scholarly journals The Third Replicon of Members of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex, Plasmid pC3, Plays a Role in Stress Tolerance

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1340-1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsty Agnoli ◽  
Carmen Frauenknecht ◽  
Roman Freitag ◽  
Stephan Schwager ◽  
Christian Jenul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Chromosome 3 ◽  
Epidemic Strain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pcr Screening ◽  
The Third ◽  
Content Model ◽  
Induced Stresses

ABSTRACTThe metabolically versatileBurkholderia cepaciacomplex (Bcc) occupies a variety of niches, including the plant rhizosphere and the cystic fibrosis lung (where it is often fatal to the patient). Bcc members have multipartite genomes, of which the third replicon, pC3 (previously chromosome 3), has been shown to be a nonessential megaplasmid which confers virulence and both antifungal and proteolytic activity on several strains. In this study, pC3 curing was extended to cover strains of 16 of the 17 members of the Bcc, and the phenotypes conferred by pC3 were determined.B. cenocepaciastrains H111, MCO-3, and HI2424 were previously cured of pC3; however, this had not proved possible in the epidemic strain K56-2. Here, we investigated the mechanism of this unexpected stability and found that efficient toxin-antitoxin systems are responsible for maintaining pC3 of strain K56-2. Identification of these systems allowed neutralization of the toxins and the subsequent deletion of K56-2pC3. The cured strain was found to exhibit reduced antifungal activity and was attenuated in both the zebrafish and theCaenorhabditis elegansmodel of infection. We used a PCR screening method to examine the prevalence of pC3 within 110 Bcc isolates and found that this replicon was absent in only four cases, suggesting evolutionary fixation. It is shown that plasmid pC3 increases the resistance ofB. cenocepaciaH111 to various stresses (oxidative, osmotic, high-temperature, and chlorhexidine-induced stresses), explaining the prevalence of this replicon within the Bcc.

scholarly journals Use of Synthetic Hybrid Strains To Determine the Role of Replicon 3 in Virulence of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsty Agnoli ◽  
Roman Freitag ◽  
Margarida C. Gomes ◽  
Christian Jenul ◽  
Angela Suppiger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cenocepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Antifungal Compounds ◽  
Biotechnological Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Third

ABSTRACT The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) displays a wealth of metabolic diversity with great biotechnological potential, but the utilization of these bacteria is limited by their opportunistic pathogenicity to humans. The third replicon of the Bcc, megaplasmid pC3 (0.5 to 1.4 Mb, previously chromosome 3), is important for various phenotypes, including virulence, antifungal, and proteolytic activities and the utilization of certain substrates. Approximately half of plasmid pC3 is well conserved throughout sequenced Bcc members, while the other half is not. To better locate the regions responsible for the key phenotypes, pC3 mutant derivatives of Burkholderia cenocepacia H111 carrying large deletions (up to 0.58 Mb) were constructed with the aid of the FLP-FRT (FRT, flippase recognition target) recombination system from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The conserved region was shown to confer near-full virulence in both Caenorhabditis elegans and Galleria mellonella infection models. Antifungal activity was unexpectedly independent of the part of pC3 bearing a previously identified antifungal gene cluster, while proteolytic activity was dependent on the nonconserved part of pC3, which encodes the ZmpA protease. To investigate to what degree pC3-encoded functions are dependent on chromosomally encoded functions, we transferred pC3 from Burkholderia cenocepacia K56-2 and Burkholderia lata 383 into other pC3-cured Bcc members. We found that although pC3 is highly important for virulence, it was the genetic background of the recipient that determined the pathogenicity level of the hybrid strain. Furthermore, we found that important phenotypes, such as antifungal activity, proteolytic activity, and some substrate utilization capabilities, can be transferred between Bcc members using pC3. IMPORTANCE The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of closely related bacteria with great biotechnological potential. Some strains produce potent antifungal compounds and can promote plant growth or degrade environmental pollutants. However, their agricultural potential is limited by their opportunistic pathogenicity, particularly for cystic fibrosis patients. Despite much study, their virulence remains poorly understood. The third replicon, pC3, which is present in all Bcc isolates and is important for pathogenicity, stress resistance, and the production of antifungal compounds, has recently been reclassified from a chromosome to a megaplasmid. In this study, we identified regions on pC3 important for virulence and antifungal activity and investigated the role of the chromosomal background for the function of pC3 by exchanging the megaplasmid between different Bcc members. Our results may open a new avenue for the construction of antifungal but nonpathogenic Burkholderia hybrids. Such strains may have great potential as biocontrol strains for protecting fungus-borne diseases of plant crops.

scholarly journals In Vitro Activity of a Novel Glycopolymer against Biofilms of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Isolates

