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Reller ME, Clemens EG, Bakken JS, Dumler JS. Emerging Tick-borne Infections in the Upper Midwest and Northeast United States Among Patients With Suspected Anaplasmosis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae149. [PMID: 38651141 PMCID: PMC11034950 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging tick-transmitted illnesses are increasingly recognized in the United States (US). To identify multiple potential tick-borne pathogens in patients from the Upper Midwest and Northeast US with suspected anaplasmosis, we used state-of-the-art methods (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and paired serology) to test samples from patients in whom anaplasmosis had been excluded. Methods Five hundred sixty-eight patients without anaplasmosis had optimal samples available for confirmation of alternative tick-borne pathogens, including PCR and/or paired serology (acute-convalescent interval ≤42 days). Results Among 266 paired serology evaluations, for which the median acute-convalescent sampling interval was 28 (interquartile range, 21-33) days, we identified 35 acute/recent infections (24 [9%] Borrelia burgdorferi; 6 [2%] Ehrlichia chaffeensis/Ehrlichia muris subsp eauclairensis [EC/EME]; 3 [1%] spotted fever group rickettsioses [SFGR], and 2 [<1%] Babesia microti) in 33 (12%) patients. Two had concurrent or closely sequential infections (1 B burgdorferi and EC/EME, and 1 B burgdorferi and SFGR). Using multiplex PCR and reverse-transcription PCR, we identified 7 acute infections (5/334 [1%] Borrelia miyamotoi and 2/334 [1%] B microti) in 5 (1%) patients, including 2 with B microti-B miyamotoi coinfection, but no Borrelia mayonii, SFGR, Candidatus Anaplasma capra, Heartland virus, or Powassan virus infections. Thus, among 568 patients with ruled-out anaplasmosis, 38 (6.7%) had ≥1 agent of tick-borne illness identified, with 33 patients (35 infections) diagnosed by paired serology and 5 additional patients (7 infections) by PCR. Conclusions By identifying other tick-borne agents in patients in whom anaplasmosis had been excluded, we demonstrate that emerging tick-borne infections will be identified if specifically sought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Reller
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emily G Clemens
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- St Luke's Hospital, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Londoño AF, Farner JM, Dillon M, Grab DJ, Kim Y, Scorpio DG, Dumler JS. Benidipine impairs innate immunity converting sublethal to lethal infections in a murine model of spotted fever rickettsiosis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011993. [PMID: 38408129 PMCID: PMC10919851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever group rickettsiae are tick-borne obligate intracellular bacteria that infect microvascular endothelial cells. Humans and mammalian infection results in endothelial cell barrier dysfunction and increased vascular permeability. We previously demonstrated that treatment of Rickettsia parkeri-infected cells with the calcium channel blocker benidipine significantly delayed vascular barrier permeability. Thus, we hypothesized that benidipine, known to be safe and effective for other clinical processes, could reduce rickettsia-induced vascular permeability in vivo in an animal model of spotted fever rickettsiosis. Based on liver, lung and brain vascular FITC-dextran extravasation studies, benidipine did not reliably impact vascular permeability. However, it precipitated a deleterious effect on responses to control sublethal R. parkeri infection. Animals treated with benidipine alone had no clinical signs or changes in histopathology and splenic immune cell distributions. Benidipine-treated infected animals had marked increases in tissue and blood bacterial loads, more extensive inflammatory histopathologic injury, and changes in splenic architecture and immune cell distributions potentially reflecting diminished Ca2+ signaling, reduced innate immune cell activation, and loss of rickettsial propagation control. Impaired T cell activation by R. parkeri antigen in the presence of benidipine was confirmed in vitro with the use of NKT cell hybridomas. The unexpected findings stand in stark contrast to recent discussions of the benefits of calcium channel blockers for viral infections and chronic infectious or inflammatory diseases. A role for calcium channel blockers in exacerbation of human rickettsiosis and acute inflammatory infections should be evaluated by a retrospective review of patient's outcomes and medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés F Londoño
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M Farner
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Emerging Infectious Disease Graduate Program, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Marlon Dillon
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Dennis J Grab
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yuri Kim
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Diana G Scorpio
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Ko ER, Reller ME, Tillekeratne LG, Bodinayake CK, Miller C, Burke TW, Henao R, McClain MT, Suchindran S, Nicholson B, Blatt A, Petzold E, Tsalik EL, Nagahawatte A, Devasiri V, Rubach MP, Maro VP, Lwezaula BF, Kodikara-Arachichi W, Kurukulasooriya R, De Silva AD, Clark DV, Schully KL, Madut D, Dumler JS, Kato C, Galloway R, Crump JA, Ginsburg GS, Minogue TD, Woods CW. Host-response transcriptional biomarkers accurately discriminate bacterial and viral infections of global relevance. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22554. [PMID: 38110534 PMCID: PMC10728077 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49734-6] [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: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Diagnostic limitations challenge management of clinically indistinguishable acute infectious illness globally. Gene expression classification models show great promise distinguishing causes of fever. We generated transcriptional data for a 294-participant (USA, Sri Lanka) discovery cohort with adjudicated viral or bacterial infections of diverse etiology or non-infectious disease mimics. We then derived and cross-validated gene expression classifiers including: 1) a single model to distinguish bacterial vs. viral (Global Fever-Bacterial/Viral [GF-B/V]) and 2) a two-model system to discriminate bacterial and viral in the context of noninfection (Global Fever-Bacterial/Viral/Non-infectious [GF-B/V/N]). We then translated to a multiplex RT-PCR assay and independent validation involved 101 participants (USA, Sri Lanka, Australia, Cambodia, Tanzania). The GF-B/V model discriminated bacterial from viral infection in the discovery cohort an area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) of 0.93. Validation in an independent cohort demonstrated the GF-B/V model had an AUROC of 0.84 (95% CI 0.76-0.90) with overall accuracy of 81.6% (95% CI 72.7-88.5). Performance did not vary with age, demographics, or site. Host transcriptional response diagnostics distinguish bacterial and viral illness across global sites with diverse endemic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Ko
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke University Health System, Duke University School of Medicine, 3643 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC, 27704, USA.
| | - Megan E Reller
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - L Gayani Tillekeratne
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
| | - Champica K Bodinayake
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
| | - Cameron Miller
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Thomas W Burke
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ricardo Henao
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Micah T McClain
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sunil Suchindran
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Adam Blatt
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Petzold
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ephraim L Tsalik
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Danaher Diagnostics, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ajith Nagahawatte
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
| | - Vasantha Devasiri
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
| | - Matthew P Rubach
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Venance P Maro
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Bingileki F Lwezaula
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Maswenzi Regional Referral Hospital, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Aruna D De Silva
- General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Danielle V Clark
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes (ACESO), Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center-Frederick, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Kevin L Schully
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes (ACESO), Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center-Frederick, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Deng Madut
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Joint Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cecilia Kato
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, USA
| | - Renee Galloway
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, USA
| | - John A Crump
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Centre for International Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Geoffrey S Ginsburg
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Timothy D Minogue
- Diagnostic Systems Division, USAMRIID, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Christopher W Woods
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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André MR, Ikeda P, Lee DAB, do Amaral RB, Carvalho LAL, Pinheiro DG, Torres JM, de Mello VVC, Rice GK, Cer RZ, Lourenço EC, Oliveira CE, Herrera HM, Barros-Battesti DM, Machado RZ, Bishop-Lilly KA, Dalgard CL, Dumler JS. Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and associated ectoparasites from Brazil. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1261156. [PMID: 37928691 PMCID: PMC10620512 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1261156] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bats, along with their ectoparasites, harbor a wide diversity of symbiotic and potential pathogenic bacteria. Despite the enormous diversity of bats (181 species), few studies aimed to investigate the bacterial microbiome of Brazilian chiropterans and associated ectoparasites. This study aimed to characterize the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and associated Streblidae flies and Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil. Methods Oral and rectal swabs were collected from 30 bats (Artibeus lituratus [n = 13], Artibeus planirostris [n = 9], Eptesicus furinalis [n = 5], Carollia perspicillata [n = 2], and Platyrrhinus lineatus [n = 1]). In addition, a total of 58 mites (15 Macronyssidae and 43 Spinturnicidae) and 48 Streblidae bat flies were collected from the captured bats. After DNA extraction and purification, each sample's bacterial composition was analyzed with metagenomic sequencing. Results The microbiome composition of both oral and rectal bat swab samples showed that Gammaproteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial class. Spiroplasma, Wolbachia and Bartonella represented the most abundant genera in Streblidae flies. While Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) was the most abundant genus found in Spinturnicidae, Arsenophonus (Gammaproteobacteria) was found in high abundance in Macronyssidae mites. In addition to characterizing the microbiome of each sample at the class and genus taxonomic levels, we identified medically significant bacteria able to infect both animals and humans in oral (Streptococcus and Anaplasma) and rectal swabs (Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Streptococcus), Macronyssidae (Anaplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia) and Spinturnicidae (Anaplasma, Bartonella) mites as well as Streblidae flies (Spiroplasma, Bartonella). Discussion and conclusion Besides expanding the knowledge on the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and Streblidae flies from Brazil, the present work showed, for the first time, the bacterial community of bat-associated Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila Ikeda
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Antônio Braga Lee
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renan Bressianini do Amaral
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Amoroso Lopes Carvalho
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Ambiental e Agropecuária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Guariz Pinheiro
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Ambiental e Agropecuária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jaire Marinho Torres
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Victória Valente Califre de Mello
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gregory K. Rice
- Leidos, Inc., Reston, VA, United States
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Regina Z. Cer
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | | | - Carisa Elisei Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Heitor Miraglia Herrera
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kimberly A. Bishop-Lilly
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Clifton L. Dalgard
- The American Genome Center, Center for Military Precision Health and Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - J. Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Londoño AF, Scorpio DG, Dumler JS. Innate immunity in rickettsial infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1187267. [PMID: 37228668 PMCID: PMC10203653 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1187267] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsial agents are a diverse group of alpha-proteobacteria within the order Rickettsiales, which possesses two families with human pathogens, Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae. These obligate intracellular bacteria are most frequently transmitted by arthropod vectors, a first step in the pathogens' avoidance of host cell defenses. Considerable study of the immune responses to infection and those that result in protective immunity have been conducted. Less study has focused on the initial events and mechanism by which these bacteria avoid the innate immune responses of the hosts to survive within and propagate from host cells. By evaluating the major mechanisms of evading innate immunity, a range of similarities among these bacteria become apparent, including mechanisms to escape initial destruction in phagolysosomes of professional phagocytes, those that dampen the responses of innate immune cells or subvert signaling and recognition pathways related to apoptosis, autophagy, proinflammatory responses, and mechanisms by which these microbes attach to and enter cells or those molecules that trigger the host responses. To illustrate these principles, this review will focus on two common rickettsial agents that occur globally, Rickettsia species and Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés F. Londoño
