Isolation and characterization of a virulent Vibrio sp. bacterium from clams (Meretrix meretrix) with mass mortality

MM5 was a bacterial strain isolated from moribund clam (Meretrix meretrix) collected from a farm with mass mortality outbreak. Primary genotypic and phenotypic identification including 16S rDNA sequence analysis, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of four housekeeping genes (gapA, ftsZ, mreB and topA) and biochemical tests suggested that strain MM5 was a Vibrio species closest to but different from Vibrio furnissii. Our previous study indicated that MM5 could induce a high mortality of M. meretrix (Yue et al., 2010). Quantitative challenge test was performed in this study to further evaluate the pathogenic potential of MM5, which showed that at 84 h post-inoculation, the cumulative mortalities of the MM5-injected group were significantly higher than those of control groups (P < 0.05). Cytopathological and histopathological features of the clam infected by MM5 were carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, respectively. Cytopathologically, foci of MM5 were found in hepatocytes of the clam infected by MM5. In addition, cytopathological lesion was detected in foot of infected clam. Histopathologically, MM5 was detected in different tissues of infected clam, including hepatopancreas, mantle and gill. Challenge test combined with pathological features indicated that MM5 was virulent to M. meretrix.     

Tracing Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters (Tiostrea chilensis) using a Green Fluorescent Protein tag

Oysters feed by removing particles from the water. This food is composed of complex mixtures of living microorganisms, detritus, and inorganic particles that widely range in size. It has been speculated that some marine heterotrophic microorganisms, such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, could enter in this digestive process and persist in the oyster tissue. Since some strains of V. parahaemolyticus are pathogenic for humans, these bacteria are considered to be a constant menace for health and aquaculture. In order to improve the safety of marine products it is imperative to obtain more knowledge about Tiostrea chilensis and its interactions with V. parahaemolyticus. In this study V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802 was tagged using plasmid pKV111, which carries the gfp gene that codifies a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), thereby allowing these strains (VpGFP) to be detected under epifluorescence microscopy. Results obtained showed that T. chilensis can filter VpGFP directly from sea water and suggested that most of them were digested by oysters. However, in the postharvest stage, a small fraction can remain in oyster tissues after depuration and VpGFP can rapidly grow if the bivalves are stored at room temperature.     

VP2118 has major roles in Vibrio parahaemolyticus response to oxidative stress

Background

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide anion radical, induce chronic risk of oxidative damage to many cellular macromolecules resulting in damage to cells. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) catalyze the dismutation of superoxide to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide and are a primary defense against ROS. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a marine bacterium that causes acute gastroenteritis following consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, can survive ROS generated by intestinal inflammatory cells. However, there is little information concerning SODs in V. parahaemolyticus. This study aims to clarify the role of V. parahaemolyticus SODs against ROS.

Methods

V. parahaemolyticus SOD gene promoter activities were measured by a GFP reporter assay. Mutants of V. parahaemolyticus SOD genes were constructed and their SOD activity and resistance to oxidative stresses were measured.

Results

Bioinformatic analysis showed that V. parahaemolyticus SODs were distinguished by their metal cofactors, FeSOD (VP2118), MnSOD (VP2860), and CuZnSOD (VPA1514). VP2118 gene promoter activity was significantly higher than the other SOD genes. In a VP2118 gene deletion mutant, SOD activity was significantly decreased and could be recovered by VP2118 gene complementation. The absence of VP2118 resulted in significantly lowered resistance to ROS generated by hydrogen peroxide, hypoxanthine–xanthine oxidase, or Paraquat. Furthermore, both the N- and C-terminal SOD domains of VP2118 were necessary for ROS resistance.

Conclusion

VP2118 is the primary V. parahaemolyticus SOD and is vital for anti-oxidative stress responses.

General significance

The V. parahaemolyticus FeSOD VP2118 may enhance ROS resistance and could promote its survival in the intestinal tract to facilitate host tissue infection.     

