UNLABELLED: Lyme disease, caused by spirochetes in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato clade within the Borrelia genus, is transmitted by Ixodes ticks and is currently the most prevalent and rapidly expanding tick-borne disease in Europe and North America. We report complete genome sequences of 47 isolates that encompass all established species in this clade while highlighting the diversity of the widespread human pathogenic species B. burgdorferi. A similar set of plasmids has been maintained throughout Borrelia divergence, indicating that they are a key adaptive feature of this genus. Phylogenetic reconstruction of all sequenced Borrelia genomes revealed the original divergence of Eurasian and North American lineages and subsequent dispersals that introduced B. garinii, B. bavariensis, B. lusitaniae, B. valaisiana, and B. afzelii from East Asia to Europe and B. burgdorferi and B. finlandensis from North America to Europe. Molecular phylogenies of the universally present core replicons (chromosome and cp26 and lp54 plasmids) are highly consistent, revealing a strong clonal structure. Nonetheless, numerous inconsistencies between the genome and gene phylogenies indicate species dispersal, genetic exchanges, and rapid sequence evolution at plasmid-borne loci, including key host-interacting lipoprotein genes. While localized recombination occurs uniformly on the main chromosome at a rate comparable to mutation, lipoprotein-encoding loci are recombination hotspots on the plasmids, suggesting adaptive maintenance of recombinant alleles at loci directly interacting with the host. We conclude that within- and between-species recombination facilitates adaptive sequence evolution of host-interacting lipoprotein loci and contributes to human virulence despite a genome-wide clonal structure of its natural populations. IMPORTANCE: Lyme disease (also called Lyme borreliosis in Europe), a condition caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Borrelia, transmitted by hard-bodied Ixodes ticks, is currently the most prevalent and rapidly expanding tick-borne disease in the United States and Europe. Borrelia interspecies and intraspecies genome comparisons of Lyme disease-related bacteria are essential to reconstruct their evolutionary origins, track epidemiological spread, identify molecular mechanisms of human pathogenicity, and design molecular and ecological approaches to disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These Lyme disease-associated bacteria harbor complex genomes that encode many genes that do not have homologs in other organisms and are distributed across multiple linear and circular plasmids. The functional significance of most of the plasmid-borne genes and the multipartite genome organization itself remains unknown. Here we sequenced, assembled, and analyzed whole genomes of 47 Borrelia isolates from around the world, including multiple isolates of the human pathogenic species. Our analysis elucidates the evolutionary origins, historical migration, and sources of genomic variability of these clinically important pathogens. We have developed web-based software tools (BorreliaBase.org) to facilitate dissemination and continued comparative analysis of Borrelia genomes to identify determinants of human pathogenicity.
- MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi komplex genetika klasifikace MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi genetika klasifikace MeSH
- Borrelia genetika klasifikace MeSH
- fylogeneze * MeSH
- genetická variace MeSH
- genom bakteriální * MeSH
- interakce mikroorganismu a hostitele genetika MeSH
- klíště mikrobiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lipoproteiny * genetika MeSH
- lymeská nemoc * mikrobiologie přenos MeSH
- molekulární evoluce MeSH
- plazmidy genetika MeSH
- rekombinace genetická * MeSH
- sekvenování celého genomu MeSH
- selekce (genetika) * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
- Severní Amerika MeSH
Fosfomycin (FOS) is an effective antibiotic against multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales, but its effectiveness is reducing. Little is known on the current prevalence of FosA enzymes in low-risk pathogens, such as Citrobacter freundii. The aim of the study was the molecular characterization of a carbapenemase- and FosA-producing C. freundii collected in Italy. AK867, collected in 2023, showed an XDR profile, retaining susceptibility only to colistin. AK867 showed a FOS MIC >128 mg/L by ADM. Based on WGS, AK867 belonged to ST116 and owned a wide resistome, including fosA3, blaKPC-2, and blaVIM-1. fosA3 was carried by a conjugative pKPC-CAV1312 plasmid of 320,480 bp, on a novel composite transposon (12,907 bp). FosA3 transposon shared similarities with other fosA3-harboring pKPC-CAV1312 plasmids among Citrobacter spp. We report the first case of FosA3 production in clinical carbapenemase-producing C. freundii ST116. The incidence of FosA3 enzymes is increasing among Enterobacterales, affecting even low-virulence pathogens, as C. freundii.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky * farmakologie MeSH
- bakteriální proteiny * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- beta-laktamasy * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- Citrobacter freundii * genetika enzymologie účinky léků MeSH
- enterobakteriální infekce * mikrobiologie MeSH
- fosfomycin * farmakologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
- mnohočetná bakteriální léková rezistence genetika MeSH
- plazmidy genetika MeSH
- sekvenování celého genomu MeSH
- transpozibilní elementy DNA MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Itálie MeSH
