scholarly journals New Genotypes of Coxiella burnetii Circulating in Brazil and Argentina

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateus de Souza Ribeiro Mioni ◽  
Karim Sidi-Boumedine ◽  
Felipe Morales Dalanezi ◽  
Sâmea Fernandes Joaquim ◽  
Renan Denadai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
South America ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeats ◽  
Mlva Typing ◽  
Multispacer Sequence Typing

Coxiella burnetii, the zoonotic agent of Q fever, has a worldwide distribution. Despite the vast information about the circulating genotypes in Europe and North America, there is a lack of data regarding C. burnetii strains in South America. Here, we show the presence of novel multispacer sequence typing (MST) genotypes of C. burnetii in two clusters detected in Brazil and Argentina that seem to be distant in parenthood. Argentinian strains isolated from a tick belongs to a new phylogenetic branch of C. burnetii, and the Brazilians strains may be related to MST 20 and 61. Multilocus variable number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) typing provided a deeper resolution that may be related to host clusters of bovines, caprine, ovine, and ticks. Our results corroborate with the reports of geotypes of C. burnetii. Thus, we highlight the need for more genotyping studies to understand the genetic diversity of C. burnetii in South America and to confirm the hypothesis of host-related genotypes. We also emphasize the importance of virulence studies for a better understanding of Q fever in the region, which may help in surveillance and disease prevention programs.

scholarly journals High Prevalence and New Genotype of Coxiella burnetii in Ticks Infesting Camels in Somalia

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 741
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Frangoulidis ◽  
Claudia Kahlhofer ◽  
Ahmed Shire Said ◽  
Abdinasir Yusuf Osman ◽  
Lidia Chitimia-Dobler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
One Health ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
New Genotype ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeats ◽  
Vntr Analysis

Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever. It can infect animals, humans, and birds, as well as ticks, and it has a worldwide geographical distribution. To better understand the epidemiology of C. burnetii in Somalia, ticks infesting camels were collected from five different regions, including Bari, Nugaal, Mudug, Sool, and Sanaag, between January and March 2018. Collected ticks were tested for C. burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbiont DNA by using IS1111, icd, and Com1-target PCR assays. Moreover, sequencing of the 16S-rRNA was conducted. Molecular characterization and typing were done by adaA-gene analysis and plasmid-type identification. Further typing was carried out by 14-marker Multi-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeats (MLVA/VNTR) analysis. The investigated ticks (n = 237) were identified as Hyalomma spp. (n = 227, 95.8%), Amblyomma spp. (n = 8, 3.4%), and Ripicephalus spp. (n = 2, 0.8%), and 59.1% (140/237) of them were positive for Coxiella spp. While Sanger sequencing and plasmid-type identification revealed a C. burnetii that harbours the QpRS-plasmid, MLVA/VNTR genotyping showed a new genotype which was initially named D21. In conclusion, this is the first report of C. burnetii in ticks in Somalia. The findings denote the possibility that C. burnetii is endemic in Somalia. Further epidemiological studies investigating samples from humans, animals, and ticks within the context of “One Health” are warranted.

scholarly journals Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in small ruminants and genotyping of specimens collected from goats in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Jodełko ◽  
Monika Szymańska-Czerwińska ◽  
Jolanta Grażyna Rola ◽  
Krzysztof Niemczuk
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeat ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Tissue Sections ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
Sequence Types ◽  
Multispacer Sequence Typing

Abstract Background Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever, a zoonosis affecting many animal species including sheep and goats. The aims of this study were to evaluate the shedding of Coxiella burnetii in small ruminant herds and to identify the pathogen’s genotypes and sequence types (STs) using multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and multispacer sequence typing (MST) methods. Results Overall, 165 samples from 43 herds of goats and 9 flocks of sheep were collected including bulk tank milk (BTM), individual milk samples, vaginal swabs, tissue sections from stillborn kids, feces and placentas. These were tested by real-time PCR targeting the IS1111 element. C. burnetii infection was confirmed in 51.16% of the herds of goats and 22.2% of the flocks of sheep. Six out of nine samples originating from goats were successfully genotyped using the MLVA method. The presence was confirmed of two widely distributed MLVA genotypes (I and J) and genotype PL1 previously reported only in cattle. Only one sequence type (ST61) was identified; however, the majority of specimens represented partial STs and some of them may belong to ST61. Other partial STs could possibly be ST74. Conclusion This study confirmed the relatively common occurrence of Coxiella burnetii in small ruminant herds in Poland. Interestingly, all genotyped samples represent cattle-associated MLVA genotypes.

