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Veterinary Research Nov 2022Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic agent that causes sepsis and meningitis in pigs and humans. S. suis infections are responsible for large economic losses in pig... (Review)
Review
Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic agent that causes sepsis and meningitis in pigs and humans. S. suis infections are responsible for large economic losses in pig production. The lack of effective vaccines to prevent the disease has promoted the extensive use of antibiotics worldwide. This has been followed by the emergence of resistance against different classes of antibiotics. The rates of resistance to tetracyclines, lincosamides, and macrolides are extremely high, and resistance has spread worldwide. The genetic origin of S. suis resistance is multiple and includes the production of target-modifying and antibiotic-inactivating enzymes and mutations in antibiotic targets. S. suis genomes contain traits of horizontal gene transfer. Many mobile genetic elements carry a variety of genes that confer resistance to antibiotics as well as genes for autonomous DNA transfer and, thus, S. suis can rapidly acquire multiresistance. In addition, S. suis forms microcolonies on host tissues, which are associations of microorganisms that generate tolerance to antibiotics through a variety of mechanisms and favor the exchange of genetic material. Thus, alternatives to currently used antibiotics are highly demanded. A deep understanding of the mechanisms by which S. suis becomes resistant or tolerant to antibiotics may help to develop novel molecules or combinations of antimicrobials to fight these infections. Meanwhile, phage therapy and vaccination are promising alternative strategies, which could alleviate disease pressure and, thereby, antibiotic use.
Topics: Humans; Swine; Animals; Streptococcus suis; Streptococcal Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Macrolides; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 36371221
DOI: 10.1186/s13567-022-01111-3 -
Nature Communications Apr 2023Synthesis of capsular polysaccharide (CPS), an important virulence factor of pathogenic bacteria, is modulated by the CpsBCD phosphoregulatory system in Streptococcus....
Synthesis of capsular polysaccharide (CPS), an important virulence factor of pathogenic bacteria, is modulated by the CpsBCD phosphoregulatory system in Streptococcus. Serine/threonine kinases (STKs, e.g. Stk1) can also regulate CPS synthesis, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we identify a protein (CcpS) that is phosphorylated by Stk1 and modulates the activity of phosphatase CpsB in Streptococcus suis, thus linking Stk1 to CPS synthesis. The crystal structure of CcpS shows an intrinsically disordered region at its N-terminus, including two threonine residues that are phosphorylated by Stk1. The activity of phosphatase CpsB is inhibited when bound to non-phosphorylated CcpS. Thus, CcpS modulates the activity of phosphatase CpsB thereby altering CpsD phosphorylation, which in turn modulates the expression of the Wzx-Wzy pathway and thus CPS production.
Topics: Phosphorylation; Streptococcus suis; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Bacterial Capsules
PubMed: 37120581
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38210-4 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2020is considered among the top bacterial pathogens leading to important economic losses to the swine industry, with the incidence of disease increasing as the prophylactic...
is considered among the top bacterial pathogens leading to important economic losses to the swine industry, with the incidence of disease increasing as the prophylactic use of antimicrobial is being vanished worldwide. is also a zoonotic agent afflicting people in close contact with infected pigs or pork meat. Besides, in some Asian countries, it is considered a major public health concern for the general population as well. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important global health challenges, and in the absence of preventive measures (such as effective vaccines), remains a risk for increased antimicrobial resistance and transmission of resistance genes to other bacteria beyond the host animal species. The studies in this Special Issue have evidenced the importance of swine population demographics and management on disease control, progress in molecular tools to better understand the epidemiology of infections in swine and humans, and the mechanisms involved in different aspects of the immuno-pathogenesis of the disease. The importance of reducing the prophylactic use of antimicrobials in livestock productions and the development of alternative control measures, including vaccination, are herein discussed.
PubMed: 32867188
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090707 -
Medicina 2024Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a globally prevalent swine pathogen, capable of generating infections in humans who were in contact with the animal or its raw meat....
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a globally prevalent swine pathogen, capable of generating infections in humans who were in contact with the animal or its raw meat. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic cases to systemic involvement, with low mortality, but with the possibility of leaving definitive sequelae such as ataxia and hearing loss. There are few case reports, due to lack of knowledge of the disease and its atypical presentation. The objective of this article is to report the case of a man with an occupational history of contact with pigs, who was admitted for meningitis and in whom the isolation of S. suis was obtained in cerebrospinal fluid and paired blood cultures; He completed antibiotic treatment adjusted to bacterial sensitivity, and was left with mild hearing loss as a consequence.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Meningitis, Bacterial; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus suis; Swine
PubMed: 38683518
DOI: No ID Found -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2024In the last few decades, molecular techniques and genetic modification have been used in genotype and phenotype studies of S. suis. Genomic modification of S. suis...
In the last few decades, molecular techniques and genetic modification have been used in genotype and phenotype studies of S. suis. Genomic modification of S. suis requires DNA acquisition and its stable insertion into the chromosome by allelic exchange. In this chapter, we described two techniques for the preparation of genomic constructs (cloning and overlapping extension PCR) and for DNA uptake (electroporation and transformation). The protocols are accompanied with examples. All described protocols were successful on our hands with the reference S. suis strain P1/7.
