scholarly journals Modelling evolutionary pathways for commensalism and hypervirulence in Neisseria meningitidis

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Mullally ◽  
August Mikucki ◽  
Michael J. Wise ◽  
Charlene M. Kahler
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Genomic Islands ◽  
Genetic Lineage ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Evolutionary Pathways

Neisseria meningitidis , the meningococcus, resides exclusively in humans and causes invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). The population of N. meningitidis is structured into stable clonal complexes by limited horizontal recombination in this naturally transformable species. N. meningitidis is an opportunistic pathogen, with some clonal complexes, such as cc53, effectively acting as commensal colonizers, while other genetic lineages, such as cc11, are rarely colonizers but are over-represented in IMD and are termed hypervirulent. This study examined theoretical evolutionary pathways for pathogenic and commensal lineages by examining the prevalence of horizontally acquired genomic islands (GIs) and loss-of-function (LOF) mutations. Using a collection of 4850 genomes from the BIGSdb database, we identified 82 GIs in the pan-genome of 11 lineages (10 hypervirulent and one commensal lineage). A new computational tool, Phaser, was used to identify frameshift mutations, which were examined for statistically significant association with genetic lineage. Phaser identified a total of 144 frameshift loci of which 105 were shown to have a statistically significant non-random distribution in phase status. The 82 GIs, but not the LOF loci, were associated with genetic lineage and invasiveness using the disease carriage ratio metric. These observations have been integrated into a new model that infers the early events of the evolution of the human adapted meningococcus. These pathways are enriched for GIs that are involved in modulating attachment to the host, growth rate, iron uptake and toxin expression which are proposed to increase competition within the meningococcal population for the limited environmental niche of the human nasopharynx. We surmise that competition for the host mucosal surface with the nasopharyngeal microbiome has led to the selection of isolates with traits that enable access to cell types (non-phagocytic and phagocytic) in the submucosal tissues leading to an increased risk for IMD.

scholarly journals Transmission, adaptation and geographical spread of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Liverpool epidemic strain

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew P. Moore ◽  
Iain L. Lamont ◽  
David Williams ◽  
Steve Paterson ◽  
Irena Kukavica-Ibrulj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Genomic Islands ◽  
Epidemic Strain ◽  
Clonal Lineage ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Genome Database ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
The Uk

The Liverpool epidemic strain (LES) is an important transmissible clonal lineage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that chronically infects the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Previous studies have focused on the genomics of the LES in a limited number of isolates, mostly from one CF centre in the UK, and from studies highlighting identification of the LES in Canada. Here we significantly extend the current LES genome database by genome sequencing 91 isolates from multiple CF centres across the UK, and we describe the comparative genomics of this large collection of LES isolates from the UK and Canada. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the 145 LES genomes analysed formed a distinct clonal lineage when compared with the wider P. aeruginosa population. Notably, the isolates formed two clades: one associated with isolates from Canada, and the other associated with UK isolates. Further analysis of the UK LES isolates revealed clustering by clinic geography. Where isolates clustered closely together, the association was often supported by clinical data linking isolates or patients. When compared with the earliest known isolate, LESB58 (from 1988), many UK LES isolates shared common loss-of-function mutations, such as in genes gltR and fleR. Other loss-of-function mutations identified in previous studies as common adaptations during CF chronic lung infections were also identified in multiple LES isolates. Analysis of the LES accessory genome (including genomic islands and prophages) revealed variations in the carriage of large genomic regions, with some evidence for shared genomic island/prophage complement according to clinic location. Our study reveals divergence and adaptation during the spread of the LES, within the UK and between continents.

scholarly journals Early life bacterial airway colonization, local immune mediator response and risk of otitis media

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 1124-1131
Author(s):  
Emil Dalgaard Christensen ◽  
Jonathan Thorsen ◽  
Jakob Stokholm ◽  
Tine Marie Pedersen ◽  
Susanne Brix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Otitis Media ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Acute Otitis Media ◽  
Immune Mediator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Airway Colonization

