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Frontiers in Microbiology 2023is an opportunistic, global pathogen that naturally inhabits sea water and is responsible for most vibriosis-related deaths. We investigated the genetic characteristics...
is an opportunistic, global pathogen that naturally inhabits sea water and is responsible for most vibriosis-related deaths. We investigated the genetic characteristics of isolated from the clinical blood culture specimen of a patient with hepatitis B virus cirrhosis in 2018 (named as VV2018) by whole genome sequencing (WGS). VV2018 belonged to a novel sequencing type 620 (ST620) and comprised two circular chromosomes, containing 4,389 potential coding sequences (CDSs) and 152 RNA genes. The phylogenetic tree of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using 26 representative genomes revealed that VV2108 grouped with two other strains isolated from humans. The pan-genome of was constructed using 26 representative genomes to elucidate their genetic diversity, evolutionary characteristics, and virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles. The pan-genome analysis revealed that VV2018 shared a total of 3,016 core genes (≥99% presence), including 115 core virulence factors (VFs) and 5 core antibiotic resistance-related genes, and 309 soft core genes (≥95 and <99% presence) with 25 other strains. The gene might account for the cefazolin resistance, and comparative analysis of the genetic context of revealed that two genes upstream and downstream of were conserved. The glycosylation () like genes were found in VV2018 compared with Pgl-related proteins in that might affect the adherence of the strain in hosts. The comparative analysis of VV2018 would contribute to a better understanding of the virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles of . Meanwhile much work remains to be done to better understand the function of -like genes in .
PubMed: 38029170
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1240835 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Rat species , also known as the brown street rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they co-exist with humans and domestic animals. The...
Rat species , also known as the brown street rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they co-exist with humans and domestic animals. The reservoir role of of zoonotic pathogens in cities among rodent-borne diseases that could endanger the lives of humans and other mammals. Therefore, understanding the normal microbiome of is crucial for understanding and preventing zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans and animals. We investigated the intestinal microbiome of free-living collected from the Ruili, Nujiang, and Lianhe regions of Yunnan, China, using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were abundant in the intestines of ; however, bacterial compositions varied significantly between samples from different locations. Following a similar trend, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia were among the top bacterial classes in most intestinal samples. The situation differed slightly for the Lianhe and Nujiang samples, although Phyla Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota were most prevalent. The Alpha diversity, Chao1, and Simpson indexes revealed microbial richness among the samples. A slight variation was observed among the samples collected from Ruili, Nujiang, and Lianhe. At species levels, several opportunistic and zoonotic bacterial pathogens, including , , , , , , etc., were revealed in the intestines, implying the need for a regular survey to monitor and control rodent populations. In conclusion, we explored diverse microbial communities in intestines captured from different regions. Further, we identified several opportunistic and potential bacterial pathogens, which still need to be tested for their underlying pathogenesis. The findings of our current study should be considered a warning to the health authorities to implement rat control and surveillance strategies globally.
PubMed: 38029126
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1283453 -
Gut Pathogens Nov 2023We report a 36-year-old male patient died of V. vulnificus-induced septicaemia and multiple organ failure syndrome after oyster consumption at a restaurant. We isolated...
We report a 36-year-old male patient died of V. vulnificus-induced septicaemia and multiple organ failure syndrome after oyster consumption at a restaurant. We isolated and identified V. vulnificus vv16015 from the patient's blood sample and antibiotic susceptibility tests indicated sensitivity to all 21 antibiotics. Oyster samples were subsequently collected from the restaurant's supplier and three strains of V. vulnificus were isolated. Whole genome sequencing and analysis revealed vv16015 to be distantly related to these strains and confirmed that V. vulnificus contamination was present in the seafood of the restaurant and supplier. Using a Galleria mellonella larvae infection model, the virulence of vv16015 was determined to be higher than that of comparison strains isolated from a surviving patient (vv15018) and an oyster (vv220015). The human and environment distribution of V. vulnificus in Shenzhen is sporadic and heterogeneous, and vv16015 is highly virulent compared to other strains.
