scholarly journals Proteome and Antigen Profiling of Coxiella burnetii Developmental Forms

2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 290-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry A. Coleman ◽  
Elizabeth R. Fischer ◽  
Diane C. Cockrell ◽  
Daniel E. Voth ◽  
Dale Howe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Proteome Analysis ◽  
Large Cell ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Developmental Cycle ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Immunogenic Proteins ◽  
Acute Q Fever ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACT A biphasic developmental cycle whereby highly resistant small-cell variants (SCVs) are generated from large-cell variants (LCVs) is considered fundamental to the virulence of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of human Q fever. In this study a proteome analysis of C. burnetii developmental forms was conducted to provide insight into their unique biological and immunological properties. Silver-stained gels of SCV and LCV lysates separated by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis resolved over 675 proteins in both developmental forms. Forty-eight proteins were greater than twofold more abundant in LCVs than in SCVs, with six proteins greater than twofold more abundant in SCVs than in LCVs. Four and 15 upregulated proteins of SCVs and LCVs, respectively, were identified by mass spectrometry, and their predicted functional roles are consistent with a metabolically active LCV and a structurally resistant SCV. One-dimensional and 2-D immunoblots of cell form lysates probed with sera from infected/vaccinated guinea pigs and convalescent-phase serum from human patients who had recovered from acute Q fever, respectively, revealed both unique SCV/LCV antigens and common SCV/LCV antigens that were often differentially synthesized. Antigens recognized during human infection were identified by mass spectroscopy and included both previously described immunodominant proteins of C. burnetii and novel immunogenic proteins that may be important in the pathophysiology of clinical Q fever and/or the induction of protective immunity.

scholarly journals Increases in the Levels of Coxiella burnetii-Specific Immunoglobulin G1 and G3 Antibodies in Acute Q Fever and Chronic Q Fever

1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 814-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Capo ◽  
Ioana Iorgulescu ◽  
Maryse Mutillod ◽  
Jean-Louis Mege ◽  
Didier Raoult
Keyword(s):  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Chronic Q Fever ◽  
Specific Immunoglobulin ◽  
Acute Q Fever ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACT A detailed analysis of the humoral response to Coxiella burnetii may provide insight into the pathogenesis of Q fever, a zoonosis caused by C. burnetii. The subclasses of C. burnetii-specific antibodies were determined by immunofluorescence in 20 patients with acute Q fever and 20 patients with chronic Q fever. Although immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG3 antibodies were found in acute and chronic Q fever, neither IgG2 nor IgG4 was detected. The detection of IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies was not due to an increase of the IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses. Moreover, IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies were not correlated, suggesting that they may play different roles in Q fever.

Ultrastructural localization of carbohydrate determinants of lipopolysaccharide of coxiella burnetii (Phase I) by monoclonal antibodies

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 374-375
Author(s):  
T. F. Mccaul ◽  
J. C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Picric Acid ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Ultrastructural Localization ◽  
Large Cell ◽  
Developmental Cycle

Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q fever, is an obligate phagolysosomal bacterium and an unorthodox spore former. Morphologically distinct cell types, produced by a developmental cycle, are defined as large cell (LCV) and small cell variants (SCV). Recent study has shown phase I lipopolysaccharide (LPS-I) is differentially expressed among the cell variants. This antigenic variation was investigated further by use of a series of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), directed against LPS-I, and post-embedding immunolabelling techniques. Since these MAbs recognize carbohydrate determinants of LPS-I, the specificity of the labelling was tested by carbohydrate reducing and oxidizing reagents prior to labelling.C. burnetii (9MIC7 strain), which was purified from infected yolk sac material of hen eggs by Renografin gradient centrifugation, was fixed for 3 h in 1.5% glutaraldehyde and 0.2% picric acid in 66mM Na-cacodylate buffer, pH = 6.8; pre-embedded in 2% Difco Nobel agar; and then rinsed once (15 min) in the same buffer.

scholarly journals Bacteriostatic and Bactericidal Activities of Tigecycline against Coxiella burnetii and Comparison with Those of Six Other Antibiotics

2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 2690-2692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioanna Spyridaki ◽  
Anna Psaroulaki ◽  
Iosif Vranakis ◽  
Yannis Tselentis ◽  
Achilleas Gikas
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
In Vitro Susceptibility ◽  
Shell Vial ◽  
Bactericidal Activities ◽  
Acute Q Fever ◽  
Reference Strains ◽  
Shell Vial Assay

