Complete genome sequences of Ruminococcus torques strains JCM 36208 and JCM 36209, isolated from the feces of a healthy Japanese male

Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two Ruminococcus torques strains (JCM 36208 and JCM 36209) that were newly isolated from the feces of a healthy Japanese male. Both genomes consist of a single circular chromosome with a length of ~2.8 Mbp and a G+C content of 41.8%.

Bacteria can maintain rRNA operons solely on plasmids for hundreds of millions of years

It is generally assumed that all bacteria must have at least one rRNA operon (rrn operon) on the chromosome, but some strains of the genera Aureimonas and Oecophyllibacter carry their sole rrn operon on a plasmid. However, other related strains and species have chromosomal rrn loci, suggesting that the exclusive presence of rrn operons on a plasmid is rare and unlikely to be stably maintained over long evolutionary periods. Here, we report the results of a systematic search for additional bacteria without chromosomal rrn operons. We find that at least four bacterial clades in the phyla Bacteroidota, Spirochaetota, and Pseudomonadota (Proteobacteria) lost chromosomal rrn operons independently. Remarkably, Persicobacteraceae have apparently maintained this peculiar genome organization for hundreds of millions of years. In our study, all the rrn-carrying plasmids in bacteria lacking chromosomal rrn loci possess replication initiator genes of the Rep_3 family. Furthermore, the lack of chromosomal rrn operons is associated with differences in copy numbers of rrn operons, plasmids, and chromosomal tRNA genes. Thus, our findings indicate that the absence of rrn loci in bacterial chromosomes can be stably maintained over long evolutionary periods.

Claveliimonas bilis gen. nov., sp. nov., deoxycholic acid-producing bacteria isolated from human faeces, and reclassification of Sellimonas monacensis Zenner et al. 2021 as Claveliimonas monacensis comb. nov

Obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, bacilli, strains 12BBH14T, 9CFEGH4 and 10CPCBH12, were isolated from faecal samples of healthy Japanese people. Strain 12BBH14T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sellimonas monacensis Cla-CZ-80T (97.5 %) and 'Lachnoclostridium phocaeense' Marseille-P3177T (97.2 %). Strain 12BBH14T was also closely related to Eubacterium sp. c-25 with 99.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strains 12BBH14T, 9CFEGH4 and 10CPCBH12 formed a monophyletic cluster with Eubacterium sp. c-25. Near this monophyletic cluster, S. monacensis Cla-CZ-80T and 'L. phocaeense' Marseille-P3177T formed a cluster and did not form a cluster with other Sellimonas species. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strains 12BBH14T, 9CFEGH4, 10CPCBH12 and Eubacterium sp. c-25 were higher than the cut-off values of species demarcation (>88 % dDDH and >98 % ANI), indicating that these four strains are the same species. On the other hand, the dDDH and ANI values of these strains were lower than the cut-off values of species demarcation against other strains (<29 % dDDH and <76 % ANI). Moreover, the average amino acid identity values among these strains were higher than the genus boundary. These results indicate that the isolates should be considered to belong to a new genus of the family Lachnospiraceae. Based on the collected data, strains 12BBH14T, 9CFEGH4 and 10CPCBH12 represent a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Claveliimonas bilis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of C. bilis is 12BBH14T (=JCM 35899T=DSM 115701T). Eubacterium sp. c-25 belongs to C. bilis. In addition, S. monacensis is transferred to the genus Claveliimonas as Claveliimonas monacensis comb. nov.

Symbiosis of Carpenter Bees with Uncharacterized Lactic Acid Bacteria Showing NAD Auxotrophy

Eusocial bees (such as honey bees and bumble bees) harbor core gut microbiomes that are transmitted through social interaction between nestmates. Carpenter bees are not eusocial; however, recent microbiome analyses found that Xylocopa species harbor distinctive core gut microbiomes. In this study, we analyzed the gut microbiomes of three Xylocopa species in Japan between 2016 and 2021 by V1 to V2 region-based 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing, and 14 candidate novel species were detected based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences. All Xylocopa species harbor core gut microbiomes consisting of primarily lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that were phylogenetically distant from known species. Although they were difficult to cultivate, two LAB species from two different Xylocopa species were isolated by supplementing bacterial culture supernatants. Both genomes exhibited an average LAB genome size with a large set of genes for carbohydrate utilization but lacked genes to synthesize an essential coenzyme NAD, which is unique among known insect symbionts. Our findings of phylogenetically distinct core LAB of NAD auxotrophy reflected the evolution of Xylocopa-restricted bacteria retention and maintenance through vertical transmission of microbes during solitary life. We propose five candidate novel species belonging to the families Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae, including a novel genus, and their potential functions in carbohydrate utilization. IMPORTANCE Recent investigations found unique microbiomes in carpenter bees, but the description of individual microbes, including isolation and genomics, remains largely unknown. Here, we found that the Japanese Xylocopa species also harbor core gut microbiomes. Although most of them were difficult to isolate a pure colony, we successfully isolated several strains. We performed whole-genome sequencing of the isolated candidate novel species and found that the two Lactobacillaceae strains belonging to the Xylocopa-specific novel LAB clade lack the genes for synthesizing NAD, a coenzyme central to metabolism in all living organisms. Here, we propose a novel genus for the two LAB species based on very low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and genotypic characters.

Faecalibacterium hominis Liu et al. 2023 is a later heterotypic synonym of Faecalibacterium duncaniae Sakamoto et al. 2022

A strain of the recently validated species Faecalibacterium hominis shares 99.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strain of Faecalibacterium duncaniae. The aim of this study was to evaluate the taxonomic relationship between F. hominis and F. duncaniae. F. duncaniae JCM 31915T showed 73.0 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value with F. hominis JCM 39347T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between these two strains was 96.7 %. These results indicate that F. duncaniae JCM 31915T and F. hominis JCM 39347T represent members of the same species. Based on these data, we propose Faecalibacterium hominis as a later heterotypic synonym of Faecalibacterium duncaniae. An emended description is provided.

Assessment of metagenomic workflows using a newly constructed human gut microbiome mock community

To quantify the biases introduced during human gut microbiome studies, analyzing an artificial mock community as the reference microbiome is indispensable. However, there are still limited resources for a mock community which well represents the human gut microbiome. Here, we constructed a novel mock community comprising the type strains of 18 major bacterial species in the human gut and assessed the influence of experimental and bioinformatics procedures on the 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. We found that DNA extraction methods greatly affected the DNA yields and taxonomic composition of sequenced reads, and that some of the commonly used primers for 16S rRNA genes were prone to underestimate the abundance of some gut commensal taxa such as Erysipelotrichia, Verrucomicrobiota and Methanobacteriota. Binning of the assembled contigs of shotgun metagenomic sequences by MetaBAT2 produced phylogenetically consistent, less-contaminated bins with varied completeness. The ensemble approach of multiple binning tools by MetaWRAP can improve completeness but sometimes increases the contamination rate. Our benchmark study provides an important foundation for the interpretation of human gut microbiome data by providing means for standardization among gut microbiome data obtained with different methodologies and will facilitate further development of analytical methods.

Sellimonas catena sp. nov., isolated from human faeces

Obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, small-chain coccobacilli, strains 12EGH17^T and 18CBH55, were isolated from faecal samples of healthy Japanese humans. Strain 12EGH17^T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sellimonas intestinalis BR72^T (95.5 %), Coprococcus comes ATCC 27758^T (94.4 %) and Clostridium nexile DSM 1787^T (93.7 %). The percentage of conserved proteins values between the genome of strain 12EGH17^T and that of the members of the genus Sellimonas were >54 %, suggesting that strain 12EGH17^T belongs to the genus Sellimonas. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strains 12EGH17^T and 18CBH55 were higher than the cut-off values of species demarcation (90 % dDDH and 99 % ANI), indicating these two strains are the same species. However, the dDDH and ANI values of these strains were lower than the cut-off values of species demarcation against other strains (<30 % dDDH and <79 % ANI). These results indicate that the isolates should be considered to represent a new species of the genus Sellimonas. The isolates were differentiated from the type species, S. intestinalis, by the ability of aesculin hydrolysis. Based on the collected data, strains 12EGH17^T and 18CBH55 represent a novel species in the genus Sellimonas, for which the name Sellimonas catena sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of S. catena is 12EGH17^T (=JCM 35622^T=DSM 114916^T).