Introduction. Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common bacterial infection in early childhood, but the underlying mechanisms making some children more susceptible are poorly understood. Aim. To examine the associations between bacterial airway colonization in early life and the risk of AOM and tympanostomy tube insertion (TTI), and whether such associations are modulated by an insufficient local immune mediator response to bacterial colonization. Methodology. Bacterial cultures from hypopharyngeal samples were obtained at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months of age in the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood 2010 (COPSAC2010) cohort comprising 700 children. Twenty immune mediators were quantified from airway mucosal lining fluid sampled at 1 month. AOM symptoms were registered in a daily diary until 3 years. Information on TTI in the first 3 years was obtained from national registers. Results. Children colonized with Streptococcus pneumoniae at 1 month of age had increased incidence of AOM [aIRR 2.43 (1.14–5.21)] and children colonized with Moraxella catarrhalis at 1 month or Haemophilus influenzae at 3 months had an increased risk of TTI [aHR 1.45 (1.00–2.10) and 1.73 (1.10–2.71)]. There were no associations between the local immune mediator response to colonization and risk of AOM or TTI. Conclusion. Pathogenic bacterial airway colonization in early life was found to be associated with an increased risk of otitis media, albeit not consistently. These associations were independent of the local immune response to colonization.

scholarly journals Co-existence of multiple distinct lineages in Vibrio parahaemolyticus serotype O4:K12

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Hongyou Chen ◽  
Xavier Didelot ◽  
Zhenpeng Li ◽  
Yinghui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Analysis ◽  
Vibrio Parahaemolyticus ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Genomic Islands ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pan Genome ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Gene Segregation ◽  
Strain Collection ◽  
The Usa

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is an important cause of foodborne gastroenteritis globally. Thermostable direct haemolysin (TDH) and the TDH-related haemolysin are the two key virulence factors in V. parahaemolyticus. Vibrio pathogenicity islands harbour the genes encoding these two haemolysins. The serotyping of V. parahaemolyticus is based on the combination of O and K antigens. Frequent recombination has been observed in V. parahaemolyticus , including in the genomic regions encoding the O and K antigens. V. parahaemolyticus serotype O4:K12 has caused gastroenteritis outbreaks in the USA and Spain. Recently, outbreaks caused by this serotype of V. parahaemolyticus have been reported in China. However, the relationships among this serotype of V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated in different regions have not been addressed. Here, we investigated the genome variation of the V. parahaemolyticus serotype O4:K12 using the whole-genome sequences of 29 isolates. We determined five distinct lineages in this strain collection. We observed frequent recombination among different lineages. In contrast, little recombination was observed within each individual lineage. We showed that the lineage of this serotype of V. parahaemolyticus isolated in America was different from those isolated in Asia and identified genes that exclusively existed in the strains isolated in America. Pan-genome analysis showed that strain-specific and cluster-specific genes were mostly located in the genomic islands. Pan-genome analysis also showed that the vast majority of the accessory genes in the O4:K12 serotype of V. parahaemolyticus were acquired from within the genus Vibrio . Hence, we have shown that multiple distinct lineages exist in V. parahaemolyticus serotype O4:K12 and have provided more evidence about the gene segregation found in V. parahaemolyticus isolated in different continents.

scholarly journals Emergence of ciprofloxacin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis B from asymptomatic carriers during an outbreak in Peru, 2017

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Juscamayta-López ◽  
Faviola Valdivia ◽  
Sara Morales ◽  
Luis Fernando Donaires ◽  
Victor Fiestas-Solórzano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Whole Genome Sequence ◽  
Fluoroquinolone Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Asymptomatic Carriers ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Ciprofloxacin Resistance ◽  
The Uk