OBJECTIVES: To characterize the genetic basis of azithromycin resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella collected within the EU harmonized antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance programme in 2014-18 and the Danish AMR surveillance programme in 2016-19. METHODS: WGS data of 1007 E. coli [165 azithromycin resistant (MIC > 16 mg/L)] and 269 Salmonella [29 azithromycin resistant (MIC > 16 mg/L)] were screened for acquired macrolide resistance genes and mutations in rplDV, 23S rRNA and acrB genes using ResFinder v4.0, AMRFinder Plus and custom scripts. Genotype-phenotype concordance was determined for all isolates. Transferability of mef(C)-mph(G)-carrying plasmids was assessed by conjugation experiments. RESULTS: mph(A), mph(B), mef(B), erm(B) and mef(C)-mph(G) were detected in E. coli and Salmonella, whereas erm(C), erm(42), ere(A) and mph(E)-msr(E) were detected in E. coli only. The presence of macrolide resistance genes, alone or in combination, was concordant with the azithromycin-resistant phenotype in 69% of isolates. Distinct mph(A) operon structures were observed in azithromycin-susceptible (n = 50) and -resistant (n = 136) isolates. mef(C)-mph(G) were detected in porcine and bovine E. coli and in porcine Salmonella enterica serovar Derby and Salmonella enterica 1,4, [5],12:i:-, flanked downstream by ISCR2 or TnAs1 and associated with IncIγ and IncFII plasmids. CONCLUSIONS: Diverse azithromycin resistance genes were detected in E. coli and Salmonella from food-producing animals and meat in Europe. Azithromycin resistance genes mef(C)-mph(G) and erm(42) appear to be emerging primarily in porcine E. coli isolates. The identification of distinct mph(A) operon structures in susceptible and resistant isolates increases the predictive power of WGS-based methods for in silico detection of azithromycin resistance in Enterobacterales.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky * farmakologie MeSH
- azithromycin * farmakologie MeSH
- bakteriální geny MeSH
- bakteriální léková rezistence * genetika MeSH
- epidemiologické monitorování MeSH
- Escherichia coli * účinky léků genetika MeSH
- genotyp MeSH
- infekce vyvolané Escherichia coli mikrobiologie MeSH
- makrolidy farmakologie MeSH
- maso * mikrobiologie MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti * MeSH
- plazmidy genetika MeSH
- prasata MeSH
- Salmonella * účinky léků genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- sekvenování celého genomu MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
INTRODUCTION: In the battle against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, ceftazidime- avibactam (CZA) stands as a pivotal defense, particularly against carbapenemresistant (CR) Gram-negative pathogens. However, the rise in resistance against this drug poses a significant threat to its effectiveness, highlighting the critical need for in-depth studies about its resistance mechanisms. METHODS: This research focuses on the genomic characterization of CR- and CZA-resistant Escherichia coli (n=26) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=34) strains, harboring the blaNDM and/or blaOXA-48-like genes, at a major Lebanese tertiary care medical center, using whole genome sequencing (WGS). RESULTS: Our findings revealed a notable prevalence of blaNDM in all K. pneumoniae strains isolates, with 27 of these also harboring blaOXA-48. On the other hand, E. coli strains predominantly carried the blaNDM-5 gene. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) identified a predominance of ST383 among K. pneumoniae strains, which possessed a multi-replicon IncFIB-IncHI1B plasmid harboring the blaNDM-5. Additionally, various Inc group plasmids in K. pneumoniae across multiple sequence types were found to carry the blaNDM. Similarly, diverse STs of E. coli were observed to carry blaNDM-5 on different plasmids. DISCUSSION: The study underscores NDM carbapenemases as a paramount resistance mechanism in Lebanon,jeopardizing critical last-resort treatments. It also illuminates the role of varied sequence types and mobile genetic elements in the spread of NDM resistance,stressing the urgent need for strategies to mitigate this threat, especially in nosocomial infections.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky * farmakologie MeSH
- azabicyklické sloučeniny * farmakologie MeSH
- bakteriální proteiny genetika metabolismus MeSH
- beta-laktamasy * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- ceftazidim * farmakologie MeSH
- centra terciární péče MeSH
- Enterobacteriaceae rezistentní na karbapenemy genetika účinky léků izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Escherichia coli * genetika účinky léků MeSH
- fixní kombinace léků * MeSH
- genom bakteriální MeSH
- karbapenemy * farmakologie MeSH
- Klebsiella pneumoniae * genetika účinky léků MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
- mnohočetná bakteriální léková rezistence * genetika MeSH
- plazmidy genetika MeSH
- přenos genů horizontální MeSH
- sekvenování celého genomu * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Libanon MeSH
The problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has become a global issue and a major health challenge that requires continuous studies on how this resistance develops and spreads, and its relationship to resistance to other factors such as heavy metals and biocides. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of antibiotics, heavy metals, and biocides-resistant genes on the chromosomes and plasmids of some Enterobacteria species. The results showed that antibiotics resistant genes (blaCTX, sul 1) were present in all isolates except for Klebsiella pneumoniae chromosome, while for heavy metals resistant genes, czcA detected in all isolates except for K. pneumoniae plasmid, ncc gene was only detected in the chromosome of Escherichia coli O157.H7 and E. coli, and plasmid of E. coli O157.H7. biocides gene (qacE∆1) was present in all isolates except for the E. faecalis chromosome. The current study resulted that the studied resistance genes spread clearly among the types of Enterobacteria, and this reflects the possibility of transmission of these genes among the bacteria present in this habitat.
