Population structure of rumen Escherichia coli associated with subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in dairy cattle

Previous studies indicated that only subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), induced by feeding a high-grain diet, is associated with an inflammatory response and increased abundance of Escherichia coli in the rumen. We hypothesized that ruminal E. coli in grain pellet-induced SARA carried virulence factors that potentially contribute to the immune activation during SARA. One hundred twenty-nine E. coli isolates were cultured from the rumens of 8 cows (4 animals per treatment) in which SARA had been nutritionally induced by feeding a high-grain diet (GPI-SARA) or a diet containing alfalfa pellets (API-SARA). The population structure of the E. coli was evaluated with the ABD genotyping system and repetitive sequence-based (rep)-PCR fingerprinting. Twenty-five virulence factors were evaluated with PCR. Escherichia coli numbers were higher in the GPI-SARA treatment than in the API-SARA treatment. The genetic structure of the E. coli was significantly different between SARA challenge models. Isolates from GPI-control (46%), API-control (70%), and API-SARA (53%) were closely related and fell into one cluster, whereas isolates from GPI-SARA (54%) grouped separately. The ABD typing indicated a shift from an A-type E. coli population to a B1-type population only due to GPI-SARA. Of the 25 virulence factors tested, curli fiber genes were highly associated with GPI. Curli fibers were first identified in E. coli mastitis isolates and are potent virulence factors that induce a range of immune responses. Results suggest that under low rumen pH conditions induced by a grain diet, there is a burst in the number of E. coli with virulence genes that can take advantage of these rumen conditions to trigger an inflammatory response.     

Virulence profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from 2 large dairy farms in China

We recently reported on the diversity of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from dairy herds in China. In our previous work, isolates from subclinical mastitis (SCM) had lower indices of diversity when compared with bacteria from other sources, possibly due to a contagious-like spread of udder adapted strains. Here we explored the virulence profile and capsular types of K. pneumoniae isolated from different sources on 2 dairy farms in China. Our overarching goal was to gain insights on the role of virulence genes toward the severity of mastitis caused by K. pneumoniae. A total of 1,484 samples were collected from clinical mastitis (CM; n = 355), SCM (n = 561), bulk tank milk (BTM; n = 130), and environmental and extramammary (EE) sites (n = 438). From those, 431 K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained, including 129, 77, 66, and 159 isolates from CM, SCM, BTM, and EE samples, respectively. Polymerase chain reactions were used to determine the capsular types and to detect potential virulence genes in all isolates. No significant farm effects were observed when comparing the distribution of most virulence genes in K. pneumoniae isolated from each source. K57 was the most prevalent capsular type in K. pneumoniae from all sources, but with increased detection rate in isolates from CM. entB, kfu, fimH1, mrkD, and β-d-lacZ were frequently detected in K. pneumoniae from all sources. β-d-lacZ, entB, and ituA were more prevalent in isolates from CM, whereas kfu, allS, and nif were more frequently detected in isolates from SCM. ybtS, aerobactin, and rpmA had increased prevalence in K. pneumoniae from BTM when compared with bacteria from other sources. No association was detected between virulence genes and the severity of CM. K57 and the nif gene had the highest discriminatory power to classify isolates from CM and SCM, respectively. Based on our findings, it is likely that K57 is the dominant capsular type in K. pneumoniae causing CM in large Chinese dairy herds. Likewise, we demonstrated that β-d-lacZ is disseminated in K. pneumoniae isolated from large Chinese dairy farms, irrespectively of the source of bacteria. Our results also suggest a low contribution of the virulence profile of K. pneumoniae toward CM severity. Finally, the role of nif in increasing the adaptability to the udder and promoting a contagious-like spread of K. pneumoniae warrants further investigation.     