Asymptomatic carriers are a likely source of transmission of Neisseria meningitidis to close contacts who are placed at a higher risk for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Although N. meningitidis ciprofloxacin-resistance is rare, there have been an increase in the reports of resistant isolates mainly in patients diagnosed with IMD, and little is known about the N. meningitidis ciprofloxacin-resistance in the carrier populations. We performed a pharyngeal carriage study during a 2017 military setting outbreak in Peru, caused by a ciprofloxacin-resistant N. meningitidis B. The isolates analysed came from two hospitalized cases and six asymptomatic carriers. Whole-genome sequence-based analysis was performed and showed that strains carrying the Thr91Ile mutation, in the gene encoding for subunit A of DNA gyrase (gyrA), were responsible for the fluoroquinolone resistance (MICs ≥0.256 µg ml−1) and were closely related to highly virulent strains from France, Norway and the UK. Phylogenetic analysis of the gyrA gene revealed that likely these Peruvian isolates acquired resistance through horizontal gene transfer from Neisseria lactamica . Our study provides evidence for the emergence and propagation of ciprofloxacin-resistant N. meningitidis B from asymptomatic carriers, and recommends the introduction of serogroup B vaccines for high-risk populations.

scholarly journals Comparative genome analyses of Mycobacteroides immunogenum reveals two potential novel subspecies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siew Woh Choo ◽  
Shusruto Rishik ◽  
Wei Yee Wee
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Genomic Structure ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Genomic Islands ◽  
Comparative Genome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Defence Genes ◽  
Genome Analyses

Mycobacteroides immunogenum is an emerging opportunistic pathogen implicated in nosocomial infections. Comparative genome analyses may provide better insights into its genomic structure, functions and evolution. The present analysis showed that M. immunogenum has an open pan-genome. Approximately 36.8% of putative virulence genes were identified in the accessory regions of M. immunogenum . Phylogenetic analyses revealed two potential novel subspecies of M. immunogenum , supported by evidence from ANIb (average nucleotide identity using blast) and GGDC (Genome to Genome Distance Calculator) analyses. We identified 74 genomic islands (GIs) in Subspecies 1 and 23 GIs in Subspecies 2. All Subspecies 2-harboured GIs were not found in Subspecies 1, indicating that they might have been acquired by Subspecies 2 after their divergence. Subspecies 2 has more defence genes than Subspecies 1, suggesting that it might be more resistant to the insertion of foreign DNA and probably explaining why Subspecies 2 has fewer GIs. Positive selection analysis suggest that M. immunogenum has a lower selection pressure compared to non-pathogenic mycobacteria. Thirteen genes were positively selected and many were involved in virulence.

scholarly journals Delving into defence: identifying the Pseudomonas protegens Pf-5 gene suite involved in defence against secreted products of fungal, oomycete and bacterial rhizosphere competitors

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silas H. W. Vick ◽  
Belinda K. Fabian ◽  
Catherine J. Dawson ◽  
Christie Foster ◽  
Amy Asher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Streptomyces Griseus ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria ◽  
Nucleotide Metabolism ◽  
Gaeumannomyces Graminis ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Competitive Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type

Competitive behaviours of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are integral to their ability to colonize and persist on plant roots and outcompete phytopathogenic fungi, oomycetes and bacteria. PGPR engage in a range of antagonistic behaviours that have been studied in detail, such as the production and secretion of compounds inhibitory to other microbes. In contrast, their defensive activities that enable them to tolerate exposure to inhibitory compounds produced by their neighbours are less well understood. In this study, the genes involved in the Pseudomonas protegens Pf-5 response to metabolites from eight diverse rhizosphere competitor organisms, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, Pythium spinosum, Bacillus subtilis QST713, Pseudomonas sp. Q2-87, Streptomyces griseus and Streptomyces bikiniensis subspecies bikiniensi, were examined. Proximity induced excreted metabolite responses were confirmed for Pf-5 with all partner organisms through HPLC before culturing a dense Pf-5 transposon mutant library adjacent to each of these microbes. This was followed by transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS), which identified genes that influence Pf-5 fitness during these competitive interactions. A set of 148 genes was identified that were associated with increased fitness during competition, including cell surface modification, electron transport, nucleotide metabolism, as well as regulatory genes. In addition, 51 genes were identified for which loss of function resulted in fitness gains during competition. These included genes involved in flagella biosynthesis and cell division. Considerable overlap was observed in the set of genes observed to provide a fitness benefit during competition with all eight test organisms, indicating commonalities in the competitive response to phylogenetically diverse micro-organisms and providing new insight into competitive processes likely to take place in the rhizosphere.