- MeSH
- antibiotická rezistence genetika MeSH
- dezinficiencia MeSH
- Enterobacteriaceae * genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- genetické techniky přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- léková rezistence * genetika MeSH
- plazmidy genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce metody MeSH
- těžké kovy MeSH
- Publikační typ
- klinická studie MeSH
Phthalic acid isomers are the monomers of phthalate molecules, also known as phthalic acid esters, widely employed in the plastics industry. This study aims to investigate the biodegradation of phthalic acid (PA) and terephthalic acid (TPA) by five industry-borne Comamonas testosteroni strains: 3APTOL, 3ABBK, 2B, 3A1, and C8. To assess the ability of C. testosteroni strains to biodegrade phthalic acid isomers in fermentation media, an analytical method was employed, consisting of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses. Subsequently, molecular screening of the genomic and plasmid DNA was conducted to identify the degradative genes responsible for the breakdown of these chemicals. The genes of interest, including ophA2, tphA2, tphA3, pmdA, and pmdB, were screened by real-time PCR. The five C. testosteroni strains effectively degraded 100% of 100 mg/L PA (p = 0.033) and TPA (p = 0.0114). Molecular analyses indicated that all C. testosteroni strains contained the pertinent genes at different levels within their genomes and plasmids, as reflected in the threshold cycle (Ct) values. Additionally, DNA temperature of melting (Tm) analyses uncovered minor differences between groups of genes in genomic and plasmid DNA. C. testosteroni strains could be excellent candidates for the removal of phthalic acid isomers from environmental systems.
PURPOSE: To assess the safety and feasibility of direct vitrectomy-sparing subretinal injection for gene delivery in a large animal model. METHODS: The experimental Liběchov minipigs were used for subretinal delivery of a plasmid DNA vector (pS/MAR-CMV-copGFP) with cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter (copGFP) and a scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) sequence. The eyes were randomized to subretinal injection of the vector following pars plana vitrectomy (control group) or a direct injection without prior vitrectomy surgery (experimental group). Intra- and post-operative observations up to 30 days after surgery were compared. RESULTS: Six eyes of three mini-pigs underwent surgery for delivery into the subretinal space. Two eyes in the control group were operated with a classical approach (lens-sparing vitrectomy and posterior hyaloid detachment). The other four eyes in the experimental group were injected directly with a subretinal cannula without vitrectomy surgery. No adverse events, such as endophthalmitis, retinal detachment and intraocular pressure elevation were observed post-operatively. The eyes in the experimental group had both shorter surgical time and recovery while achieving the same surgical goal. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates that successful subretinal delivery of gene therapy vectors is achievable using a direct injection without prior vitrectomy surgery.