ABSTRACT The present article is a study of the in vitro susceptibility of eight Greek Coxiella burnetii isolates, derived from patients with acute Q fever, and two reference strains of Coxiella burnetii to tigecycline. The bacteriostatic activity of tigecycline was compared with those of six other antibiotics using a shell vial assay. The MICs of the examined antibiotics were as follows: tigecycline ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 μg/ml; doxycycline, trovafloxacin, and ofloxacin ranged from 1 to 2 μg/ml; linezolid and clarithromycin ranged from 2 to 4 μg/ml; and ciprofloxacin ranged from 4 to 8 μg/ml. Tigecycline was effective in inhibiting the infection of Vero cells by C. burnetii. No bactericidal activity was observed against C. burnetii at 4 μg/ml.

scholarly journals Isolation of Coxiella burnetii from serum of patients with acute Q fever

2015 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 74-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma A. Vincent ◽  
Stephen R. Graves ◽  
Jennifer M. Robson ◽  
Chelsea Nguyen ◽  
Hazizul Hussain-Yusuf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Acute Q Fever

scholarly journals Characterization of a Stress-Induced Alternate Sigma Factor, RpoS, of Coxiella burnetii and Its Expression during the Development Cycle

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 4874-4883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rekha Seshadri ◽  
James E. Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Stationary Phases ◽  
Large Cell ◽  
Polyclonal Antiserum ◽  
Developmental Cycle ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Extracellular Environment ◽  
Sigma Factor Rpos

ABSTRACT Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that resides in an acidified phagolysosome and has a remarkable ability to persist in the extracellular environment.C. burnetii has evolved a developmental cycle that includes at least two morphologic forms, designated large cell variants (LCV) and small cell variants (SCV). Based on differential protein expression, distinct ultrastructures, and different metabolic activities, we speculated that LCV and SCV are similar to typical logarithmic- and stationary-phase growth stages. We hypothesized that the alternate sigma factor, RpoS, a global regulator of genes expressed under stationary-phase, starvation, and stress conditions in many bacteria, regulates differential expression in life cycle variants of C. burnetii. To test this hypothesis, we cloned and characterized the major sigma factor, encoded by an rpoD homologue, and the stress response sigma factor, encoded by an rpoS homologue. TherpoS gene was cloned by complementation of anEscherichia coli rpoS null mutant containing an RpoS-dependent lacZ fusion (osmY::lacZ). Expression ofC. burnetii rpoS was regulated by growth phase inE. coli (induced upon entry into stationary phase). A glutathione S-transferase–RpoS fusion protein was used to develop polyclonal antiserum against C. burnetii RpoS. Western blot analysis detected abundant RpoS in LCV but not in SCV. These results suggest that LCV and SCV are not comparable to logarithmic and stationary phases of growth and may represent a novel adaptation for survival in both the phagolysosome and the extracellular environment.

scholarly journals Phylogeography of Human and Animal Coxiella burnetii Strains: Genetic Fingerprinting of Q Fever in Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Tomaiuolo ◽  
Samira Boarbi ◽  
Tiziano Fancello ◽  
Patrick Michel ◽  
Damien Desqueper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeat ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Apparent Prevalence ◽  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
Contamination Routes

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are the primary source for human infection, and the identification of likely contamination routes from the reservoir animals the critical point to implement control programs. This study shows that Q fever is detected in Belgium in abortion of cattle, goat and sheep at a different degree of apparent prevalence (1.93%, 9.19%, and 5.50%, respectively). In addition, and for the first time, it is detected in abortion of alpaca (Vicugna pacos), raising questions on the role of these animals as reservoirs. To determine the relationship between animal and human strains, Multiple Locus Variable-number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) (n=146), Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) (n=92) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) (n=4) methods were used to characterize samples/strains during 2009-2019. Three MLVA clusters (A, B, C) subdivided in 23 subclusters (A1-A12, B1-B8, C1-C3) and 3 SNP types (SNP1, SNP2, SNP6) were identified. The SNP2 type/MLVA cluster A was the most abundant and dispersed genotype over the entire territory, but it seemed not responsible for human cases, as it was only present in animal samples. The SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C clusters were mostly found in small ruminant and human samples, with the rare possibility of spillovers in cattle. SNP1/MLVA B cluster was present in all Belgian areas, while the SNP6/MLVA C cluster appeared more concentrated in the Western provinces. A broad analysis of European MLVA profiles confirmed the host-species distribution described for Belgian samples. In silico genotyping (WGS) further identified the spacer types and the genomic groups of C. burnetii Belgian strains: cattle and goat SNP2/MLVA A isolates belonged to ST61 and genomic group III, while the goat SNP1/MLVA B strain was classified as ST33 and genomic group II. In conclusion, Q fever is widespread in all Belgian domestic ruminants and in alpaca. We determined that the public health risk in Belgium is likely linked to specific genomic groups (SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C) mostly found in small ruminant strains. Considering the concordance between Belgian and European results, these considerations could be extended to other European countries.