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for Advancement in Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Diana G. Scorpio
- Host-Pathogen Interactions Program, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - J. Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Kim Y, Clemens EG, Farner JM, Londono-Barbaran A, Grab DJ, Dumler JS. Spotted fever rickettsia-induced microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction is delayed by the calcium channel blocker benidipine. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 663:96-103. [PMID: 37121130 PMCID: PMC10362780 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.045] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The tick-borne bacterium Rickettsia parkeri is an obligate intracellular pathogen that belongs to spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR). The SFG pathogens are characterized by their ability to infect and rapidly proliferate inside host vascular endothelial cells that eventually result in impairment of vascular endothelium barrier functions. Benidipine, a wide range dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, is used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we tested whether benidipine has protective effects against rickettsia-induced microvascular endothelial cell barrier dysfunction in vitro. We utilized an in vitro vascular model consisting of transformed human brain microvascular endothelial cells (tHBMECs) and continuously monitored transendothelial electric resistance (TEER) across the cell monolayer. We found that during the late stages of infection when we observed TEER decrease and when there was a gradual increase of the cytoplasmic [Ca2+], benidipine prevented these rickettsia-induced effects. In contrast, nifedipine, another cardiovascular dihydropyridine channel blocker specific for L-type Ca2+ channels, did not prevent R. parkeri-induced drop of TEER. Additionally, neither drug was bactericidal. These data suggest that growth of R. parkeri inside endothelial cells is associated with impairment of endothelial cell monolayer integrity due to Ca2+ flooding through specific, benidipine-sensitive T- or N/Q-type Ca2+ channels but not through nifedipine-sensitive L-type Ca2+ channels. Further study will be required to discern the exact nature of the Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ transporting system(s) involved, any contributions of the pathogen toward this process, as well as the suitability of benidipine and new dihydropyridine derivatives as complimentary therapeutic drugs against Rickettsia-induced vascular failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Kim
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences, Department of Pathology, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
| | - Emily G Clemens
- Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences, Department of Pathology, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
| | - Jennifer M Farner
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences, Department of Pathology, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
| | - Andres Londono-Barbaran
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences, Department of Pathology, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
| | - Dennis J Grab
- Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences, Department of Pathology, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences, Department of Pathology, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
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Rana VS, Kitsou C, Dumler JS, Pal U. Immune evasion strategies of major tick-transmitted bacterial pathogens. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:62-75. [PMID: 36055896 PMCID: PMC9772108 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tick-transmitted bacterial pathogens thrive in enzootic infection cycles, colonizing disparate vertebrate and arthropod tissues, often establishing persistent infections. Therefore, the evolution of robust immune evasion strategies is central to their successful persistence or transmission between hosts. To survive in nature, these pathogens must counteract a broad range of microbicidal host responses that can be localized, tissue-specific, or systemic, including a mix of these responses at the host-vector interface. Herein, we review microbial immune evasion strategies focusing on Lyme disease spirochetes and rickettsial or tularemia agents as models for extracellular and intracellular tick-borne pathogens, respectively. A better understanding of these adaptive strategies could enrich our knowledge of the infection biology of relevant tick-borne diseases, contributing to the development of future preventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Singh Rana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Chrysoula Kitsou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
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Guo Z, Zhao N, Chung TD, Singh A, Pandey I, Wang L, Gu X, Ademola A, Linville RM, Pal U, Dumler JS, Searson PC. Visualization of the Dynamics of Invasion and Intravasation of the Bacterium That Causes Lyme Disease in a Tissue Engineered Dermal Microvessel Model. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2022; 9:e2204395. [PMID: 36156464 PMCID: PMC9762293 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease prevalent in North America, Europe, and Asia. Despite the accumulated knowledge from epidemiological, in vitro, and in animal studies, the understanding of dissemination of vector-borne pathogens, such as Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), remains incomplete with several important knowledge gaps, especially related to invasion and intravasation into circulation. To elucidate the mechanistic details of these processes a tissue-engineered human dermal microvessel model is developed. Fluorescently labeled Bb are injected into the extracellular matrix (ECM) to mimic tick inoculation. High resolution, confocal imaging is performed to visualize the sub-acute phase of infection. From analysis of migration paths no evidence to support adhesin-mediated interactions between Bb and ECM components is found, suggesting that collagen fibers serve as inert obstacles to migration. Intravasation occurs at cell-cell junctions and is relatively fast, consistent with Bb swimming in ECM. In addition, it is found that Bb alone can induce endothelium activation, resulting in increased immune cell adhesion but no changes in global or local permeability. Together these results provide new insight into the minimum requirements for Bb dissemination and highlight how tissue-engineered models are complementary to animal models in visualizing dynamic processes associated with vector-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaobin Guo
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Nan Zhao
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Tracy D. Chung
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Anjan Singh
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Ikshu Pandey
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Linus Wang
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Xinyue Gu
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Applied Mathematics and StatisticsJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Aisha Ademola
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of South Florida4202 E Fowler AveTampaFL33620USA
| | - Raleigh M. Linville
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary MedicineThe University of Maryland, College Park8075 Greenmead DrCollege ParkMD20740USA
| | - J. Stephen Dumler
- Joint Department of PathologySchool of MedicineUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences4301 Jones Bridge RdBethesdaMD20814USA
| | - Peter C. Searson
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins University3400 N Charles StBaltimoreMD21218USA
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9
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Brandsma J, Chenoweth JG, Gregory MK, Krishnan S, Blair PW, Striegel DA, Mehta R, Schully KL, Dumler JS, Sikorski CDRCS, O’Connor K, Reichert-Scrivner SA, Paguirigan CM, Uyehara CFT, Ngauy COLV, Myers CA, Clark DV. Assessing the use of a micro-sampling device for measuring blood protein levels in healthy subjects and COVID-19 patients. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272572. [PMID: 35947596 PMCID: PMC9365123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Venous phlebotomy performed by trained personnel is critical for patient diagnosis and monitoring of chronic disease, but has limitations in resource-constrained settings, and represents an infection control challenge during outbreaks. Self-collection devices have the potential to shift phlebotomy closer to the point of care, supporting telemedicine strategies and virtual clinical trials. Here we assess a capillary blood micro-sampling device, the Tasso Serum Separator Tube (SST), for measuring blood protein levels in healthy subjects and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods 57 healthy controls and 56 participants with mild/moderate COVID-19 were recruited at two U.S. military healthcare facilities. Healthy controls donated Tasso SST capillary serum, venous plasma and venous serum samples at multiple time points, while COVID-19 patients donated a single Tasso SST serum sample at enrolment. Concentrations of 17 protein inflammatory biomarkers were measured in all biospecimens by Ella multi-analyte immune-assay. Results Tasso SST serum protein measurements in healthy control subjects were highly reproducible, but their agreements with matched venous samples varied. Most of the selected proteins, including CRP, Ferritin, IL-6 and PCT, were well-correlated between Tasso SST and venous serum with little sample type bias, but concentrations of D-dimer, IL-1B and IL-1Ra were not. Self-collection at home with delayed sample processing was associated with significant concentrations differences for several analytes compared to supervised, in-clinic collection with rapid processing. Finally, Tasso SST serum protein concentrations were significantly elevated in in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients compared with healthy controls. Conclusions Self-collection of capillary blood with micro-sampling devices provides an attractive alternative to routine phlebotomy. However, concentrations of certain analytes may differ significantly from those in venous samples, and factors including user proficiency, temperature control and time lags between specimen collection and processing need to be considered for their effect on sample quality and reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Brandsma
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Josh G. Chenoweth
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Melissa K. Gregory
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Subramaniam Krishnan
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Paul W. Blair
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Deborah A. Striegel
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rittal Mehta
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin L. Schully
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - J. Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Kelsey O’Connor
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Susan A. Reichert-Scrivner
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | | | | | - COL Viseth Ngauy
- Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | | | - Danielle V. Clark
- Austere Environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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10
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Tagliafierro T, Joshi S, Sameroff S, Marques A, Dumler JS, Mishra N, Sanchez-Vicente S, Wormser GP, Marcos LA, Lipkin WI, Tokarz R. Detection of antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti using linear peptides. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101999. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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11
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Kim Y, Wang J, Clemens EG, Grab DJ, Dumler JS. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Ankyrin A Protein (AnkA) Enters the Nucleus Using an Importin-β-, RanGTP-Dependent Mechanism. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:828605. [PMID: 35719343 PMCID: PMC9204287 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.828605] [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: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-borne obligately intracellular bacterium of neutrophils, causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Ankyrin A (AnkA), an effector protein with multiple ankyrin repeats (AR) is injected via type IV-secretion into the host neutrophil to gain access to the nucleus where it modifies the epigenome to promote microbial fitness and propagation. AR proteins transported into the host cell nucleus must use at least one of two known eukaryotic pathways, the classical importin β-dependent pathway, and/or the RanGDP- and AR (ankyrin-repeat)-dependent importin β-independent (RaDAR) pathway. Truncation of the first four AnkA N-terminal ARs (AR1-4), but not other regions, prevents AnkA nuclear accumulation. To investigate the mechanism of nuclear import, we created point mutations of AnkA N-terminal ARs, predicted to interfere with RaDAR protein import, and used importazole, a specific inhibitor of the importin α/β, RanGTP-dependent pathway. Nuclear colocalization analysis shows that nuclear localization of AnkA is unaffected by single AR1-4 mutations but is significantly reduced by single mutations in consecutive ARs suggesting RaDAR protein nuclear import. However, AnkA nuclear localization was also decreased with importazole, and with GTPγS. Furthermore, A. phagocytophilum growth in HL-60 cells was completely suppressed with importazole, indicating that A. phagocytophilum propagation requires a β-importin-dependent pathway. A typical classical NLS overlapping AR4 was subsequently identified suggesting the primacy of the importin-α/β system in AnkA nuclear localization. Whether the mutational studies of putative key residues support RaDAR NLS function or simply reflect structural changes that diminish engagement of an AR-NLS-importin pathway needs to be resolved through careful structure-function studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Kim
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jianyang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Emily G. Clemens