- MeSH
- genetická terapie * metody MeSH
- genetické vektory * aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- injekce nitrooční MeSH
- miniaturní prasata * MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- pilotní projekty MeSH
- plazmidy aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- prasata MeSH
- retina MeSH
- studie proveditelnosti * MeSH
- technika přenosu genů * MeSH
- vitrektomie * metody MeSH
- zelené fluorescenční proteiny genetika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVE: Here we describe a novel IncFIA plasmid harbouring mcr-10 gene in a clinical Enterobacter ludwigii strain isolated at the University Hospital in Pilsen in the Czech Republic. METHODS: The strain was subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. Whole genome sequencing was performed using Illumina for short-read sequencing and Oxford Nanopore Technologies for long-read sequencing followed by hybrid assembly. The resulting genome was used to detect species using average nucleotide identity, resistance genes, plasmid replicon and MLST (using centre for genomic epidemiology databases; ResFinder, PlasmidFinder and MLST, respectively) and virulence genes using VFDB. RESULTS: Τhe strain showed susceptibility against tetracycline, cefuroxime and chloramphenicol, and it was susceptible to the second and third generation of cephalosporins, carbapenems and colistin. Genome analysis identified the strain as E. ludwigii sequence type ST20 and located the mcr-10 gene on an IncFIA (HI1)/IncFII (Yp) plasmid (pI9455333_MCR10; 129 863 bp). Upon blasting the nucleotide sequence of pI9455333_MCR10 against the NCBI database, no similar plasmid sequence was detected, implying a novel plasmid structure. Nevertheless, it showed a partial similarity with pRHBSTW-00123_3 and FDAARGOS 1432, which were detected in Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) strains in wastewater samples in 2017 in UK and in 2021 in the United States, respectively, and pEC81-mcr, which was detected in a clinical Escherichia coli strain in 2020 in China. Moreover, I9455333cz genome carried virulence genes coding for curli fibers, fimbrial adherence determinants, siderophore aerobactin, iron uptake proteins and regulators of sigma factor. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we identified a novel IncF plasmid harbouring mcr-10 gene in a clinical Enterobacter ludwigii strain. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical report of mcr-10 in the Czech Republic.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky * farmakologie MeSH
- bakteriální proteiny genetika MeSH
- centra terciární péče * MeSH
- Enterobacter * genetika účinky léků izolace a purifikace MeSH
- enterobakteriální infekce * mikrobiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti * MeSH
- mnohočetná bakteriální léková rezistence genetika MeSH
- multilokusová sekvenční typizace MeSH
- plazmidy * genetika MeSH
- sekvenování celého genomu MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius represent the most threatening bacterial diseases of honeybee (Apis mellifera)-American and European foulbrood, respectively. For efficient control of those diseases, rapid and accurate detection of the pathogens is crucial. Therefore, we developed a novel multiplex PCR method simultaneously detecting both pathogens. To design and optimize multiplex PCR reaction, four strains of P. larvae representing four ERIC genotypes I-IV (strain DSM 7030-ERIC I, DSM 25430-ERIC II, LMG 16252-ERIC III, DSM 3615-ERIC IV) were selected. Those strains were fully sequenced using long-read sequencing (Sequel I, Pacific Biosciences). For P. larvae, the multicopy insertion sequence IS256 identified in all genotypes of P. larvae was selected to provide high sensitivity. M. plutonius was detected by plasmid pMP1 sequence and the virulence verified by following detection of ETX/MTX2 toxin responsible for pore formation in the cell membrane. As an internal control, a gene encoding for major royal jelly protein 1 specific for honeybees was selected. The method was validated on 36 clinical specimens collected from the colonies suffering from American and European foulbrood in the Czech Republic. Based on the results, sensitivity of PCR was calculated to 93.75% and specificity to 100% for P. larvae diagnosed from hive debris and 100% sensitivity and specificity for honeybee workers and larval scales as well as for diseased brood infected by M. plutonius.
- MeSH
- Enterococcaceae * MeSH
- larva mikrobiologie MeSH
- multiplexová polymerázová řetězová reakce metody MeSH
- Paenibacillus larvae * genetika MeSH
- Paenibacillus * genetika MeSH
- plazmidy genetika MeSH
- transpozibilní elementy DNA MeSH
- včely genetika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The aim of the study is to investigate the differences in the interaction of three structurally diverse anthocyanidins, namely peonidin, petunidin, and delphinidin, as well as their glucosides with model biological membranes, human albumin, and plasmid DNA in order to look into their structure-activity relationships. Fluorimetric studies, as well as ATR-FTIR analyses, were jointly used in order to determine the changes observed in both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers of cell-mimic membranes (MM) which reflected the membrane lipid composition of tumour cells and red blood cell membranes (RBCM). Our results showed that anthocyanins and anthocyanidins can cause an increase in the packing order of the polar heads of lipids, as well as interact with their deeper layers by reducing the fluidity of lipid chains. The results presented here indicate that all compounds tested here possessed the ability to bind to human serum albumin (HSA) and the presence of a glucose molecule within the structures formed by anthocyanidin reduces their ability to bind to proteins. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, it was demonstrated that the compounds tested here were capable of forming stable complexes with plasmid DNA and, particularly, strong DNA conformational changes were observed in the presence of petunidin and corresponding glucoside, as well as delphinidin. The results we obtained can be useful in comprehending the anthocyanins therapeutic action as molecular antioxidants and provide a valuable insight into their mechanism of action.