Topics: Electroporation; Cloning, Molecular; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 38884909
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3898-9_4 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that can cause fatal diseases such as meningitis and sepsis in pigs and human beings. The overuse of antibiotics is leading to an...
is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that can cause fatal diseases such as meningitis and sepsis in pigs and human beings. The overuse of antibiotics is leading to an increased level of resistance in , and novel antimicrobial agents or anti-virulence agents for the treatment of infections caused by are urgently needed. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity, mode of action and anti-virulence effects of floxuridine against . Floxuridine showed excessive antibacterial activity against both in vivo and in vitro; 4 × MIC of floxuridine could kill within 8 h in a time-kill assay. Meanwhile, floxuridine disrupted the membrane structure and permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane. Molecular docking revealed that floxuridine and SLY can be directly bind to each other. Moreover, floxuridine effectively inhibited the hemolytic capacity and expression levels of the virulence-related genes of . Collectively, these results indicate that the FDA-approved anticancer drug floxuridine is a promising agent and a potential virulence inhibitor against .
PubMed: 37762514
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814211 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2024Streptococcus suis is a bacterial pathogen that can cause significant economic losses in the swine industry due to high morbidity and mortality rates in infected...
Streptococcus suis is a bacterial pathogen that can cause significant economic losses in the swine industry due to high morbidity and mortality rates in infected animals. Vaccination with bacterins, which consist of inactivated bacteria and adjuvants to enhance the pig's immune response, is an effective approach to control S. suis infections in piglets. Here we provide a description of S. suis bacterins and the methods for vaccine preparation. Moreover, this chapter also describes the addition of recombinant Sao (rSao-L) protein to the S. suis bacterin, aiming to enhance the efficacy of the bacterins against S. suis in piglets. Furthermore, the methods for evaluating the immune response elicited by the bacterins are also covered in this chapter.
Topics: Animals; Swine; Streptococcus suis; Streptococcal Infections; Swine Diseases; Vaccination; Bacterial Vaccines; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Antibodies, Bacterial; Recombinant Proteins; Streptococcal Vaccines
PubMed: 38884916
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3898-9_11 -
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases... Aug 2019, a prevalent porcine pathogen, may sporadically cause infections in humans, and has recently emerged as a cause of zoonoses in some professionals. The aim of this... (Review)
Review
, a prevalent porcine pathogen, may sporadically cause infections in humans, and has recently emerged as a cause of zoonoses in some professionals. The aim of this article was to review available data on epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnostics, and management of the most common form of infection, purulent meningitis. Literature data show that is an important etiological factor of purulent meningitis, especially in subjects being occupationally exposed to contact with pigs and/or pork meat. Owing to growing incidence of meningitis, a history of such exposure should be verified in each patient presenting with typical meningeal symptoms. Whenever was confirmed as the etiological factor of purulent meningitis, therapeutic protocol should be adjusted appropriately, to avoid patient's exposure to potentially ototoxic antimicrobial agents and corticosteroids. Considering the biphasic character of meningitis and its frequently atypical outcome, all individuals with this condition should be optimally supervised by a multidisciplinary team, including an ENT specialist.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Humans; Meningitis, Bacterial; Occupational Exposure; Pork Meat; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus suis; Swine; Zoonoses
PubMed: 30855223
DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2399 -
Virulence Dec 2023is a bacterium that can cause infections in pigs and humans. Although oxidative stress is common occurrence during bacterial growth and infection, the regulation...
is a bacterium that can cause infections in pigs and humans. Although oxidative stress is common occurrence during bacterial growth and infection, the regulation networks of under oxidative stress remain poorly understood. To address this, we utilized RNA-Seq to reveal the transcriptional landscape of in response to HO stress. We identified novel genes responsible for resistance to oxidative stress, including those involved in DNA repair or protection, and essential for the biosynthesis of amino acids and nucleic acids. In addition, we found that a novel aquaporin, Aagp, belonging to atypical aquaglyceroporins and widely distributed in diverse serotypes, plays a crucial role during HO stress. By performing oxidative stress assays and measuring the intracellular HO concentrations of the wild-type strain and mutants during HO stress, we found that Aagp facilitated HO efflux. Additionally, we found that Aagp might be involved in glycerol transport, as shown by the growth inhibition and HO production in the presence of glycerol. Mice infection experiments indicated that Aagp contributed to virulence. This study contributes to understanding the mechanism of oxidative stress response, pathogenesis, and the function of aquaporins in prokaryotes.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Swine; Hydrogen Peroxide; Streptococcus suis; Glycerol; Virulence; Aquaporins
PubMed: 37621097
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2249789 -
One Health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Jun 2023is one of the most important pathogens affecting pig production worldwide. It can be also transmitted to human through the behaviors of eating undercooked pork or... (Review)
Review
is one of the most important pathogens affecting pig production worldwide. It can be also transmitted to human through the behaviors of eating undercooked pork or slaughtering sick pigs. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence across different geographical areas in China. Forty-three articles were included and distributed in 22 provinces of China. The prevalence of infection in pigs varied from 4.2% to 93.7%, with a summary estimate of 40.8% (95%CI, 32.9-48.6%). Six provinces, classified as frequent outbreaks in human cases, had a higher prevalence (52.7%, 95%CI: 43.7-61.6%) than other provinces (36.0%, 95%CI: 27.0-44.9%). Jiangsu province had the highest prevalence with 73.1% (95%CI: 70.42-75.68%), followed by Hunan (59.64%, 95%CI: 55.83-63.37%), Shanxi (55.56%, 95%CI: 47.05-63.83%), and Guangxi (50.55%, 95%CI: 49.45-51.64%). The prevalence has been decreasing gradually, from 47.6% (95%CI: 38.1-57.1%) before 2010, then dropped to 39.1% (95%CI: 25.5-52.8%) during 2011-2015, and reached the lowest in recent five years (2016-2020), with 34.3% (95%CI: 23.1-45.4%). The study findings showed that was presented in pig populations of most provinces of China, which indicated that effective control measures in pigs should be implemented. Our results also provided solid evidence for the early warning and prevention of human infection in China, which would mitigate the risk to humans.
PubMed: 37363255
DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100513