1
|
Ramnarine SDBJ, Jayaraman J, Ramsubhag A. Crucifer Lesion-Associated Xanthomonas Strains Show Multi-Resistance to Heavy Metals and Antibiotics. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:136. [PMID: 38598029 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03646-4] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Copper resistance in phytopathogens is a major challenge to crop production globally and is known to be driven by excessive use of copper-based pesticides. However, recent studies have shown co-selection of multiple heavy metal and antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria exposed to heavy metal and xenobiotics, which may impact the epidemiology of plant, animal, and human diseases. In this study, multi-resistance to heavy metals and antibiotics were evaluated in local Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) and co-isolated Xanthomonas melonis (Xmel) strains from infected crucifer plants in Trinidad. Resistance to cobalt, cadmium, zinc, copper, and arsenic (V) was observed in both Xanthomonas species up to 25 mM. Heavy metal resistance (HMR) genes were found on a small plasmid-derived locus with ~ 90% similarity to a Stenotrophomonas spp. chromosomal locus and a X. perforans pLH3.1 plasmid. The co-occurrence of mobile elements in these regions implies their organization on a composite transposon-like structure. HMR genes in Xcc strains showed the lowest similarity to references, and the cus and ars operons appear to be unique among Xanthomonads. Overall, the similarity of HMR genes to Stenotrophomonas sp. chromosomal genomes suggest their origin in this genus or a related organism and subsequent spread through lateral gene transfer events. Further resistome characterization revealed the presence of small multidrug resistance (SMR), multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux pumps, and bla (Xcc) genes for broad biocide resistance in both species. Concurrently, resistance to antibiotics (streptomycin, kanamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and ampicillin) up to 1000 µg/mL was confirmed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D B Jr Ramnarine
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Jayaraj Jayaraman
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Adesh Ramsubhag
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ramnarine SDB, Ali O, Jayaraman J, Ramsubhag A. Early transcriptional changes of heavy metal resistance and multiple efflux genes in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris under copper and heavy metal ion stress. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:81. [PMID: 38461228 PMCID: PMC10924375 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03206-7] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Copper-induced gene expression in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is typically evaluated using targeted approaches involving qPCR. The global response to copper stress in Xcc and resistance to metal induced damage is not well understood. However, homologs of heavy metal efflux genes from the related Stenotrophomonas genus are found in Xanthomonas which suggests that metal related efflux may also be present. METHODS AND RESULTS Gene expression in Xcc strain BrA1 exposed to 0.8 mM CuSO4.5H2O for 15 minutes was captured using RNA-seq analysis. Changes in expression was noted for genes related to general stress responses and oxidoreductases, biofilm formation, protein folding chaperones, heat-shock proteins, membrane lipid profile, multiple drug and efflux (MDR) transporters, and DNA repair were documented. At this timepoint only the cohL (copper homeostasis/tolerance) gene was upregulated as well as a chromosomal czcCBA efflux operon. An additional screen up to 4 hrs using qPCR was conducted using a wider range of heavy metals. Target genes included a cop-containing heavy metal resistance island and putative metal efflux genes. Several efflux pumps, including a copper resistance associated homolog from S. maltophilia, were upregulated under toxic copper stress. However, these pumps were also upregulated in response to other toxic heavy metals. Additionally, the temporal expression of the coh and cop operons was also observed, demonstrating co-expression of tolerance responses and later activation of part of the cop operon. CONCLUSIONS Overall, initial transcriptional responses focused on combating oxidative stress, mitigating protein damage and potentially increasing resistance to heavy metals and other biocides. A putative copper responsive efflux gene and others which might play a role in broader heavy metal resistance were also identified. Furthermore, the expression patterns of the cop operon in conjunction with other copper responsive genes allowed for a better understanding of the fate of copper ions in Xanthomonas. This work provides useful evidence for further evaluating MDR and other efflux pumps in metal-specific homeostasis and tolerance phenotypes in the Xanthomonas genus. Furthermore, non-canonical copper tolerance and resistance efflux pumps were potentially identified. These findings have implications for interpreting MIC differences among strains with homologous copLAB resistance genes, understanding survival under copper stress, and resistance in disease management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D B Ramnarine
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, W. I
| | - Omar Ali
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, W. I
| | - Jayaraj Jayaraman
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, W. I
| | - Adesh Ramsubhag