文蛤的生物沉积和呼吸排泄过程及其在双台子河口水层-底栖系统中的耦合作用

为揭示河口埋栖性双壳贝类优势种类在水层——底栖系统中的生态耦合作用,利用生物沉积物捕集器和封闭式代谢瓶,于双台子河口现场研究了文蛤主要生理生态过程如生物沉积速率、耗氧率、排氨率和排磷率的季节变化。结果表明,文蛤的生物沉积速率、耗氧率、排氨率及排磷率均具有明显的季节变化:夏季最高,冬季最低。二龄及三龄文蛤个体的生物沉积速率周年变化分别为0.02—0.30 g-1个-1d-1、0.06—0.60 g-1个-1d-1;耗氧率变化分别为0.45—16.64 mg-1个-1d-1、1.03—30.51 mg-1个-1d-1;排氨率季节变化分别为0.001—0.14 mg-1个-1d-1、0.002—0.28 mg-1个-1d-1;排磷率季节变化分别为0.002—0.069 mg-1个-1d-1、0.003—0.16 mg-1个-1d-1。文蛤的生物沉积速率及呼吸排泄速率均受龄期制约:在同一季节,文蛤的单位个体生物沉积速率及呼吸和排泄速率均表现为二龄三龄。方差分析显示,季节、龄期及两者交互作用对文蛤生物沉积速率、耗氧率、排氨率及排磷率均有显著影响。基于不同季节双台子河口文蛤生物量(0.67个/m2、2.4 g/m2),估算出文蛤种群每年向该河口排放大约5321.90 t生物沉积物(干重)、1.43 t NH+4-N和0.93 t PO3-4-P,并且消耗大约221.59 t O2。研究结果表明,文蛤通过生物沉积及呼吸排泄作用,大大加强了双台子河口沉积物-水界面的物质交换通量,在双台子河口水层-底栖系统耦合作用中扮演着重要生态角色。     

Differential in vivo response of soft-shell clam hemocytes against two strains of Vibrio splendidus: Changes in cell structure, numbers and adherence

Host-pathogen interaction models in aquatic species are useful tools for understanding the pathogenicity of diseases in cultured and wild populations. In this study we report the differential in vivo response of soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria) hemocytes against two strains of Vibrio splendidus. Responses were measured 24 h after injecting into the posterior adductor muscle either an endemic wild-type strain (7SHRW) or a strain associated with oyster mortalities (LGP32-GFP). Changes in hemocyte structure (percentage of rounded cells) were assessed microscopically. Changes in adherence and hemocyte numbers were analyzed by flow-cytometric cell counting. Increased percentages of rounded cells were found in response to both strains. However, values from the group infected with LGP32-GFP were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than with 7SHRW. The cell adherence was markedly diminished (p < 0.001) by LGP32-GFP whereas 7SHRW did not change it significantly. Increased numbers of hemocytes (p < 0.001) were induced by LGP32-GFP, while no significant changes were found after infection with 7SHRW. These results show the regulatory capacity of soft-shell clams hemocytes to perform specific responses against different strains of V. splendidus.     

副溶血弧菌SH112株OmpA蛋白的高效表达及免疫学特性

【目的】我们前期研究表明副溶血弧菌SH112株的OmpA蛋白在该菌的致病过程中发挥重要作用,是亚单位疫苗研制的潜在靶标抗原。本研究进一步对ompA(VPA1186)基因进行克隆表达,并研究其免疫学特性。【方法】扩增去除信号肽序列的成熟外膜蛋白OmpA的基因片段,定向克隆至表达载体,基因测序后对其编码蛋白质进行生物信息学分析。重组蛋白His-OmpA经纯化后,免疫ICR小鼠制备鼠多抗血清。Western blotting检测该蛋白的免疫原性及鼠多抗血清的特异性。动物实验验证其免疫保护率。【结果】成功表达分子量约为40.0 kDa的重组蛋白His-OmpA。制备的鼠多抗血清ELISA效价可达1∶50000以上。Westernblotting检测结果显示,该血清可与His-OmpA蛋白、总外膜蛋白和全菌蛋白发生特异性反应,说明所表达的目的蛋白保持原蛋白的免疫原性。此外,该高免血清可与其他主要血清型的副溶血弧菌发生特异性交叉反应,而与其他非副溶血弧菌菌株无交叉反应,表明该血清特异性较高,且提示OmpA蛋白可能是副溶血弧菌属的共同保护性抗原。小鼠免疫保护实验结果表明,该蛋白可提供约35%的免疫保护率。【结论】OmpA蛋白可作为诊断副溶血弧菌感染和亚单位疫苗研制的靶蛋白,为进一步开展该蛋白的功能研究提供了参考。     