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dennis J. Grab
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - J. Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States,*Correspondence: J. Stephen Dumler,
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12
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Blair PW, Lamorde M, Dumler JS. Rickettsioses and Q Fever in Tanzania: Estimating the Burden of Pervasive and Neglected Causes of Severe Febrile Illness in Sub-Saharan Africa. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 106:371-372. [PMID: 34929671 PMCID: PMC8832924 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Blair
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mohammed Lamorde
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland.,Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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13
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Blair PW, Brandsma J, Epsi NJ, Richard SA, Striegel D, Chenoweth J, Mehta R, Clemens E, Malloy A, Lanteri C, Dumler JS, Tribble D, Burgess T, Pollett S, Agan B, Clark D. 438. Phenotypic Differences Between Distinct Immune Biomarker Clusters During the ‘Hyperinflammatory’ Middle-Phase of COVID-19. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021. [PMCID: PMC8644901 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab466.637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections peak during an inflammatory ‘middle’ phase and lead to severe illness predominately among those with certain comorbid noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). We used network machine learning to identify inflammation biomarker patterns associated with COVID-19 among those with NCDs. Methods SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive subjects who had specimens available within 15-28 days post-symptom onset were selected from the DoD/USU EPICC COVID-19 cohort study. Plasma levels of 15 inflammation protein biomarkers were measured using a broad dynamic range immunoassay on samples collected from individuals with COVID-19 at 8 military hospitals across the United States. A network machine learning algorithm, topological data analysis (TDA), was performed using results from the ‘hyperinflammatory’ middle phase. Backward selection stepwise logistic regression was used to identify analytes associated with each cluster. NCDs with a significant association (0.05 significance level) across clusters using Fisher’s exact test were further evaluated comparing the NCD frequency in each cluster against all other clusters using a Kruskal-Wallis test. A sensitivity analysis excluding mild disease was also performed. Results The analysis population (n=129, 33.3% female, median 41.3 years of age) included 77 ambulatory, 31 inpatient, 16 ICU-level, and 5 fatal cases. TDA identified 5 unique clusters (Figure 1). Stepwise regression with a Bonferroni-corrected cutoff adjusted for severity identified representative analytes for each cluster (Table 1). The frequency of diabetes (p=0.01), obesity (p< 0.001), and chronic pulmonary disease (p< 0.001) differed among clusters. When restricting to hospitalized patients, obesity (8 of 11), chronic pulmonary disease (6 of 11), and diabetes (6 of 11) were more prevalent in cluster C than all other clusters. ![]()
Cluster differences in comorbid diseases and severity by cluster. 1A: bar plot of diabetes prevalence; 1B: bar plot of chronic lung disease ; 1C: bar plot of obesity prevalence; 1D: prevalence of steroid treatment ; 1E: Topologic data analysis network with clusters labeled; 1F: Bar plot of ordinal levels of severity. ![]()
Conclusion Machine learning clustering methods are promising analytical tools for identifying inflammation marker patterns associated with baseline risk factors and severe illness due to COVID-19. These approaches may offer new insights for COVID19 prognosis, therapy, and prevention. Disclosures Simon Pollett, MBBS, Astra Zeneca (Other Financial or Material Support, HJF, in support of USU IDCRP, funded under a CRADA to augment the conduct of an unrelated Phase III COVID-19 vaccine trial sponsored by AstraZeneca as part of USG response (unrelated work))
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Blair
- Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | - Stephanie A Richard
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD and Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | - Allison Malloy
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Charlotte Lanteri
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Boyds, Maryland
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Timothy Burgess
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Simon Pollett
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - Brian Agan
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, USU/HJF, Bethesda, Maryland
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14
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Dixon DM, Branda JA, Clark SH, Dumler JS, Horowitz HW, Perdue SS, Pritt BS, Sexton DJ, Storch GA, Walker DH. Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis subcommittee report to the Tick-borne Disease Working Group. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101823. [PMID: 34517150 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Ehrlichioses and anaplasmosis have undergone dramatic increases in incidence, and the geographic ranges of their occurrence and vectors have also expanded. There is marked underreporting of these diseases owing to deficient physician awareness and knowledge of the illnesses as well as limited access to appropriate diagnostic tests. Human monocytic ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are life threatening diseases with estimated case fatality rates of 2.7 and 0.3%, respectively. However, knowledge of their full range of signs and symptoms is incomplete, and the incidence of subclinical infections is unknown. Currently available laboratory diagnostic methods are poorly utilized, and with the exception of nucleic acid amplification tests are not useful for diagnosis during the acute stage of illness when timely treatment is needed. The Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis Subcommittee of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group recommended active clinical surveillance to determine the true incidence, full clinical spectrum, and risk factors for severe illness, as well as standardized surveillance of ticks for these pathogens, and enhanced education of primary medical caregivers and the public regarding these diseases. The subcommittee identified the needs to develop sensitive, specific acute stage diagnostic tests for local clinical laboratories and point-of-care testing, to develop approaches for utilizing electronic medical records, data mining, and artificial intelligence for assisting early diagnosis and treatment, and to develop adjunctive therapies for severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John A Branda
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Stephen H Clark
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 200 Academic Way, Farmington, CT 06032, United States
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Joint Pathology Center, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Building B, Room 3152, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States.
| | - Harold W Horowitz
- Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States.
| | | | - Bobbi S Pritt
- Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, United States.
| | - Daniel J Sexton
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
| | - Gregory A Storch
- Washington University School of Medicine, 425 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
| | - David H Walker
- The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, United States.
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15
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Bista S, Singh P, Bernard Q, Yang X, Hart T, Lin YP, Kitsou C, Singh Rana V, Zhang F, Linhardt RJ, Zhnag K, Akins DR, Hritzo L, Kim Y, Grab DJ, Dumler JS, Pal U. A Novel Laminin-Binding Protein Mediates Microbial-Endothelial Cell Interactions and Facilitates Dissemination of Lyme Disease Pathogens. J Infect Dis 2021; 221:1438-1447. [PMID: 31758693 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi conserved gene products BB0406 and BB0405, members of a common B. burgdorferi paralogous gene family, share 59% similarity. Although both gene products can function as potential porins, only BB0405 is essential for infection. Here we show that, despite sequence homology and coexpression from the same operon, both proteins differ in their membrane localization attributes, antibody accessibility, and immunogenicity in mice. BB0406 is required for spirochete survival in mammalian hosts, particularly for the disseminated infection in distant organs. We identified that BB0406 interacts with laminin, one of the major constituents of the vascular basement membrane, and facilitates spirochete transmigration across host endothelial cell barriers. A better understanding of how B. burgdorferi transmigrates through dermal and tissue vascular barriers and establishes disseminated infections will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics to combat early infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Bista
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Preeti Singh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Quentin Bernard
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiuli Yang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Thomas Hart
- Department of Biological Science, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Yi-Pin Lin
- Department of Biological Science, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York, USA.,Department of Biomedical Science, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Chrysoula Kitsou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Vipin Singh Rana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA.,Department of Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Kai Zhnag
- Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Darrin R Akins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Lucy Hritzo
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yuri Kim
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dennis J Grab
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.,Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland
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16
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Dumler JS, Lichay M, Chen WH, Rennoll-Bankert KE, Park JH. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Activates NF-κB Signaling via Redundant Pathways. Front Public Health 2020; 8:558283. [PMID: 33194960 PMCID: PMC7661751 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.558283] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum subverts neutrophil function permitting intracellular survival, propagation and transmission. Sustained pro-inflammatory response, recruitment of new host cells for population expansion, and delayed apoptosis are associated with prolonged nuclear presence of NF-κB. We investigated NF-κB signaling and transcriptional activity with A. phagocytophilum infection using inhibitors of NF-κB signaling pathways, and through silencing of signaling pathway genes. How inhibitors or silencing affected A. phagocytophilum growth, inflammatory response (transcription of the κB-enhanced genes CXCL8 and MMP9), and NF-κB signaling pathway gene expression were tested. Among A. phagocytophilum-infected HL-60 cells, nuclear NF-κB p50, p65, and p52 were detected by immunoblots or iTRAQ proteomics. A. phagocytophilum growth was affected most by the IKKαβ inhibitor wedelolactone (reductions of 96 to 99%) as compared with SC-514 that selectively inhibits IKKβ, illustrating a role for the non-canonical pathway. Wedelolactone inhibited transcription of both CXCL8 (p = 0.001) and MMP9 (p = 0.002) in infected cells. Compared to uninfected THP-1 cells, A. phagocytophilum infection led to >2-fold down regulation of 64 of 92 NF-κB signaling pathway genes, and >2-fold increased expression in only 4. Wedelolactone and SC-514 reversed downregulation in all 64 and 45, respectively, of the genes down-regulated by infection, but decreased expression in 1 gene with SC-514 only. Silencing of 20 NF-κB signal pathway genes increased bacterial growth in 12 (IRAK1, MAP3K1, NFKB1B, MAP3K7, TICAM2, TLR3, TRADD, TRAF3, CHUK, IRAK2, LTBR, and MALT1). Most findings support canonical pathway activation; however, the presence of NFKB2 in infected cell nuclei, selective non-canonical pathway inhibitors that dampen CXCL8 and MMP9 transcription with infection, upregulation of non-canonical pathway target genes CCL13 and CCL19, enhanced bacterial growth with TRAF3 and LTBR silencing provide evidence for non-canonical pathway signaling. Whether this impacts distinct inflammatory processes that underlie disease, and whether and how A. phagocytophilum subverts NF-κB signaling via these pathways, need to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Marguerite Lichay
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Wan-Hsin Chen
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kristen E Rennoll-Bankert
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jin-Ho Park
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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17
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Grigg MJ, William T, Clemens EG, Patel K, Chandna A, Wilkes CS, Barber BE, Anstey NM, Dumler JS, Yeo TW, Reller ME. Rickettsioses as Major Etiologies of Unrecognized Acute Febrile Illness, Sabah, East Malaysia. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26. [PMID: 32568664 PMCID: PMC7323546 DOI: 10.3201/eid2607.191722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Orientia tsutsugamushi, spotted fever group rickettsioses, and typhus group rickettsioses (TGR) are reemerging causes of acute febrile illness (AFI) in Southeast Asia. To further delineate extent, we enrolled patients >4 weeks of age with nonmalarial AFI in Sabah, Malaysia, during 2013-2015. We confirmed rickettsioses (past or acute, IgG titer >160) in 126/354 (36%) patients. We confirmed acute rickettsioses (paired 4-fold IgG titer rise to >160) in 38/145 (26%) patients: 23 O. tsutsugamushi, 9 spotted fever group, 4 TGR, 1 O. tsutsugamushi/spotted fever group, and 1 O. tsutsugamushi/TGR. PCR results were positive in 11/319 (3%) patients. Confirmed rickettsioses were more common in male adults; agricultural/plantation work and recent forest exposure were risk factors. Dizziness and acute hearing loss but not eschars were reported more often with acute rickettsioses. Only 2 patients were treated with doxycycline. Acute rickettsioses are common (>26%), underrecognized, and untreated etiologies of AFI in East Malaysia; empirical doxycycline treatment should be considered.