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, W. I.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sahadeo NSD, Nicholls S, Moreira FRR, O’Toole Á, Ramkissoon V, Whittaker C, Hill V, McCrone JT, Mohammed N, Ramjag A, Brown Jordan A, Hill SC, Singh R, Nathaniel-Girdharrie SM, Hinds A, Ramkissoon N, Parag KV, Nandram N, Parasram R, Khan-Mohammed Z, Edghill L, Indar L, Andrewin A, Sealey-Thomas R, McMillan P, Oyinloye A, George K, Potter I, Lee J, Johnson D, Charles S, Singh N, Bisesor-McKenzie J, Laws H, Belmar-George S, Keizer-Beache S, Greenaway-Duberry S, Ashwood N, Foster JE, Georges K, Naidu R, Ivey M, Giddings S, Haraksingh R, Ramsubhag A, Jayaraman J, Chinnadurai C, Oura C, Pybus OG, St. John J, Gonzalez-Escobar G, Faria NR, Carrington CVF. Implementation of genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Caribbean: Lessons learned for sustainability in resource-limited settings. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0001455. [PMID: 36963002 PMCID: PMC10022082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of global genomic surveillance to monitor the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants and inform public health decision-making. Until December 2020 there was minimal capacity for viral genomic surveillance in most Caribbean countries. To overcome this constraint, the COVID-19: Infectious disease Molecular epidemiology for PAthogen Control & Tracking (COVID-19 IMPACT) project was implemented to establish rapid SARS-CoV-2 whole genome nanopore sequencing at The University of the West Indies (UWI) in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and provide needed SARS-CoV-2 sequencing services for T&T and other Caribbean Public Health Agency Member States (CMS). Using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencing platform and ARTIC network sequencing protocols and bioinformatics pipeline, a total of 3610 SARS-CoV-2 positive RNA samples, received from 17 CMS, were sequenced in-situ during the period December 5th 2020 to December 31st 2021. Ninety-one Pango lineages, including those of five variants of concern (VOC), were identified. Genetic analysis revealed at least 260 introductions to the CMS from other global regions. For each of the 17 CMS, the percentage of reported COVID-19 cases sequenced by the COVID-19 IMPACT laboratory ranged from 0·02% to 3·80% (median = 1·12%). Sequences submitted to GISAID by our study represented 73·3% of all SARS-CoV-2 sequences from the 17 CMS available on the database up to December 31st 2021. Increased staffing, process and infrastructural improvement over the course of the project helped reduce turnaround times for reporting to originating institutions and sequence uploads to GISAID. Insights from our genomic surveillance network in the Caribbean region directly influenced non-pharmaceutical countermeasures in the CMS countries. However, limited availability of associated surveillance and clinical data made it challenging to contextualise the observed SARS-CoV-2 diversity and evolution, highlighting the need for development of infrastructure for collecting and integrating genomic sequencing data and sample-associated metadata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikita S. D. Sahadeo
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Soren Nicholls
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Filipe R. R. Moreira
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Áine O’Toole
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Vernie Ramkissoon
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Charles Whittaker
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Verity Hill
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - John T. McCrone
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Mohammed
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Anushka Ramjag
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Arianne Brown Jordan
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Sarah C. Hill
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Risha Singh
- Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Headquartered in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | | | - Avery Hinds
- Ministry of Health, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Nuala Ramkissoon
- Ministry of Health, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Kris V. Parag
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Naresh Nandram
- Ministry of Health, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Roshan Parasram
- Ministry of Health, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | | | - Lisa Edghill
- Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Headquartered in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Lisa Indar
- Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Headquartered in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Irad Potter
- Ministry of Health and Social Development, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
| | - John Lee
- Ministry of Health and Wellness, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - David Johnson
- Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Roseau, Dominica
| | | | | | | | - Hazel Laws
- Ministry of Health, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | | | - Simone Keizer-Beache
- Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
| | | | - Nadia Ashwood
- Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands
| | - Jerome E. Foster
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Karla Georges
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Rahul Naidu
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Marsha Ivey
- Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Stanley Giddings
- Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Rajini Haraksingh
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Adesh Ramsubhag
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Jayaraj Jayaraman
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Chinnaraja Chinnadurai
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Christopher Oura
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Oliver G. Pybus
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joy St. John
- Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Headquartered in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Gabriel Gonzalez-Escobar
- Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Headquartered in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Nuno R. Faria
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias e Instituto de Medicina Tropical da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christine V. F. Carrington