Acanthamoeba polyphaga is a possible host for Vibrio cholerae in aquatic environments

Acanthamoeba is a genus of free-living amoebae found to be able to host many bacterial species living in the environment. Acanthamoebae and Vibrio cholerae are found in the aquatic environments of cholera endemic areas. Previously it has been shown that V. cholerae O1 and O139 can survive and grow in Acanthamoeba castellanii. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of Acanthamoeba polyphaga to host V. cholerae O1 and O139. The interaction between A. polyphaga and V. cholerae strains was studied by means of viable amoeba cell counts and viable count of the bacteria in the absence and presence of amoebae. The viable count of intracellularly growing bacteria was estimated by utilizing gentamicin assay. Electron microscopy was used to determine the localization of V. cholerae inside A. polyphaga. The results showed that A. polyphaga enhanced growth and survival of V. cholerae, which grew and survived inside the amoeba cells for 2 weeks. The electron microscopy showed that A. polyphaga hosted intracellular V. cholerae localized in the vacuoles of amoeba cell. Neither the presence of V. cholerae together with A. polyphaga nor the intracellular localization of the bacteria inhibited growth and survival of A. polyphaga. The outcome of the interaction between these microorganisms may support strongly the role of A. polyphaga as host for V. cholerae O1 and O139.     

Vibrio gallaecicus sp. nov. isolated from cultured clams in north-western Spain

A group of three motile facultative anaerobic marine bacteria were isolated from cultured Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) in Galicia, north-western Spain. The strains were characterized phenotypically and genotypically. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and four housekeeping genes, RNA polymerase α-chain (rpoA), RecA protein (recA), the α-subunit of bacterial ATP synthase (atpA) and the uridine monophosphate (UMP) kinase (pyrH), indicated that these strains were closely related to the Vibrio splendidus clade. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprints, DNA–DNA hybridizations and phylogenies of the housekeeping and 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the three strains represented a different species from all currently described vibrios. The new species could be differentiated from its nearest neighbours on the basis of several phenotypic features. The three strains are therefore a novel species within the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio gallaecicus is proposed, with the type strain being VB 8.9^T(=CECT 7244^T=LMG 24045^T).     

利用线粒体COI和微卫星标记分析文蛤7个地理群体的遗传变异

利用线粒体细胞色素氧化酶亚基I(COI)和微卫星标记分析了文蛤7个地理群体(朝鲜新义州,辽宁丹东、蛤蜊岗和盘山,山东东营,江苏如东和启东)的遗传多样性和群体分化。PCR扩增获得142条602 bp的COI核苷酸片段,比对到13个变异位点,包括11个转换和2个颠换,定义了22个单倍型,共享单倍型12个,新义州、丹东和启东群体分别拥有特有单倍型。单倍型多样性最高的是如东群体(h=0.900),最低的是东营群体(h=0.600);核苷酸多样性最高的是丹东群体(π=0.00350),最低的是蛤蜊岗群体(π=0.00115)。基于COI数据的Fu's Fs中性检验和核苷酸不配对分析揭示文蛤种群历史上曾经历过群体扩张事件。分子变异分析(AMOVA)表明,群体内遗传变异占71.64%,群体间遗传变异占28.36%,群体间发生显著的遗传分化(P0.05)。7个微卫星标记扩增280个个体共获得54个等位基因,平均等位基因数为7.7个,平均观测杂合度和期望杂合度分别为0.3878和0.7996。江苏群体具有较高的遗传多样性,但7个群体间遗传多样性不存在显著差异(Kruskal-Wallis检验,P0.05)。Hardy-Weinberg平衡检验结果显示49个群体-位点组合中有18个偏离平衡(P0.05),表现为杂合子缺失。单倍型邻接(NJ)树显示聚类未展示地域性特色,但某几个同一或者相近地理群体的单倍型具有聚类现象(如东和启东部分单倍型出现地理聚类)。依据群体间遗传距离以Kimura 2-parameter为模型建立UPGMA系统发育树,显示丹东群体和江苏的如东和启东群体聚为一支,暗示江苏苗种的异地养殖已经污染丹东文蛤的遗传背景。     