Clostridium folliculivorans sp. nov., isolated from soil samples of an organic paddy in Japan

Two Gram-stain-negative, terminal endospore-forming, rod-shaped and aerotolerant bacterial strains designated D1-1^T and B3 were isolated from soil samples of an organic paddy in Japan. Strain D1-1^T grew at 15-37 °C, pH 5.0-7.3, and with up to 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain D1-1^T belonged to the genus Clostridium and was closely related to Clostridium zeae CSC2^T (99.7 % sequence similarity), Clostridium fungisolvens TW1^T (99.7 %) and Clostridium manihotivorum CT4^T (99.3 %). Strains D1-1^T and B3 were whole-genome sequenced and indistinguishable, with an average nucleotide identity value of 99.7 %. The average nucleotide identity (below 91.1 %) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (below 43.6 %) values between the two novel isolates and their corresponding relatives showed that strains D1-1^T and B3 could be readily distinguished from their closely related species. A novel Clostridium species, Clostridium folliculivorans sp. nov., with type strain D1-1^T (=MAFF 212477^T=DSM 113523^T), is proposed based on genotypic and phenotypic data.

New gene markers for classification and quantification of faecalibacterium spp. in the human gut

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a promising biomarker of a healthy human microbiota. However, previous studies reported the heterogeneity of this species and found the presence of several distinct groups at the species level among F. prausnitzii strains. Our recent study revealed that methods previously developed for quantification of F. prausnitzii were not specific to the species level because of the heterogeneity within the F. prausnitzii species and the application of 16S rRNA gene which is an invalid genetic marker for the species. Therefore, previously available data failed to provide information on different groups, which limits our understanding of the importance of this organism for host health. Here, we propose an alternative gene marker for quantification of F. prausnitzii-related taxa. Nine group-specific primer pairs were designed by targeting rpoA gene sequences. The newly developed rpoA-based qPCR successfully quantified targeted groups. Application of the developed qPCR assay in six healthy adults revealed marked differences in abundance and prevalence among the different targeted-groups in stool samples. The developed assay will facilitate detailed understanding of the impact of Faecalibacterium populations at the group level on human health and to understand the links between depletion of specific groups in Faecalibacterium and different human disorders.

Microbial Community Profiling Using Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE)

In their natural environments, microorganisms usually live in organized communities. Profiling analysis of microbial communities has recently assumed special relevance as it allows a thorough understanding of the diversity of the microbiota, its behavior over time, and the establishment of patterns associated with health and disease. The application of molecular biology approaches holds the advantage of including culture-difficult and as-yet-uncultivated phylotypes in the profiles, providing a more comprehensive picture of the microbial community. This chapter focuses on two particular techniques, namely terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), both of which have been widely used in environmental studies and have been recently successfully used by the authors in the study of the oral microbial communities associated with conditions of health and disease.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated inflammatory pseudotumor variant of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the liver: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is a rare stromal tumor with no standard treatment. However, some reports have revealed that follicular dendritic cell sarcoma has an inflammatory pseudotumor variant associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection that has a relatively good prognosis. In this report, we present a case of a resected inflammatory pseudotumor variant of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the liver, and have reviewed the literature on the clinicopathological, molecular, and genomic features of this tumor.

CASE PRESENTATION

The inflammatory pseudotumor variant of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma originates only in the liver or spleen, causes no symptoms, and is more common in middle-aged Asian women. It has no characteristic imaging features, which partially explains why the inflammatory pseudotumor variant of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is difficult to diagnose. Pathologically, the inflammatory pseudotumor variant of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma has spindle cells mixed with inflammatory cells and is variably positive for follicular dendritic cell markers (CD21, CD23, and CD35) and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA. On genetic analysis, patients with this tumor high levels of latent membrane protein 1 gene expression and extremely low levels of host C-X-C Chemokine Receptor type 7 gene expression, indicating that the inflammatory pseudotumor variant of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma has a latent Epstein-Barr virus type 2 infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The inflammatory pseudotumor variant of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is an Epstein-Barr virus-associated tumor and a favorable prognosis by surgical resection, similar to Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancer.

Ku-band multichannel frequency comb Doppler reflectometer on the GAMMA 10/potential control and divertor simulating experiment (PDX) tandem mirror

A Ku-band (12-18 GHz) multichannel Doppler reflectometer (DR) has been developed in the GAMMA 10/potential control and divertor simulating experiment (PDX) tandem mirror device to improve the applicability of DR measurement for simultaneous monitoring of velocity of electron density turbulence at different locations. Our previous single-channel DR circuit has been replaced by the multichannel microwave system using a nonlinear transmission line based comb generator with heterodyne technique. The multichannel DR system has been installed in the central cell of GAMMA 10/PDX. Initial results of application to GAMMA 10/PDX plasma are presented, showing Doppler frequency shifts during an additional ion cyclotron resonance frequency heating and gas-puffing experiment.

A novel species of lactic acid bacteria, Ligilactobacillus pabuli sp. nov., isolated from alfalfa silage

In this study, we isolated a novel strain of lactic acid bacteria, AF129T, from alfalfa silage prepared locally in Morioka, Iwate, Japan. Polyphasic taxonomy was used to characterize the bacterial strain. The bacterium was rod-shaped, Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming and catalase-negative. The strain grew at various temperatures (15–40°C) and pH levels (4.0–8.0). The optimum growth conditions were a temperature of 30°C and a pH of 6.0. AF129T exhibited growth at salt (NaCl) concentrations of up to 6.5 % (w/v). The G+C content of the strain’s genomic DNA was 41.5 %. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, C19 : 0cyclo ω8c and summed feature 8. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that AF129T represents a member of the genus Ligilactobacillus and it has higher sequence similarities with Ligilactobacillus pobuzihii (98.4 %), Ligilactobacillus acidipiscis (97.5 %) and Ligilactobacillus salitolerans (97.4 %). The digital DNA–DNA hybridization values for AF129T and phylogenetically related species of the genus Ligilactobacillus ranged from 19.8% to 24.1%. The average nucleotide identity of the strain with its closely related taxa was lower than the threshold (95 %–96 %) used for species differentiation. In the light of the above-mentioned physiological, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic evidence, we confirm that AF129T represents a member of the genus Ligilactobacillus and constitutes a novel species; we propose the name Ligilactobacillus pabuli sp. nov. for this species. The type strain is AF129T =MAFF 518002T =JCM 34518T=BCRC 81335T.

POS0390 GENES OF “DEFENSE RESPONSE TO VIRUS” IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF ANTI-MDA5 POSITIVE DERMATOMYOSITIS WERE UPREGULATED AS COMPARE WITH OTHER FORMS OF DERMATOMYOSITIS. ~SUPPRESSING RIG-I LIKE RECEPTOR SIGNALING OR TYPE 1/2 INTERFERON SIGNALING WERE THE KEYS FOR SURVIVAL

Background

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5–positive dermatomyositis (MDA5 DM) is a rare but distinct subtype of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) that is characterized by high mortality due to rapid progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD). MDA5 is a cytosolic protein and a family of retinoic-acid inducible gene-I (RIG-I) like receptor, which functions as a virus RNA sensor and induces the production of type I interferons (IFN-I) and proinflammatory cytokines. This leads to the death of infected cells and the activation of the antigen-specific antiviral immune response. Although the pathogenesis of MDA5 DM is largely unknown, a hypothesis that pathogenic involvement of anti-MDA5 antibodies has been proposed. Recently, similarities have been noted between multifaceted features of COVID-19 and MDA5 DM, which suggests shared underlying autoinflammatory mechanisms.

Objectives

To detect the critical actors in the pathogenesis of MDA5 DM by gene expression analysis of peripheral blood.

Methods

Total of 31 DM cases were investigated, including anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase positive (ARS) DM (n=12), MDA5 DM (n=7, survivor=3) and others (n=12). Peripheral blood was drawn at baseline and 2 to 3 months after treatments. Total RNAs were then extracted with using PAXgene miRNA kit. After quantifying the expressions of transcripts by multiplex sequencing. And then, hierarchical clustering analysis, enrichment analysis using gene ontology (GO) terms, single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed.

Results

The hierarchical clustering with expression profiles of peripheral blood at baseline showed major 3 clusters. Interestingly, ARS DM cases were segregated into right side of the 3rd cluster while MDA5 DM cases fell into 1st and 2nd clusters. ARS and MDA5 DM were clearly discriminated if differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these subtypes of DM were analyzed. By GO enrichment analysis, the terms, such as related to “defense response to virus” including “type1 interferon signaling pathway” were found in the DEGs. In the MDA5 DM cases, ssGSEA revealed that genes of “Fcγ receptor mediated phagocytosis pathway” or “complement and coagulation cascade” were significantly enriched and WGCNA showed that pathways of “T-cell antigen receptor signaling” or “lung fibrosis” were significantly upregulated. Next, we also investigated the DEGs of peripheral blood at 2-3 months after treatment between survival and fatal cases in MDA5 DM. We found that suppressing RIG-I like receptor and type 1 and type 2 interferon (IFN) signaling were the keys for survival.