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Suepaul S, Georges K, Unakal C, Boyen F, Sookhoo J, Ashraph K, Yusuf A, Butaye P. Determination of the frequency, species distribution and antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci isolated from dogs and their owners in Trinidad. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254048. [PMID: 34214140 PMCID: PMC8253405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254048] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The close contact between humans and their dogs can lead to the commingling of staphylococci and the exchange of mobile genetic elements encoding antimicrobial resistance. The objectives of this study were to determine the species distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns of staphylococci colonizing canine pets and their owners in Trinidad. Staphylococci were isolated from canine pets and their owners and identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method against seven classes of antimicrobial agents. A total of 440 staphylococci were isolated from 112 canine pets and their owners, 53.4% were from canine pets and 46.6% were from owners. Twenty-four species were detected, of which, most isolates (32.5%) belonged to the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG). S. sciuri was the most common species of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) comprising 22.3% of all isolates. Antimicrobial resistance was highest against commonly used antimicrobials, such as penicillin (51.4%), tetracycline (26.1%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (18.6%). These antimicrobials also comprised the most common multidrug resistance (MDR) combination. Overall, 19.1% of isolates displayed multidrug resistance. No methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were detected. However, methicillin resistance was detected in 13.3% and 15.1% of coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) and the CoNS+CoVS (combined CoNS and coagulase-variable staphylococci) group respectively. The presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci is worrisome because there is the potential for the transfer of these strains between dogs and humans. These strains may act as a reservoir of resistance genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharianne Suepaul
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
- * E-mail:
| | - Karla Georges
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Chandrashekhar Unakal
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Filip Boyen
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jamie Sookhoo
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Khalil Ashraph
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Anisah Yusuf
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Patrick Butaye
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Seecheran N, Boodhai B, Maharaj A, Ramdeen A, Debideen N, Ochalal V, Singh R, Seecheran R, Seecheran V, Persad S, Abdullah H, Peram L, Motilal S, Tello-Montoliu A, Schneider D. The Effect of Low-Dose Ticagrelor on Platelet Function Profiles in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Trinidad: The TWIST Pilot Study. Cardiol Ther 2020; 9:493-503. [PMID: 32766961 PMCID: PMC7584691 DOI: 10.1007/s40119-020-00195-2] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This prospective, pharmacodynamic study aimed to explore the potential applicability of a low-dose ticagrelor regimen in a heterogeneous Trinidadian subpopulation. METHODS Patients with stable coronary artery disease (n = 25) who were actively treated with dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin 81 mg daily and clopidogrel 75 mg daily were recruited. Platelet function was measured with the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay (Accriva Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, USA) and assessed before initiation of and after 14 days of treatment with a low-dose ticagrelor 45 mg twice daily maintenance dose regimen. Results were compared with a paired t test. RESULTS The mean P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) score on ticagrelor was significantly less compared to that of clopidogrel (50.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 29-73.9; vs. 149.6, 95% CI 129.4-169.9; p value < 0.001). Of the patients, 4% experienced Medical Research Council class 1 dyspnea, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium class 1 bleeding on the ticagrelor regimen (one patient each). CONCLUSIONS Significantly attenuated platelet reactivity was seen on the low ticagrelor maintenance dose as compared to clopidogrel. This dedicated pharmacodynamic study could be applicable and informative for Trinidadian stable coronary artery disease patients. Further studies are required to confirm these exploratory findings.(Funded by the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine). TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04206176.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Seecheran
- The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
| | - Brent Boodhai
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Aarti Maharaj
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Arvinash Ramdeen
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Niranjan Debideen
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Vishesh Ochalal
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Randall Singh
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Rajeev Seecheran
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Valmiki Seecheran
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Sangeeta Persad
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Harun Abdullah
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Lakshmipathi Peram
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Shastri Motilal
- North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | | | - David Schneider
- Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont, Colchester, Vermont, USA
| |
Collapse
|