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Frontiers in Microbiology 2024Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications play a crucial role in maintaining translational fidelity and efficiency, and they may function as regulatory elements in stress...
Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications play a crucial role in maintaining translational fidelity and efficiency, and they may function as regulatory elements in stress response and virulence. Despite their pivotal roles, a comprehensive mapping of tRNA modifications and their associated synthesis genes is still limited, with a predominant focus on free-living bacteria. In this study, we employed a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating comparative genomics, mass spectrometry, and next-generation sequencing, to predict the set of tRNA modification genes responsible for tRNA maturation in two intracellular pathogens- Houston I and Toulouse, which are causative agents of cat-scratch disease and trench fever, respectively. This analysis presented challenges, particularly because of host RNA contamination, which served as a potential source of error. However, our approach predicted 26 genes responsible for synthesizing 23 distinct tRNA modifications in and 22 genes associated with 23 modifications in . Notably, akin to other intracellular and symbiotic bacteria, both Bartonella species have undergone substantial reductions in tRNA modification genes, mostly by simplifying the hypermodifications present at positions 34 and 37. exhibited the additional loss of four modifications and these were linked to examples of gene decay, providing snapshots of reductive evolution.
PubMed: 38544857
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1369018 -
Parasites & Vectors Oct 2021Bartonella spp. are emerging pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors, possibly including ticks. We have investigated signs of bartonellosis in Swedish patients with...
BACKGROUND
Bartonella spp. are emerging pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors, possibly including ticks. We have investigated signs of bartonellosis in Swedish patients with presumed tick-bite exposure and symptom duration of at least 6 months.
METHODS
Serological testing for Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana was performed in 224 patients. Symptoms, tick exposure, evidence of co-infection and previous treatments were evaluated. Seropositive patients were compared to a matched group (twofold larger and negative serology) from the same study cohort.
RESULTS
Seroprevalence was 7% for B. henselae and 1% for B. quintana, with one patient testing positive to both agents. Tick bites were reported by 63% of the patients in the seropositive group and 88% in the seronegative group and presumed tick exposure was more common in the seronegative group. Animal contact was equally common in both groups, along with reported symptoms. The most common symptoms were fatigue, muscular symptoms, arthralgia and cognitive symptoms. Exposure to co-infections was evenly distributed in the seropositive and seronegative groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Antibodies to Bartonella were more common in this cohort of patients than in cohorts of healthy Swedish blood donors in previous studies but lower than those in blood donors from southern Europe. Positive Bartonella serology was not linked to any specific symptom, nor to (suspected) tick-bite exposure.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serologic Tests; Sweden; Tick Bites; Tick-Borne Diseases; Ticks; Young Adult
PubMed: 34641972
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05043-3 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Nov 2017In 2015, we investigated Bartonella quintana and typhus group rickettsiae in body lice from homeless persons in Bogotá, Colombia. We found B. quintana-infected body...
In 2015, we investigated Bartonella quintana and typhus group rickettsiae in body lice from homeless persons in Bogotá, Colombia. We found B. quintana-infected body lice and seroprevalence of this microorganism in 19% of homeless persons and typhus group rickettsiae in 56%. Public health professionals should start preemptive measures and active vector control.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Bartonella quintana; Colombia; Female; Ill-Housed Persons; Humans; Insect Vectors; Lice Infestations; Male; Middle Aged; Pediculus; Rickettsia; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Trench Fever
PubMed: 29048284
DOI: 10.3201/eid2311.170341 -
Open Forum Infectious Diseases Jul 2021We present the first case described in the literature of leucocytoclastic vasculitis due to infection. A 73-year-old woman presented to the hospital with persistent...
We present the first case described in the literature of leucocytoclastic vasculitis due to infection. A 73-year-old woman presented to the hospital with persistent fevers, retro-orbital headache, generalized weakness, and left lower thigh pain for 1 week. She was found to have truncal and proximal lower extremity papules and small plaques. Serology revealed immunoglobulin M (IgM) titer of 1:256 with undetectable immunoglobulin G (IgG) and undetectable IgG and IgM. Skin biopsy of an abdominal lesion revealed fibrinoid necrosis of vessel walls in the superficial and mid-dermis consistent with leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily was initiated, after which she had defervescence within 36 hours and rapid improvement of other presenting symptoms.
PubMed: 34307730
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab333 -
PloS One 2019Bartonellae are intracellular bacteria, which can cause persistent bacteraemia in humans and a variety of animals. Several rodent-associated Bartonella species are human...
