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Folia Microbiologica Jan 2019Bacteria of the Arcobacter (A.) genus, originating mainly from food and water, are dreaded germs for humans as well as animals. However, the virulence of these bacteria...
Occurrence of virulence-associated genes in Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus isolates from foodstuff, water, and clinical samples within the Czech Republic.
Bacteria of the Arcobacter (A.) genus, originating mainly from food and water, are dreaded germs for humans as well as animals. However, the virulence of these bacteria has not been fully elucidated yet. This study looked at the occurrence of eight virulence-associated factors (ciaB, cj1349, pldA, irgA, hecA, tlyA, mviN, hecB) in a total of 80 isolates of Arcobacter butzleri and 22 isolates of A. cryaerophilus. The isolates were derived from food, water, and clinical samples. A polymerase chain reaction using specific primers was used to detect these virulence-associated genes. The presence of all genes in the isolates of A. butzleri (98.8% ciaB, 95.0% cj1349, 98.8% pldA, 22.5% irgA, 31.3% hecA, 95.0% tlyA, 97.5% mviN, 38.8% hecB) and A. cryaerophilus (95.5% ciaB, 0.0% cj1349, 9.1% pldA, 0.0% irgA, 0.0% hecA, 31.8% tlyA, 90.9% mviN, 0.0% hecB) was monitored. Among the tested isolates, there were 13 isolates (12.7%) of A. butzleri, in which the presence of all eight virulence-associated genes was recorded in the genome. In contrast, in one A. cryaerophilus strain, none of the observed genes were detected. The presence of ciaB and mviN genes was significantly more frequent in A. cryaerophilus isolates than other genes (P < 0.05). In general, more virulence-associated genes have been detected in A. butzleri isolates compared to A. cryaerophilus. The most common gene combination (ciaB, cj1349, pldA, tlyA, mviN) was detected in case of 39 isolates. In 50.0% of A. butzleri isolates derived from clinical samples, all eight virulence-associated genes were significantly more frequently detected (P < 0.05). The tlyA gene occurred significantly more frequent in A. butzleri isolates from meat and water samples and irgA and hecB genes in clinical samples. Therefore, our study provides information about occurrence of virulence-associated genes in genome of Arcobacter isolates. These findings could be hazardous to human health, because the presence of virulence-associated genes is the assumption for potential dangerousness of these bacteria. Our results indicate high incidence of virulence-associated genes in Arcobacter genomes and hence potentially pathogenic properties of the studied strains.
Topics: Arcobacter; Czech Republic; Food Microbiology; Genes, Bacterial; Genetic Variation; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Virulence Factors; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 29936647
DOI: 10.1007/s12223-018-0628-x -
Microbiology Resource Announcements Nov 2018Arcobacter cryaerophilus was originally recovered from aborted bovine and porcine fetuses, but it has been subsequently isolated from meat, water, and human clinical...
Arcobacter cryaerophilus was originally recovered from aborted bovine and porcine fetuses, but it has been subsequently isolated from meat, water, and human clinical samples. This study describes the complete whole-genome sequences of two A. cryaerophilus strains, ATCC 43158 (=A 169/B =LMG 24291) and ATCC 49615 (=CDC D2610 =LMG 10829).
PubMed: 30533823
DOI: 10.1128/MRA.01463-18 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2021spp. are emerging waterborne and foodborne zoonotic pathogens responsible for gastroenteritis in humans. In this work, we evaluated the occurrence and the antimicrobial...
spp. are emerging waterborne and foodborne zoonotic pathogens responsible for gastroenteritis in humans. In this work, we evaluated the occurrence and the antimicrobial resistance profile of isolates recovered from different aquatic sources. Besides, we searched for spp. in seaweeds and the corresponding seawater samples. Bacteriological and molecular methods applied to 100 samples led to the isolation of 28 isolates from 27 samples. The highest prevalence was detected in rivers followed by artificial ponds, streams, well waters, and spring waters. Seaweeds contained a higher percentage of than the corresponding seawater samples. The isolates were identified as (96.4%) and (3.6%). All the isolates showed a multi-drug resistance profile, being resistant to at least three different classes of antibiotics. Molecular analysis of genetic determinants responsible for tetracycline resistance in nine randomly chosen isolates revealed the presence of and/or This work confirms the occurrence and the continuous emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains in environmental samples; also, the presence of quinolone-resistant spp. in aquatic sources used for water supply and irrigation represents a potential risk for human health.
PubMed: 33802125
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10030288 -
BioMed Research International 2015Incidence of 9 virulence-associated genes and genetic diversity was determined in 79 A. butzleri and 6 A. cryaerophilus isolates from pork, beef, and chicken meat. All...
