Molecular identification and genotyping of MRSA isolates

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize 97 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates. Two conventional multiplex PCR assays, a real-time PCR assay and two PCR-based genotyping techniques including the spa - and hypervariable region (HVR)-typing methods were used to identify and characterize 97 MRSA strains isolated between April 2006 to September 2007 from the Steve Biko Academic Hospital. All MRSA isolates were positive for 16S rRNA gene, 99% were positive for the mec A gene and 4% positive for the Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCC mec ) typing showed 67% of isolates were SCC mec II [health-care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA)], 14% were SCC mec III (HA-MRSA) and 4% were SCC mec IVd [community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA)]. These CA-MRSA isolates showed a prevalence of 100% for the PVL gene. Using spa typing, three distinct clusters could be identified while HVR typing revealed six different clusters. CA-MRSA isolates were clustered together using spa and HVR typing. This study showed the prevalence of the CA-MRSA strains, PVL genes, the SCC mec types and the clonality of the MRSA strains. The high prevalence of the PVL gene in CA-MRSA isolates already residing in intensive care units was alarming and indicated the emergence of new MRSA lineages with a particular fitness for community and hospital transmission.     

PCR detection of seven virulence and toxin genes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates from Danish pigs and cattle and cytolethal distending toxin production of the isolates

AIMS: To study the prevalence of seven virulence and toxin genes, and cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) production of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolates from Danish pigs and cattle. METHODS AND RESULTS: The presence of the cadF, ceuE, virB11, flaA, cdtA, cdtB, cdtC and the cdt gene cluster among 40 C. jejuni and C. coli isolates was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The CDT production of the isolates was determined on Vero, colon 205 and chicken embryo cells. The cadF, flaA, ceuE and cdtB genes were detected from 100% of the isolates. The cdtA and cdtC genes were found in 95.0 and 90.0% of the isolates, respectively. The cdt gene cluster was detected in 82.5% isolates. Only 7.5% of the isolates were positive for virB11. Ninety-five per cent of the isolates produced CDT in Vero and colon 205 cell assays, and 90% of the isolates produced CDT in chicken embryo cell assays. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of the cadF, ceuE, flaA and cdtB genes was found. Data of the prevalence of cdt genes was consistent with the CDT titres produced by the isolates. Campylobacter coli from pigs produced high CDT titres. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The high prevalence of seven virulence and toxin genes demonstrated that these putative pathogenic determinants are widespread among Campylobacter isolates from pigs and cattle. Campylobacter coli isolates from pigs produced much higher CDT titres compared with C. coli isolates from other sources suggesting that C. coli may be particularly adapted to or associated with this species.     

Development of an improved synthetic medium for a better production of the new cholera toxin and its immunological relationship with the toxin produced by Vibrio cholerae O139 strains

Abstract An improved synthetic medium (M4) comprising syncase medium supplemented with sodium chloride (1%) and sucrose (0.5%) pH adjusted to 7.4 was developed for a better production of the new cholera toxin (NCT). The culture filtrates prepared in the M4 medium caused significantly ( P < 0.05) more fluid accumulation than that in syncase medium. Crude toxin, prepared in the M4 medium with V. cholerae O1 strains (X-392 and 2740-80) caused a reaction similar to that of the same amount of NCT (32 μg) prepared in the syncase medium. The neutralization of the optimal loop reacting dose of the NCT prepared in the M4 medium by anti-NCT raised against syncase prepared toxin indicates the release of the same kind of toxin in both media. These observations indicate that the modified M4 medium may be used for NCT preparation and further characterization. All the strains of Vibro cholerae O139 used in this study produced a toxin antigenically similar to NCT.     

