noto G, Ramírez MS, Centrón D, Iriarte A, Quiroga C. Comparative genome analysis of the genus Shewanella unravels the association of key genetic traits with known and potential pathogenic lineages. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1124225. [PMID: 36925471 PMCID: PMC10011109 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1124225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Shewanella spp. are Gram-negative rods widely disseminated in aquatic niches that can also be found in human-associated environments. In recent years, reports of infections caused by these bacteria have increased significantly. Mobilome and resistome analysis of a few species showed that they are versatile; however, comprehensive comparative studies in the genus are lacking. Here, we analyzed the genetic traits of 144 genomes from Shewanella spp. isolates focusing on the mobilome, resistome, and virulome to establish their evolutionary relationship and detect unique features based on their genome content and habitat. Shewanella spp. showed a great diversity of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), most of them associated with monophyletic lineages of clinical isolates. Furthermore, 79/144 genomes encoded at least one antimicrobial resistant gene with their highest occurrence in clinical-related lineages. CRISPR-Cas systems, which confer immunity against MGEs, were found in 41 genomes being I-E and I-F the more frequent ones. Virulome analysis showed that all Shewanella spp. encoded different virulence genes (motility, quorum sensing, biofilm, adherence, etc.) that may confer adaptive advantages for survival against hosts. Our data revealed that key accessory genes are frequently found in two major clinical-related groups, which encompass the opportunistic pathogens Shewanella algae and Shewanella xiamenensis together with several other species. This work highlights the evolutionary nature of Shewanella spp. genomes, capable of acquiring different key genetic traits that contribute to their adaptation to different niches and facilitate the emergence of more resistant and virulent isolates that impact directly on human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela N Cerbino
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - German M Traglia
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Teolincacihuatl Ayala Nuñez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gisela Parmeciano Di Noto
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Soledad Ramírez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Daniela Centrón
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Quiroga
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Hoard A, Montaña S, Moriano A, Fernandez JS, Traglia GM, Quiroga C, Franchi A, Cohen E, Corigliano C, Almuzara M, Ramirez MS. Genomic Analysis of two NDM-1 Providencia stuartii Strains Recovered from a Single Patient. Curr Microbiol 2020; 77:4029-4036. [PMID: 33048176 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-020-02242-6] [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: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In the last years, an increasing number of untreatable infections caused by drug-resistant microbes have impacted the health care system. Worldwide, infections caused by carbapenem-resistant (CR) Gram-negative bacilli have dramatically increased. Among the CR-Gram-negative bacilli, those producing carbapenemases, such as NDM-1, are the main concern. Different Enterobacterales harboring NDM-1 have been reported lately. Providencia stuartii, a member of the Morganellaceae family, is ubiquitous in the environment, but is also known to cause nosocomial infections. Here we describe the genomic analysis of two NDM-1- producing P. stuartii strains recovered from the same patient as well as other carbapenem resistant strains recovered from the same hospital. As a result of the genomic analysis thirteen resistance genes, including three to β-lactams (blaOXA-1, blaTEM-1, blaNDM-1), four to aminoglycosides (aphA6, aac(3)-IId, aac(2')-Ia, aac(6')-Ib-cr5), one to sulfonamides (sul1), two to chloramphenicol (catB3, catA3), one to rifampicin, one to bleomycin (ble), and one to tetracycline (tet(B)) were found. Moreover, a variety of mobile genetic elements, such as insertion sequences, plasmids and phage- related sequences, were found within P. stuartii genomes. The spread of carbapenem-resistant isolates remains a significant clinical and public health concern. Therefore, we considered that the detection of CR isolates is an essential step in addressing this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amparo Hoard
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Sabrina Montaña
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia Y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alessandro Moriano
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer S Fernandez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - German M Traglia
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia Y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Quiroga
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Tecnológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología Y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM), Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155- C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Franchi
- Laboratorio de Bacteriologia, Hospital Interzonal de Agudos Eva Perón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, San Martín, Argentina
| | - Emilia Cohen
- Laboratorio de Bacteriologia, Hospital Interzonal de Agudos Eva Perón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, San Martín, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Corigliano
- Laboratorio de Bacteriologia, Hospital Interzonal de Agudos Eva Perón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, San Martín, Argentina
| | - Marisa Almuzara
- Laboratorio de Bacteriologia, Hospital Interzonal de Agudos Eva Perón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, San Martín, Argentina
| | - Maria Soledad Ramirez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA.