Pore-forming toxins of foodborne pathogens

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are water-soluble molecules that have been identified as the most crucial virulence factors during bacterial pathogenesis. PFTs disrupt the host cell membrane to internalize or to deliver other bacterial or virulence factors for establishing infections. Disruption of the host cell membrane by PFTs can lead to uncontrollable exchanges between the extracellular and the intracellular matrix, thereby disturbing the cellular homeostasis. Recent studies have provided insights into the molecular mechanism of PFTs during pathogenesis. Evidence also suggests the activation of several signal transduction pathways in the host cell on recognition of PFTs. Additionally, numerous distinctive host defense mechanisms as well as membrane repair mechanisms have been reported; however, studies reveal that PFTs aid in host immune evasion of the bacteria through numerous pathways. PFTs have been primarily associated with foodborne pathogens. Infection and death from diseases by consuming contaminated food are a constant threat to public health worldwide, affecting socioeconomic development. Moreover, the emergence of new foodborne pathogens has led to the rise of bacterial antimicrobial resistance affecting the population. Hence, this review focuses on the role of PFTs secreted by foodborne pathogens. The review highlights the molecular mechanism of foodborne bacterial PFTs, assisting bacterial survival from the host immune responses and understanding the downstream mechanism in the activation of various signaling pathways in the host upon PFT recognition. PFT research is a remarkable and an important field for exploring novel and broad applications of antimicrobial compounds as therapeutics.     

Small Molecule Inhibitors of AI-2 Signaling in Bacteria: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives for Anti-Quorum Sensing Agents

Bacteria respond to different small molecules that are produced by other neighboring bacteria. These molecules, called autoinducers, are classified as intraspecies (i.e., molecules produced and perceived by the same bacterial species) or interspecies (molecules that are produced and sensed between different bacterial species). AI-2 has been proposed as an interspecies autoinducer and has been shown to regulate different bacterial physiology as well as affect virulence factor production and biofilm formation in some bacteria, including bacteria of clinical relevance. Several groups have embarked on the development of small molecules that could be used to perturb AI-2 signaling in bacteria, with the ultimate goal that these molecules could be used to inhibit bacterial virulence and biofilm formation. Additionally, these molecules have the potential to be used in synthetic biology applications whereby these small molecules are used as inputs to switch on and off AI-2 receptors. In this review, we highlight the state-of-the-art in the development of small molecules that perturb AI-2 signaling in bacteria and offer our perspective on the future development and applications of these classes of molecules.     

Long‐term oropharyngeal colonization by C. albicans in children with cystic fibrosis

This longitudinal prospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of oropharyngeal colonization by C. albicans in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), and observe the continuity of candidal colonization and the changes in production of virulence factors, susceptibility to antifungal agents and RAPD patterns of the isolates. Thirty‐seven children with CF were followed‐up for oropharyngeal C. albicans colonization for 18 months. The colonization rate was detected in 54%. All isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, but those isolated from one patient were resistant to fluconazole. Biofilm production, secretory acid proteinase, phospholipase and esterase activity rates were 30%, 60%, 75% and 80%, respectively. RAPD analysis with the primers OPE‐03 and OPE‐18 was performed for genotyping. RAPD patterns of the strains isolated from the same patient were related to each other, whereas they were not related with other strains isolated from different patients. Two C. albicans strains isolated from the same patient were found to be unrelated to one another. As a result, long‐lasting colonization of the oropharyngeal mucosa of children with CF by endogenous C. albicans isolates having the same RAPD pattern was demonstrated. Colonization prevalance and development of resistance to antifungal agents and the increased production of virulence factors were not correlated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comprehensive Molecular Dissection of Dermatophilus congolensis Genome and First Observation of tet(Z) Tetracycline Resistance

Dermatophilus congolensis is a bacterial pathogen mostly of ruminant livestock in the tropics/subtropics and certain temperate climate areas. It causes dermatophilosis, a skin disease that threatens food security by lowering animal productivity and compromising animal health and welfare. Since it is a prevalent infection in ruminants, dermatophilosis warrants more research. There is limited understanding of its pathogenicity, and as such, there is no registered vaccine against D. congolensis. To better understanding the genomics of D. congolensis, the primary aim of this work was to investigate this bacterium using whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. D. congolensis is a high GC member of the Actinobacteria and encodes approximately 2527 genes. It has an open pan-genome, contains many potential virulence factors, secondary metabolites and encodes at least 23 housekeeping genes associated with antimicrobial susceptibility mechanisms and some isolates have an acquired antimicrobial resistance gene. Our isolates contain a single CRISPR array Cas type IE with classical 8 Cas genes. Although the isolates originate from the same geographical location there is some genomic diversity among them. In conclusion, we present the first detailed genomic study on D. congolensis, including the first observation of tet(Z), a tetracycline resistance-conferring gene.     