scholarly journals Genomic rearrangements uncovered by genome-wide co-evolution analysis of a major nosocomial pathogen, Enterococcus faecium

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janetta Top ◽  
Sergio Arredondo-Alonso ◽  
Anita C. Schürch ◽  
Santeri Puranen ◽  
Maiju Pesonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecium ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Genomic Islands ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Genomic Rearrangements ◽  
Nosocomial Pathogen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Genome Wide

Enterococcus faecium is a gut commensal of the gastro-digestive tract, but also known as nosocomial pathogen among hospitalized patients. Population genetics based on whole-genome sequencing has revealed that E. faecium strains from hospitalized patients form a distinct clade, designated clade A1, and that plasmids are major contributors to the emergence of nosocomial E. faecium . Here we further explored the adaptive evolution of E. faecium using a genome-wide co-evolution study (GWES) to identify co-evolving single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We identified three genomic regions harbouring large numbers of SNPs in tight linkage that are not proximal to each other based on the completely assembled chromosome of the clade A1 reference hospital isolate AUS0004. Close examination of these regions revealed that they are located at the borders of four different types of large-scale genomic rearrangements, insertion sites of two different genomic islands and an IS30-like transposon. In non-clade A1 isolates, these regions are adjacent to each other and they lack the insertions of the genomic islands and IS30-like transposon. Additionally, among the clade A1 isolates there is one group of pet isolates lacking the genomic rearrangement and insertion of the genomic islands, suggesting a distinct evolutionary trajectory. In silico analysis of the biological functions of the genes encoded in three regions revealed a common link to a stress response. This suggests that these rearrangements may reflect adaptation to the stringent conditions in the hospital environment, such as antibiotics and detergents, to which bacteria are exposed. In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first study using GWES to identify genomic rearrangements, suggesting that there is considerable untapped potential to unravel hidden evolutionary signals from population genomic data.

scholarly journals Faecalicoccus acidiformans gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the chicken caecum, and reclassification of Streptococcus pleomorphus (Barnes et al. 1977), Eubacterium biforme (Eggerth 1935) and Eubacterium cylindroides (Cato et al. 1974) as Faecalicoccus pleomorphus comb. nov., Holdemanella biformis gen. nov., comb. nov. and Faecalitalea cylindroides gen. nov., comb. nov., respectively, within the family Erysipelotrichaceae

2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (Pt_11) ◽  
pp. 3877-3884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celine De Maesschalck ◽  
Filip Van Immerseel ◽  
Venessa Eeckhaut ◽  
Siegrid De Baere ◽  
Margo Cnockaert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Gene Sequence ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequence ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type