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidya P. Narayanaswamy ◽  
Andrew P. Duncan ◽  
John J. LiPuma ◽  
William P. Wiesmann ◽  
Shenda M. Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Burkholderia Cenocepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Biofilm Removal ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACT Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are often associated with a steady decline in lung function and death. The formation of biofilms and inherent multidrug resistance are virulence factors associated with Bcc infection and contribute to increased risk of mortality in CF patients. New therapeutic strategies targeting bacterial biofilms are anticipated to enhance antibiotic penetration and facilitate resolution of infection. Poly (acetyl, arginyl) glucosamine (PAAG) is a cationic glycopolymer therapeutic being developed to directly target biofilm integrity. In this study, 13 isolates from 7 species were examined, including Burkholderia multivorans, Burkholderia cenocepacia, Burkholderia gladioli, Burkholderia dolosa, Burkholderia vietnamiensis, and B. cepacia. These isolates were selected for their resistance to standard clinical antibiotics and their ability to form biofilms in vitro. Biofilm biomass was quantitated using static tissue culture plate (TCP) biofilm methods and a minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) assay. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) visualized biofilm removal by PAAG during treatment. Both TCP and MBEC methods demonstrated a significant dose-dependent relationship with regard to biofilm removal by 50 to 200 μg/ml PAAG following a 1-h treatment (P < 0.01). A significant reduction in biofilm thickness was observed following a 10-min treatment of Bcc biofilms with PAAG compared to that with vehicle control (P < 0.001) in TCP, MBEC, and CLSM analyses. PAAG also rapidly permeabilizes bacteria within the first 10 min of treatment. Glycopolymers, such as PAAG, are a new class of large-molecule therapeutics that support the treatment of recalcitrant Bcc biofilm.

scholarly journals Short Palate, Lung, and Nasal Epithelial Clone 1 Has Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities against the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 6003-6012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saira Ahmad ◽  
Jean Tyrrell ◽  
William G. Walton ◽  
Ashutosh Tripathy ◽  
Matthew R. Redinbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innate Defense ◽  
Opportunistic Bacteria ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTThe opportunistic bacteria of theBurkholderia cepaciacomplex (Bcc) are extremely pathogenic to cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and acquisition of Bcc bacteria is associated with a significant increase in mortality. Treatment of Bcc infections is difficult because the bacteria are multidrug resistant and able to survive in biofilms. Short palate, lung, and nasal epithelial clone 1 (SPLUNC1) is an innate defense protein that is secreted by the upper airways and pharynx. While SPLUNC1 is known to have antimicrobial functions, its effects on Bcc strains are unclear. We therefore tested the hypothesis that SPLUNC1 is able to impair Bcc growth and biofilm formation. We found that SPLUNC1 exerted bacteriostatic effects against several Bcc clinical isolates, includingB. cenocepaciastrain J2315 (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 0.28 μM), and reduced biofilm formation and attachment (IC50= 0.11 μM). We then determined which domains of SPLUNC1 are responsible for its antimicrobial activity. Deletions of SPLUNC1's N terminus and α6 helix did not affect its function. However, deletion of the α4 helix attenuated antimicrobial activity, while the corresponding α4 peptide displayed antimicrobial activity. Chronic neutrophilia is a hallmark of CF lung disease, and neutrophil elastase (NE) cleaves SPLUNC1. However, we found that the ability of SPLUNC1 to disrupt biofilm formation was significantly potentiated by NE pretreatment. While the impact of CF on SPLUNC1-Bcc interactions is not currently known, our data suggest that understanding this interaction may have important implications for CF lung disease.

scholarly journals Key Role for Efflux in the Preservative Susceptibility and Adaptive Resistance of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Bacteria

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 2972-2980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Rushton ◽  
Andrea Sass ◽  
Adam Baldwin ◽  
Christopher G. Dowson ◽  
Denise Donoghue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Fluoroquinolone Resistance ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adaptive Resistance ◽  
Benzethonium Chloride ◽  
Industrial Strains