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Grab DJ, Nikolskaia OV, Courtioux B, Thekisoe OMM, Magez S, Bogorad M, Dumler JS, Bisser S. Using detergent-enhanced LAMP for African trypanosome detection in human cerebrospinal fluid and implications for disease staging. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007631. [PMID: 31425540 PMCID: PMC6715242 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Where human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) patients are seen, failure to microscopically diagnose infections by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in blood smears and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the critical early stages of the disease is the single most important factor in treatment failure, a result of delayed treatment onset or its absence. We hypothesized that the enhanced sensitivity of detergent-enhanced loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) will allow for point of care (POC) detection of African trypanosomes in the CSF of HAT patients where the probability for detecting a single parasite or parasite DNA molecule in 1 μL of CSF sample is negligible by current methods. Methodology We used LAMP targeting the multicopy pan-T. brucei repetitive insertion mobile element (RIME LAMP) and the Trypanosoma brucei gambiense 5.8S rRNA-internal transcribed spacer 2 gene (TBG1 LAMP). We tested 1 μL out of 20 μL sham or Triton X-100 treated CSFs from 73 stage-1 and 77 stage-2 HAT patients from the Central African Republic and 100 CSF negative controls. Results Under sham conditions, parasite DNA was detected by RIME and TBG1 LAMP in 1.4% of the stage-1 and stage-2 gambiense HAT CSF samples tested. After sample incubation with detergent, the number of LAMP parasite positive stage-2 CSF’s increased to 26%, a value which included the 2 of the 4 CSF samples where trypanosomes were identified microscopically. Unexpected was the 41% increase in parasite positive stage-1 CSF’s detected by LAMP. Cohen’s kappa coefficients for RIME versus TBG1 LAMP of 0.92 (95%CI: 0.82–1.00) for stage-1 and 0.90 (95%CI: 0.80–1.00) for stage-2 reflected a high level of agreement between the data sets indicating that the results were not due to amplicon contamination, data confirmed in χ2 tests (p<0.001) and Fisher’s exact probability test (p = 4.7e-13). Conclusion This study detected genomic trypanosome DNA in the CSF independent of the HAT stage and may be consistent with early CNS entry and other scenarios that identify critical knowledge gaps for future studies. Detergent-enhanced LAMP could be applicable for non-invasive African trypanosome detection in human skin and saliva or as an epidemiologic tool for the determination of human (or animal) African trypanosome prevalence in areas where chronically low parasitemias are present. Human African trypanosomiasis is a fatal disease (if untreated) spread by bloodsucking tsetse flies. These protozoan parasites first enter the lymph and blood to invade many organ systems (early stage sleeping sickness). Weeks to months later, the parasites invade the brain causing a wide variety of neurological symptoms (late stage sleeping sickness). In rural clinical settings, diagnosis still relies on the detection of these microbes in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by microscopy. LAMP, or loop-mediated isothermal amplification of DNA, is a technique that can specifically detect very small amounts of DNA from an organism. We previously showed that by simply adding detergent during sample preparation, the analytical sensitivity of LAMP targeting many gene copies is greatly improved, presumably because DNA is released from the pathogen cells and dispersed through the sample. We demonstrated proof of principle using pathogenic trypanosomes in different human body fluids (CSF or blood) and showed that this simple modification should be applicable for diagnosis of other microbial infections where cells are sensitive to detergent lysis. After completion of the above published study, we tested a collection of clinical CSF samples from African patients diagnosed with early or late stage sleeping sickness based on current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. For proof-of-concept we tested only a single microliter of detergent-treated CSF to test for late stage disease. We predicted that a significant number of the late stage samples would be LAMP positive, while the early stage CSFs would yield predominantly negative results. Instead, our study detected trypanosome DNA in patient CSF independent of African sleeping sickness stage, results that may be consistent with early brain entry and other scenarios that identify critical knowledge gaps for future studies.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Central African Republic
- Cerebrospinal Fluid/parasitology
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- DNA, Protozoan/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry
- DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics
- Detergents/metabolism
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/methods
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/methods
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S/genetics
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Severity of Illness Index
- Trypanosoma/genetics
- Trypanosoma/isolation & purification
- Trypanosomiasis, African/diagnosis
- Trypanosomiasis, African/pathology
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis J. Grab
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Olga V. Nikolskaia
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bertrand Courtioux
- Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, School of Medicine, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, University of Limoges, INSERM UMR1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France
| | - Oriel M. M. Thekisoe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maxim Bogorad
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - J. Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sylvie Bisser
- Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, School of Medicine, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, University of Limoges, INSERM UMR1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France
- Pasteur Institute, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
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Goel R, Westblade LF, Kessler DA, Sfeir M, Slavinski S, Backenson B, Gebhardt L, Kane K, Laurence J, Scherr D, Bussel J, Dumler JS, Cushing MM. Death from Transfusion-Transmitted Anaplasmosis, New York, USA, 2017. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1548-1550. [PMID: 30016241 PMCID: PMC6056119 DOI: 10.3201/eid2408.172048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a death from transfusion-transmitted anaplasmosis in a 78-year-old man. The patient died of septic shock 2 weeks after a perioperative transfusion with erythrocytes harboring Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The patient's blood specimens were positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA beginning 7 days after transfusion; serologic testing remained negative until death.