Structural relationship between the S1 and S4 subunits of pertussis toxin

Abstract Pertussis toxin, the most important protective antigen of Bordetella pertussis , is a 106-kDa hexameric protein composed of an A-promoter (subunit S1) and a pentameric B-oligomer (S2 + S3 + 2S4 + S5). The most potent mouse-protective monoclonal antibodies against both respiratory and intracerebral infections were specified for either S1 or S4 and competed with each other in binding to epitopes of native pertussis toxin captuted by haptoglobin or in solution, although they did not compete on unfolded pertussin toxin. These data suggest that the protective epitope(s) of S1 and S4 are very closely correlated; they are probably close] together sterically. Non-protective anti-S1 and anti-S4 monoclonal antibodies recognized inner antigenic determinants which are not exposed on the surface o native pertussis toxin and interfered with association of the A-protomer and the B-oligomer. These data suggest that the A-protomer and the S4 subunit of the B-oligomer may be closely associated in the native hexameric pertussis toxin molecule.     

Bacillus cereus is common in the environment but emetic toxin producing isolates are rare

AIMS: To determine the incidence of emetic toxin producing Bacillus cereus in soil, animal faeces and selected vegetable produce to compare the results with the previously reported high incidence in rice paddy fields. To examine whether the emetic toxin has antibiotic activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: The incidence of emetic toxin producing B. cereus was evaluated by plating on selective agar 271 samples of soils, animal faeces, raw and processed vegetables. Overall, 45.8% of samples were positive for B. cereus. One hundred and seventy-seven B. cereus isolates were recovered at 30 degrees C with the grand mean spore count being 2.6 +/- 1.7 log(10) CFU g(-1) and 148 B. cereus isolates were recovered at 7 degrees C with the grand mean spore count being 2.2 +/- 1.2 log(10) CFU g(-1) of the 177 B. cereus isolated at 30 degrees C, only 3 were positive for emetic toxin production at a titre of 1/64, 1/32, 1/16, respectively. Also, 1 of 148 B. cereus isolated at 7 degrees C was positive for emetic toxin production to a titre of 1/128. All positive isolates came from washed or unwashed potato skins, one was psychrotrophic as determined by PCR and growth at 7 degrees C on subculture. The emetic toxin was not shown to have any antibiotic effects in growth inhibition studies. CONCLUSIONS: While B. cereus was a common isolate, the incidence of the emetic strain was rare. This is in contrast to previous findings of the high incidence in rice paddy fields and the processing environment, which may suggest rice is a selective area for growth of the emetic strain of B. cereus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The finding that a psychrotrophic isolate of B. cereus can produce emetic toxin is the first ever such observation and suggests the possibility that psychrotrophic isolates could grow in refrigerated fresh foods and cause emesis. The incidence of emetic B. cereus strains in rice paddy fields now requires further study for comparison with the low incidence found in other soils. The emetic toxin failed to inhibit the growth of other bacterial, fungal and yeast species. Whether the toxin (which is similar in structure to the antibiotic valinomycin) plays a competitive role in the environment therefore remains unclear.     

Variations in random amplified polymorphic DNA profile and toxin production among isolates of Colletotrichum falcatum Went from sugarcane in Tamil Nadu,India

Red rot, caused by Colletotrichum falcatum Went, is one of the most important diseases of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). The pathogen shows a great diversity in virulence as a number of pathotypes are known to occur in nature. In the present study, the toxin producing ability and genetic variability among isolates of C. falcatum collected from major sugarcane growing areas of Tamil Nadu, India were analysed. The C. falcatum isolates differed significantly in their ability to produce toxin in vitro. The toxin from C. falcatum isolate Cf 671a induced the maximum electrolyte leakage (300 μS) from sugarcane leaf tissues. The genetic relatedness of the isolates of C. falcatum differing in toxin production potential was investigated by using RAPD analysis. Analysis of the genetic coefficient matrix derived from the scores of RAPD profiles showed that minimum and maximum percent similarities among the tested C. falcatum isolates were in the range of 19 to 95% respectively. The phylogenetic analysis by the UPGMA identified two main clusters. Cluster A contains only one isolate (Cf 98061) and all the other isolates were placed in Cluster B confirming high genetic diversity among the isolates. No correlation was observed between clustering of the C. falcatum isolates in the dendrogram and their toxin producing abilities.     