Structural characterization of the carbohydrate backbone of the lipopolysaccharide of Vibrio parahaemolyticus O-untypeable strain KX-V212 isolated from a patient

Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain KX-V212 of a novel serotype, which does not belong to any of the known 13 O-serotypes of this vibrio, was isolated from a patient. Its O-antigen harbors a unique strain-specific O-antigenic factor(s), in addition to that shared by the O-antigen of V. parahaemolyticus serotype O2. A carbohydrate backbone nonasaccharide was isolated from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of strain KX-V212 by dephosphorylation, reduction and deacylation and found to consist of one residue each of D-glucose, D-galactose, D-GlcN, 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) and 5-acetamido-7-(N-acetyl-D-alanyl)amino-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid (Non5Ac7Ala), and two residues each of D-GlcA and L-glycero-D-manno-heptose (LD-Hep). Analysis of the isolated and deacylated lipid A showed that this oligosaccharide was an artifact resulting from a loss of one GlcN residue from the lipid A backbone. Therefore, the carbohydrate backbone of the LPS is a decasaccharide having the structure shown below. The initial LPS contains also D-GalA and phosphoethanolamine at unknown positions. Both similarity and differences are observed between the LPS of V. parahaemolyticus serotype O2 and strain KX-V212. [carbohydrate structure: see text]     

Vibrio celticus sp. nov., a new Vibrio species belonging to the Splendidus clade with pathogenic potential for clams

A group of four motile facultative anaerobic marine isolates (Rd 8.15^T [=CECT 7224^T, =LMG 23850^T], Rd 16.13, Rd 6.8 [=LMG 25696] and Rd2L5) were obtained from cultured clams (Ruditapes philippinarum and Venerupis pullastra) in Galicia, north-western Spain. They formed a tight phylogenetic group based on sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and the four housekeeping genes rpoA (encoding the α-chain of RNA polymerase), rpoD (encoding the sigma factor of RNA polymerase), recA (encoding RecA protein), and atpA (encoding the α-subunit of bacterial ATP synthase). The phylogenies based on these sequences indicated that the four isolates represented a novel species in the genus Vibrio, and more precisely in the Splendidus clade. DNA–DNA hybridizations with the type strains of species showing more than 98.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, revealed a DNA–DNA relatedness below 70%. The isolates could be differentiated from the phylogenetically related Vibrio species on the basis of several phenotypic features. In addition, strain Rd 8.15^T showed potential pathogenic activity for adult clams in virulence assays. The name Vibrio celticus sp. nov. is proposed for this new taxon, with the type strain being Rd 8.15^T (=CECT 7224^T, =LMG 23850^T).     

副溶血弧菌海产品和临床分离株的表型及溶血素相关基因分析

副溶血弧菌是(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)常见的食源性病原菌,可污染多种水产品,并引起人的食物中毒,其致病性与溶血素密切相关,如直接耐热溶血素(TDH)、TDH-相关溶血素(TRH)、不耐热溶血素(TLH)。用PCR方法对分离自浙江省部分地区的副溶血弧菌临床和海产品分离株的3种溶血素基因进行检测。结果表明,所有副溶血弧菌菌株均可检测到tlh基因;11株临床分离株均检测到tdh基因,而42株水产品分离株中只有1株检出tdh基因,携带tdh的分离株神奈川试验(KP)均为阳性。所有分离菌株中均未检测到trh基因以及其尿素酶试验呈阴性,由此可知trh基因可能与尿素酶基因连锁。副溶血弧菌分离株中致病性相关毒力因子TDH的阳性率极低,然而副溶血弧菌性食物中毒发生率较高,它们之间的关系及其发病机制还有待深入研究。     