PubMed: 38007445
DOI: 10.1186/s13099-023-00580-x -
Microbiology Insights 2023
PubMed: 37954125
DOI: 10.1177/11786361231204672 -
MBio Oct 2023Changing climatic conditions influence parameters associated with the growth of pathogenic spp. in the environment and, hence, are linked to increased incidence of...
Changing climatic conditions influence parameters associated with the growth of pathogenic spp. in the environment and, hence, are linked to increased incidence of vibriosis. Between 1992 and 2022, a long-term increase in spp. infections was reported in Florida, USA. Furthermore, a spike in spp. infections was reported post Hurricane Ian, a category five storm that made landfall in Florida on 28 September 2022. During October 2022, water and oyster samples were collected from three stations in Lee County in an area significantly impacted by Ian. spp. were isolated, and whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were done, with a focus on and to provide genetic insight into pathogenic strains circulating in the environment. Metagenomic analysis of water samples provided insight with respect to human health-related factors, notably the detection of approximately 12 pathogenic spp., virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, and mobile genetic elements, including the SXT/R391 family of integrative conjugative elements. Environmental parameters were monitored as part of a long-term time series analysis done using satellite remote sensing. In addition to anomalous rainfall and storm surge, changes in sea surface temperature and chlorophyll concentration during and after Ian favored the growth of spp. In conclusion, genetic analysis coupled with environmental data and remote sensing provides useful public health information and, hence, constitute a valuable tool to proactively detect and characterize environmental pathogens, notably vibrios. These data can aid the development of early warning systems by yielding a larger source of information for public health during climate change. Evidence suggests warming temperatures are associated with the spread of potentially pathogenic spp. and the emergence of human disease globally. Following Hurricane Ian, the State of Florida reported a sharp increase in the number of reported spp. infections and deaths. Hence, monitoring of pathogens, including vibrios, and environmental parameters influencing their occurrence is critical to public health. Here, DNA sequencing was used to investigate the genomic diversity of and , both potential human pathogens, in Florida coastal waters post Hurricane Ian, in October 2022. Additionally, the microbial community of water samples was profiled to detect the presence of spp. and other microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses) present in the samples. Long-term environmental data analysis showed changes in environmental parameters during and after Ian were optimal for the growth of spp. and related pathogens. Collectively, results will be used to develop predictive risk models during climate change.
PubMed: 37931127
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01476-23 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023This research comparatively investigates the in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from (pink water lily) leaves against pathogenic bacteria. The experimental...
This research comparatively investigates the in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from (pink water lily) leaves against pathogenic bacteria. The experimental extracts are aqueous, acetonic, and 95% ethanolic extracts; and the pathogenic bacteria being studied include , , , and , which are commonly found in freshwater fish and brackish aquatic animals. The ethanolic extract achieves the highest bacterial inhibitory effects against and . The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the ethanolic extract against and are 10 mg/mL; and 2.5 mg/mL against and . The ethanolic extract is effective against . The high-performance liquid chromatography results show that, in the phenolic acids group, gallic acid is the most dominant (0.600-3.21% /), followed by sinapic acid (0.37-0.83% /). In the flavonoids group, catechin is the most dominant (0.02-1.08% /), followed by rutin (0.002-0.03% /). Essentially, the ethanolic extract can potentially be used as a natural antibiotic agent to treat bacterial infections in fish and aquatic animals.
PubMed: 37896051
DOI: 10.3390/plants12203588 -
Microorganisms Oct 2023() and () are water- and foodborne bacteria that can cause several distinct human diseases, collectively called vibriosis. The success of oyster aquaculture is... (Review)
Review
() and () are water- and foodborne bacteria that can cause several distinct human diseases, collectively called vibriosis. The success of oyster aquaculture is negatively impacted by high abundances. Myriad environmental factors affect the distribution of pathogenic , including temperature, salinity, eutrophication, extreme weather events, and plankton loads, including harmful algal blooms. In this paper, we synthesize the current understanding of ecological drivers of and and provide a summary of various tools used to enumerate and in a variety of environments and environmental samples. We also highlight the limitations and benefits of each of the measurement tools and propose example alternative tools for more specific enumeration of pathogenic and . Improvement of molecular methods can tighten better predictive models that are potentially important for mitigation in more controlled environments such as aquaculture.