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Montaña S, Vilacoba E, Fernandez JS, Traglia GM, Sucari A, Pennini M, Iriarte A, Centron D, Melano RG, Ramírez MS. Genomic analysis of two Acinetobacter baumannii strains belonging to two different sequence types (ST172 and ST25). J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2020; 23:154-161. [PMID: 32966912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.09.006] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen that is the main focus of attention in clinical settings owing to its intrinsic ability to persist in the hospital environment and its capacity to acquire determinants of resistance and virulence. Here we present the genomic sequencing, molecular characterisation and genomic comparison of two A. baumannii strains belonging to two different sequence types (STs), one sporadic and one widely distributed in our region. METHODS Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Ab42 and Ab376 was performed using Illumina MiSeq-I and the genomes were assembled with SPAdes. ARG-ANNOT, CARD-RGI, ISfinder, PHAST, PlasmidFinder, plasmidSPAdes and IslandViewer were used to analyse both genomes. RESULTS Genome analysis revealed that Ab42 belongs to ST172, an uncommon ST, whilst Ab376 belongs to ST25, a widely distributed ST. Molecular characterisation showed the presence of two antibiotic resistance genes in Ab42 and nine in Ab376. No insertion sequences were detected in Ab42, however 22 were detected in Ab376. Moreover, two prophages were found in Ab42 and three in Ab376. In addition, a CRISPR-cas type I-Fb and two plasmids, one of which harboured an AbGRI1-like island, were found in Ab376. CONCLUSIONS We present WGS analysis of twoA. baumannii strains belonging to two different STs. These findings allowed us to characterise a previously undescribed ST (ST172) and provide new insights to the widely studied ST25.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Montaña
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elisabet Vilacoba
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jennifer S Fernandez
- Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92834-6850, USA
| | - German M Traglia
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Sucari
- Unidad Microbiología, Laboratorio Stamboulian, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Magdalena Pennini
- Unidad Microbiología, Laboratorio Stamboulian, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andres Iriarte
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Daniela Centron
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - María Soledad Ramírez
- Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92834-6850, USA.
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Rodgers D, Pasteran F, Calderon M, Jaber S, Traglia GM, Albornoz E, Corso A, Vila AJ, Bonomo RA, Adams MD, Ramírez MS. Characterisation of ST25 NDM-1-producing Acinetobacter spp. strains leading the increase in NDM-1 emergence in Argentina. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2020; 23:108-110. [PMID: 32890839 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Deja Rodgers
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Fernando Pasteran
- National/Regional Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance (NRL), Servicio Antimicrobianos, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS 'Dr Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Manuel Calderon
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Sara Jaber
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - German M Traglia
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ezequiel Albornoz
- National/Regional Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance (NRL), Servicio Antimicrobianos, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS 'Dr Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Corso
- National/Regional Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance (NRL), Servicio Antimicrobianos, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS 'Dr Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro J Vila
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina; Área Biofísica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Robert A Bonomo
- Research Service and GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mark D Adams
- The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - María Soledad Ramírez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA.
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Lin DL, Traglia GM, Baker R, Sherratt DJ, Ramirez MS, Tolmasky ME. Functional Analysis of the Acinetobacter baumannii XerC and XerD Site-Specific Recombinases: Potential Role in Dissemination of Resistance Genes. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9070405. [PMID: 32668667 PMCID: PMC7399989 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9070405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Modules composed of a resistance gene flanked by Xer site-specific recombination sites, the vast majority of which were found in Acinetobacter baumannii, are thought to behave as elements that facilitate horizontal dissemination. The A. baumanniixerC and xerD genes were cloned, and the recombinant clones used to complement the cognate Escherichia coli mutants. The complemented strains supported the resolution of plasmid dimers, and, as is the case with E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae plasmids, the activity was enhanced when the cells were grown in a low osmolarity growth medium. Binding experiments showed that the partially purified A. baumannii XerC and XerD proteins (XerCAb and XerDAb) bound synthetic Xer site-specific recombination sites, some of them with a nucleotide sequence deduced from existing A. baumannii plasmids. Incubation with suicide substrates resulted in the covalent attachment of DNA to a recombinase, probably XerCAb, indicating that the first step in the recombination reaction took place. The results described show that XerCAb and XerDAb are functional proteins and support the hypothesis that they participate in horizontal dissemination of resistant genes among bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L. Lin
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (D.L.L.); (M.S.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (R.B.); (D.J.S.)
