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Scientific Reports May 2024Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of trench fever, is an intracellular bacterium that infects human erythrocytes and vascular endothelial cells. For many years,... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of trench fever, is an intracellular bacterium that infects human erythrocytes and vascular endothelial cells. For many years, humans were considered the only natural hosts for B. quintana; however, it was recently discovered that wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) also serve as hosts for B. quintana. To elucidate the genetic characteristics of the B. quintana strain MF1-1 isolated from a Japanese macaque, we determined the complete genome sequence of the strain and compared it with those of strain Toulouse from a human and strain RM-11 from a rhesus macaque. General genomic features and orthologous gene cluster profiles are similar among the three strains, and strain MF1-1 is genetically closer to strain RM-11 than strain Toulouse based on the average nucleotide identity values; however, a significant inversion of approximately 0.68 Mb was detected in the chromosome of strain MF1-1. Moreover, the Japanese macaque strains lacked the bepA gene, which is responsible for anti-apoptotic function, and the trwL2, trwL4, and trwL6 genes, which may be involved in adhesion to erythrocytes of rhesus macaque and human. These features likely represent the genomic traits acquired by Japanese macaque strains in their host-associated evolution.
Topics: Animals; Macaca mulatta; Humans; Genome, Bacterial; Macaca fuscata; Bartonella quintana; Phylogeny; Genomics; Trench Fever
PubMed: 38740807
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61782-0 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... May 2024The evolutionary conserved YopJ family comprises numerous type-III-secretion system (T3SS) effectors of diverse mammalian and plant pathogens that acetylate host...
The evolutionary conserved YopJ family comprises numerous type-III-secretion system (T3SS) effectors of diverse mammalian and plant pathogens that acetylate host proteins to dampen immune responses. Acetylation is mediated by a central acetyltransferase domain that is flanked by conserved regulatory sequences, while a nonconserved N-terminal extension encodes the T3SS-specific translocation signal. spp. are facultative-intracellular pathogens causing intraerythrocytic bacteremia in their mammalian reservoirs and diverse disease manifestations in incidentally infected humans. Bartonellae do not encode a T3SS, but most species possess a type-IV-secretion system (T4SS) to translocate effector proteins (Beps) into host cells. Here we report that the YopJ homologs present in Bartonellae species represent genuine T4SS effectors. Like YopJ family T3SS effectors of mammalian pathogens, the " YopJ-like effector A" (ByeA) of also targets MAP kinase signaling to dampen proinflammatory responses, however, translocation depends on a functional T4SS. A split NanoLuc luciferase-based translocation assay identified sequences required for T4SS-dependent translocation in conserved regulatory regions at the C-terminus and proximal to the N-terminus of ByeA. The T3SS effectors YopP from and AvrA from Typhimurium were also translocated via the T4SS, while ByeA was not translocated via the T3SS. Our data suggest that YopJ family T3SS effectors may have evolved from an ancestral T4SS effector, such as ByeA of . In this evolutionary scenario, the signal for T4SS-dependent translocation encoded by N- and C-terminal sequences remained functional in the derived T3SS effectors due to the essential role these sequences coincidentally play in regulating acetyltransferase activity.
Topics: Bartonella; Bacterial Proteins; Humans; Type IV Secretion Systems; Protein Transport; Animals
PubMed: 38709922
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310348121 -
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 2024The availability of genes and protein sequences for parasites has provided valuable information for drug target identification and vaccine development. One such parasite...
BACKGROUND
The availability of genes and protein sequences for parasites has provided valuable information for drug target identification and vaccine development. One such parasite is Bartonella quintana, a Gram-negative, intracellular pathogen that causes bartonellosis in mammalian hosts.
OBJECTIVE
Despite progress in understanding its pathogenesis, limited knowledge exists about the virulence factors and regulatory mechanisms specific to B. quintana.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
To explore these aspects, we have adopted a subtractive proteomics approach to analyse the proteome of B. quintana. By subtractive proteins between the host and parasite proteome, a set of proteins that are likely unique to the parasite but absent in the host were identified. This analysis revealed that out of the 1197 protein sequences of the parasite, 660 proteins are non-homologous to the human host. Further analysis using the Database of Essential Genes predicted 159 essential proteins, with 28 of these being unique to the pathogen and predicted as potential putative targets. Subcellular localisation of the predicted targets revealed 13 cytoplasmic, eight membranes, one periplasmic, and multiple location proteins. The three-dimensional structure and B cell epitopes of the six membrane antigenic protein were predicted. Four B cell epitopes in KdtA and mraY proteins, three in lpxB and BQ09550, whereas the ftsl and yidC proteins were located with eleven and six B cell epitopes, respectively.
MAINS CONCLUSIONS
This insight prioritises such proteins as novel putative targets for further investigations on their potential as drug and vaccine candidates.