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20
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Scorpio DG, Choi KS, Dumler JS. Anaplasma phagocytophilum-Related Defects in CD8, NKT, and NK Lymphocyte Cytotoxicity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:710. [PMID: 29686681 PMCID: PMC5900440 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, caused by the tick-transmitted Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is not controlled by innate immunity, and induces a proinflammatory disease state with innate immune cell activation. In A. phagocytophilum murine infection models, hepatic injury occurs with production of IFNγ thought to be derived from NK, NKT cells, and CD8 T lymphocytes. Specific A. phagocytophilum ligands that drive inflammation and disease are not known, but suggest a clinical and pathophysiologic basis strikingly like macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS). We studied in vivo responses of NK, NKT, and CD8 T lymphocytes from infected animals for correlates of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and examined in vitro interactions with A. phagocytophilum-loaded antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Murine splenocytes were examined and found deficient in cytotoxicity as determined by CD107a expression in vitro for specific CTL effector subsets as determined by flow cytometry. Moreover, A. phagocytophilum-loaded APCs did not lead to IFNγ production among CTLs in vitro. These findings support the concept of impaired cytotoxicity with A. phagocytophilum presentation by APCs that express MHC class I and that interact with innate and adaptive immune cells with or after infection. The findings strengthen the concept of an enhanced proinflammatory phenotype, such as MAS and HPS disease states as the basis of disease and severity with A. phagocytophilum infection, and perhaps by other obligate intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana G Scorpio
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kyoung-Seong Choi
- College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, South Korea
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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21
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Dumler JS, Sinclair SH, Shetty AC. Alternative Splicing of Differentiated Myeloid Cell Transcripts after Infection by Anaplasma phagocytophilum Impacts a Selective Group of Cellular Programs. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:14. [PMID: 29456968 PMCID: PMC5801399 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic proteome diversity exceeds that encoded within individual genes, and results in part from alternative splicing events of pre-messenger RNA. The diversity of these splicing events can shape the outcome in development and differentiation of normal tissues, and is important in pathogenic circumstances such as cancer and some heritable conditions. A role for alternative splicing of eukaryotic genes in response to viral and intracellular bacterial infections has only recently been recognized, and plays an important role in providing fitness for microbial survival, while potentially enhancing pathogenicity. Anaplasma phagocytophilum survives within mammalian neutrophils by reshaping transcriptional programs that govern cellular functions. We applied next generation RNAseq to ATRA-differentiated HL-60 cells established to possess transcriptional and functional responses similar to A. phagocytophilum-infected human neutrophils. This demonstrated an increase in transcripts with infection and high proportion of alternatively spliced transcript events (ASEs) for which predicted gene ontology processes were in part distinct from those identified by evaluation of single transcripts or gene-level analyses alone. The alternative isoforms are not on average shorter, and no alternative splicing in genes encoding spliceosome components is noted. Although not evident at gene-level analyses, individual spliceosome transcripts that impact nearly all spliceosome components were significantly upregulated. How the distinct GO processes predicted by ASEs are regulated by infection and whether they are relevant to fitness or pathogenicity of A. phagocytophilum should be addressed in more detailed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Amol C Shetty
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
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22
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Reller ME, Dumler JS. Development and Clinical Validation of a Multiplex Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assay for Human Infection by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3010014. [PMID: 30274412 PMCID: PMC6136628 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, often present as undifferentiated fever but are not treated by typical empiric regimens for acute febrile illness. Their role as agents of vector-borne febrile disease in tropical regions is more poorly studied than for other rickettsial infections. Limitations in diagnosis have impaired epidemiologic and clinical research and needless morbidity and mortality occur due to untreated illness. Methods: We designed and clinically validated a multiplex real-time quantitative PCR assay for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis using samples confirmed by multiple gold-standard methods. Results: Clinical sensitivity and specificity for A. phagocytophilum were 100% (39/39) and 100% (143/143), respectively, and for E. chaffeensis 95% (20/21) and 99% (159/161), respectively. Conclusions: These assays could support early diagnosis and treatment as well as the high-throughput testing required for large epidemiologic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Reller
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
- Duke Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Joint Departments of Pathology, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Joint Pathology Center, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
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Silaghi C, Santos AS, Gomes J, Christova I, Matei IA, Walder G, Domingos A, Bell-Sakyi L, Sprong H, von Loewenich FD, Oteo JA, de la Fuente J, Dumler JS. Guidelines for the Direct Detection of Anaplasma spp. in Diagnosis and Epidemiological Studies. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:12-22. [PMID: 28055579 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Anaplasma (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) comprises obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria that are mainly transmitted by ticks, and currently includes six species: Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma centrale, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, and Anaplasma ovis. These have long been known as etiological agents of veterinary diseases that affect domestic and wild animals worldwide. A zoonotic role has been recognized for A. phagocytophilum, but other species can also be pathogenic for humans. Anaplasma infections are usually challenging to diagnose, clinically presenting with nonspecific symptoms that vary greatly depending on the agent involved, the affected host, and other factors such as immune status and coinfections. The substantial economic impact associated with livestock infection and the growing number of human cases along with the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, determines the need for accurate laboratory tests. Because hosts are usually seronegative in the initial phase of infection and serological cross-reactions with several Anaplasma species are observed after seroconversion, direct tests are the best approach for both case definition and epidemiological studies. Blood samples are routinely used for Anaplasma spp. screening, but in persistently infected animals with intermittent or low-level bacteremia, other tissues might be useful. These guidelines have been developed as a direct outcome of the COST action TD1303 EURNEGVEC ("European Network of Neglected Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases"). They review the direct laboratory tests (microscopy, nucleic acid-based detection and in vitro isolation) currently used for Anaplasma detection in ticks and vertebrates and their application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Silaghi
- 1 National Center for Vector Entomology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich , Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Sofia Santos
- 2 Center for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge , Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Jacinto Gomes
- 3 Animal Health and Production Unit, National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research , Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Iva Christova
- 4 Department of Microbiology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases , Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ioana Adriana Matei
- 5 Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gernot Walder
- 6 Department of Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Social Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ana Domingos
- 7 Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa , Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- 8 The Pirbright Institute , Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Hein Sprong
- 9 Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) , Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - José A Oteo
- 11 Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsioses and Arthropod-Borne Diseases , Hospital San Pedro- CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- 12 SaBio. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain .,13 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University , Stillwater, Oklahoma
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- 14 Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland , School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,15 Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences "America's Medical School," Bethesda, Maryland
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24
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Dumler JS, Sinclair SH, Pappas-Brown V, Shetty AC. Genome-Wide Anaplasma phagocytophilum AnkA-DNA Interactions Are Enriched in Intergenic Regions and Gene Promoters and Correlate with Infection-Induced Differential Gene Expression. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:97. [PMID: 27703927 PMCID: PMC5028410 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an obligate intracellular prokaryote, infects neutrophils, and alters cardinal functions via reprogrammed transcription. Large contiguous regions of neutrophil chromosomes are differentially expressed during infection. Secreted A. phagocytophilum effector AnkA transits into the neutrophil or granulocyte nucleus to complex with DNA in heterochromatin across all chromosomes. AnkA binds to gene promoters to dampen cis-transcription and also has features of matrix attachment region (MAR)-binding proteins that regulate three-dimensional chromatin architecture and coordinate transcriptional programs encoded in topologically-associated chromatin domains. We hypothesize that identification of additional AnkA binding sites will better delineate how A. phagocytophilum infection results in reprogramming of the neutrophil genome. Using AnkA-binding ChIP-seq, we showed that AnkA binds broadly throughout all chromosomes in a reproducible pattern, especially at: (i) intergenic regions predicted to be MARs; (ii) within predicted lamina-associated domains; and (iii) at promoters ≤ 3000 bp upstream of transcriptional start sites. These findings provide genome-wide support for AnkA as a regulator of cis-gene transcription. Moreover, the dominant mark of AnkA in distal intergenic regions known to be AT-enriched, coupled with frequent enrichment in the nuclear lamina, provides strong support for its role as a MAR-binding protein and genome “re-organizer.” AnkA must be considered a prime candidate to promote neutrophil reprogramming and subsequent functional changes that belie improved microbial fitness and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Valeria Pappas-Brown
- Department of Pathology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amol C Shetty
- Informatics Resource Center, Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, MD, USA
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Nikolskaia OV, Thekisoe OMM, Dumler JS, Grab DJ. Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Detection of the 5.8S Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 Gene Found in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 96:275-279. [PMID: 27273643 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay with its advantages of cost effectiveness, rapidity, and simplicity, has evolved as a sensitive and specific method for the detection of African trypanosomes. Highly sensitive LAMP reactions specific for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense or that recognize but do not discriminate between Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. b. rhodesiense, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, and Trypanosoma evansi have been developed. A sensitive LAMP assay targeting the T. b. gambiense 5.8S ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (5.8S-ITS2) gene is also available but this assay does not target binding sites that span the CCCA (C3A) (557-560 bps) insertion site that further differentiates T. b. gambiense from T. b. brucei Here we describe 5.8S-ITS2-targeted LAMP assay that fit these criteria. The LAMP primer sets containing the T. b. gambiense-specific C3A tetranucleotide at the start of the outer forward primer sequences showed high specificity and sensitivity down to at least 0.1 fg T. b. gambiense genomic DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V Nikolskaia
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Oriel M M Thekisoe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dennis J Grab
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Wurtz N, Papa A, Hukic M, Di Caro A, Leparc-Goffart I, Leroy E, Landini MP, Sekeyova Z, Dumler JS, Bădescu D, Busquets N, Calistri A, Parolin C, Palù G, Christova I, Maurin M, La Scola B, Raoult D. Survey of laboratory-acquired infections around the world in biosafety level 3 and 4 laboratories. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 35:1247-58. [PMID: 27234593 PMCID: PMC7088173 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2657-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory-acquired infections due to a variety of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi have been described over the last century, and laboratory workers are at risk of exposure to these infectious agents. However, reporting laboratory-associated infections has been largely voluntary, and there is no way to determine the real number of people involved or to know the precise risks for workers. In this study, an international survey based on volunteering was conducted in biosafety level 3 and 4 laboratories to determine the number of laboratory-acquired infections and the possible underlying causes of these contaminations. The analysis of the survey reveals that laboratory-acquired infections have been infrequent and even rare in recent years, and human errors represent a very high percentage of the cases. Today, most risks from biological hazards can be reduced through the use of appropriate procedures and techniques, containment devices and facilities, and the training of personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Wurtz
- URMITE, CNRS UMR 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Aix Marseille Université, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - A Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - M Hukic
- International Burch University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Medical Science, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - A Di Caro
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - I Leparc-Goffart
- ERRIT-IRBA, HIA Laveran, Centre National de Référence des Arboviroses, 13384, Marseille, France
| | - E Leroy
- Laboratoire MiVEGEC, UMR IRD 224 CNRS 5290 UMI, 911 Av. Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- International Center for Medical Research of Franceville, BP769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - M P Landini
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), St Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Z Sekeyova
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - J S Dumler
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - D Bădescu
- Cantacuzino National Institute of Research, Bucharest, Romania
| | - N Busquets
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - A Calistri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35100, Padova, Italy
| | - C Parolin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35100, Padova, Italy
| | - G Palù
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35100, Padova, Italy
| | - I Christova
- Department of Microbiology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - M Maurin
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Département des Agents Infectieux, Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
| | - B La Scola
- URMITE, CNRS UMR 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Aix Marseille Université, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - D Raoult
- URMITE, CNRS UMR 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Aix Marseille Université, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.