Conclusion

MDA5 is a key sensor of several RNA viruses including coronavirus families and then activate antiviral gene transcription such as type 1 IFN genes, leading to establish an antiviral host response. As the pulmonary damage of COVID-19 is known to be difficult to distinguish from the ILD associated with anti-MDA5 DM, the life-threating ILD of MDA5 DM may be caused by the over-activation of RIG-I like receptor signaling via MDA5. The hypothesis is supported by our findings that the defining features of MDA5 DM are activation of “type 1 IFN pathways” and antigen-specific antiviral immune responses including “Fcγ receptor mediated phagocytosis pathway” or “T-cell antigen receptor signaling”. As the levels of anti-MDA5 antibodies reported to be important prognostic parameter, it may be involved in pathogenesis of MDA5 DM. As we found that suppression of type 1 and type 2 IFN signaling were the keys for survival, it seems to be reasonable to use inhibitors of Janus Kinases (JAK) for treatment of MDA5 DM.

Disclosure of Interests

Yoshinobu Koyama Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Asahikasei, Ayumi, BMS, Eli-Lilly, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, GSK, Yoshiharu Sato: None declared, Moe Sakamoto: None declared

Intensive care burden of COVID-19 in tertiary care hospitals during the first year of outbreak in Kawasaki City, Japan: A retrospective cohort study

Introduction

This study aimed to describe the changes in the intensive care burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first year of outbreak in Japan.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included COVID-19 patients who received mechanical ventilation (MV) support in two designated hospitals for critical patients in Kawasaki City. We compared the lengths of MV and stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) or high care unit (HCU) according to the three epidemic waves. We calculated in-hospital mortality rates in patients with or without MV.

Results

The median age of the sample was 65.0 years, and 22.7% were women. There were 37, 29, and 62 patients in the first (W1), second (W2), and third waves (W3), respectively. Systemic steroids, remdesivir, and prone positioning were more frequent in W2 and W3. The median length of MV decreased from 18.0 days in W1 to 13.0 days in W3 (P = 0.019), and that of ICU/HCU stay decreased from 22.0 days in W1 to 15.5 days in W3 (P = 0.027). The peak daily number of patients receiving MV support was higher at 18 patients in W1, compared to 8 and 15 patients in W2 and W3, respectively. The mortality rate was 23.4%, which did not significantly change (P = 0.467).

Conclusions

The lengths of MV and ICU/HCU stay per patient decreased over time. Despite an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who received MV in W3, this study may indicate that the intensive care burden during the study period did not substantially increase.

Characterization of fructooligosaccharide metabolism and fructooligosaccharide-degrading enzymes in human commensal butyrate producers

Butyrate produced by gut microbiota has multiple beneficial effects on host health, and oligosaccharides derived from host diets and glycans originating from host mucus are major sources of its production. A significant reduction of butyrate-producing bacteria has been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancers. Although gut butyrate levels are important for host health, oligosaccharide metabolic properties in butyrate producers are poorly characterized. We studied the metabolic properties of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and other prebiotic oligosaccharides (i.e. raffinose and xylooligosaccharides; XOSs) in gut butyrate producers. 1-Kestose (kestose) and nystose, FOSs with degrees of polymerization of 3 and 4, respectively, were also included. Fourteen species of butyrate producers were divided into four groups based on their oligosaccharide metabolic properties, which are group A (two species) metabolizing all oligosaccharides tested, group F (four species) metabolizing FOSs but not raffinose and XOSs, group XR (four species) metabolizing XOSs and/or raffinose but not FOSs, and group N (four species) metabolizing none of the oligosaccharides tested. Species assigned to groups A and XR are rich glycoside hydrolase (GH) holders, whereas those in groups F and N are the opposite. In total, 17 enzymes assigned to GH32 were observed in nine of the 14 butyrate producers tested, and species that metabolized FOSs had at least one active GH32 enzyme. The GH32 enzymes were divided into four clusters by phylogenetic analysis. Heterologous gene expression analysis revealed that the GH32 enzymes in each cluster had similar FOS degradation properties within clusters, which may be linked to the conservation/substitution of amino acids to bind with substrates in GH32 enzymes. This study provides important knowledge to understand the impact of FOS supplementation on the activation of gut butyrate producers. Abbreviations: SCFA, short chain fatty acid; FOS, fructooligosaccharide; XOS, xylooligosaccharide; CAZy, Carbohydrate Active Enzymes; CBM, carbohydrate-binding module; PUL, polysaccharide utilization locus; S6PH sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase.

Changes in immune system and intestinal bacteria of cows during the transition period

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Transitional high-energy diets reduce peripheral blood lymphocytes in dairy cows.

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High-energy diets upregulate IL-1β and IL-2 and downregulate IL-10 expression.

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Functional lactobacillus plantarum LP1 restores normal levels of lymphocytes subset.

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Lactobacillus plantarum LP1-added diets reduce inflammatory cytokine expression.

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LP1 mitigates immune response imbalances caused by transitional high energy diets.

High-yield dairy cows need high energy feed during periods of increased milk production. The transitional feeding to high energy feed increases the risk of developing a variety of metabolic disorders. Here, five Holstein cows were fed a four-stage feeding protocol (3 weeks for each stage) ranging from 54.9 to 73.7% total digestive nutrients (TDN). The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria on high-energy-fed cows associated with transitional feeding, and to evaluate the effects of probiotics on intestinal bacterial changes and inflammatory responses. Three feed transition periods were established for five cows, and Lactobacillus plantarum RGU-LP1 (LP1) was fed as a probiotic during the high-energy feeding period. The number of lymphocyte subsets such as CD3-, CD4-, and CD8 positive cells decreased in response to the high energy feed. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine (IL-1β and IL-2) gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was shown to increase in those animals receiving the high energy feed. However, supplementation with LP1 resulted in an increase in the number of lymphocyte subsets and the expression of IL-1β and IL-2 were returned to the level at low energy diet. These results suggest that high energy diets induce inflammatory cytokine responses following LPS stimulation, and that the addition of LP1 mitigates these results by regulating the LPS-induced inflammatory reaction. Therefore, the functional lactic acid bacteria LP1 is expected to regulate inflammation resulting from high energy feeding, and this probiotic could be applied to support inflammatory regulation in high-yield dairy cows.

Lentilactobacillus fungorum sp. nov., isolated from spent mushroom substrates

In Japan, during a screening of lactic acid bacteria in spent mushroom substrates, an unknown bacterium was isolated and could not be assigned to any known species. Strain YK48G^T is Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming and catalase-negative. The isolate grew in 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl, at 15-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and at pH 4.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain YK48G^T was 42.5 mol%. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain YK48G^T represented a member of the genus Lentilactobacillus and showed the highest pairwise similarity to Lentilactobacillus rapi DSM 19907^T (97.86 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on amino acid sequences of 466 shared protein-encoding genes also revealed that the strain was phylogenetically positioned in the genus Lentilactobacillus but did not suggest an affiliation with previously described species. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain YK48G^T and the type strains of phylogenetically related species were 72.2-76.6% and 19.0-21.2 %, respectively, indicating that strain YK48G^T represents a novel species within the genus Lentilactobacillus. Phenotypic data further confirmed the differentiation of strain YK48G^T from other members of the genus Lentilactobacillus. According to the results of the polyphasic characterization presented in this study, strain YK48G^T represents a novel species of the genus Lentilactobacillus, for which the name Lentilactobacillus fungorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YK48G^T (=JCM 32598^T=DSM 107968^T).

Adlercreutzia hattorii sp. nov., an equol non-producing bacterium isolated from human faeces

Two obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from faecal samples of healthy humans in Japan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that these two strains (8CFCBH1^T and 9CBH6) belonged to the genus Adlercreutzia, which is known as an equol-producing bacterium. The closest neighbours of strain 8CFCBH1^T were Adlercreutzia equolifaciens subsp. equolifaciens DSM 19450^T (98.6%), Adlercreutzia equolifaciens subsp. celatus do03^T (98.4%), Adlercreutzia muris WCA-131-CoC-2^T (96.6%), Parvibacter caecicola NR06^T (96.4%), Adlercreutzia caecimuris B7^T (95.3%) and Adlercreutzia mucosicola Mt1B8^T (95.3%). The closest relatives to strain 9CBH6 were A. equolifaciens subsp. equolifaciens DSM 19450^T (99.8%), A. equolifaciens subsp. celatus do03^T (99.6%) and A. muris WCA-131-CoC-2^T (96.8%). Strain 8CFCBH1^T showed 22.3-53.5% digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values with its related species. In addition, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain 8CFCBH1^T and its related species ranged from 75.4 to 93.3%. On the other hand, strain 9CBH6 was considered as A. equolifaciens based on the dDDH and ANI values (>70% dDDH and >95-96% ANI). Strain 9CBH6 showed daidzein-converting activity, as expected from the result of genome analysis. The genome of strain 8CFCBH1^T lacked four genes involved in equol production. Growing cells of strain 8CFCBH1^T were not capable of converting daidzein. Based on the collected data, strain 8CFCBH1^T represents a novel species in the genus Adlercreutzia, for which the name Adlercreutzia hattorii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of A. hattorii is 8CFCBH1^T (=JCM 34083^T=DSM 112284^T).