Topics: Proteomics; Bartonella quintana; Bacterial Vaccines; Bacterial Proteins; Humans; Computer Simulation; Virulence Factors; Proteome
PubMed: 38655925
DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760230040 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Apr 2024Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) and presents as lymphadenopathy following close contact with cats. However, in context of the... (Review)
Review
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) and presents as lymphadenopathy following close contact with cats. However, in context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, clinical manifestations of CSD may vary, posing new challenges for healthcare professionals. Here we describe a case of a 54-year-old male with painful left upper arm mass, which gradually resolved until he was infected with COVID-19. The mass then rapidly progressed before admission. Meanwhile, pulmonary symptoms including pleural effusion emerged simultaneously. The cause was undetermined with routine blood culture and pathological test until the next generation sequencing (NGS) confirmed the presence of B. henselae. We believe this case is the first to report localized aggravation of CSD after COVID-19 infection and hopefully, offers treatment experience for clinicians worldwide.
Topics: Humans; Male; COVID-19; Bartonella henselae; Cat-Scratch Disease; Middle Aged; Latent Infection; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38649899
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09336-7 -
International Journal of Systematic and... Apr 2024The alphaproteobacterial order consists of 38 families comprising at least 152 validly published genera as of January 2024. The order was first described in 1957 and...
The alphaproteobacterial order consists of 38 families comprising at least 152 validly published genera as of January 2024. The order was first described in 1957 and underwent important revisions in 2020. However, we show that several inconsistencies in the taxonomy of this order remain and we argue that there is a need for a consistent framework for defining families within the order. We propose a common genome-based framework for defining families within the order , suggesting that families represent monophyletic groups in core-genome phylogenies that share pairwise average amino acid identity values above ~75 % when calculated from a core set of 59 proteins. Applying this framework, we propose the formation of four new families and to reassign the genera , , and into fam. nov., fam. nov., and fam. nov., respectively, and the genera , , , and into fam. nov. We further propose to unify the families , , , and as ; the families and as ; the families and as ; and the families and as . Lastly, we propose to reassign several genera to existing families. Specifically, we propose to reassign the genus to the family ; the genera , , and to the family ; the genus to the emended family ; the genus to the family ; and the genus to the family . Our data also support the recent proposal to reassign the genus to the family .
Topics: Humans; Phylogeny; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Fatty Acids; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; DNA, Bacterial; Base Composition; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Alphaproteobacteria; Beijerinckiaceae
PubMed: 38619983
DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006328 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science May 2024Hippoboscid flies are bloodsucking arthropods that can transmit pathogenic microorganisms and are therefore potential vectors for pathogens such as Bartonella spp. These...
Detection of Bartonella schoenbuchensis (sub)species DNA in different louse fly species in Saxony, Germany: The proof of multiple PCR analysis necessity in case of ruminant-associated bartonellae determination.
BACKGROUND
Hippoboscid flies are bloodsucking arthropods that can transmit pathogenic microorganisms and are therefore potential vectors for pathogens such as Bartonella spp. These Gram-negative bacteria can cause mild-to-severe clinical signs in humans and animals; therefore, monitoring Bartonella spp. prevalence in louse fly populations appears to be a useful prerequisite for zoonotic risk assessment.
METHODS
Using convenience sampling, we collected 103 adult louse flies from four ked species (Lipoptena cervi, n = 22; Lipoptena fortisetosa, n = 61; Melophagus ovinus, n = 12; Hippobosca equina, n = 8) and the pupae of M. ovinus (n = 10) in the federal state of Saxony, Germany. All the samples were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Bartonella spp. DNA, targeting the citrate synthase gene (gltA). Subsequently, PCRs targeting five more genes (16S, ftsZ, nuoG, ribC and rpoB) were performed for representatives of revealed gltA genotypes, and all the PCR products were sequenced to identify the Bartonella (sub)species accurately.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The overall detection rates for Bartonella spp. were 100.0%, 59.1%, 24.6% and 75.0% in M. ovinus, L. cervi, L. fortisetosa and H. equina, respectively. All the identified bartonellae belong to the Bartonella schoenbuchensis complex. Our data support the proposed reclassification of the (sub)species status of this group, and thus we conclude that several genotypes of B. schoenbuchensis were detected, including Bartonella schoenbuchensis subsp. melophagi and Bartonella schoenbuchensis subsp. schoenbuchensis, both of which have previously validated zoonotic potential. The extensive PCR analysis revealed the necessity of multiple PCR approach for proper identification of the ruminant-associated bartonellae.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Diptera; Phthiraptera; DNA, Bacterial; Bartonella; Ruminants; DNA; Germany; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 38516829
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1417 -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2024Vector-borne infections may underlie some rheumatic diseases, particularly in people with joint effusions. This study aimed to compare serum and synovial fluid... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
UNLABELLED
Vector-borne infections may underlie some rheumatic diseases, particularly in people with joint effusions. This study aimed to compare serum and synovial fluid antibodies to and spp. in patients with rheumatic diseases. This observational, cross-sectional study examined paired synovial fluid and serum specimens collected from 110 patients with joint effusion between October 2017 and January 2022. Testing for antibodies to (using CDC criteria) and spp. two indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assays was performed as part of routine patient care at the Institute for Specialized Medicine (San Diego, CA, USA). There were 30 participants (27%) with positive two-tier serology and 26 participants (24%) with IFA seroreactivity (≥1:256) to and/or . Both IgM and IgG were detected more frequently in synovial fluid than serum: 27% of patients were either IgM or IgG positive in synovial fluid, compared to 15.5% in serum ( = 0.048). Conversely, and antibodies were detected more frequently in serum than synovial fluid; overall only 2% of patients had positive IFA titers in synovial fluid, compared to 24% who had positive IFA titers in serum ( < 0.001). There were no significant associations between or spp. seroreactivity with any of the clinical rheumatological diagnoses. This study provides preliminary support for the importance of synovial fluid antibody testing for documenting exposure to but not for documenting exposure to spp.