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Biggs HM, Behravesh CB, Bradley KK, Dahlgren FS, Drexler NA, Dumler JS, Folk SM, Kato CY, Lash RR, Levin ML, Massung RF, Nadelman RB, Nicholson WL, Paddock CD, Pritt BS, Traeger MS. Diagnosis and Management of Tickborne Rickettsial Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses, Ehrlichioses, and Anaplasmosis - United States. MMWR Recomm Rep 2016; 65:1-44. [PMID: 27172113 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.rr6502a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 286] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Tickborne rickettsial diseases continue to cause severe illness and death in otherwise healthy adults and children, despite the availability of low-cost, effective antibacterial therapy. Recognition early in the clinical course is critical because this is the period when antibacterial therapy is most effective. Early signs and symptoms of these illnesses are nonspecific or mimic other illnesses, which can make diagnosis challenging. Previously undescribed tickborne rickettsial diseases continue to be recognized, and since 2004, three additional agents have been described as causes of human disease in the United States: Rickettsia parkeri, Ehrlichia muris-like agent, and Rickettsia species 364D. This report updates the 2006 CDC recommendations on the diagnosis and management of tickborne rickettsial diseases in the United States and includes information on the practical aspects of epidemiology, clinical assessment, treatment, laboratory diagnosis, and prevention of tickborne rickettsial diseases. The CDC Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, in consultation with external clinical and academic specialists and public health professionals, developed this report to assist health care providers and public health professionals to 1) recognize key epidemiologic features and clinical manifestations of tickborne rickettsial diseases, 2) recognize that doxycycline is the treatment of choice for suspected tickborne rickettsial diseases in adults and children, 3) understand that early empiric antibacterial therapy can prevent severe disease and death, 4) request the appropriate confirmatory diagnostic tests and understand their usefulness and limitations, and 5) report probable and confirmed cases of tickborne rickettsial diseases to public health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly M Biggs
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia
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Rennoll-Bankert KE, Garcia-Garcia JC, Sinclair SH, Dumler JS. Chromatin-bound bacterial effector ankyrin A recruits histone deacetylase 1 and modifies host gene expression. Cell Microbiol 2015; 17:1640-52. [PMID: 25996657 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Control of host epigenetics is becoming evident as a mechanism by which symbionts and pathogens survive. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an obligate intracellular bacterium, down-regulates multiple host defence genes where histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) binds and histone 3 is deacetylated at their promoters, including the NADPH oxidase component, CYBB. How HDAC1 is targeted to defence gene promoters is unknown. Ankyrin A (AnkA), an A. phagocytophilum type IV secretion system effector, enters the granulocyte nucleus, binds stretches of AT-rich DNA and alters transcription of antimicrobial defence genes, including down-regulation of CYBB. Here we found AnkA binds to a predicted matrix attachment region in the proximal CYBB promoter. Using the CYBB promoter as a model of cis-gene silencing, we interrogated the mechanism of AnkA-mediated CYBB repression. The N-terminus of AnkA was critical for nuclear localization, the central ANK repeats and C-terminus were important for DNA binding, and most promoter activity localized to the central ANK repeats. Furthermore, a direct interaction between AnkA and HDAC1 was detected at the CYBB promoter, and was critical for AnkA-mediated CYBB repression. This novel microbial manipulation of host chromatin and gene expression provides important evidence of the direct effects that prokaryotic nuclear effectors can exert over host transcription and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Rennoll-Bankert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Sara H Sinclair
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Li H, Zheng YC, Ma L, Jia N, Jiang BG, Jiang RR, Huo QB, Wang YW, Liu HB, Chu YL, Song YD, Yao NN, Sun T, Zeng FY, Dumler JS, Jiang JF, Cao WC. Human infection with a novel tick-borne Anaplasma species in China: a surveillance study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2015; 15:663-70. [DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(15)70051-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Abstract
Bacterial zoonoses comprise a group of diseases in humans or animals acquired by direct contact with or by oral consumption of contaminated animal materials, or via arthropod vectors. Among neglected infections, bacterial zoonoses are among the most neglected given emerging data on incidence and prevalence as causes of acute febrile illness, even in areas where recognized neglected tropical diseases occur frequently. Although many other bacterial infections could also be considered in this neglected category, five distinct infections stand out because they are globally distributed, are acute febrile diseases, have high rates of morbidity and case fatality, and are reported as commonly as malaria, typhoid or dengue virus infections in carefully designed studies in which broad-spectrum diagnoses are actively sought. This review will focus attention on leptospirosis, relapsing fever borreliosis and rickettsioses, including scrub typhus, murine typhus and spotted fever group rickettsiosis. Of greatest interest is the lack of distinguishing clinical features among these infections when in humans, which confounds diagnosis where laboratory confirmation is lacking, and in regions where clinical diagnosis is often attributed to one of several perceived more common threats. As diseases such as malaria come under improved control, the real impact of these common and under-recognized infections will become evident, as will the requirement for the strategies and allocation of resources for their control.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Chikeka
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J S Dumler
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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31
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Abstract
Arthropod-borne obligately intracellular bacteria pose a difficult challenge to the immune system. The genera Rickettsia, Orientia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma evolved mechanisms of immune evasion, and each interacts differently with the immune system. The roles of CD8 T cells include protective immunity and immunopathology. In Rickettsia infections, CD8 T cells are protective mediated in part by cytotoxicity toward infected cells. In contrast, TNF-α overproduction by CD8 T cells is pathogenic in lethal ehrlichiosis by induction of apoptosis/necrosis in hepatocytes. Yet, CD8 T cells, along with CD4 T cells and antibodies, also contribute to protective immunity in ehrlichial infections. In granulocytic anaplasmosis, CD8 T cells impact pathogen control modestly but could contribute to immunopathology by virtue of their dysfunction. While preliminary evidence indicates that CD8 T cells are important in protection against Orientia tsutsugamushi, mechanistic studies have been neglected. Valid animal models will enable experiments to elucidate protective and pathologic immune mechanisms. The public health need for vaccines against these agents of human disease, most clearly O. tsutsugamushi, and the veterinary diseases, canine monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis), heartwater (Ehrlichia ruminantium), and bovine anaplasmosis (A. marginale), requires detailed immunity and immunopathology investigations, including the roles of CD8 T lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Walker
- Department of Pathology, Director, UTMB Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555-0609, USA,
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Sinclair SHG, Garcia-Garcia JC, Dumler JS. Bioinformatic and mass spectrometry identification of Anaplasma phagocytophilum proteins translocated into host cell nuclei. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:55. [PMID: 25705208 PMCID: PMC4319465 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Obligate intracellular bacteria have an arsenal of proteins that alter host cells to establish and maintain a hospitable environment for replication. Anaplasma phagocytophilum secrets Ankyrin A (AnkA), via a type IV secretion system, which translocates to the nucleus of its host cell, human neutrophils. A. phagocytophilum-infected neutrophils have dramatically altered phenotypes in part explained by AnkA-induced transcriptional alterations. However, it is unlikely that AnkA is the sole effector to account for infection-induced transcriptional changes. We developed a simple method combining bioinformatics and iTRAQ protein profiling to identify potential bacterial-derived nuclear-translocated proteins that could impact transcriptional programming in host cells. This approach identified 50 A. phagocytophilum candidate genes or proteins. The encoding genes were cloned to create GFP fusion protein-expressing clones that were transfected into HEK-293T cells. We confirmed nuclear translocation of six proteins: APH_0062, RplE, Hup, APH_0382, APH_0385, and APH_0455. Of the six, APH_0455 was identified as a type IV secretion substrate and is now under investigation as a potential nucleomodulin. Additionally, application of this approach to other intracellular bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chlamydia trachomatis and other intracellular bacteria identified multiple candidate genes to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara H G Sinclair
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jose C Garcia-Garcia
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Procter and Gamble Co. Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
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Schachterle SE, Mtove G, Levens JP, Clemens E, Shi L, Raj A, Dumler JS, Munoz B, West S, Sullivan DJ. Short-term malaria reduction by single-dose azithromycin during mass drug administration for trachoma, Tanzania. Emerg Infect Dis 2015; 20:941-9. [PMID: 24865642 PMCID: PMC4036785 DOI: 10.3201/eid2006.131302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This drug might be beneficial in areas to which malaria and trachoma are endemic. Single-dose mass drug administration of azithromycin (AZT) is underway to eliminate trachoma worldwide. Studies in Ethiopia showed a reduction in all-cause childhood deaths after administration. To examine the effect of single-dose AZ MDA on prevalent malaria infections in a large prospective cohort of children and parents in Dodoma Province, Tanzania, we quantified the temporal prevalence of malaria parasitemia by real-time PCR for 6 months after single-dose AZT. In the first month after treatment but not in subsequent months, Plasmodium falciparum infections were reduced by 73% (95% CI 43%–89%) in treatment versus control villages and differences remained significant (p = 0.00497) in multivariate models with village-level random effects. Genetic sequencing of P. falciparum ribosomal L4 protein showed no mutations associated with AZT resistance. AZT mass drug administration caused a transient, 1-month antimalarial effect without selecting for P. falciparum ribosomal L4 resistance mutations in a region with a 10-year history of treating trachoma with this drug.