Clostridium zeae sp. nov., isolated from corn silage

A rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, strictly anaerobic, catalase-negative and endospore-forming bacterial strain CSC2^T was isolated from corn silage preserved in Tochigi, Japan. The strain CSC2^T grew at 15-40 °C, at pH 5.0-7.7 and with up to 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The main cellular fatty acids were C_14 : 0, C_16 : 0 and C_16 : 0 dimethyl acetal. The cellular polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylcholine and two unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain CSC2^T was a member of the genus Clostridium and closely related to Clostridium polyendosporum DSM 57272^T (95.6 % gene sequence similarity) and Clostridium fallax ATCC 19400^T (95.3 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CSC2^T was 31.1 mol% (whole genome analysis). The average nucleotide identity based on blast and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain CSC2^T and the type strains of phylogenetically related species were below 71 and 24 %, respectively. On the basis of the genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is proposed to designate strain CSC2^T as representing Clostridium zeae sp. nov. The type strain is CSC2^T (=MAFF212476^T=JCM 33766^T=DSM 111242^T).

Taxonomic status of the species Clostridium methoxybenzovorans Mechichi et al. 1999

The taxonomic status of the species Clostridium methoxybenzovorans was assessed. The 16S rRNA gene sequence, whole-genome sequence and phenotypic characterizations suggested that the type strain deposited in the American Type Culture Collection (C. methoxybenzovorans ATCC 700855^T) is a member of the species Eubacterium callanderi. Hence, C. methoxybenzovorans ATCC 700855^T cannot be used as a reference for taxonomic study. The type strain deposited in the German Collection of Microorganism and Cell Cultures GmbH (DSM 12182^T) is no longer listed in its online catalogue. Also, both the 16S rRNA gene and the whole-genome sequences of the original strain SR3^T showed high sequence identity with those of Lacrimispora indolis (recently reclassified from Clostridium indolis) as the most closely related species. Analysis of the two genomes showed average nucleotide identity based on blast and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of 98.3 and 87.9 %, respectively. Based on these results, C. methoxybenzovorans SR3^T was considered to be a member of L. indolis.

Prognostic grade for resecting hepatocellular carcinoma: multicentre retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is advancing, but a robust prediction model for survival after resection is not available. The aim of this study was to propose a prognostic grading system for resection of HCC.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, multicentre study of patients who underwent first resection of HCC with curative intent between 2000 and 2007. Patients were divided randomly by a cross-validation method into training and validation sets. Prognostic factors were identified using a Cox proportional hazards model. The predictive model was built by decision-tree analysis to define the resection grades, and subsequently validated.

RESULTS

A total of 16 931 patients from 795 hospitals were included. In the training set (8465 patients), four surgical grades were classified based on prognosis: grade A1 (1236 patients, 14.6 per cent; single tumour 3 cm or smaller and anatomical R0 resection); grade A2 (3614, 42.7 per cent; single tumour larger than 3 cm, or non-anatomical R0 resection); grade B (2277, 26.9 per cent; multiple tumours, or vascular invasion, and R0 resection); and grade C (1338, 15.8 per cent; multiple tumours with vascular invasion and R0 resection, or R1 resection). Five-year survival rates were 73.9 per cent (hazard ratio (HR) 1.00), 64.7 per cent (HR 1.51, 95 per cent c.i. 1.29 to 1.78), 50.6 per cent (HR 2.53, 2.15 to 2.98), and 34.8 per cent (HR 4.60, 3.90 to 5.42) for grades A1, A2, B, and C respectively. In the validation set (8466 patients), the grades had equivalent reproducibility for both overall and recurrence-free survival (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This grade is used to predict prognosis of patients undergoing resection of HCC.

Lactobacillus corticis sp. nov., isolated from hardwood bark

During a study on the biodiversity of bacteria that inhabit woody biomass, we isolated a strain coded B40^T from hardwood bark used as a compost ingredient in Japan. The strain, characterized as B40^T, is a Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming and catalase-negative bacterium. This novel isolate showed growth at 30-50 °C, at pH 3.5-7.5 and in the presence of up to 4 % (w/v) NaCl. Its major fatty acids include C_16:0, C_18:1 ω9c and summed feature 8. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain B40^T is 42.2 mol%. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain B40^T belongs to the genus Lactobacillus and the closest neighbours of strain B40^T are Lactobacillus gigeriorum 202^T (95.7 %), Lactobacillus pasteurii CRBIP 24.76^T (95.6 %), Lactobacillus psittaci DSM 15354^T (95.4 %), Lactobacillus fornicalis TV1018^T (95.4 %) and Lactobacillus jensenii ATCC 25258^T (95.2 %). The amino acid sequence-based phylogenetic analyses of 489 shared protein-encoding genes showed that the strain forms a phylogenetically independent lineage in the genus Lactobacillus but could not be assigned to any known species. Strain B40^T has an average nucleotide identify of <70.2 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 19.2 % compared with the strains of other closely related Lactobacillus species. Differential genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, in addition to phylogenetic analyses, indicated that strain B40^T represents a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus corticis sp. nov. is proposed. The strain type is B40^T (=JCM 32597^T=DSM 107967^T).

Coprobacter secundus subsp. similis subsp. nov. and Solibaculum mannosilyticum gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from human feces

An obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 2CBH44^T , was isolated from the fecal sample of a healthy Japanese man. This strain was initially assigned as a novel species of the genus Coprobacter based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities compared with other Coprobacter species. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed strain 2CBH44^T had relatively low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.5%) to Coprobacter secundus 177^T . However, strain 2CBH44^T showed 96.9% average nucleotide identity value with C. secundus 177^T , indicating that strain 2CBH44^T and C. secundus 177^T belong to the same species. On the other hand, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain 2CBH44^T and C. secundus 177^T was 73.5%, indicating that strain 2CBH44^T is a subspecies of C. secundus. Another anaerobic, Gram-stain-variable, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 12CBH8^T , was also isolated from human feces. Strain 12CBH8^T had significantly low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (<92.0%) to the validated bacterial species within the family Oscillospiraceae. The percentage of conserved protein values between the genome of strain 12CBH8^T and that of the validated related taxa were <50%, suggesting that strain 12CBH8^T belongs to a novel genus. On the basis of the collected data, strain 2CBH44^T represents a novel subspecies of C. secundus, for which the name Coprobacter secundus subsp. similis subsp. nov. (type strain 2CBH44^T  = JCM 34079^T  = DSM 111570^T ) is proposed. Strain 12CBH8^T represents a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Solibaculum mannosilyticum gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain 12CBH8^T  = JCM 34081^T  = DSM 111571^T ) is proposed.

POS0881 DETECTION OF THE GENE EXPRESSIONS IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD INVOLVED IN THE PROGRESSION OF PULMONARY VESSEL DISEASE AT THE SUBCLINICAL STAGE OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION ASSOCIATED WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background:

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is prominent as a vascular involvement of systemic sclerosis (SSc), which remains a leading cause of death in spite of current best treatments. Recently, hemodynamic definition of PH was updated from mPAP≥25mmHg to mPAP>20mmHg and PVR≥3WU. Although new definition may improve the prognosis of PH associated with SSc by giving a chance to start management early, it may be insufficient as more than 2/3 of the pulmonary circulation is already impaired by the time of meeting the definition. Therefore, the ideal therapeutic intervention should be started at the subclinical stage of PH in SSc patients, but little is known about underlying pathological mechanisms at the stage. In this study, we investigate progression to exercise-induced PH (exPH)1), which is considered subclinical PH, in the prospective registry of high-risk population for developing PH associated with SSc.

Objectives:

To detect the gene expressions in peripheral blood involved in the progression of pulmonary vessel disease (PVD) at the subclinical stage of PH associated with SSc.