副溶血性弧菌CRISPR的检测及其结构分析

【目的】检测副溶血性弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus,简称VP)中规律成簇间隔的短回文序列(Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats,CRISPR),并对不同来源的VP中CRISPR位点的结构多样性进行分析。【方法】根据CRISPR DB数据库中公布的VP中确定的CRISPR结构序列CRISPR-1及文献中新发现的疑似CRISPR结构序列CRISPR-2设计引物,对不同来源的79株VP进行PCR扩增。利用CRISPR Finder分析CRISPR结构,采用生物信息学方法对不同来源VP的CRISPR位点结构多样性进行比较分析。【结果】79株VP中CRISPR-1的检出率为92.41%,CRISPR-2的检出率为96.20%,同时具有这2个位点的菌株占总数的89.87%,只有1株菌被检出不含有任何位点。分别比较不同来源的菌株CRISPR-1、CRISPR-2位点的重复序列发现不存在序列差异,而临床菌株的这2个CRISPR位点在间隔序列上比环境分离菌株存在更多的变异。2个CRISPR位点根据间隔序列的不同在VP中一共组成8种CRISPR谱型(编号A-H),除F谱型外,A-E、G谱型均只在临床分离菌株中发现,而在环境分离菌中还发现不含任何位点的H型。【结论】CRISPR在VP中普遍存在。环境分离菌株与临床分离菌株中CRISPR的结构存在差异。     

ToxR负调控副溶血弧菌中c-di-GMP的合成

副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)是世界范围内引起海产品相关食物中毒的主要致病菌,具有很强的生物膜形成能力。ToxR是一种膜结合调控蛋白,对副溶血弧菌生物膜形成具有一定的调控作用,但具体机制尚未见报道。c-di-GMP是一种普遍存在于细菌中重要的第二信使,参与调控细菌的多种生物学行为包括生物膜的形成。本文探究ToxR对副溶血弧菌中c-di-GMP代谢的调控作用。利用酶联免疫吸附法(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)测定副溶血弧菌野生株(wild-type,WT)和toxR突变株(ΔtoxR)中c-di-GMP水平的差异。挑选c-di-GMP代谢相关基因scrA、scrG和vpa0198为进一步研究的靶标,采用实时定量qPCR实验检测靶基因在WT和ΔtoxR中的转录水平差异;将靶基因调控区DNA序列克隆入pHRP309质粒中无启动子的β半乳糖苷酶基因上游,采用lacZ报告基因融合实验进一步研究ToxR对靶基因的转录调控关系;将重组质粒分别导入含有pBAD33或pBAD33-toxR的EC100lpir中,采用lacZ报告基因融合实验研究ToxR是否能在异体宿主中调控靶基因的表达;PCR扩增靶基因上游调控区DNA序列,并纯化His-ToxR蛋白,用凝胶阻滞实验(electrophoresis mobility shift assay,EMSA)研究His-ToxR与靶基因启动子区DNA序列是否具有结合作用。ELISA结果显示ΔtoxR中c-di-GMP含量显著性高于WT中的,说明ToxR抑制c-di-GMP的产生;实时定量qPCR结果表明WT中scrA、scrG和vpa0198的转录水平显著性高于ΔtoxR中的,表明ToxR抑制它们的转录;lacZ报告基因融合实验结果表明ToxR可抑制副溶血弧菌和EC100lpir中scrA、scrG和vpa0198的启动子区活性;EMSA实验显示His-ToxR能特异性地结合到scrA和scrG的上游调控区DNA序列上,而对vpa0198的上游调控区DNA序列无结合作用。综上所述,ToxR通过直接调控相关酶蛋白基因的转录来抑制副溶血弧菌内c-di-GMP的合成,从而有助于精确调控生物膜形成等细菌行为。     