| | - German M. Traglia
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UDeLaR), Montevideo 11600, Uruguay;
| | - Rachel Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (R.B.); (D.J.S.)
| | - David J. Sherratt
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (R.B.); (D.J.S.)
| | - Maria Soledad Ramirez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (D.L.L.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Marcelo E. Tolmasky
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (D.L.L.); (M.S.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (R.B.); (D.J.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Ramirez MS, Penwell WF, Traglia GM, Zimbler DL, Gaddy JA, Nikolaidis N, Arivett BA, Adams MD, Bonomo RA, Actis LA, Tolmasky ME. Identification of Potential Virulence Factors in the Model Strain Acinetobacter baumannii A118. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1599. [PMID: 31396168 PMCID: PMC6663985 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [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: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii A118, a strain isolated from the blood of an infected patient, is naturally competent and unlike most clinical strains, is susceptible to a variety of different antibiotics including those usually used for selection in genetic manipulations. These characteristics make strain A118 a convenient model for genetic studies of A. baumannii. To identify potential virulence factors, its complete genome was analyzed and compared to other A. baumannii genomes. A. baumannii A118 includes gene clusters coding for the acinetobactin and baumannoferrin iron acquisition systems. Iron-regulated expression of the BauA outer membrane receptor for ferric-acinetobactin complexes was confirmed as well as the utilization of acinetobactin. A. baumannii A118 also possesses the feoABC genes, which code for the main bacterial ferrous uptake system. The functionality of baumannoferrin was suggested by the ability of A. baumannii A118 culture supernatants to cross feed an indicator BauA-deficient strain plated on iron-limiting media. A. baumannii A118 behaved as non-motile but included the csuA/BABCDE chaperone-usher pilus assembly operon and produced biofilms on polystyrene and glass surfaces. While a known capsular polysaccharide (K) locus was identified, the outer core polysaccharide (OC) locus, which belongs to group B, showed differences with available sequences. Our results show that despite being susceptible to most antibiotics, strain A118 conserves known virulence-related traits enhancing its value as model to study A. baumannii pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria S Ramirez
- Department of Biological Science, Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - William F Penwell
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - German M Traglia
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel L Zimbler
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Jennifer A Gaddy
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States.,Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Nikolas Nikolaidis
- Department of Biological Science, Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Brock A Arivett
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Mark D Adams
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Robert A Bonomo
- Departments of Pharmacology and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Luis A Actis
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Marcelo E Tolmasky
- Department of Biological Science, Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
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Legaria MC, Barberis C, Camporro J, Traglia GM, Famiglietti A, Stecher D, Vay CA. Intra-peritoneal abscess after an abdominal hysterectomy involving Cutibacterium avidum (former Propionibacterium avidum) highly resistant to clindamycin. Anaerobe 2019; 59:176-183. [PMID: 31254654 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cutibacterium avidum is a gram-positive anaerobic rod belonging to the cutaneous group of human bacteria with preferential colonization of sweat glands in moist areas. The microorganism rarely cause disease, generally delayed prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). We describe the second case of intraperitoneal abscess by C. avidum after an abdominal surgery in an obese female patient and the first case after a non-prosthetic abdominal surgery due to a highly clindamycin resistant strain in a patient with underling conditions. The patient was successfully treated with surgical drainage and beta-lactam antibiotics. Although rare and apparently non-pathogenic, C. avidum may be involved in infections, especially in some high-risk patients with obesity who have undergone surgical incision involving deep folder of the skin. The microorganism was identified by phenotypic methods, MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Susceptibility test should be performed in C. avidum because high level resistance to clindamycin could be present. We present a literature review of C. avidum infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Legaria
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - C Barberis
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Camporro
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Servicio de Infectología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G M Traglia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A Famiglietti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - D Stecher
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Servicio de Infectología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - C A Vay
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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9