Incidence of 9 virulence-associated genes and genetic diversity was determined in 79 A. butzleri and 6 A. cryaerophilus isolates from pork, beef, and chicken meat. All A. butzleri isolates harboured the tlyA gene, and most of them carried ciaB, mviN, pldA, cadF, and cj1349 genes. ciaB was found to occur with higher frequency in poultry if compared with pork (p = 0.0007), while irgA was more frequent in poultry than in beef (p = 0.007). All 6 A. cryaerophilus isolates harboured the ciaB gene, while mviN and tlyA were detected in 3 out of these isolates. Only one isolate carried the cadF gene. All beef-derived A. cryaerophilus isolates carried ciaB, mviN, and tlyA genes. A. cryaerophilus isolates from chicken meat harboured ciaB gene only. The pork-derived isolate harboured ciaB and cadF genes. Seventy-four genotypes were distinguished within 79 A. butzleri isolates. Nineteen from 21 isolates derived from beef and pork were found to be closely related to A. butzleri from chicken meat. Each of the 6 A. cryaerophilus isolates was found to have unique genotype. We demonstrated that closely related genotypes can spread within pork, beef, and chicken meat populations of A. butzleri but not A. cryaerophilus.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Cattle; Chickens; Food Microbiology; Genetic Variation; Incidence; Meat; Poland; Swine; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 26539546
DOI: 10.1155/2015/956507 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2020(formerly ) is a globally emerging foodborne and zoonotic pathogen. However, little is known about the species' genomic features and diversity, antibiotic resistance...
(formerly ) is a globally emerging foodborne and zoonotic pathogen. However, little is known about the species' genomic features and diversity, antibiotic resistance and virulence. In this study, 27 strains from water poultry in Thuringia, Germany, were investigated using whole-genome sequencing. Four of these strains were sequenced using long- and short-read sequencing methods to obtain circularized genomes. The German strains belong to the cluster I. Cluster I genomes exhibited a high degree of genetic diversity in which variable sites comprised 9.1% of the core genome. The German strains formed three subgroups that contained 2, 6, and 9 strains, respectively. The genomic analysis of cluster I revealed variable presence of mobile elements and that 65% of the strains lack CRISPR systems. The four circularized genomes carried a ∼2 Mbp chromosome and a single megaplasmid (size 98.1-154.5 Kbp). The chromosome was densely packed with coding sequences (∼92%) and showed inversions and shifts in the gene blocks between different strains. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed using a gradient strip diffusion method and showed that all 27 strains were resistant to cefotaxime and susceptible to erythromycin, gentamicin, and ampicillin. Sixteen strains were also resistant to ciprofloxacin, whereas 23 were resistant to streptomycin. The genetic prediction of antibiotic resistance identified numerous efflux pumps similar to those found in . All strains harbored two beta-lactamase genes which may explain the cefotaxime resistance. A correlation between the A point mutation (Thr-85-Ile) and ciprofloxacin resistance was partially discovered in 15 out of 16 strains. virulence profiling showed a wide range of virulence factors including a full chemotaxis system and most of the flagellar genes. In contrast to , no urease cluster was found. This study provides new insights into the genomic variability of strains of cluster I. The different genetic makeup of these strains may contribute to the virulence of strains and the severity of the infections in humans.
PubMed: 32754133
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01549 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2019A wide range of species have been described from shellfish in various countries but their presence has not been investigated in Australasia, in which shellfish are a...
A wide range of species have been described from shellfish in various countries but their presence has not been investigated in Australasia, in which shellfish are a popular delicacy. Since several arcobacters are considered to be emerging pathogens, we undertook a small study to evaluate their presence in several different shellfish, including greenshell mussels, oysters, and abalone (paua) in New Zealand. , a species associated with human gastroenteritis, was the only species isolated, from greenshell mussels. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a range of genomic traits in these strains that were known or associated virulence factors. Furthermore, we describe the first putative virulence plasmid in , containing lytic, immunoavoidance, adhesion, antibiotic resistance, and gene transfer traits, among others. Complete genome sequence determination using a combination of long- and short-read genome sequencing strategies, was needed to identify the plasmid, clearly identifying its benefits. The potential for plasmids to disseminate virulence traits among and other species warrants further consideration by researchers interested in the risks to public health from these organisms.
PubMed: 31428079
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01802 -
Italian Journal of Food Safety Mar 2021Given that the number of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat vegetables has been widely documented and considering that data on the...
Given that the number of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat vegetables has been widely documented and considering that data on the occurrence of spp. in such foodstuffs are lacking, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of spp. and the occurrence of virulence factors as well as to genotype spp. in ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetable samples, using cultural and biomolecular assays. spp. was detected in 16/110 (14.5%) samples, with being detected in 15/16 and in 1/16 isolates. PCRs aimed at the nine putative virulence genes demonstrated widespread distribution of such genes among and isolates. In addition, multilocus sequence type (MLST) analysis revealed a low genetic diversity within the arcobacters isolates. The results underline the need to develop an appropriate surveillance system based on biomolecular characterization for an integrated microbiological risk assessment of ready-toeat vegetables, and consequently of composite foods.
PubMed: 33907683
DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2021.8585 -
PeerJ 2017We explored the bacterial diversity of untreated sewage influent samples of a wastewater treatment plant in Tucson, AZ and discovered that , an emerging human pathogen...