IMPORTANCE
This study focuses on diagnostic testing for two common vector-borne diseases in an affected patient population. In it, we provide data showing that antibodies to , but not spp., are more commonly found in synovial fluid than serum of patients with joint effusion. Since Lyme arthritis is a common-and sometimes difficult to diagnose-rheumatic disease, improving diagnostic capabilities is of utmost importance. While our findings are certainly not definitive for changes to practice, they do suggest that synovial fluid could be a useful sample for the clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease, and future prospective studies evaluating this claim are warranted.
Topics: Humans; Bartonella; Borrelia burgdorferi; Synovial Fluid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Lyme Disease; Immunoglobulin G; Antibodies, Bacterial; Immunoglobulin M; Rheumatic Diseases
PubMed: 38483477
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01653-23 -
Comparative Immunology, Microbiology... Apr 2024Climate change is causing many vectors of infectious diseases to expand their geographic distribution as well as the pathogens they transmit are also conditioned by...
Climate change is causing many vectors of infectious diseases to expand their geographic distribution as well as the pathogens they transmit are also conditioned by temperature for their multiplication. Within this context, it is worth highlighting the significant role that fleas can play as vectors of important pathogenic bacteria. For this purpose, our efforts focused on detecting and identifying a total of 9 bacterial genera (Rickettsia sp.; Bartonella sp.; Yersinia sp.; Wolbachia sp., Mycobacterium sp., Leishmania sp., Borrelia sp., Francisella sp. and Coxiella sp.) within fleas isolated from domestic and peridomestic animals in the southwestern region of Spain (Andalusia). Over a 19-months period, we obtained flea samples from dogs, cats and hedgehogs. A total of 812 fleas was collected for this study. Five different species were morphologically identified, including C. felis, C. canis, S. cuniculi, P. irritans, and A. erinacei. Wolbachia sp. was detected in all five species identified in our study which a total prevalence of 86%. Within Rickettsia genus, two different species, R. felis and R. asembonensis were mainly identified in C. felis and A. erinacei, respectively. On the other hand, our results revealed a total of 131 fleas testing positive for the presence of Bartonella sp., representing a prevalence rate of 16% for this genus identifying two species B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae. Lastly, both Y. pestis and L. infantum were detected in DNA of P. irritans and C. felis, respectively isolated from dogs. With these data we update the list of bacterial zoonotic agents found in fleas in Spain, emphasizing the need to continue conducting future experimental studies to assess and confirm the potential vectorial role of certain synanthropic fleas.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Siphonaptera; Spain; Ctenocephalides; Rickettsia felis; Flea Infestations; Bartonella; Rickettsia; Felis
PubMed: 38460359
DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102153 -
Journal of Pediatric Hematology/oncology Apr 2024Patients undergoing therapy for T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia are at risk of infections during their treatment course. Cat scratch disease caused by Bartonella...
Patients undergoing therapy for T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia are at risk of infections during their treatment course. Cat scratch disease caused by Bartonella hensalae can masquerade as leukemic relapse and cause systemic infection. Obtaining a thorough exposure history may aid clinicians in making the diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Cat-Scratch Disease; Bartonella henselae; Lymphadenopathy; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 38447104
DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002844 -
Virulence Dec 2024Gram-negative species are facultative intracellular bacteria that can survive in the harsh intracellular milieu of host cells. They have evolved strategies to evade... (Review)
Review
Gram-negative species are facultative intracellular bacteria that can survive in the harsh intracellular milieu of host cells. They have evolved strategies to evade detection and degradation by the host immune system, which ensures their proliferation in the host. Following infection, alters the initial immunogenic surface-exposed proteins to evade immune recognition via antigen or phase variation. The diverse lipopolysaccharide structures of certain species allow them to escape recognition by the host pattern recognition receptors. Additionally, the survival of mature erythrocytes and their resistance to lysosomal fusion further complicate the immune clearance of this species. Certain species also evade immune attacks by producing biofilms and anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreasing endothelial cell apoptosis. Overall, these factors create a challenging landscape for the host immune system to rapidly and effectively eradicate the species, thereby facilitating the persistence of infections and creating a substantial obstacle for therapeutic interventions. This review focuses on the effects of three human-specific species, particularly their mechanisms of host invasion and immune escape, to gain new perspectives in the development of effective diagnostic tools, prophylactic measures, and treatment options for infections.
Topics: Humans; Bartonella; Immune Evasion; Bartonella Infections; Apoptosis; Biofilms; Membrane Proteins
PubMed: 38443331
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2322961