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Schramm STJ, Place K, Montaña S, Almuzara M, Fung S, Fernandez JS, Tuttobene MR, Golic A, Altilio M, Traglia GM, Vay C, Mussi MA, Iriarte A, Ramirez MS. Genetic and Phenotypic Features of a Novel Acinetobacter Species, Strain A47, Isolated From the Clinical Setting. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1375. [PMID: 31275288 PMCID: PMC6591377 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2014, a novel species of Acinetobacter, strain A47, determined to be hospital-acquired was recovered from a single patient soft tissue sample following a traumatic accident. The complexity of the Acinetobacter genus has been established, and every year novel species are identified. However, specific features and virulence factors that allow members of this genus to be successful pathogens are not well understood. Utilizing both genomic and phenotypic approaches, we identified distinct features and potential virulence factors of the A47 strain to understand its pathobiology. In silico analyses confirmed the uniqueness of this strain and other comparative and sequence analyses were used to study the evolution of relevant features identified in this isolate. The A47 genome was further analyzed for genes associated with virulence and genes involved in type IV pili (T4P) biogenesis, hemolysis, type VI secretion system (T6SS), and novel antibiotic resistance determinants were identified. A47 exhibited natural transformation with both genomic and plasmid DNA. It was able to form biofilms on different surfaces, to cause hemolysis of sheep and rabbit erythrocytes, and to kill competitor bacteria. Additionally, surface structures with non-uniform length were visualized with scanning electron microscopy and proposed as pili-like structures. Furthermore, the A47 genome revealed the presence of two putative BLUF type photoreceptors, and phenotypic assays confirmed the modulation by light of different virulence traits. Taken together, these results provide insight into the pathobiology of A47, which exhibits multiple virulence factors, natural transformation, and the ability to sense and respond to light, which may contribute to the success of an A47 as a hospital dwelling pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareda T. J. Schramm
- Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Kori Place
- Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Sabrina Montaña
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marisa Almuzara
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Hosp. de Clínicas José de San Martín, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sammie Fung
- Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer S. Fernandez
- Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Marisel R. Tuttobene
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI – CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Adrián Golic
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI – CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Matías Altilio
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI – CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
| | - German M. Traglia
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Hosp. de Clínicas José de San Martín, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Vay
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Hosp. de Clínicas José de San Martín, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Alejandra Mussi
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI – CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andres Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Maria Soledad Ramirez
- Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
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Traglia GM, Place K, Dotto C, Fernandez JS, Montaña S, Bahiense CDS, Soler-Bistue A, Iriarte A, Perez F, Tolmasky ME, Bonomo RA, Melano RG, Ramírez MS. Interspecies DNA acquisition by a naturally competent Acinetobacter baumannii strain. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2019; 53:483-490. [PMID: 30611868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii possesses high genetic plasticity and frequently acquires antimicrobial resistance genes. Here we investigated the role of natural transformation in these processes. Genomic DNA from different sources, including from carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, was mixed with A. baumannii A118 cells. Selected transformants were analysed by whole-genome sequencing. In addition, bioinformatics analyses and in silico gene flow prediction were also performed to support the experimental results. Transformant strains included some that became resistant to carbapenems or changed their antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Foreign DNA acquisition was confirmed by whole-genome analysis. The acquired DNA most frequently identified corresponded to mobile genetic elements, antimicrobial resistance genes and operons involved in metabolism. Bioinformatics analyses and in silico gene flow prediction showed continued exchange of genetic material between A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae when they share the same habitat. Natural transformation plays an important role in the plasticity of A. baumannii and concomitantly in the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- German M Traglia
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kori Place
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Cristian Dotto
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jennifer S Fernandez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Sabrina Montaña
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Camila Dos Santos Bahiense
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Alfonso Soler-Bistue
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas 'Dr Rodolfo A. Ugalde', Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andres Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Dpto. de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Perez
- Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Marcelo E Tolmasky
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Robert A Bonomo
- Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - María Soledad Ramírez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA.