PubMed: 37894160
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102502 -
Microorganisms Sep 2023This study aimed to determine the incidence and virulence factor profiling of species from hospital wastewater (HWW) and community wastewater effluents. Wastewater...
This study aimed to determine the incidence and virulence factor profiling of species from hospital wastewater (HWW) and community wastewater effluents. Wastewater samples from selected sites were collected, processed, and analysed presumptively by the culture dependent methods and molecular techniques. A total of 270 isolates were confirmed as genus delineating into (27%), (9.1%), (4.1%), and (3%). The remainder (>50%) may account for other species not identified in the study. The four species were isolated from secondary hospital wastewater effluent (SHWE), while was the sole specie isolated from Limbede community wastewater effluent (LCWE) and none of the four species was recovered from tertiary hospital wastewater effluent (THWE). However, several virulence genes were identified among isolates from SHWE: (88%), (81%), (64%), (58%), (44%), and (34%). Virulence genes factors among isolates from LCWE were: (78%), (67%), (44%), and (44%). Two different genes ( and ) were identified in all confirmed isolates. Among , (50%) and (67%) were detected. In , (56%) and (100%) were also identified. This finding reveals that the studied aquatic niches pose serious potential health risk with species harbouring virulence signatures. The distribution of virulence genes is valuable for ecological site quality, as well as epidemiological marker in the control and management of diseases caused by species. Regular monitoring of HWW and communal wastewater effluent would allow relevant establishments to forecast, detect, and mitigate any public health threats in advance.
PubMed: 37894107
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102449 -
MicrobiologyOpen Oct 2023Rifampicin resistance, which is genetically linked to mutations in the RNA polymerase β-subunit gene rpoB, has a global impact on bacterial transcription and cell...
Rifampicin resistance, which is genetically linked to mutations in the RNA polymerase β-subunit gene rpoB, has a global impact on bacterial transcription and cell physiology. Previously, we identified a substitution of serine 522 in RpoB (i.e., RpoB ) conferring rifampicin resistance to Vibrio vulnificus, a human food-borne and wound-infecting pathogen associated with a high mortality rate. Transcriptional and physiological analysis of V. vulnificus expressing RpoB showed increased basal transcription of stress-related genes and global virulence regulators. Phenotypically these transcriptional changes manifest as disturbed osmo-stress responses and toxin-associated hypervirulence as shown by reduced hypoosmotic-stress resistance and enhanced cytotoxicity of the RpoB strain. These results suggest that RpoB-linked rifampicin resistance has a significant impact on V. vulnificus survival in the environment and during infection.
Topics: Humans; Rifampin; Vibrio vulnificus; Bacterial Proteins; Mutation; Virulence; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
PubMed: 37877661
DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1379 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023In the human pathogen , the quorum-sensing (QS) signal molecule cyclo-(L-phenylalanine-L-proline) (cFP) plays a critical role in triggering a signaling pathway involving...
In the human pathogen , the quorum-sensing (QS) signal molecule cyclo-(L-phenylalanine-L-proline) (cFP) plays a critical role in triggering a signaling pathway involving the components LeuO-vHUαβ-RpoS-KatG via the membrane signal receptor ToxR. In this study, we investigated the impact of iron on the expression of these signaling components. We found that the transcription of the membrane sensor protein ToxR was not significantly affected by Fur-iron. However, Fur-iron repressed the transcription of genes encoding all the downstream cytoplasmic components in this pathway by binding to the upstream regions of these genes. Consequently, the expression of genes regulated by the alternative sigma factor RpoS, as well as the resistance to hydrogen peroxide conferred by KatG, were repressed. Additionally, we observed that in , genes dependent on ToxR showed higher expression levels in a -deletion mutant compared to the wild type. These findings indicate that iron, in association with Fur, represses virtually all the cytoplasmic components responsible for the ToxR-dependent cFP-signaling pathways in these two pathogenic species. This study, along with our previous reports demonstrating the repression of components involved in AI-2 dependent QS signaling by Fur-iron, highlights the crucial role of iron in quorum-sensing regulation, which is closely associated with the pathogenicity of this human pathogen.
PubMed: 37860134
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1273095