Methods:

Total of 180 patients who had not met PH criteria with Raynaud phenomenon, skin sclerosis or SSc-related autoantibody was registered. To detect the early PVD, exercise Doppler echocardiography (exDE) was carried out every 6 or 12 months for up to 6 years. The definition of exPH was maximum sPAP>40mmHg or increase in sPAP>20mmHg estimated by exDE during exercise. For gene expression analysis, total RNAs from whole peripheral blood cells were extracted by PAXgene system, and then multiplex sequencing was done. To identify candidate genes involved in the progression to exPH, random forest machine learning method was employed. Volcano plots, a scatter plots to visualize fold-changes and p-values of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between exPH and others (exN), were also used for seeking the important genes for disease progression.

Results:

At the time of registration, 34.4% of patients met exPH criteria, and 15.6% of patients developed exPH during follow-up period (35.0±18.1 months). Expression of TNF gene was selected as the most useful genes to predict progression to exPH by random forest, and the accuracy of the model was about 87%. Volcano plots indicated that expressions of TMEM176A and TMEM176B were prominent (fold-change >2.4 and -log10 p-value >3.5) in exPH patients. The accuracy was improved to 90% if the expression of TNF and TMEMA/B were used for the prediction of progression to exPH. We found that statistically significant increase in the expression of TNF was eliminated at the time of fulfilling the exPH criteria, while increase in expressions of TMEM A/B were still kept.

Conclusion:

It was reported that TNFα drives pulmonary arterial hypertension by suppressing the BMP type-II receptor and altering NOTCH signalling2). Our findings suggest that TNFα plays important role only in the period of pre-exPH. On the other hand, increase in expressions of TMEM A/B were observed through the period of pre-exPH to post-exPH. It suggests that there are multiple phases before developing PH associated with SSc. It is very important to understand the phases for the precise treatment to arrest the progression of PVD.

References:

[1]R. Naeije et al., Am J resp and critical care med 187, 576-583 (2013). 2) LA. Hurst et al., Nat Commun. 13;8:14079 (2017).

Disclosure of Interests:

Yoshinobu Koyama Speakers bureau: Asahikasei, Ayumi, BMS, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Shin-nihon, Paid instructor for: Asahikasei, Asteras, BMS, Grant/research support from: Eli-Lilly, Yoshiharu Sato: None declared, Tatsuma Shoji: None declared, Soichiro Fuke: None declared, Takatsune Umayahara: None declared, Moe Sakamoto: None declared

Lactobacillus nasalidis sp. nov., isolated from the forestomach of a captive proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

Three strains (YZ01^T, YZ02 and YZ03) of Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic rods were isolated from the forestomach contents collected from a captive male proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) at Yokohama Zoo in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains belonged to the genus Lactobacillus. Based on the sequence similarity of the 16S rRNA gene, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. indicus JCM 15610^T was the closest phylogenetic neighbour to YZ01^T. Sequence analyses of two partial concatenated housekeeping genes, the RNA polymerase alpha subunit (rpoA) and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthase alpha subunit (pheS) also indicated that the novel strains belonged to the genus Lactobacillus. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between L. delbrueckii subsp. indicus and YZ01^T were 85.9 and 31.4 %, respectively. The phylogenetic tree based on the whole genomic data of strains YZ01^T, YZ02 and YZ03 suggested that these three strains formed a single monophyletic cluster in the genus Lactobacillus, indicating that it belonged to a new species. The DNA G+C content of strain YZ01^T was 51.6 mol%. The major fatty acids were C_16 : 0 and C_18 : 1 ω9c. Therefore, based on phylogenetic, phenotypic and physiological evidence, strains YZ01^T, YZ02 and YZ03 represent a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus nasalidis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain YZ01^T (=JCM 33769^T=DSM 110539^T).

Measurement of axial phase difference of density fluctuations owing to spontaneously excited waves by using microwave reflectometer on GAMMA 10/PDX

In the GAMMA 10/PDX tandem mirror, plasma with strong ion-temperature anisotropy is produced by using the ion cyclotron range of frequency waves. This anisotropy of ion temperature causes several Alfvén-Ion-Cyclotron (AIC) waves to spontaneously excite in the frequency range just below the ion cyclotron frequency. In addition, difference-frequency (DF) waves are excited in the radial inner region of the plasma by wave-wave coupling among the AIC waves. The radial density profiles were measured at multi-axial positions using a frequency-modulation reflectometer with an axial array of microwave antennas, and an axial variation of the density was found to be significant. In addition, a relative phase difference of the DF wave between axially separated two points was first obtained by finely choosing the probing frequency of the reflectometers with a maximum coherence used as a measure, indicating that the DF wave is a propagating wave, while the pump AIC waves are standing waves in the axial region of measurement.

Validation and standardization of DNA extraction and library construction methods for metagenomics-based human fecal microbiome measurements

BACKGROUND

Validation and standardization of methodologies for microbial community measurements by high-throughput sequencing are needed to support human microbiome research and its industrialization. This study set out to establish standards-based solutions to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of metagenomics-based microbiome profiling of human fecal samples.

RESULTS

In the first phase, we performed a head-to-head comparison of a wide range of protocols for DNA extraction and sequencing library construction using defined mock communities, to identify performant protocols and pinpoint sources of inaccuracy in quantification. In the second phase, we validated performant protocols with respect to their variability of measurement results within a single laboratory (that is, intermediate precision) as well as interlaboratory transferability and reproducibility through an industry-based collaborative study. We further ascertained the performance of our recommended protocols in the context of a community-wide interlaboratory study (that is, the MOSAIC Standards Challenge). Finally, we defined performance metrics to provide best practice guidance for improving measurement consistency across methods and laboratories.

CONCLUSIONS

The validated protocols and methodological guidance for DNA extraction and library construction provided in this study expand current best practices for metagenomic analyses of human fecal microbiota. Uptake of our protocols and guidelines will improve the accuracy and comparability of metagenomics-based studies of the human microbiome, thereby facilitating development and commercialization of human microbiome-based products. Video Abstract.

Fecal Microbiota Perspective for Evaluation of Prebiotic Potential of Bamboo Hemicellulose Hydrolysate in Mice: A Preliminary Study

Bamboo hemicellulose hydrolysate (BHH) may possess antihypercholesterolemic activity; however, this activity requires further comprehensive study to assess the prebiotic mechanisms of BHH in vivo. Here, we used high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to preliminarily investigate the correlations between BHH and the fecal microbiomes of three groups of mice fed either a normal diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% BHH for 5 weeks. Alpha diversity (within community) was nonsignificant for all groups; however, beta diversity analysis among communities showed that 5% BHH suppressed the significant changes induced by the high-fat diet. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, the family S24-7 within the order Bacteroidales, the family Lachnospiraceae and several cellulolytic taxa were slightly ameliorated in the BHH group. These results indicated that BHH supplementation influenced the gut bacterial community and suppressed the high-fat diet-induced alterations. Additionally, BHH significantly lowered the serum cholesterol levels and fecal pH. Improving short-chain fatty acid production for all of the bacterial communities in the mouse guts may induce this effect. Thus, the prebiotic potential of BHH should be evaluated considering the gut microbial communities and their interactions.

Improvement in multipass Thomson scattering system comprising laser amplification system developed in GAMMA 10/PDX

The multipass Thomson scattering (MPTS) technique is one of the most useful methods for measuring low-electron-density plasmas. The MPTS system increases Thomson scattering (TS) signal intensities by integrating all multipass (MP) signals and improving the TS time resolution by analyzing each pass signal. The fully coaxial MPTS system developed in GAMMA 10/potential-control and diverter-simulator experiments has a polarization-based configuration with image-relaying optics. The MPTS system can enhance Thomson scattered signals for improving the measurement accuracy and megahertz-order time resolution. In this study, we develop a new MPTS system comprising a laser amplification system to obtain continuous MP signals. The laser amplification system can improve degraded laser power and return an amplified laser to the MP system. We obtain continuous MP signals from the laser amplification system by improving the laser beam profile adjuster in gas scattering experiments. Moreover, we demonstrate that more MP signals and stronger amplified MP signals can be achieved via multiple laser injections to the laser amplification system in the developed MP system comprising a laser amplification system.

Stress Response of Mesosutterella multiformis Mediated by Nitrate Reduction

Bacterial stress responses are closely associated with the survival and colonization of anaerobes in the human gut. Mesosutterella multiformis JCM 32464^T is a novel member of the family Sutterellaceae, an asaccharolytic bacterium. We previously demonstrated energy generation via heme biosynthesis, which is coupled with nitrate reductase. Here, physiological and morphological changes in M. multiformis induced by exposure to nitrate were investigated. The ability of M. multiformis to reduce nitrate was determined using a colorimetric assay. A unique morphology was observed during nitrate reduction under anaerobic conditions. The association between nitrate concentration and cell size or cellular fatty acid composition was evaluated. Nitrate-induced responses of M. multiformis were compared to those of related species. An increase in cellular filamentation and the ratio of saturated: unsaturated fatty acids was mediated specifically by nitrate. This indicates a decrease in cell fluidity and low leakage. Furthermore, a similar response was not observed in other related species cultured in the presence of nitrate. Hence, the nitrate-induced stress response in new anaerobes such as M. multiformis was demonstrated. The response could also be involved in the conservation of menaquinones and the maximization of nitrate reduction.