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11
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Quinn B, Rodman N, Jara E, Fernandez JS, Martinez J, Traglia GM, Montaña S, Cantera V, Place K, Bonomo RA, Iriarte A, Ramírez MS. Human serum albumin alters specific genes that can play a role in survival and persistence in Acinetobacter baumannii. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14741. [PMID: 30282985 PMCID: PMC6170387 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33072-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a notorious nosocomial pathogen because of its ability to acquire genetic material and persist in extreme environments. Recently, human serum albumin (HSA) was shown to significantly increase natural transformation frequency in A. baumannii. This observation led us to perform transcriptomic analysis of strain A118 under HSA induction to identify genes that are altered by HSA. Our results revealed the statistically significant differential expression of 296 protein-coding genes, including those associated with motility, biofilm formation, metabolism, efflux pumps, capsule synthesis, and transcriptional regulation. Phenotypic analysis of these traits showed an increase in surface-associated motility, a decrease in biofilm formation, reduced activity of a citric acid cycle associated enzyme, and increased survival associated with zinc availability. Furthermore, the expression of genes known to play a role in pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance were altered. These genes included those associated with RND-type efflux pumps, the type VI secretion system, iron acquisition/metabolism, and ß-lactam resistance. Together, these results illustrate how human products, in particular HSA, may play a significant role in both survival and persistence of A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brettni Quinn
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Nyah Rodman
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Eugenio Jara
- Área Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Jennifer S Fernandez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Jasmine Martinez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - German M Traglia
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sabrina Montaña
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos, Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Cantera
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Dpto. de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, UdelaR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Kori Place
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Robert A Bonomo
- Medical Service and GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Biochemistry, Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,CWRU-Cleveland VAMC Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Epidemiology (Case VA CARES), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Andres Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Dpto. de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, UdelaR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Soledad Ramírez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA.
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12
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Quinn B, Traglia GM, Nguyen M, Martinez J, Liu C, Fernandez JS, Ramirez MS. Effect of Host Human Products on Natural Transformation in Acinetobacter baumannii. Curr Microbiol 2018; 76:950-953. [PMID: 29332139 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-017-1417-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Our previous data show that serum albumin can trigger natural transformation in Acinetobacter baumannii. However, extracellular matrix/basal membrane components, norepinephrine, and mucin did not have a significant effect on this process. Therefore, the effect of human products appears to be albumin specific, as both BSA and HSA have been shown to increase of natural transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brettni Quinn
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - German M Traglia
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Meaghan Nguyen
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Jasmine Martinez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Christine Liu
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer S Fernandez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Maria Soledad Ramirez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA.
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13
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Ramirez MS, Xie G, Traglia GM, Johnson SL, Davenport KW, van Duin D, Ramazani A, Perez F, Jacobs MR, Sherratt DJ, Bonomo RA, Chain PSG, Tolmasky ME. Whole-Genome Comparative Analysis of Two Carbapenem-Resistant ST-258 Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Isolated during a North-Eastern Ohio Outbreak: Differences within the High Heterogeneity Zones. Genome Biol Evol 2016; 8:2036-43. [PMID: 27289094 PMCID: PMC4943203 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae has become one of the most dangerous causative agents of hospital infections due to the acquisition of resistance to carbapenems, one of the last resort families of antibiotics. Resistance is usually mediated by carbapenemases coded for by different classes of genes. A prolonged outbreak of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae infections has been recently described in northeastern Ohio. Most strains isolated from patients during this outbreak belong to MLST sequence type 258 (ST258). To understand more about this outbreak two isolates (strains 140 and 677), one of them responsible for a fatal infection, were selected for genome comparison analyses. Whole genome map and sequence comparisons demonstrated that both strains are highly related showing 99% average nucleotide identity. However, the genomes differ at the so-called high heterogeneity zone (HHZ) and other minor regions. This study identifies the potential value of the HHZ as a potential marker for K. pneumoniae clinical and epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Soledad Ramirez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