ABSTRACTBacteria from theBurkholderia cepaciacomplex (Bcc) are encountered as industrial contaminants, and little is known about the species involved or their mechanisms of preservative resistance. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that multiple Bcc species may cause contamination, withB. lata(n= 17) andB. cenocepacia(n= 11) dominant within the collection examined. At the strain level, 11 of the 31 industrial sequence types identified had also been recovered from either natural environments or clinical infections. Minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (MBC) preservative concentrations varied across 83 selected Bcc strains, with industrial strains demonstrating increased tolerance for dimethylol dimethyl hydantoin (DMDMH). Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), DMDMH, methylisothiazolinone (MIT), a blend of 3:1 methylisothiazolinone-chloromethylisothiazolinone (M-CMIT), methyl paraben (MP), and phenoxyethanol (PH), were all effective anti-Bcc preservatives; benzethonium chloride (BC) and sodium benzoate (SB) were least effective. SinceB. latawas the dominant industrial Bcc species, the type strain, 383T(LMG 22485T), was used to study preservative tolerance. Strain 383 developed stable preservative tolerance for M-CMIT, MIT, BIT, and BC, which resulted in preservative cross-resistance and altered antibiotic susceptibility, motility, and biofilm formation. Transcriptomic analysis of theB. lata383 M-CMIT-adapted strain demonstrated that efflux played a key role in its M-CMIT tolerance and elevated fluoroquinolone resistance. The role of efflux was corroborated using the inhibitorl-Phe-Arg-β-napthylamide, which reduced the MICs of M-CMIT and ciprofloxacin. In summary, intrinsic preservative tolerance and stable adaptive changes, such as enhanced efflux, play a role in the ability of Bcc bacteria to cause industrial contamination.

scholarly journals Burkholderia cepacia Complex Phage-Antibiotic Synergy (PAS): Antibiotics Stimulate Lytic Phage Activity

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1132-1138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Kamal ◽  
Jonathan J. Dennis
Keyword(s):  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Burkholderia Cenocepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Lytic Phage ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Drug Classes ◽  
Phage Production ◽  
A Chain

ABSTRACTTheBurkholderia cepaciacomplex (Bcc) is a group of at least 18 species of Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens that can cause chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Bcc organisms possess high levels of innate antimicrobial resistance, and alternative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. One proposed alternative treatment is phage therapy, the therapeutic application of bacterial viruses (or bacteriophages). Recently, some phages have been observed to form larger plaques in the presence of sublethal concentrations of certain antibiotics; this effect has been termed phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS). Those reports suggest that some antibiotics stimulate increased production of phages under certain conditions. The aim of this study is to examine PAS in phages that infectBurkholderia cenocepaciastrains C6433 and K56-2. Bcc phages KS12 and KS14 were tested for PAS, using 6 antibiotics representing 4 different drug classes. Of the antibiotics tested, the most pronounced effects were observed for meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline. When grown with subinhibitory concentrations of these three antibiotics, cells developed a chain-like arrangement, an elongated morphology, and a clustered arrangement, respectively. When treated with progressively higher antibiotic concentrations, both the sizes of plaques and phage titers increased, up to a maximum.B. cenocepaciaK56-2-infectedGalleria mellonellalarvae treated with phage KS12 and low-dose meropenem demonstrated increased survival over controls treated with KS12 or antibiotic alone. These results suggest that antibiotics can be combined with phages to stimulate increased phage production and/or activity and thus improve the efficacy of bacterial killing.

scholarly journals Burkholderia cepacia Complex Bacteria: a Feared Contamination Risk in Water-Based Pharmaceutical Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Tavares ◽  
Mariya Kozak ◽  
Alexandra Balola ◽  
Isabel Sá-Correia
Keyword(s):  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Pseudomonas Cepacia ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metabolic Versatility

SUMMARY Burkholderia cepacia (formerly Pseudomonas cepacia) was once thought to be a single bacterial species but has expanded to the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), comprising 24 closely related opportunistic pathogenic species. These bacteria have a widespread environmental distribution, an extraordinary metabolic versatility, a complex genome with three chromosomes, and a high capacity for rapid mutation and adaptation. Additionally, they present an inherent resistance to antibiotics and antiseptics, as well as the abilities to survive under nutrient-limited conditions and to metabolize the organic matter present in oligotrophic aquatic environments, even using certain antimicrobials as carbon sources. These traits constitute the reason that Bcc bacteria are considered feared contaminants of aqueous pharmaceutical and personal care products and the frequent reason behind nonsterile product recalls. Contamination with Bcc has caused numerous nosocomial outbreaks in health care facilities, presenting a health threat, particularly for patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic granulomatous disease and for immunocompromised individuals. This review addresses the role of Bcc bacteria as a potential public health problem, the mechanisms behind their success as contaminants of pharmaceutical products, particularly in the presence of biocides, the difficulties encountered in their detection, and the preventive measures applied during manufacturing processes to control contamination with these objectionable microorganisms. A summary of Bcc-related outbreaks in different clinical settings, due to contamination of diverse types of pharmaceutical products, is provided.

scholarly journals Successful Treatment of Persistent Burkholderia cepacia Complex Bacteremia with Ceftazidime-Avibactam

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. e02213-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranita D. Tamma ◽  
Yunfan Fan ◽  
Yehudit Bergman ◽  
Anna C. Sick-Samuels ◽  
Alice J. Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Clinical Cure ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Source Control ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT We report our clinical experience treating a 2-month-old infant with congenital diaphragmatic hernia who experienced prolonged bacteremia with Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) despite conventional antibiotic therapy and appropriate source control measures. The infection resolved after initiation of ceftazidime-avibactam. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the isolate most closely resembled B. contaminans and identified the mechanism of resistance that likely contributed to clinical cure with this agent. Ceftazidime-avibactam should be considered salvage therapy for Bcc infections if other treatment options have been exhausted.