Extracorporeal high-pressure therapy (EHPT) for malignant melanoma consisting of simultaneous tumor eradication and autologous dermal substitute preparation

Surgical resection of skin tumors leads to large defects in surrounding normal tissues, which should be reconstructed thereafter using the patient's own tissues taken from the other site. Our challenge is to solve this problem in dermal malignant melanoma (MM) by a novel process, named extracorporeal high pressure therapy (EHPT), in which the tissue containing tumor is resected and pressurized, and the treated tissue is re-transplant back to the same position as a tumor-free autologous dermal substitute. The key points are complete tumor death and preservation of native extra cellular matrix (ECM) by the hydrostatic pressure. We found that high hydrostatic pressure at 200 MPa for 10 min at room temperature is completely cytocidal against MM cells in suspension form, in monolayer form, and even in the solid tumor form. MM tumor-bearing nude mice were established by injected human MM cells intradermally and treated by EHTP. The denaturation of the dermal extra cellular matrices was so mild that the pressurized skin was well engrafted as tumor free autologous dermal tissues, resulting in the complete eradication of the MM without any unnecessary skin reconstruction surgery. This very simple and short pressing treatment was proved to make the tumor tissue to the transplantable and tumor-free autologous dermal substitute, which can be applicable to the other temporally resectable tissues.

Microbial interaction between the succinate-utilizing bacterium Phascolarctobacterium faecium and the gut commensal Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron

A large variety of microbes are present in the human gut, some of which are considered to interact with each other. Most of these interactions involve bacterial metabolites. Phascolarctobacterium faecium hardly uses carbohydrates for growth and instead uses succinate as a substrate. This study investigated the growth behavior of the co‐culture of the succinate‐specific utilizer P. faecium and the succinogenic gut commensal Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. Succinate production by B. thetaiotaomicron supported the growth of P. faecium and concomitant propionate production via the succinate pathway. The succinate produced was completely converted to propionate. This result was comparable with the monoculture of P. faecium in the medium supplemented with 1% (w/v) succinate. We analyzed the transcriptional response (RNA‐Seq) between the mono‐ and co‐culture of P. faecium and B. thetaiotaomicron. Comparison of the expression levels of genes of P. faecium between the mono‐ and co‐cultured conditions highlighted that the genes putatively involved in the transportation of succinate were notably expressed under the co‐cultured conditions. Differential expression analysis showed that the presence of P. faecium induced changes in the B. thetaiotaomicron transcriptional pattern, for example, expression changes in the genes for vitamin B₁₂ transporters and reduced expression of glutamate‐dependent acid resistance system‐related genes. Also, transcriptome analysis of P. faecium suggested that glutamate and succinate might be used as sources of succinyl‐CoA, an intermediate in the succinate pathway. This study revealed some survival strategies of asaccharolytic bacteria, such as Phascolarctobacterium spp., in the human gut.

Anatomic characterisation of the parietal branches arising from the internal iliac artery in the foetal pig (Sus scrofa domestica)

BACKGROUND

It is critical for surgeons to have a full understanding of the complex courses and ramifications of the human internal iliac artery and its parietal branches. Although numerous anatomical studies have been performed, not all variations at this site are currently understood. Therefore, we characterised these blood vessels in foetal pigs to provide additional insight from a comparative anatomical perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen half-pelvis specimens from foetal pigs were dissected and examined on macroscopic scale.

RESULTS

Among our findings, we identified the internal iliac artery as a descending branch of the abdominal aorta. A very thick umbilical artery arose from the internal iliac artery. The superior gluteal, inferior gluteal, and internal pudendal arteries formed the common arterial trunk. Although the superior gluteal artery emerged from the common trunk from inside the pelvis, the inferior gluteal and internal pudendal arteries bifurcated at deep layer within the gluteus muscles after leaving pelvic cavity. We were unable to detect an typical obturator artery emerging from the internal iliac artery. A branch supplying the hip adductors was identified as arising from the inferior epigastric artery which itself was derived from the distal end of the external iliac artery.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified the anatomic characteristics of the internal iliac artery and its parietal branches in the foetal pig. Our findings provide new insight into the comparative anatomy of the internal iliac artery and will promote understanding of related morphogenetic processes.

Prevotella hominis sp. nov., isolated from human faeces

A strictly anaerobic predominant bacterium, designated as strain gm001^T, was isolated from a freshly voided faecal sample collected from a healthy Taiwanese adult. Cells were Gram-stain-negative rods, non-motile and non-spore-forming. Strain gm001^T was identified as a member of the genus Prevotella, and a comparison of 16S rRNA and hsp60 gene sequences revealed sequence similarities of 98.5 and 93.3 %, respectively, demonstrating that it was most closely related to the type strain of Prevotella copri. Phylogenomic tree analysis indicated that the gm001^T cluster is an independent lineage of P. copri DSM 18205^T. The average nucleotide identity, digital DNA‒DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity values between strain gm001^T and P. copri DSM 18205^T were 80.9, 28.6 and 83.8 %, respectively, which were clearly lower than the species delineation thresholds. The species-specific genes of this novel species were also identified on the basis of pan-genomic analysis. The predominant menaquinones were MK-11 and MK-12, and the predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C_15 : 0, C_15 : 0 and iso-C_15 : 0. Acetate and succinate were produced from glucose as metabolic end products. Taken together, the results indicate that strain gm001^T represents a novel species of the genus Prevotella, for which the name Prevotella hominis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is gm001^T (=BCRC 81118^T=JCM 33280^T).

Cutibacterium modestum sp. nov., isolated from meibum of human meibomian glands, and emended descriptions of Cutibacterium granulosum and Cutibacterium namnetense

An anaerobic and aerotolerant bacterium, strain M12^T, was isolated from the meibum of inflamed human meibomian glands. Cells of the strain was Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming and non-motile rods. Growth on trypticase soy agar plates supplemented with 5 % sheep blood was fastest at 30-37 °C under anaerobic conditions. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain revealed that it belongs to the genus Cutibacterium with a 98.0 % similarity value to the closest species, Cutibacterium acnes. Genome analysis of the strain with type strains of the other Cutibacterium species resulted in digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of 32.3-22.3% and average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) values of 86.7-73.6 %. Biochemical and physiological analyses using API rapid ID 32A and API Coryne kits revealed relatively low reactivity of the strain compared with C. acnes and Cutibacterium namnetense. The most abundant major cellular fatty acid was iso-C_15 : 0. Fermentation end-products from glucose were propionate, lactate, succinate and acetate. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Major menaquinones were MK-9(H₄), MK-9(H₂) and MK-9. The major peaks of the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry spectrum were at 3493, 3712, 6986 and 7424 Da. The DNA G+C content was 59.9 mol%. Based on these findings, we propose a novel species, Cutibacterium modestum. The type strain of C. modestum is M12^T (=JCM 33380^T=DSM 109769^T). On the basis of further genomic analysis, we also provide emended descriptions of Cutibacterium granulosum (Prévot 1938) Scholz and Kilian 2016 and Cutibacterium namnetense (Aubin et al. 2016) Nouioui et al. 2018.

Lactococcus insecticola sp. nov. and Lactococcus hodotermopsidis sp. nov., isolated from the gut of the wood-feeding lower termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti

Two strains of lactic acid bacteria, designated Hs20B0-1^T and Hs30E4-3^T, were isolated from the gut of the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti. These strains were characterized genetically and phenotypically. Strain Hs20B0-1^T was related to Lactococcus piscium DSM 6634^T showing 96.3 and 84.2 % sequence similarity in 16S rRNA gene and rpoB gene sequences, respectively. Strain Hs30E4-3^T was related to Lactococcus plantarum DSM 20686^T showing 94.8 and 82.2 % sequence similarity in 16S rRNA gene and rpoB gene sequences, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains Hs20B0-1^T and Hs30E4-3^T was 95.7 %. Furthermore, genomic comparisons using pairwise average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) analyses between strain Hs20B0-1^T and L. piscium DSM 6634^T resulted in values of 73.5 and 20.1 %, respectively. Strain Hs30E4-3^T had 72.8 % ANI similarity and 21.3 % DDH similarity to L. plantarum DSM 20686^T. Strains Hs20B0-1^T and Hs30E4-3^T had 75.4 % ANI similarity and 21.1 % DDH similarity to each other. The cell-wall peptidoglycan types of strains Hs20B0-1^T and Hs30E4-3^T were A4α, Lys-Asp and A3α, Lys-Thr-Ala, respectively. The two strains, Hs20B0-1^T and Hs30E4-3^T, are distinguishable from each other and other established Lactococcus species phylogenetically and phenotypically. In conclusion, two novel species of the genus Lactococcus are proposed, namely Lactococcus insecticola Hs20B0-1^T (=JCM 33485^T=DSM 110147^T) and Lactococcus hodotermopsidis Hs30E4-3^T (=JCM 33486^T=DSM 110148^T), respectively.