Strains LMG 27428T and LMG 27427 were isolated from the caecal content of a chicken and produced butyric, lactic and formic acids as major metabolic end products. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains LMG 27428T and LMG 27427 were 40.4 and 38.8 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, both strains were most closely related to the generically misclassified Streptococcus pleomorphus ATCC 29734T. Strain LMG 27428T could be distinguished from S. pleomorphus ATCC 29734T based on production of more lactic acid and less formic acid in M2GSC medium, a higher DNA G+C content and the absence of activities of acid phosphatase and leucine, arginine, leucyl glycine, pyroglutamic acid, glycine and histidine arylamidases, while strain LMG 27428 was biochemically indistinguishable from S. pleomorphus ATCC 29734T. The novel genus Faecalicoccus gen. nov. within the family Erysipelotrichaceae is proposed to accommodate strains LMG 27428T and LMG 27427. Strain LMG 27428T ( = DSM 26963T) is the type strain of Faecalicoccus acidiformans sp. nov., and strain LMG 27427 ( = DSM 26962) is a strain of Faecalicoccus pleomorphus comb. nov. (type strain LMG 17756T = ATCC 29734T = DSM 20574T). Furthermore, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of the genus Faecalicoccus are the generically misclassified Eubacterium cylindroides DSM 3983T (94.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to strain LMG 27428T) and Eubacterium biforme DSM 3989T (92.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to strain LMG 27428T). We present genotypic and phenotypic data that allow the differentiation of each of these taxa and propose to reclassify these generically misnamed species of the genus Eubacterium formally as Faecalitalea cylindroides gen. nov., comb. nov. and Holdemanella biformis gen. nov., comb. nov., respectively. The type strain of Faecalitalea cylindroides is DSM 3983T = ATCC 27803T = JCM 10261T and that of Holdemanella biformis is DSM 3989T = ATCC 27806T = CCUG 28091T.

scholarly journals Pseudoseohaeicola caenipelagi gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (Pt_6) ◽  
pp. 1819-1824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sooyeon Park ◽  
Ji-Min Park ◽  
Chul-Hyung Kang ◽  
Song-Gun Kim ◽  
Jung-Hoon Yoon
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Tidal Flat ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic and pleomorphic bacterium, designated BS-W13T, was isolated from a tidal flat on the South Sea, South Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain BS-W13T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 1.0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BS-W13T clustered with the type strain of Seohaeicola saemankumensis , showing the highest sequence similarity (95.96 %) to this strain. Strain BS-W13T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.95, 95.91, 95.72 and 95.68 % to the type strains of Sulfitobacter donghicola , Sulfitobacter porphyrae , Sulfitobacter mediterraneus and Roseobacter litoralis , respectively. Strain BS-W13T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acid. The polar lipid profile of strain BS-W13T, containing phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid as major components, was distinguishable from those of some phylogenetically related taxa. The DNA G+C content of strain BS-W13T was 58.1 mol%. The phylogenetic data and differential chemotaxonomic and other phenotypic properties revealed that strain BS-W13T constitutes a novel genus and species within family Rhodobacteraceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria , for which the name Pseudoseohaeicola caenipelagi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BS-W13T ( = KCTC 42349T = CECT 8724T).

Litorilinea aerophila gen. nov., sp. nov., an aerobic member of the class Caldilineae , phylum Chloroflexi , isolated from an intertidal hot spring

2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (Pt_3) ◽  
pp. 1149-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varsha Kale ◽  
Snædís H. Björnsdóttir ◽  
Ólafur H. Friðjónsson ◽  
Sólveig K. Pétursdóttir ◽  
Sesselja Ómarsdóttir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phenotypic Differences ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Fermentative Growth ◽  
Distinct Lineage ◽  
Ph Range

A thermophilic, aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, filamentous bacterium, strain PRI-4131T, was isolated from an intertidal hot spring in Isafjardardjup, NW Iceland. The strain grew chemo-organotrophically on various carbohydrates. The temperature range for growth was 40–65 °C (optimum 55 °C), the pH range was pH 6.5–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and the NaCl range was 0–3 % (w/v) (optimum 0.5 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain PRI-4131T represented a distinct lineage within the class Caldilineae of the phylum Chloroflexi. The highest levels of sequence similarity, about 91 %, were with Caldilinea aerophila STL-6-O1T and Caldilinea tarbellica D1-25-10-4T. Fermentative growth was not observed for strain PRI-4131T, which, in addition to other characteristics, distinguished it from the two Caldilinea species. Owing to both phylogenetic and phenotypic differences from the described members of the class Caldilineae , we propose to accommodate strain PRI-4131T in a novel species in a new genus, Litorilinea aerophila gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Litorilinea aerophila is PRI-4131T ( = DSM 25763T  = ATCC BAA-2444T).

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