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Chen XP, Dong YJ, Guo WP, Wang W, Li MH, Xu J, Dumler JS, Zhang YZ. Detection of Wolbachia genes in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014; 21:182.e1-4. [PMID: 25658559 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2014.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Wolbachia 16S rRNA and fbpA genes were twice detected over 5 days in the blood of a patient with high fever. The patient was given fluoroquinolones and the fever resolved. Four weeks later, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and received R-CHOP (Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisolone) treatment resulting in complete remission. This is the first report of detection of Wolbachia genes from the blood of human patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- X-P Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Y-J Dong
- Department of Haematology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - W-P Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - W Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - M-H Li
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - J Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - J S Dumler
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Y-Z Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
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Choi KS, Scorpio DG, Dumler JS. Stat1 negatively regulates immune-mediated injury with Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. J Immunol 2014; 193:5088-98. [PMID: 25305312 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Our data previously demonstrated that A. phagocytophilum induces an immunopathologic response by activating IFN-γ production through the Stat1 signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the broader role of Stat1 signaling in the host response to infection with A. phagocytophilum. In Stat1 knockout (KO) compared with wild-type mice, A. phagocytophilum infection was more highly pathogenic as characterized by the unanticipated development of clinical signs in mice including markedly increased splenomegaly, more severe inflammatory splenic and hepatic histopathology, >100-fold higher blood and splenic bacterial loads, and more elevated proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine responses in serum. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocyte populations were significantly expanded in spleens of A. phagocytophilum-infected Stat1 KO mice compared with wild-type mice. The leukocyte infiltrates in the livers and spleens of A. phagocytophilum-infected Stat1 KO mice also contained expansions in neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage populations. Importantly, A. phagocytophilum-infected Stat1 KO mice did not demonstrate induction of inducible NO synthase in splenocytes. These results show that Stat1 plays an important role in controlling bacterial loads but also by unexpectedly providing an undefined mechanism for dampening of the immunopathologic response observed with A. phagocytophilum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Seong Choi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 742-711, Republic of Korea; Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Diana G Scorpio
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205; Department of Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
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Sinclair SH, Rennoll-Bankert KE, Dumler JS. Effector bottleneck: microbial reprogramming of parasitized host cell transcription by epigenetic remodeling of chromatin structure. Front Genet 2014; 5:274. [PMID: 25177343 PMCID: PMC4132484 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Obligate intracellular pathogenic bacteria evolved to manipulate their host cells with a limited range of proteins constrained by their compact genomes. The harsh environment of a phagocytic defense cell is one that challenges the majority of commensal and pathogenic bacteria; yet, these are the obligatory vertebrate homes for important pathogenic species in the Anaplasmataceae family. Survival requires that the parasite fundamentally alter the native functions of the cell to allow its entry, intracellular replication, and transmission to a hematophagous arthropod. The small genomic repertoires encode several eukaryotic-like proteins, including ankyrin A (AnkA) of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ank200 and tandem-repeat containing proteins of Ehrlichia chaffeensis that localize to the host cell nucleus and directly bind DNA. As a model, A. phagocytophilum AnkA appears to directly alter host cell gene expression by recruiting chromatin modifying enzymes such as histone deacetylases and methyltransferases or by acting directly on transcription in cis. While cis binding could feasibly alter limited ranges of genes and cellular functions, the complex and dramatic alterations in transcription observed with infection are difficult to explain on the basis of individually targeted genes. We hypothesize that nucleomodulins can act broadly, even genome-wide, to affect entire chromosomal neighborhoods and topologically associating chromatin domains by recruiting chromatin remodeling complexes or by altering the folding patterns of chromatin that bring distant regulatory regions together to coordinate control of transcriptional reprogramming. This review focuses on the A. phagocytophilum nucleomodulin AnkA, how it impacts host cell transcriptional responses, and current investigations that seek to determine how these multifunctional eukaryotic-like proteins facilitate epigenetic alterations and cellular reprogramming at the chromosomal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara H Sinclair
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kristen E Rennoll-Bankert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J S Dumler
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, formerly known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, is caused by the microorganism Anaplasma phagocytophilum that is transmitted by Ixodes tick bites. The disease state ranges from subclinical to fatal but may be difficult to differentiate from other febrile conditions without specific tests. Rapid and early diagnosis is important since the infection may be fatal and specific antibiotic therapy is required. The bacterium is an obligate intracellular pathogen of neutrophils. Thus, early diagnosis is best achieved by amplification of nucleic acids from the blood. An increasing number of potential gene targets for diagnostic assays have been described and the incipient release of an Anaplasma phagocytophilum genome sequence will not only help to better understand the disease but may facilitate improvements in diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Ross Research Building, Room 624, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA.
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38
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Rennoll-Bankert KE, Sinclair SH, Lichay MA, Dumler JS. Comparison and characterization of granulocyte cell models for Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. Pathog Dis 2013; 71:55-64. [PMID: 24376092 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632x.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an obligate intracellular bacterium, modifies functions of its in vivo host, the neutrophil. The challenges of using neutrophils ex vivo necessitate cell line models. However, cell line infections do not currently mimic ex vivo neutrophil infection characteristics. To understand these discrepancies, we compared infection of cell lines to ex vivo human neutrophils and differentiated hematopoietic stem cells with regard to infection capacity, oxidative burst, host defense gene expression, and differentiation. Using established methods, marked ex vivo neutrophil infection heterogeneity was observed at 24-48 h necessitating cell sorting to obtain homogeneously infected cells at levels observed in vivo. Moreover, gene expression of infected cell lines differed markedly from the prior standard of unsorted infected neutrophils. Differentiated HL-60 cells sustained similar infection levels to neutrophils in vivo and closely mimicked functional and transcriptional changes of sorted infected neutrophils. Thus, care must be exercised using ex vivo neutrophils for A. phagocytophilum infection studies because a major determinant of transcriptional and functional changes among all cells was the intracellular bacteria quantity. Furthermore, comparisons of ex vivo neutrophils and the surrogate HL-60 cell model allowed the determination that specific cellular functions and transcriptional programs are targeted by the bacterium without significantly modifying differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Rennoll-Bankert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Choi KS, Dumler JS. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, interferon gamma production and Stat1 signaling. Microbiol Immunol 2013; 57:207-12. [PMID: 23278812 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12023] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The proinflammatory cytokine, IFN-γ, is necessary for innate immunity and plays an important role in the induction of severe histopathology in A. phagocytophilum-infected mice, horses and humans. In this study, activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 1 phosphorylation associated with A. phagocytophilum infection was examined in mice and found to be markedly greater on day 7 post-infection than in mock-infected controls. This increase in phosphorylated Stat1 (pStat1) correlated significantly with IFN-γ production and inflammatory tissue injury. Because pStat1 operates as a transcription factor central to the generation of effectors of inflammatory injury, these data suggest that Stat1 signaling is involved in IFN-γ-mediated immunopathologic lesions and disease in A. phagocytophilum infection and could be an important target for intervention in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Seong Choi
- College of Ecology and Environmental Science, School of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 742-711, Korea
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Rennoll-Bankert KE, Dumler JS. Lessons from Anaplasma phagocytophilum: chromatin remodeling by bacterial effectors. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2013; 12:380-7. [PMID: 23082961 PMCID: PMC3664514 DOI: 10.2174/187152612804142242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 04/16/2012] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens can alter global host gene expression via histone modifications and chromatin remodeling in order to subvert host responses, including those involved with innate immunity, allowing for bacterial survival. Shigella flexneri, Listeria monocytogenes, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum express effector proteins that modify host histones and chromatin structure. A. phagocytophilum modulates granulocyte respiratory burst in part by dampening transcription of several key phagocyte oxidase genes. The A. phagocytophilum protein AnkA localizes to the myeloid cell nucleus where it binds AT-rich regions in the CYBB promoter and decreases its transcription. AT-rich regions of DNA are characteristic of matrix attachment regions (MARs) which are critical for chromatin structure and transcription. MAR-binding proteins, such as SATB1, interact with histone modifying enzymes resulting in altered gene expression. With A. phagocytophilum infection, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) expression is increased and histone H3 acetylation is decreased at the CYBB promoter, suggesting a role for AnkA in altering host epigenetics and modulating gene transcription, at this, and perhaps other loci. This review will focus on how bacterial pathogens alter host epigenetics, by specifically examining A. phagocytophilum AnkA cis-regulation of CYBB transcription and epigenetic changes associated with infection.