We explored the bacterial diversity of untreated sewage influent samples of a wastewater treatment plant in Tucson, AZ and discovered that , an emerging human pathogen of animal origin, was the most dominant bacterium. The other highly prevalent bacteria were members of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, which are major constituents of human gut microbiome, indicating that bacteria of human and animal origin intermingle in sewage. By assembling a near-complete genome of , we show that the bacterium has accumulated a large number of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) probably enabling it to thrive in the wastewater. We also determined that a majority of ARGs was being expressed in sewage, suggestive of trace levels of antibiotics or other stresses that could act as a selective force that amplifies multidrug resistant bacteria in municipal sewage. Because all bacteria are not eliminated even after several rounds of wastewater treatment, ARGs in sewage could affect public health due to their potential to contaminate environmental water.
PubMed: 28462059
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3269 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022spp. is a globally emerging zoonotic and foodborne pathogen. However, little is known about its prevalence and antimicrobial resistance in China. To investigate the...
spp. is a globally emerging zoonotic and foodborne pathogen. However, little is known about its prevalence and antimicrobial resistance in China. To investigate the prevalence of spp. isolated from various sources, 396 samples were collected from human feces, chicken cecum, and food specimens including chicken meat, beef, pork, lettuce, and seafood. spp. was isolated by the membrane filtration method. For 92 strains, the agar dilution method and next-generation sequencing were used to investigate their antimicrobial resistance and to obtain whole genome data, respectively. The virulence factor database (VFDB) was queried to identify virulence genes. ResFinder and the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) were used to predict resistance genes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum likelihood (ML) method with core single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We found that 27.5% of the samples ( = 109) were positive for spp., comprising (53.0%), (39.6%), and (7.4%). Chicken meat had the highest prevalence (81.2%), followed by seafood (51.9%), pork (43.3%), beef (36.7%), lettuce (35.5%), chicken cecum (8%), and human fecal samples (0%, 0/159). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed that 51 and 40 strains were resistant to streptomycin (98.1, 70%), clindamycin (94.1, 90%), tetracycline (64.7, 52.5%), azithromycin (43.1%, 15%), nalidixic acid (33.4, 35%), and ciprofloxacin (31.3, 35%) but were susceptible to erythromycin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, telithromycin, and clindamycin (≤10%). was sensitive to all experimental antibiotics. The virulence factors A, , and were carried by all spp. strains at 100%, and the following percentages were (95.7%), (23.9%), 2.2%, and (1.1%). Only one strain (F061-2G) carried a macrolide resistance gene (). One and one harbored resistance island gene clusters, which were isolated from pork and chicken. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that , and were separated from each other. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of spp. from vegetables and seafood in China. The resistance island gene cluster found in pork and chicken meat and the presence of virulence factors could be a potential risk to human health.
PubMed: 36532418
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1004224 -
Journal of Food Protection Dec 2020Arcobacter is considered an emergent foodborne enteropathogen. Despite the high prevalence of this genus in poultry, the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. contamination in...
ABSTRACT
Arcobacter is considered an emergent foodborne enteropathogen. Despite the high prevalence of this genus in poultry, the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. contamination in Tunisia remains unclear. The objectives of this study were (i) to isolate Arcobacter species (A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus) by the culture method from different species of raw poultry meat, (ii) to verify the isolates by multiplex PCR (m-PCR) assay and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and (iii) to determine the antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates. A total of 250 poultry product samples (149 chicken and 101 turkey) were collected from various supermarkets in Sfax. The samples consisted of breasts, wings, legs, and neck skins. The overall isolation frequency of Arcobacter spp. was 10.4%. Arcobacter spp. were found in 13.42% of the chicken samples and in 5.49% of the turkey samples. All the acquired isolates were subject to detailed confirmation with subsequent species classification using m-PCR and MALDI-TOF MS. A. butzleri was found in 22 samples (84.61%) and A. cryaerophilus in 4 samples (15.38%). Thus, m-PCR and MALDI-TOF MS were able to detect A. butzleri significantly better than the conventional method (χ2 = 49.1 and P < 0.001). Arcobacter was isolated from poultry in every season, at contamination levels of 30.76, 23.07, 19.23, and 26.92% in summer, spring, autumn, and winter, respectively. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of Arcobacter isolates to six antimicrobial drugs. All A. butzleri isolates (n = 24) were significantly resistant to erythromycin (P = 0.0015), ampicillin (P = 0.001), and ciprofloxacin (P = 0.05). All tested A. cryaerophilus strains (n = 4) were susceptible to ampicillin, gentamicin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Multidrug resistance was observed in 83% of the Arcobacter spp. isolates. Our study detected Arcobacter spp. in Tunisian poultry; because of their multidrug resistance, these species may constitute a public health problem.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Food Microbiology; Poultry; Tunisia
PubMed: 32634222
DOI: 10.4315/JFP-20-056