Exposing the third chromosome of Burkholderia cepacia complex strains as a virulence plasmid

2011 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 362-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Agnoli ◽  
S. Schwager ◽  
S. Uehlinger ◽  
A. Vergunst ◽  
D. F. Viteri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Virulence Plasmid ◽  
The Third

scholarly journals Reclassification of the Specialized Metabolite Producer Pseudomonas mesoacidophila ATCC 31433 as a Member of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Joel Loveridge ◽  
Cerith Jones ◽  
Matthew J. Bull ◽  
Suzy C. Moody ◽  
Małgorzata W. Kahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Biosynthetic Gene ◽  
Biosynthetic Gene Clusters ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas mesoacidophila ATCC 31433 is a Gram-negative bacterium, first isolated from Japanese soil samples, that produces the monobactam isosulfazecin and the β-lactam-potentiating bulgecins. To characterize the biosynthetic potential of P. mesoacidophila ATCC 31433, its complete genome was determined using single-molecule real-time DNA sequence analysis. The 7.8-Mb genome comprised four replicons, three chromosomal (each encoding rRNA) and one plasmid. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that P. mesoacidophila ATCC 31433 was misclassified at the time of its deposition and is a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, most closely related to Burkholderia ubonensis. The sequenced genome shows considerable additional biosynthetic potential; known gene clusters for malleilactone, ornibactin, isosulfazecin, alkylhydroxyquinoline, and pyrrolnitrin biosynthesis and several uncharacterized biosynthetic gene clusters for polyketides, nonribosomal peptides, and other metabolites were identified. Furthermore, P. mesoacidophila ATCC 31433 harbors many genes associated with environmental resilience and antibiotic resistance and was resistant to a range of antibiotics and metal ions. In summary, this bioactive strain should be designated B. cepacia complex strain ATCC 31433, pending further detailed taxonomic characterization. IMPORTANCE This work reports the complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas mesoacidophila ATCC 31433, a known producer of bioactive compounds. Large numbers of both known and novel biosynthetic gene clusters were identified, indicating that P. mesoacidophila ATCC 31433 is an untapped resource for discovery of novel bioactive compounds. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that P. mesoacidophila ATCC 31433 is in fact a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, most closely related to the species Burkholderia ubonensis. Further investigation of the classification and biosynthetic potential of P. mesoacidophila ATCC 31433 is warranted.

scholarly journals Linocin and OmpW Are Involved in Attachment of the Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Pathogen Burkholderia cepacia Complex to Lung Epithelial Cells and Protect Mice against Infection

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 1424-1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhán McClean ◽  
Marc E. Healy ◽  
Cassandra Collins ◽  
Stephen Carberry ◽  
Luke O'Shaughnessy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Burkholderia Cenocepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lung Epithelial ◽  
Proteomics Approach

Members of theBurkholderia cepaciacomplex (Bcc) cause chronic opportunistic lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), resulting in a gradual lung function decline and, ultimately, patient death. The Bcc is a complex of 20 species and is rarely eradicated once a patient is colonized; therefore, vaccination may represent a better therapeutic option. We developed a new proteomics approach to identify bacterial proteins that are involved in the attachment of Bcc bacteria to lung epithelial cells. Fourteen proteins were reproducibly identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis from four Bcc strains representative of two Bcc species:Burkholderia cenocepacia, the most virulent, andB. multivorans, the most frequently acquired. Seven proteins were identified in both species, but only two were common to all four strains, linocin and OmpW. Both proteins were selected based on previously reported data on these proteins in other species.Escherichia colistrains expressing recombinant linocin and OmpW showed enhanced attachment (4.2- and 3.9-fold) to lung cells compared to the control, confirming that both proteins are involved in host cell attachment. Immunoproteomic analysis using serum from Bcc-colonized CF patients confirmed that both proteins elicit potent humoral responsesin vivo. Mice immunized with either recombinant linocin or OmpW were protected fromB. cenocepaciaandB. multivoranschallenge. Both antigens induced potent antigen-specific antibody responses and stimulated strong cytokine responses. In conclusion, our approach identified adhesins that induced excellent protection against two Bcc species and are promising vaccine candidates for a multisubunit vaccine. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential of our proteomics approach to identify potent antigens against other difficult pathogens.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document