BACKGROUND
Bartonellae are intracellular bacteria, which can cause persistent bacteraemia in humans and a variety of animals. Several rodent-associated Bartonella species are human pathogens but data on their global distribution and epidemiology are limited. The aims of the study were to: 1) determine the prevalence of Bartonella infection in rodents and fleas; 2) identify risk factors for Bartonella infection in rodents; and 3) characterize the Bartonella genotypes present in these rodent and flea populations.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Spleen samples collected from 381 rodents representing six different species were tested for the presence of Bartonella DNA, which was detected in 57 individuals (15.0%; 95% CI 11.3-18.5), of three rodent species (Rattus rattus n = 54, Mastomys natalensis n = 2 and Paraxerus flavovottis n = 1) using a qPCR targeting the ssrA gene. Considering R. rattus individuals only, risk factor analysis indicated that Bartonella infection was more likely in reproductively mature as compared to immature individuals (OR = 3.42, p <0.001). Bartonella DNA was also detected in 53 of 193 Xenopsylla cheopis fleas (27.5%: 95% CI 21.3-34.3) collected from R.rattus individuals. Analysis of ssrA and gltA sequences from rodent spleens and ssrA sequences from fleas identified multiple genotypes closely related (≥ 97% similar) to several known or suspected zoonotic Bartonella species, including B. tribocorum, B. rochalimae, B. elizabethae and B. quintana.
CONCLUSIONS
The ssrA and gltA sequences obtained from rodent spleens and ssrA sequences obtained from fleas reveal the presence of a diverse set of Bartonella genotypes and increase our understanding of the bartonellae present in Tanzanian. Further studies are needed to fully characterise the prevalence, genotypes and diversity of Bartonella in different host populations and their potential impacts on human health.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Genes, Bacterial; Genotype; Geography; Parasites; Phylogeny; Risk Factors; Rodentia; Siphonaptera; Spleen; Tanzania
PubMed: 31613914
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223667 -
Insect Molecular Biology Jun 2017Human body and head lice are highly related haematophagous ectoparasites but only the body louse has been shown to transmit Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Human body and head lice are highly related haematophagous ectoparasites but only the body louse has been shown to transmit Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of trench fever. The mechanisms by which body lice became a vector for B. quintana, however, are poorly understood. Following oral challenge, green fluorescent protein-expressing B. quintana proliferated over 9 days postchallenge with the number of bacteria being significantly higher in whole body vs. head lice. The numbers of B. quintana detected in faeces from infected lice, however, were approximately the same in both lice. Nevertheless, the viability of B. quintana was significantly higher in body louse faeces. Comparison of immune responses in alimentary tract tissues revealed that basal transcription levels of peptidoglycan recognition protein and defensins were lower in body lice and the transcription of defensin 1 was up-regulated by oral challenge with wild-type B. quintana in head but not in body lice. In addition, the level of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species generated by epithelial cells was significantly lower in body lice. Although speculative at this time, the reduced immune response is consistent with the higher vector competence seen in body vs. head lice in terms of B. quintana infection.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella quintana; Gastrointestinal Tract; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Humans; Insect Vectors; Pediculus; Reactive Oxygen Species; Trench Fever
PubMed: 28105732
DOI: 10.1111/imb.12292 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Human lice, , can transmit various pathogens, including , , and . Xenosurveillance is an epidemiological approach to assessing human infection risks performed by...
Human lice, , can transmit various pathogens, including , , and . Xenosurveillance is an epidemiological approach to assessing human infection risks performed by screening vectors of infectious disease agents. In the proof-of-principle study reported herein, the DNA of 23 human lice was collected from the clothes of 30 homeless Ethiopian individuals. These samples were assessed using 16S rRNA gene-specific pan-eubacterial PCR for screening, followed by genus 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence-specific PCR, genus gene-specific PCR, and 16S rRNA gene PCR with specificity for relapsing-fever-associated spp. with subsequent sequencing of the amplicons. In one sample, the pan-eubacterial 16S rRNA gene-specific screening PCR, the genus 16S-23S ITS sequence-specific PCR, and the genus gene-specific PCR allowed for the sequencing of -specific amplicons. In two additional samples, genus gene-specific PCR also provided sequences showing 100% sequence identity with . In total, 3/23 (13.0%) of the assessed lice were found to be positive for . Correlating clinical data were not available; however, the assessment confirmed the presence of in the local louse population and thus an associated infection pressure. Larger-sized cross-sectional studies seem advisable to more reliably quantify the infection risk of lice-infested local individuals. The need for prevention by providing opportunities to maintain standard hygiene for Ethiopian homeless individuals is stressed by the reported findings, especially in light of the ongoing migration of refugees.