| | - Gang Xie
- Bioscience Division Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
| | - German M Traglia
- IMPaM (UBA-CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - David van Duin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Azam Ramazani
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Federico Perez
- Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Michael R Jacobs
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - David J Sherratt
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A Bonomo
- Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Patrick S G Chain
- IMPaM (UBA-CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo E Tolmasky
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
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14
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Traglia GM, Chua K, Centrón D, Tolmasky ME, Ramírez MS. Whole-genome sequence analysis of the naturally competent Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolate A118. Genome Biol Evol 2014; 6:2235-9. [PMID: 25164683 PMCID: PMC4202317 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated a high genomic plasticity in Acinetobacter baumannii, which may explain its high capacity to acquire multiple antibiotic resistance determinants and to survive in the hospital environment. Acinetobacter baumannii strain A118 (Ab A118) was isolated in the year 1995 from a blood culture of an intensive care unit patient. As this particular strain showed some peculiar characteristic such as being naturally competent and susceptible to numerous antibiotics, we performed whole-genome comparison (WGC) studies to gain insights into the nature and extent of the genomic differences. The Ab A118 genome is approximately 3,824 kb long with a 38.4% GC content and contains 3,520 coding sequences. WGC studies showed that the Ab A118 genome has 98% average nucleotide identity with that of A. baumannii ATCC 17978, and 96% average nucleotide identity with that of strains AYE and ACICU. At least 12 inversions, 275 insertions, and 626 deletions were identified when the Ab A118 genome was compared with those of strains ATCC 17978, AYE, and ACICU using MAUVE WGC. Multiple gene order arrangements were observed among the analyzed strains. MAUVE WGC analysis identified 19 conserved segments, known as locally colinear blocks. The number of single nucleotide polymorphisms found when comparing the Ab A118 genome with that of strains ATCC 17978, AYE, and ACICU was 43,784 (1.1496%), 44,130 (1.158%), and 43,914 (1.153%), respectively. Genes comEA, pilQ, pilD, pilF, comL, pilA, comEC, pilI, pilH, pilO, pilN, pilY1(comC), pilE, pilR, and comM, potentially involved in natural competence were found in the Ab A118 genome. In particular, unlike in most strains where comM is interrupted by an insertion of a resistance island (AbaR), in strain Ab A118 it is uninterrupted.
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Affiliation(s)
- German M Traglia
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Katherina Chua
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Centrón
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo E Tolmasky
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University, Fullerton
| | - María Soledad Ramírez
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, California State University, Fullerton
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Traglia GM, Almuzara M, Vilacoba E, Tuduri A, Neumann G, Pallone E, Centron D, Ramirez MS. Bacteremia caused by an Acinetobacter junii strain harboring class 1 integron and diverse DNA mobile elements. J Infect Dev Ctries 2014; 8:666-9. [DOI: 10.3855/jidc.3747] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Infections caused by Acinetobacter junii are rarely reported. However, some outbreaks of septicemia in neonates and pediatric oncology patients, as well as meningitis, peritonitis, and ocular infection have been described. Since it is highly infrequent to find the molecular characterization of A. junii strains in literature, in this study we described the molecular characterization of A. junii isolates recovered from blood samples of a renal transplant patient. Methodology: The case was defined as a catheter-related bacteremia caused by A. junii. The patient responded favorably after catheter removal and treatment with ciprofloxacin. Results and Conclusion: The complete molecular characterization of the isolate showed that it harbored a class 1 integron and diverse DNA mobile elements. This explains its genomic plasticity for acquiring antimicrobial resistance determinants and for adapting to a nosocomial niche.
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Traglia GM, Sala CD, Fuxman Bass JI, Soler-Bistué AJC, Zorreguieta A, Ramírez MS, Tolmasky ME. Internalization of Locked Nucleic Acids/DNA Hybrid Oligomers into Escherichia coli. Biores Open Access 2013; 1:260-3. [PMID: 23515318 PMCID: PMC3559211 DOI: 10.1089/biores.2012.0257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Delivery inside the cells is essential for practical application of antisense technologies. The hybrid locked nucleic acid (LNA)/DNA CAAGTACTGTTCCACCA (LNA residues are underlined) was labeled by conjugation to Alexa Fluor 488 (fLNA/DNA) and tested to determine its ability to penetrate Escherichia coli cells and reach the cytoplasm. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the fLNA/DNA was associated with 14% of cells from a stationary phase culture, while association with a labeled isosequential oligodeoxynucleotide was negligible. Laser scanning confocal microscopy confirmed that the fLNA/DNA was located inside the cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- German M Traglia
- Institute of Microbiology and Medical Parasitology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), University of Buenos Aires , Buenos Aires, Argentina
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