蒜油对MRSA菌株的抗菌作用及作用机制研究

目的研究蒜油对MRSA菌株的抗菌作用及其作用机制,为治疗MRSA菌株感染提供实验依据。方法纸片法药敏试验测抑菌环直径,微量稀释法测其最低抑菌浓度(MIC),酶标仪测定不同时间MRSA菌株生长A640值,革兰染色镜检观察蒜油对MRSA菌株细胞壁的影响,SDS-PAGE凝胶电泳分析蒜油对MRSA菌株蛋白的影响。结果蒜油对MRSA菌株具有明显抗菌作用,其MIC和MBC分别为10mg/mL和20 mg/mL;1/2MIC和1MIC的蒜油作用MRSA菌株后,菌株生长曲线平缓,无对数期;且其对对数期细菌有明显杀菌作用;蒜油对MRSA菌株细胞壁无明显影响,凝胶电泳分析有特征条带出现。结论蒜油对MRSA菌株具有明显抗菌作用,其杀菌机制与蛋白合成有关。     

A novel multiplex PCR method for detecting the major clonal complexes of MRSA in nasal isolates from a Pennsylvania hospital

A novel multiplex PCR was developed which targeted virulence genes associated with the major clonal complexes (CCs) of healthcare- and community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the USA. Most isolates (40/66) were identified as CC 5, while remaining isolates represented CCs 1, 8, 30, 45, 59, 133, and five isolates were not S. aureus.     

志贺毒素及其预防治疗剂的研究进展

志贺毒素（Shigatoxin,Stx）主要由肠出血性大肠杆菌（EHEC）产生,是其主要的致病毒力因子,可通过引起急性肾衰竭导致死亡。迄今为止尚没有可推荐的治疗方案能够有效地预防或治疗Stx引起的疾病。目前,对于Stx的研究热点主要包括：Stx尚未清楚的致病机理研究,Stx与HUS的相关性研究,以及预防、治疗由Stx引起的疾病的研究。本文就以上几方面对国内外的相关研究进行总结及讨论。     

志贺毒素及其预防治疗剂的研究进展

志贺毒素(Shigatoxin,Stx)主要由肠出血性大肠杆菌(EHEC)产生,是其主要的致病毒力因子,可通过引起急性肾衰竭导致死亡。迄今为止尚没有可推荐的治疗方案能够有效地预防或治疗Stx引起的疾病。目前,对于Stx的研究热点主要包括:Stx尚未清楚的致病机理研究,Stx与HUS的相关性研究,以及预防、治疗由Stx引起的疾病的研究。本文就以上几方面对国内外的相关研究进行总结及讨论。     

转基因棉Bt毒蛋白含量与抗棉大卷叶螟效果间的关系分析

棉大卷叶螟Sylepta derogata Fabricius为近年来长江流域棉花中后期的一种重要害虫。在其危害盛期测定了8种转基因棉叶片Bt毒蛋白的含量与受害程度,在此基础上就转基因棉对棉大卷叶螟的抗虫性采用不同抗性指标相结合的方法进行了综合评估,同时对转基因棉对棉大卷叶螟的抗虫效果与毒蛋白含量的相关性进行分析。结果表明:各转基因棉品种的不同部位叶片的毒蛋白含量呈现顶叶最高,功能叶次之,老叶含量最低的趋势。抗蚜8017和SGK321 2个转基因棉品种的棉叶毒蛋白表达量相对较低,平均值在120μg/g以下,对棉大卷叶螟的抗性级别均为中抗。其它供试转基因棉棉叶毒蛋白表达量均值在150μg/g以上,抗性级别也均为高抗,而非转基因棉泗棉3号与石远321对棉大卷叶螟不具抗性。转基因棉对棉大卷叶螟的抗性水平与毒蛋白含量呈正相关。     

Detection of the ADP-ribosyltransferase toxin gene (cdtA) and its activity in Clostridium difficile isolates from Equidae