副溶血性弧菌生物被膜形成及其调控机制研究进展

副溶血性弧菌是一种广泛存在于海产品中并可引起人类急性肠胃炎的食源性致病菌。该菌形成的生物被膜能够增强体外环境中的存活率,促进对宿主的定殖和感染,还会导致被污染的加工设备与食物之间发生交叉感染。深入了解生物被膜形成背后的调控机制,有助于制定有针对性的策略,干扰其适应环境变化的过程,从而降低副溶血性弧菌对人类的危害。本文主要综述了鞭毛、菌毛和胞外的多糖等基质组分在生物被膜形成中的作用以及c-di-GMP和群体感应对生物被膜形成的调控。     

Genomic analysis of a novel integrative conjugative element in Vibrio cholerae

Integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) are a class of self-transmissible mobile elements that mediate horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, and play an important role in bacterial evolution. Since 1992, ICEs of the SXT/R391 family have been found to be widely distributed among Vibrio cholerae strains isolated in Asian countries. Here we describe ICEVchB33, an ICE found in the genomes of two V. cholerae O1 Eltor strains, one isolated in India, 1994, and the other from Mozambique, 2004. ICEVchB33 revealed a new genetic organization, different from other ICEs of the SXT/R391 family, demonstrating the genomic plasticity of these elements.     

Potentially human pathogenic Acanthamoeba isolated from a heated indoor swimming pool in Switzerland

Some free-living amoebae, including some species of the genus Acanthamoeba, can cause infections in humans and animals. These organisms are known to cause granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in predominantly immune-deficient persons. In the present study, we isolated a potentially human pathogenic Acanthamoeba isolate originating from a public heated indoor swimming pool in Switzerland. The amoebae, thermophilically preselected by culture at 37 °C, subsequently displayed a high thermotolerance, being able to grow at 42 °C, and a marked cytotoxicity, based on a co-culture system using the murine cell line L929. Intranasal infection of Rag2-immunodeficient mice resulted in the death of all animals within 24 days. Histopathology of brains and lungs revealed marked tissue necrosis and hemorrhagic lesions going along with massive proliferation of amoebae. PCR and sequence analysis, based on 18S rDNA, identified the agent as Acanthamoeba lenticulata. In summary, the present study reports on an Acanthamoeba isolate from a heated swimming pool suggestive of being potentially pathogenic to immunocompromised persons.     

抗副溶血弧菌海洋真菌HL-3菌株的鉴定及其活性物质的分离

【背景】目前水产养殖中副溶血弧菌等水产致病菌的预防和治疗主要使用的是抗生素,短期内能够起到较好的效果,但是长期使用抗生素不仅使得病原菌的耐药性增加,而且会产生一系列问题。因此,寻找安全有效的抗生素替代品迫在眉睫。【目的】筛选具有抗副溶血弧菌活性的海洋微生物,鉴定其种类并优化其培养条件,并对其活性物质进行初步分离。【方法】利用稀释涂布平板法和平板划线法分离纯化海洋微生物,通过牛津杯法筛选具有抗副溶血弧菌活性的菌株。根据菌株的形态特征和ITS序列分析对活性菌株进行鉴定。通过筛选培养基种类和盐度确定其培养条件。通过半制备高效液相色谱制备化合物,并利用核磁共振波谱数据鉴定化合物的结构。【结果】从海螺、小黄鱼、对虾等11种样品中分离出海洋微生物菌株76株,其中真菌26株。筛选得到一株具有抗副溶血弧菌活性的真菌菌株HL-3,鉴定为黄曲霉。黄曲霉HL-3菌株在改良沙氏培养基条件下,产物化学多样性和抗菌活性较好。黄曲霉HL-3菌株在真菌5号培养基中产物单一且抗菌活性较好,纯化出来的化合物结构被鉴定为曲酸。曲酸对副溶血弧菌的最小抑菌浓度为4.0mg/mL。【结论】实验结果为进一步利用各种色谱手段分离纯化...