Virulence Factors of Enteric Pathogenic Escherichia coli: A Review

Escherichia coli are remarkably versatile microorganisms and important members of the normal intestinal microbiota of humans and animals. This harmless commensal organism can acquire a mixture of comprehensive mobile genetic elements that contain genes encoding virulence factors, becoming an emerging human pathogen capable of causing a broad spectrum of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Nine definite enteric E. coli pathotypes have been well characterized, causing diseases ranging from various gastrointestinal disorders to urinary tract infections. These pathotypes employ many virulence factors and effectors subverting the functions of host cells to mediate their virulence and pathogenesis. This review summarizes new developments in our understanding of diverse virulence factors associated with encoding genes used by different pathotypes of enteric pathogenic E. coli to cause intestinal and extraintestinal diseases in humans.     

副溶血弧菌的多重PCR检测

副溶血弧菌是一种致病性弧菌,毒力因子主要有不耐热溶血毒素、耐热直接溶血毒素和相对耐热直接溶血毒素三种。本实验根据FDA标准推荐的引物对其进行了检验,发现副溶血弧菌环境分离株中没有耐热直接溶血毒素和相对耐热直接溶血毒素基因,仅有不耐热溶血毒素基因。     

肉制品中致泻大肠埃希菌的分子特征分析

目的 了解国内肉制品中致泻大肠埃希菌（DEC）的流行特征。方法 运用全基因组测序技术对86株DEC进行分子特征分析,明确优势病理类型、序列型和血清型。通过全基因组单核苷酸多态性分析,确定我国肉制品来源DEC菌株之间的系统发育关系。结果 肉制品中致泻大肠埃希菌的病理类型以EAEC为主,86株DEC可分为8种毒力基因型,包括48个ST型（包括6个新ST型）和55个O:H血清型;ST11和CC10为优势序列型和克隆复合体,O157、O15和O6为优势血清群。DEC菌株间表现为高度的遗传异质性,相同病理类型的同源性较低,处在不同的进化分支上。结论 DEC的病理类型与ST型及血清型间未见对应关系,通过对ST型及血清型的监测不能直接对病理类型进行判断,但数量最多的ST型及血清型揭示了DEC的主要危害特征与防控点。可根据全基因组测序结果补充和优化DEC的判定方法,为今后DEC的溯源及流行病学调查提供数据支撑。     

烟台地区食源性疾病中副溶血性弧菌的病原特征及溯源分析

目的了解烟台地区引发食物中毒的副溶血性弧菌分离菌株的主要血清型、抗生素耐药情况、致病力的强弱以及传播流行趋势。方法对2017～2019年11起食物中毒爆发事件中分离的14株副溶血性弧菌进行血清分型;采用微量肉汤稀释法进行药敏试验;采用PCR技术检测毒力基因不耐热溶血素(tld)、耐药直接溶血素(tdh)和溶血相关溶血素(trh);采用脉冲场电泳(pulse-field gel electrophoresis,PFGE)进行分子分型的溯源分析。结果引发烟台地区食物中毒爆发的副溶血性弧菌血清型多样,但以O3:K6型为主(28.6%),分离菌株中11株(78.6%)表现为tdh阳性和trh阴性,3株(21.4%)未携带tdh和trh基因,对头孢唑啉(71.4%)、多粘菌素E(57.1%)、美罗培南和阿莫西林/克拉维酸(7.1%)均出现耐药情况,对氨苄西林(21.4%)、多粘菌素B(14.3%)为中度敏感,耐药谱显示没有出现对3种以上同时耐药的情况,但是42.9%的分离菌株对2种同时耐药情况。结论烟台地区引发食物中毒爆发的副溶血性弧菌以O3:K6型为主,主要携带tdh,对头孢唑啉耐药和多粘菌素耐药普遍存在,具有聚集性爆发的风险,因此加强腹泻病的监测,充分利用国家致病菌识别网集中进行本地区分离菌株的病原特征研究是防控食物中毒爆发的有效手段。