PubMed: 38003765
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111299 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2021, , and are bacteria known to cause verruga peruana or bacillary angiomatosis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent cutaneous lesions in humans. Given...
, , and are bacteria known to cause verruga peruana or bacillary angiomatosis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent cutaneous lesions in humans. Given the bacteria's association with the dermal niche and clinical suspicion of occult infection by a dermatologist, we determined if patients with melanoma had evidence of spp. infection. Within a one-month period, eight patients previously diagnosed with melanoma volunteered to be tested for evidence of spp. exposure/infection. Subsequently, confocal immunohistochemistry and PCR for spp. were used to study melanoma tissues from two patients. Blood from seven of the eight patients was either seroreactive, PCR positive, or positive by both modalities for spp. exposure. Subsequently, organisms that co-localized with VEGFC immunoreactivity were visualized using multi-immunostaining confocal microscopy of thick skin sections from two patients. Using a co-culture model, was observed to enter melanoma cell cytoplasm and resulted in increased vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) production. Findings from this small number of patients support the need for future investigations to determine the extent to which spp. are a component of the melanoma pathobiome.
PubMed: 33802018
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030326 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Mar 2006Among the many mammals infected with Bartonella spp., pets represent a large reservoir for human infection because most Bartonella spp. infecting them are zoonotic. Cats... (Review)
Review
Among the many mammals infected with Bartonella spp., pets represent a large reservoir for human infection because most Bartonella spp. infecting them are zoonotic. Cats are the main reservoir for Bartonella henselae, B. clarridgeiae, and B. koehlerae. Dogs can be infected with B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, B. washoensis, B. elizabethae, and B. quintana. The role of dogs as an important reservoir of Bartonella spp. is less clear than for cats because domestic dogs are more likely to be accidental hosts, at least in nontropical regions. Nevertheless, dogs are excellent sentinels for human infections because a similar disease spectrum develops in dogs. Transmission of B. henselae by cat fleas is better understood, although new potential vectors (ticks and biting flies) have been identified. We review current knowledge on the etiologic agents, clinical features, and epidemiologic characteristics of these emerging zoonoses.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Disease Reservoirs; Humans; Insect Vectors; Zoonoses
PubMed: 16704774
DOI: 10.3201/eid1203.050931 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Sep 2023Bartonella spp. are fastidious bacteria frequently identified as the cause of blood culture-negative (BCN) endocarditis. However, Bartonella infections are difficult to...
BACKGROUND
Bartonella spp. are fastidious bacteria frequently identified as the cause of blood culture-negative (BCN) endocarditis. However, Bartonella infections are difficult to diagnose in routine laboratory testing and their incidence is probably underestimated. We investigated the epidemiological and clinical features of Bartonella endocarditis cases diagnosed between 2009 and 2021 on Reunion Island (Southwest Indian Ocean).
METHOD
We retrospectively included all patients diagnosed with Bartonella endocarditis at Reunion Island University Hospital during this period. Endocarditis was diagnosed on the basis of microbiological findings, including serological tests (IFA) and PCR on cardiac valves, and the modified Duke criteria. We used then the multispacer typing (MST) method to genotype the available Bartonella strains.
FINDINGS
We report 12 cases of B. quintana endocarditis on Reunion Island (83.3% in men, median patient age: 32 years). All the patients originated from the Comoros archipelago. The traditional risk factors for B. quintana infection (homelessness, alcoholism, exposure to body lice) were absent in all but two of the patients, who reported head louse infestations in childhood. Previous heart disease leading to valve dysfunction was recorded in 50% of patients. All patients underwent cardiac valve surgery and antimicrobial therapy with a regimen including doxycycline. All patients presented high C-reactive protein concentrations, anemia and negative blood cultures. The titer of IgG antibodies against Bartonella sp. exceeded 1:800 in 42% of patients. Specific PCR on cardiac valves confirmed the diagnosis of B. quintana endocarditis in all patients. Genotyping by the MST method was performed on four strains detected in preserved excised valves and was contributive for three, which displayed the MST6 genotype.
CONCLUSIONS
Bartonella quintana is an important cause of infective endocarditis in the Comoros archipelago and should be suspected in patients with mitral valve dysfunction and BCN from this area.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Bartonella quintana; Indian Ocean; Retrospective Studies; Endocarditis; Bartonella
PubMed: 37676863
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011606