Clostridium difficile is an antibiotic-associated emerging pathogen of humans and animals. Thus far three toxins of C. difficile have been described: an enterotoxin (ToxA), a cytotoxin (ToxB) and an ADP-ribosyltransferase (CDT). In the present work we describe the first isolation of CDT producing C. difficile from Equidae with gastro-intestinal disease. Out of 17 C. difficile strains isolated from Equidae, 11 were positive for the genes tcdA and tcdB encoding ToxA and ToxB. In addition four of these 11 isolates were positive for the cdtA gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the ADP-ribosyltransferase CDT. Interestingly none of the isolates derived from canines (41 isolates) and felines (4 isolates) harboured the cdtA gene. In C. difficile field isolates which contained the cdtA gene, ADP-ribosyltransferase activity could also be detected in culture supernatants indicating expression and secretion of CDT. All strains were associated with intestinal disorders, but no association was found for the occurrence of toxins with a specific clinical diagnosis.     

Cyclo(tetrahydroxybutyrate) production is sufficient to distinguish between Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus isolates in Thailand

Bacteria of the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus produce a plethora of natural products to support their similar symbiotic life cycles. For many of these compounds, the specific bioactivities are unknown. One common challenge in natural product research when trying to prioritize research efforts is the rediscovery of identical (or highly similar) compounds from different strains. Linking genome sequence to metabolite production can help in overcoming this problem. However, sequences are typically not available for entire collections of organisms. Here, we perform a comprehensive metabolic screening using HPLC-MS data associated with a 114-strain collection (58 Photorhabdus and 56 Xenorhabdus) across Thailand and explore the metabolic variation among the strains, matched with several abiotic factors. We utilize machine learning in order to rank the importance of individual metabolites in determining all given metadata. With this approach, we were able to prioritize metabolites in the context of natural product investigations, leading to the identification of previously unknown compounds. The top three highest ranking features were associated with Xenorhabdus and attributed to the same chemical entity, cyclo(tetrahydroxybutyrate). This work also addresses the need for prioritization in high-throughput metabolomic studies and demonstrates the viability of such an approach in future research.     

外源性蛋白酶对肉毒毒素的作用初探

将B型肉毒毒素在毒素粗提阶段用胰蛋白酶处理,再经浓缩、柱层析和结晶得到纯化的B型肉毒毒素复合物。结果表明:B型肉毒神经毒素经胰蛋白酶处理后单链裂解为双链,在非还原条件下SDS-PAGE显示神经毒素条带,在还原条件下SDS-PAGE只显示轻(L)、重(H)二链条带,而不显示神经毒素条带;纯化后毒素复合物的比活性提高了5.9倍,达到1.60×108LD50/mgPr;HPLC显示活性成分峰面积所占比例增加了9.83%。     

Comparison of different methods for detecting methicillin resistance in MRSA isolates belonging to international lineages commonly isolated in the American continent

The aim of the present paper was to compare different methods for detecting methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus . Among the isolates analyzed, 52 belonged to MRSA international lineages commonly detected in the American continent and 14 to sporadic MRSA clones. Both 30 μg-cefoxitin disk and PBP2a had 100% sensibility/specificity when the low-level heterogeneous isolates were tested and, thus, are highly recommended.     

Release of Shiga toxin by membrane vesicles in Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 strains and in vitro effects of antimicrobials on toxin production and release

Effects of various antimicrobials on in vitro Shiga toxin production and release by Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 was investigated in this study with particular reference to the role of outer membrane vesicles in toxin release by the organism. Five antimicrobials, namely nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, fosfomycin and mitomycin C, were chosen for the study and the toxin titre was measured by the reverse passive latex agglutination (RPLA) method using an available kit. Only mitomycin C was found to induce production of Shiga toxin in the bacteria and its release by outer membrane vesicles. The highest titre of toxin was obtained in vesicle fraction suggesting that the vesicles play an important role in the release of Shiga toxin from periplasmic space by the organism.