SAT0119 PARADOXICAL NEUTROPHIL ACTIVATION BY ANTI-IL6 THERAPY: TRANSCRIPTOME ANALYSIS SHOWS A RATIONALE FOR DERMATOLOGICAL ADVERSE REACTIONS AND DECREASED NEUTROPHIL COUNTS AFTER TOCILIZUMAB TREATMENT

Background:

Skin rashes as a side effect of Tocilizumab therapy (TCZ- Tx) has not been paid much attention, because the incidence was only 1~2% in the drug information sheets. However, we experienced several RA cases with development of various skin rashes associated with neutrophil activation after TCZ-Tx. On the other hand, it is well known that the neutrophil counts in peripheral blood decreases after TCZ-Tx, whereas it does not affect the rate of serious infections. The detailed mechanism is still unclear.

Objectives:

To detect the characteristics of the changes in gene expressions of peripheral blood associated with TCZ-Tx and the development of skin rashes as its side effect.

Methods:

Total of 14 RA patients with TCZ-Tx were included. Among them, 4 patients developed TCZ-related rashes (group S) and 10 patients did not show any side effects (group C). Peripheral whole blood at just before (pre) and 3 months after (post) TCZ-Tx from each patient were subjected to the analysis. Total RNAs were extracted with PAXgene miRNA kit and analyzed with next-generation sequencing. First, group C was investigated for the normal response to TCZ-Tx. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected by paired comparison (post vs. pre). And then, enrichment analysis using gene ontology (GO) terms were performed. Second, to explore the characteristics of group S, all expressed genes in 14 cases at just before TCZ-Tx were subjected to a hierarchical clustering analysis. The DEGs (group S vs. C and post vs. pre) were also investigated with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and GO analysis. Meanwhile, the total eigengene expressions of the important modules identified by WGCNA in each cases were also calculated.

Results:

Surprisingly, 8 out of the top 10 enriched GO terms in the up-regulated genes were relevant to leukocyte activation such as ‘neutrophil migration” by the analysis of DEGs (post vs. pre) in group C. The cluster analysis of ‘pre’ genes confirmed that the patterns of gene expression between group S and C was different. WGCNA analysis of DEGs (group S vs. C) revealed that genes related to acute inflammation such as ‘leukocyte mediated immunity’ were activated in group S. Interestingly, it was not correlated with disease activity score (DAS) of RA. By the analysis of DEGs (post vs. pre) of upregulated genes, we found that the total eigengene expressions of the module enriched with genes related to ‘cell adhesion’ or ‘leukocyte migration’ were significantly increased in all cases of group S.

Conclusion:

This is the first evidence that the genes associated with neutrophil migration is significantly activated after TCZ-Tx. It is noteworthy that the gene activation was observed in cases without any side effects. The decreased neutrophil counts in peripheral blood have been known after initiation of TCZ-Tx, which did not affect the rate of serious infections. Recently, It was reported that TCZ affects neutrophil trafficking to the bone marrow1). Our findings will provide a rationale for its cause. On the other hand, we experienced several RA cases with development of various skin rashes associated with neutrophil activation after TCZ-Tx. However, majority of patients do not develop the side effect, even though genes related to ‘neutrophil migration’ are activated. In group S, our findings indicate that the genes related to ‘leukocyte mediated immunity’ was already activated at the initiation of treatment without correlating to DAS of RA, furthermore, the gene upregulation related to ‘leukocyte migration’ was more prominent after TCZ-Tx. Although it is difficult to predict the patients developing skin rashes before TCZ-Tx, we do not recommend to use TCZ for the patients with neutrophilic dermatosis which is often associated with RA.

References: :

[1]Lok LSCet al.,Eur J Clin Invest. 47(10):736-745 (2017).

Disclosure of Interests: :

Moe Sakamoto: None declared, Akemi Senoh: None declared, Yoshiharu Sato: None declared, Hiroshi Iijima: None declared, Mari Yamaguchi: None declared, Toshie Higuchi: None declared, Yoshinobu Koyama Grant/research support from: Eli-Lilly and Mochida., Speakers bureau: BMS, Ayumi, Chugai, Ono, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Abbvie and Eisai.

THU0208 AFFECTING COMMON BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES OR DISPARATE?: COMPARISON OF GENE-EXPRESSION MODIFICATION PROFILES AMONG TARGETING IL-6 AND TARGETING SPECIFIC JAK TREATMENTS

Background:

After accumulation of evidences, it is recognized that inhibition of IL-6 signaling is one of the most established strategies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Tocilizumab (TCZ), an anti-IL6 receptor monoclonal antibody, is the pioneer which blocks IL-6 signaling by preventing IL-6 from binding to both membrane-bound and soluble receptors. Tofacitinib (TOF) inhibits Janus kinase (JAK) 1, JAK3 and, to a lesser extent, JAK2. Recently, Baricitinib (BAR), JAK 1 and JAK2 selective kinase inhibitor, were also approved to treat RA. These JAK inhibitors are known to inhibit cytokine signaling including interleukin (IL)-6. It is very important for clinicians to know whether these treatments affect common biological processes or disparate, because it will provide a rationale for switching each other if one of these treatments resulted in lack of efficacy.

Objectives:

To compare the gene-expression modification profiles among TOF, BAR and TCZ treatments.

Methods:

Total of 38 RA cases were analyzed, including TOF (n=15: 6-20mg/d), BAR (n=10: 2-4mg/d) and TCZ (n=13: 8mg/kg/4w or 163mg/2w) treatment groups. Peripheral blood was drawn at just before (pre) and 3 months after (post) these treatments. Total RNAs were then extracted with using PAXgene miRNA kit. After constructing single-stranded, strand-specific libraries, multiplex sequencing was done. After quantifying the expressions of transcripts, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected by paired comparison (post vs. pre), setting thresholds at 2-fold change up/down and less than P=0.05 in paired T-test. And then, hierarchical clustering analysis and enrichment analysis using gene ontology (GO) terms were performed.

Results:

From the comparison of post- vs. pre-treatment of TOF, BAR and TCZ, the 120 (up-regulated=25/down-regulated=95), 62 (up=20/down=42) and 193 (up=54/ down=139) genes were selected as DEGs respectively. It seems to be discrete depending on the treatment, because overlapped genes were only 1.0% in up-regulated and 5.7% in down-regulated genes. The hierarchical clustering with expression profiles of these DEGs showed major 4 clusters. 92.3% of TCZ and 70% of BAR cases were segregated into 1stand 3rdclusters respectively, while those of TOF cases fell into 2ndand 4thclusters. Disparate GO terms were enriched in each DEGs group. For example, genes relevant to viral defense including ‘response to type I interferon (IFN)’ were suppressed in TOF group. Meanwhile, down regulation of genes involved in phosphorylation process including ‘IL-7 signaling’ seemed to be significant in BAR group. It is noteworthy that terms related to wound healing such as ‘platelet activation’ were enriched in the down-regulated genes of TCZ group.