scholarly journals Serological survey of Coxiella burnetii infections in dairy cattle, sheep, goats and zoo animals in Hungary – Short communication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Dobos ◽  
István Fodor ◽  
Gerda Kiss ◽  
Miklós Gyuranecz
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Ruminant Species ◽  
Zoo Animals

AbstractQ fever is a disease of high zoonotic potential, but interest in its causative agent is rather low although it causes some public health problems in Hungary. The prevalence of Q fever is highly variable by country. The main reservoirs of the disease are the same domestic ruminant species everywhere, but the epidemiological profile depends on the features of the specific reservoir. The aim of this large-scale study was to demonstrate the importance of Q fever in different species as a possible source for human infection in most regions of Hungary. A total of 851 serum samples from 44 dairy farms, 16 sheep flocks, 4 goat farms and 3 zoos located in different parts of Hungary were tested. The presence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii was surveyed in dairy cattle (n = 547), goats (n = 71), sheep (n = 200) and zoo animals (n = 33). The animal species tested in Hungary showed different seroprevalence values of C. burnetii infection. Seropositivity by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found in 258 out of 547 (47.2%) cows and in 69 out of 271 (25.5%) small ruminants, among them in 47 out of 200 (23.5%) sheep and in 22 out of 71 (31.0%) goats. Antibodies to C. burnetii were not detected in zoo animals. Seropositivity was demonstrated in 44 out of 44 (100%) dairy cattle farms, with at least one serum sample found to be positive on each farm. The seropositivity rate of small ruminant farms was 55.0% (11 positive out of 20 tested), with 9 out of 16 (56.3%) sheep flocks and 2 out of 4 (50.0%) goat herds showing seropositivity.

A One Health Perspective on Q Fever

2019 ◽  
pp. 174-194
Author(s):  
Rita Cruz ◽  
Carmen Vasconcelos-Nobrega ◽  
Fernando Esteves ◽  
Catarina Coelho ◽  
Ana Sofia Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
One Health ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Veterinary Public Health ◽  
Human Infections

Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii and ruminants, namely, cattle, sheep, and goats, are known to be the main reservoir for human infection. C. burnetii infection in animals can result in epizootic abortions which are often associated with vast bacteria shedding in birth fluids and placentas. Human infections mainly occur in persons handling infected animals and their products. Here the authors describe the history, bacteriology, biosafety, and epidemiology of Q fever, now known to be a serious threat to veterinary public health.

Acute Q fever in third trimester pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. e242558
Author(s):  
Maxwell Braddick ◽  
Marion L Woods ◽  
Suji Prabhaharan
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Drug Intolerance ◽  
Trimester Pregnancy ◽  
Acute Q Fever ◽  
In Pregnancy

A 29-year-old gravida 2 para 1 woman presented at 29 weeks gestation with fevers, back pain, thrombocytopenia and hepatitis. PCR testing of blood samples detected Coxiella burnetii and paired serology later confirmed the diagnosis of acute Q fever in pregnancy. The patient was treated empirically with oral clarithromycin and experienced a symptomatic and biochemical improvement. Therapy was changed to oral trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole but was complicated by a delayed cutaneous reaction, prompting recommencement of clarithromycin. Therapy continued until delivery of a healthy girl at 39 weeks and 3 days. Q fever in pregnancy is likely under-reported and is associated with the development of chronic infection and obstetric complications. Treatment with clarithromycin is an alternative to trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole in the setting of drug intolerance.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document