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Reller ME, Bodinayake C, Nagahawatte A, Devasiri V, Kodikara-Arachichi W, Strouse JJ, Flom JE, Østbye T, Woods CW, Dumler JS. Unsuspected rickettsioses among patients with acute febrile illness, Sri Lanka, 2007. Emerg Infect Dis 2013; 18:825-9. [PMID: 22516455 PMCID: PMC3358078 DOI: 10.3201/eid1805.111563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied rickettsioses in southern Sri Lanka. Of 883 febrile patients with paired serum samples, 156 (17.7%) had acute rickettsioses; rickettsioses were unsuspected at presentation. Additionally, 342 (38.7%) had exposure to spotted fever and/or typhus group rickettsioses and 121 (13.7%) scrub typhus. Increased awareness of rickettsioses and better tests are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Reller
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
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Wormser GP, Schriefer M, Aguero-Rosenfeld ME, Levin A, Steere AC, Nadelman RB, Nowakowski J, Marques A, Johnson BJB, Dumler JS. Single-tier testing with the C6 peptide ELISA kit compared with two-tier testing for Lyme disease. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 75:9-15. [PMID: 23062467 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [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: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
For the diagnosis of Lyme disease, the 2-tier serologic testing protocol for Lyme disease has a number of shortcomings including low sensitivity in early disease; increased cost, time, and labor; and subjectivity in the interpretation of immunoblots. In this study, the diagnostic accuracy of a single-tier commercial C6 ELISA kit was compared with 2-tier testing. The results showed that the C6 ELISA was significantly more sensitive than 2-tier testing with sensitivities of 66.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 61.7-71.1) and 35.2% (95% CI 30.6-40.1), respectively (P < 0.001) in 403 sera from patients with erythema migrans. The C6 ELISA had sensitivity statistically comparable to 2-tier testing in sera from Lyme disease patients with early neurologic manifestations (88.6% versus 77.3%, P = 0.13) or arthritis (98.3% versus 95.6%, P = 0.38). The specificities of C6 ELISA and 2-tier testing in over 2200 blood donors, patients with other conditions, and Lyme disease vaccine recipients were found to be 98.9% and 99.5%, respectively (P < 0.05, 95% CI surrounding the 0.6 percentage point difference of 0.04 to 1.15). In conclusion, using a reference standard of 2-tier testing, the C6 ELISA as a single-step serodiagnostic test provided increased sensitivity in early Lyme disease with comparable sensitivity in later manifestations of Lyme disease. The C6 ELISA had slightly decreased specificity. Future studies should evaluate the performance of the C6 ELISA compared with 2-tier testing in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
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André MR, Dumler JS, Scorpio DG, Teixeira RHF, Allegretti SM, Machado RZ. Molecular detection of tick-borne bacterial agents in Brazilian and exotic captive carnivores. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2012; 3:247-53. [PMID: 22749737 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Revised: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The present study aims to detect and characterize by molecular techniques, the presence of tick-borne pathogens in wild captive carnivore blood samples from Brazil. Blood was collected from 76 Brazilian felids, 23 exotic felids, 3 European wolves (Canis lupus), and 97 Brazilian canids maintained in captivity in zoos located in São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, Brazil. DNA of each sample was used in PCR reactions for Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Rickettsia identification. The blood from 10/100 (10%) of canids (1 European wolf, 3 bush dogs, and 6 crab-eating foxes) and from 21/99 (21%) felids (4 pumas, 6 little spotted cats, 4 ocelots, 3 jaguarundis, 1 tiger, and 3 lions) contained fragments of 16S rRNA gene of Ehrlichia spp. Fragments of Anaplasma spp. groESL and 16S rRNA genes were detected in the blood of 1/100 (1%) canids (1 bush dog) and in 4/99 (3%) felids (4 little spotted cats), respectively. Rickettsia species infections were not identified. The present work showed that new strains of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma spp. circulate among wild carnivores in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R André
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 14884-900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
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Reller ME, Bodinayake C, Nagahawatte A, Devasiri V, Kodikara-Arachichi W, Strouse JJ, Flom JE, Dumler JS, Woods CW. Leptospirosis as frequent cause of acute febrile illness in southern Sri Lanka. Emerg Infect Dis 2012; 17:1678-84. [PMID: 21888794 PMCID: PMC3322050 DOI: 10.3201/eid1709.100915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
TOC summary: Clinical impression and serologic tests of acute-phase specimens are insensitive, and rapid, pathogen-based tests are needed. To determine the proportion of fevers caused by leptospirosis, we obtained serum specimens and epidemiologic and clinical data from patients in Galle, Sri Lanka, March–October 2007. Immunoglobulin M ELISA was performed on paired serum specimens to diagnose acute (seroconversion or 4-fold titer rise) or past (titer without rise) leptospirosis and seroprevalence (acute). We compared (individually) the diagnostic yield of acute-phase specimens and clinical impression with paired specimens for acute leptospirosis. Of 889 patients with paired specimens, 120 had acute leptosoirosis and 241 had past leptospirosis. The sensitivity and specificity of acute-phase serum specimens were 17.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.2%–25.5%) and 69.2% (95% CI 65.5%–72.7%), respectively, and of clinical impression 22.9% (95% CI 15.4%–32.0%) and 91.7% (95% CI 89.2%–93.8%), respectively. For identifying acute leptospirosis, clinical impression is insensitive, and immunoglobulin M results are more insensitive and costly. Rapid, pathogen-based tests for early diagnosis are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Reller
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Greub G, Gikas A, Heinzen RA, Dumler JS. Rickettsia and other intracellular bacteria: recent outbreaks, novel pathogens, emerging diseases, new tools, and outstanding discoveries. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol 2012; 64:1-2. [PMID: 22118608 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2011.00915.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
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Dumler JS. The biological basis of severe outcomes in Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 64:13-20. [PMID: 22098465 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2011.00909.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2011] [Revised: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes granulocytic anaplasmosis, an acute disease in humans that is also often subclinical. However, 36% are hospitalized, 7% need intensive care, and the case fatality rate is 0.6%. The biological basis for severe disease is not understood. Despite A. phagocytophilum's mechanisms to subvert neutrophil antimicrobial responses, whether these mechanisms lead to disease is unclear. In animals, inflammatory lesions track with IFNγ and IL-10 expression and infection of Ifng(-/-) mice leads to increased pathogen load but inhibition of inflammation. Suppression of STAT signaling in horses impacts IL-10 and IFN-γ expression, and also suppresses disease severity. Similar inhibition of inflammation with infection of NKT-deficient mice suggests that innate immune responses are key for disease. With severe disease, tissues can demonstrate hemophagocytosis, and measures of macrophage activation/hemophagocytic syndromes (MAS/HPS) support the concept of human granulocytic anaplasmosis as an immunopathologic disease. MAS/HPS are related to defective cytotoxic lymphocytes that ordinarily diminish inflammation. Pilot studies in mice show cytotoxic lymphocyte activation with A. phagocytophilum infection, yet suppression of cytotoxic responses from both NKT and CD8 cells, consistent with the development of MAS/HPS. Whether severity relates to microbial factors or genetically determined diversity in human immune and inflammatory response needs more investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Deye GA, Miller RS, Miller L, Salas CJ, Tosh D, Macareo L, Smith BL, Fracisco S, Clemens EG, Murphy J, Sousa JC, Dumler JS, Magill AJ. Prolonged Protection Provided by a Single Dose of Atovaquone-Proguanil for the Chemoprophylaxis of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in a Human Challenge Model. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 54:232-9. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Auwaerter PG, Bakken JS, Dattwyler RJ, Dumler JS, Halperin JJ, McSweegan E, Nadelman RB, O'Connell S, Shapiro ED, Sood SK, Steere AC, Weinstein A, Wormser GP. Antiscience and ethical concerns associated with advocacy of Lyme disease. Lancet Infect Dis 2011; 11:713-9. [PMID: 21867956 PMCID: PMC4489928 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(11)70034-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Advocacy for Lyme disease has become an increasingly important part of an antiscience movement that denies both the viral cause of AIDS and the benefits of vaccines and that supports unproven (sometimes dangerous) alternative medical treatments. Some activists portray Lyme disease, a geographically limited tick-borne infection, as a disease that is insidious, ubiquitous, difficult to diagnose, and almost incurable; they also propose that the disease causes mainly non-specific symptoms that can be treated only with long-term antibiotics and other unorthodox and unvalidated treatments. Similar to other antiscience groups, these advocates have created a pseudoscientific and alternative selection of practitioners, research, and publications and have coordinated public protests, accused opponents of both corruption and conspiracy, and spurred legislative efforts to subvert evidence-based medicine and peer-reviewed science. The relations and actions of some activists, medical practitioners, and commercial bodies involved in Lyme disease advocacy pose a threat to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Auwaerter
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Grab DJ, Nikolskaia OV, Inoue N, Thekisoe OMM, Morrison LJ, Gibson W, Dumler JS. Using detergent to enhance detection sensitivity of African trypanosomes in human CSF and blood by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1249. [PMID: 21829738 PMCID: PMC3149022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, with its advantages of simplicity, rapidity and cost effectiveness, has evolved as one of the most sensitive and specific methods for the detection of a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms including African trypanosomes. While many LAMP-based assays are sufficiently sensitive to detect DNA well below the amount present in a single parasite, the detection limit of the assay is restricted by the number of parasites present in the volume of sample assayed; i.e. 1 per µL or 10(3) per mL. We hypothesized that clinical sensitivities that mimic analytical limits based on parasite DNA could be approached or even obtained by simply adding detergent to the samples prior to LAMP assay. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS For proof of principle we used two different LAMP assays capable of detecting 0.1 fg genomic DNA (0.001 parasite). The assay was tested on dilution series of intact bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood with or without the addition of the detergent Triton X-100 and 60 min incubation at ambient temperature. With human CSF and in the absence of detergent, the LAMP detection limit for live intact parasites using 1 µL of CSF as the source of template was at best 10(3) parasites/mL. Remarkably, detergent enhanced LAMP assay reaches sensitivity about 100 to 1000-fold lower; i.e. 10 to 1 parasite/mL. Similar detergent-mediated increases in LAMP assay analytical sensitivity were also found using DNA extracted from filter paper cards containing blood pretreated with detergent before card spotting or blood samples spotted on detergent pretreated cards. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This simple procedure for the enhanced detection of live African trypanosomes in biological fluids by LAMP paves the way for the adaptation of LAMP for the economical and sensitive diagnosis of other protozoan parasites and microorganisms that cause diseases that plague the developing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis J Grab
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Auwaerter PG, Bakken JS, Dattwyler RJ, Dumler JS, Halperin JJ, McSweegan E, Nadelman RB, O'Connell S, Sood SK, Weinstein A, Wormser GP. Scientific evidence and best patient care practices should guide the ethics of Lyme disease activism. J Med Ethics 2011; 37:68-73. [PMID: 21097940 DOI: 10.1136/jme.2009.032896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Johnson and Stricker published an opinion piece in the Journal of Medical Ethics presenting their perspective on the 2008 agreement between the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Connecticut Attorney General with regard to the 2006 IDSA treatment guideline for Lyme disease. Their writings indicate that these authors hold unconventional views of a relatively common tick-transmitted bacterial infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that their opinions would clash with the IDSA's evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Their allegations of conflict of interest against the IDSA resemble those made against the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2000, which were found to be baseless. It is the responsibility of all physicians and medical scientists to stand up to antiscientific, baseless and unethical attacks on those who support an evidence-based approach to caring for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Auwaerter
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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