Conclusion:

It is speculated that the downstream biological cascade for TOF, BAR and TCZ treatment might be shared, as IL-6 signaling is mediated by JAK1/JAK2/TYK2 activation. However, the influence of these treatments over the transcriptome in the peripheral blood seems to be disparate. Enrichment analysis using GO terms also indicated that different biological processes were involved in the effect of each treatment. Our findings will support a rationale for switching each other if one of these treatments resulted in lack of efficacy. An increased risk of herpes zoster by a treatment with JAK inhibitors has been well recognized. It makes sense because IFN signaling is also mediated by JAK/STAT pathway. On the other hand, we have experienced a case with exacerbation of skin ulcer during TCZ treatment despite the activity of RA was absolutely under control. It is accounted for by the suppression of genes involved in wound healing after TCZ treatment.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Yoshinobu Koyama Grant/research support from: Eli-Lilly and Mochida., Speakers bureau: BMS, Ayumi, Chugai, Ono, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Abbvie and Eisai., Yoshiharu Sato: None declared, Moe Sakamoto: None declared, Hiroshi Iijima: None declared, Toshie Higuchi: None declared

Amedibacterium intestinale gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from human faeces, and reclassification of Eubacterium dolichum Moore et al. 1976 (Approved Lists 1980) as Amedibacillus dolichus gen. nov., comb. nov

Four strains (9CBEGH2^T, 9BBH35, 6BBH38 and 6EGH11) of Gram-stain-positive, obligately anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from faecal samples from healthy Japanese humans. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the four strains represented members of the family Erysipelotrichaceae and formed a monophyletic cluster with 'Absiella argi' strain N6H1-5 (99.4% sequence similarity) and Eubacterium sp. Marseille-P5640 (99.3 %). Eubacterium dolichum JCM 10413^T (94.2 %) and Eubacterium tortuosum ATCC 25548^T (93.7 %) were located near this monophyletic cluster. The isolates, 9CBEGH2^T, 'A. argi' JCM 30884 and Eubacterium sp. Marseille-P5640 shared 98.7-99.1% average nucleotide identity (ANI) with each other. Moreover, the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values among three strains were 88.4-90.6%, indicating that these strains represent the same species. Strain 9CBEGH2^T showed 21.5-24.1 % in silico DDH values with other related taxa. In addition, the ANI values between strain 9CBEGH2^T and other related taxa ranged from 71.2 % to 73.5 %, indicating that this strain should be considered as representing a novel species on the basis of whole-genome relatedness. Therefore, we formally propose a novel name for 'A. argi' strains identified because the name 'A. argi' has been effectively, but not validly, published since 2017. On the basis of the collected data, strain 9CBEGH2^T represents a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Amedibacterium intestinale gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of A. intestinale is 9CBEGH2^T (=JCM 33778^T=DSM 110575^T).

Clinical course of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in individuals present during the outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship

We investigated the clinical course of individuals with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who were transferred from the Diamond Princess cruise ship to 12 local hospitals. The conditions and clinical courses of patients with pneumonia were compared with those of patients without pneumonia. Among 70 patients (median age: 67 years) analyzed, the major symptoms were fever (64.3%), cough (54.3%), and general fatigue (24.3%). Forty-three patients (61.4%) had pneumonia. Higher body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate as well as higher of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and lower serum albumin level and lymphocyte count were associated with the presence of pneumonia. Ground-glass opacity was found in 97.7% of the patients with pneumonia. Patients were administered neuraminidase inhibitors (20%), lopinavir/ritonavir (32.9%), and ciclesonide inhalation (11.4%). Mechanical ventilation and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was performed on 14 (20%) and 2 (2.9%) patients, respectively; two patients died. The median duration of intubation was 12 days. The patients with COVID-19 transferred to local hospitals during the outbreak had severe conditions and needed close monitoring. The severity of COVID-19 depends on the presence of pneumonia. High serum LDH, AST and CRP levels and low serum albumin level and lymphocyte count were found to be predictors of pneumonia. It was challenging for local hospitals to admit and treat these patients during the outbreak of COVID-19. Assessment of severity was crucial to manage a large number of patients.

Lactobacillus buchneri subsp. silagei subsp. nov., isolated from rice grain silage

Two Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, catalase-negative bacteria, designated strains SG162^T and NK01, were isolated from Japanese rice grain silage and total mixed ration silage, respectively. They were initially identified as Lactobacillus buchneri based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. However, the two strains were separated into a distinct clade from L. buchneri DSM 20057^T (=JCM 1115^T) through whole-genome sequence-based characterization, forming an infraspecific subgroup together with strains CD034 and S42, whose genomic sequences were available in the public sequence database. Strains within the subgroup shared 99.4-99.7 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) and 97.5-99.0 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) with each other, albeit 96.9-97.0 % ANI and 76.0-76.6 % dDDH against DSM 20057^T. Strains SG162^T and NK01 could utilize more substrates as sole carbon sources than DSM 20057^T, potentially owing to the abundance of genes involved in carbon metabolism, especially the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. The inability of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production was evidenced by the lack of glutamate decarboxylase and glutamate/GABA antiporter genes in the new subgroup strains. Strain SG162^T grew at 10-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 3.5-8.0, and 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl. Its genomic DNA G+C content was 44.1 mol%. The predominant fatty acids were C_16 : 0, C_19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, and summed feature 8. On the basis of the polyphasic characterization findings, strains SG162^T and NK01 represent a novel subspecies of L. buchneri, for which the name Lactobacillus buchneri subsp. silagei subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SG162^T (=JCM 32599^T=DSM 107969^T), and strains CD034 and S42 are also transferred to L. buchneri subsp. silagei.

Reclassification of Clostridium diolis Biebl and Spröer 2003 as a later heterotypic synonym of Clostridium beijerinckii Donker 1926 (Approved Lists 1980) emend. Keis et al. 2001

Clostridium diolis shares high similarity based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and fatty acid composition with Clostridium beijerinckii . In this study, the taxonomic status of C. diolis was clarified using genomic and phenotypic approaches. High similarity was detected among C. diolis DSM 15410T, C. beijerinckii DSM 791T and NCTC 13035T, showing average nucleotide identity on blast and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values over 97 and 85 %, respectively. Results of investigations for substrate utilization and enzyme activity displayed no striking differences between C. diolis DSM 15410T and C. beijerinckii JCM 1390T. Based on the results, we propose the reclassification of Clostridium diolis as a later heterotypic synonym of Clostridium beijerinckii . The type strain is ATCC 25752T (=CIP 104308T=DSM 791T=JCM 1390T=LMG 5716T=NCTC 13035T).

Alistipes communis sp. nov., Alistipes dispar sp. nov. and Alistipes onderdonkii subsp. vulgaris subsp. nov., isolated from human faeces, and creation of Alistipes onderdonkii subsp. onderdonkii subsp. nov

Three groups of Gram-stain-negative, obligately anaerobic, rod or coccoid-shaped bacteria, which were phylogenetically assigned in the genus Alistipes belonging to the family Rikenellaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes, were isolated from the faecal samples of healthy Japanese humans. Group I (strains 5CBH24^T and 6CPBBH3) showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to 'Alistipes obesi' ph8^T (99.73 %). Group II (strain 5CPEGH6^T) was related to Alistipes shahii WAL 8301^T (96.82 %). Ten strains of group III (3BBH6^T, 5CPYCFAH4, 5NYCFAH2 and others) were related to Alistipes onderdonkii DSM 19147^T (98.96 %). Group I could be differentiated from other strains by the ability to hydrolyse aesculin and the lack of catalase activity. Strain 5CPEGH6^T could be differentiated from A. shahii JCM 16773^T by the inability to hydrolyse aesculin and the lack of catalase activity, and so on. Phenotypic characteristics of group III were similar to those of A. onderdonkii JCM 16771^T. Strains 5CBH24^T, 6CPBBH3 and 'A. obesi' ph8^T shared 98.8-98.9 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) with each other. In addition, the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values among three strains were 86.7-89.4 %. Strain 5CPEGH6^T showed relatively low values (≤ 84.4 % for ANI ; ≤26.2 % for DDH) with other strains. Three strains in the group III (3BBH6^T, 5CPYCFAH4 and 5NYCFAH2) shared 97.9-99.9% ANI with each other. These three strains showed 96.9-97.3 % ANI with A. onderdonkii DSM 19147^T. The DDH values of strains 3BBH6^T, 5CPYCFAH4 and 5NYCFAH2 among themselves were 80.5-99.8 %, while those compared to A. onderdonkii DSM 19147^T were 71.0-73.4 %. On the basis of the collected data, three novel species, Alistipes communis sp. nov. (5CBH24^T=JCM 32850^T=DSM 108979^T), Alistipes dispar sp. nov. (5CPEGH6^T=JCM 32848^T=DSM 108978^T) and Alistipes onderdonkii subsp. vulgaris subsp. nov. (3BBH6^T=JCM 32839^T=DSM 108977^T), are proposed.

Septic Meningitis and Liver Abscess due to Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae Complicated with Chronic Strongyloidiasis in a Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1 Carrier

Recently, severe cases of infection due to hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumonia (hmKP) have been reported in Japan. The Amami Islands in Japan are also endemic regions for Strongyloides stercoralis. Disseminated strongyloidiasis strain often causes severe enterobacteria infection; however, whether or not chronic strongyloidiasis induces it remains unclear. We herein report a 71-year-old man who developed meningitis and liver abscess due to hmKP complicated with chronic strongyloidiasis. He died on the seventh hospital day. Strongyloides stercoralis were only found around the polyp in the cecum. Chronic strongyloidiasis can also induce severe infection due to enterobacteria, especially hypervirulent pathogens like hmKP, through the induction of mucosal rupture.