scholarly journals MLVA-16 Genotyping of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis Isolates from Different Animal Species in Egypt: Geographical Relatedness and the Mediterranean Lineage

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
Gamal Wareth ◽  
Mohamed El-Diasty ◽  
Falk Melzer ◽  
Gernot Schmoock ◽  
Shawky A. Moustafa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Brucella Melitensis ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeats ◽  
Open Markets

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease in Egypt. However, there are limited data available on the genetic diversity of brucellae circulating in Egypt and other Mediterranean areas. One hundred and nine Brucella (B.) strains were isolated from different animal species in thirteen Egyptian governorates. Multi-locus variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) analysis (MLVA-16) was employed to determine the geographical relatedness and the genetic diversity of a panel of selected Egyptian strains (n = 69), with strains originating from Italy (n = 49), Portugal (n = 52), Greece (n = 63), and Tunisia (n = 4). Egyptian B. melitensis strains clustered into two main clusters containing 21 genotypes. Egyptian B. abortus strains clustered into three main clusters containing nine genotypes. The genotypes were irregularly distributed over time and space in the study area. Egyptian strains of B. melitensis showed MLVA-16 patterns closer to that of Italian strains. Egyptian B. abortus strains isolated from cattle share the same genotype with strains from Portugal and similar to strains from Italy with low genetic diversity. Strains with similar MLVA patterns isolated from different governorates highlight the movement of the pathogen among governorates. Hence, it may also reflect the long endemicity of brucellosis in Egypt with earlier dispersal of types and great local genetic diversity. Open markets may contribute to cross-species transmission and dissemination of the new types nationwide. The presence of West Mediterranean lineages of B. melitensis and relatedness of B. abortus strains from the studied countries is a result of the socio-historical connections among the Mediterranean countries. Transnational eradication of brucellosis in the Mediterranean basin is highly demanded.

scholarly journals Correlating Genotyping Data of Coxiella burnetii with Genomic Groups

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 604
Author(s):  
Claudia M. Hemsley ◽  
Angela Essex-Lopresti ◽  
Isobel H. Norville ◽  
Richard W. Titball
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeat ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
New Classification ◽  
Genetic Lineages ◽  
Virulence Potential ◽  
Multispacer Sequence Typing

Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic pathogen that resides in wild and domesticated animals across the globe and causes a febrile illness, Q fever, in humans. Several distinct genetic lineages or genomic groups have been shown to exist, with evidence for different virulence potential of these lineages. Multispacer Sequence Typing (MST) and Multiple-Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) are being used to genotype strains. However, it is unclear how these typing schemes correlate with each other or with the classification into different genomic groups. Here, we created extensive databases for published MLVA and MST genotypes of C. burnetii and analysed the associated metadata, revealing associations between animal host and human disease type. We established a new classification scheme that assigns both MST and MLVA genotypes to a genomic group and which revealed additional sub-lineages in two genomic groups. Finally, we report a novel, rapid genomotyping method for assigning an isolate into a genomic group based on the Cox51 spacer sequence. We conclude that by pooling and streamlining existing datasets, associations between genotype and clinical outcome or host source were identified, which in combination with our novel genomotyping method, should enable an estimation of the disease potential of new C. burnetii isolates.

scholarly journals First Isolation of Leptospira Borgpetersenii Serovar Hardjobovis in Guanacos (Lama Guanicoe) in South America

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bibiana Brihuega ◽  
Vanina Saraullo ◽  
Mara Martinez ◽  
Olivia Watanabe ◽  
Micaela Hamer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Lama Guanicoe ◽  
Leptospira Borgpetersenii ◽  
Wildlife Populations ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeats ◽  
Renal Infection

Abstract Background Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world. It is caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira spp. and is maintained in nature through chronic renal infection of carrier animals, being rodents and other small mammals the main reservoirs. This bacterial genus is highly heterogeneous and divided into three clades (pathogenic, saprophyte and intermediate). Presence of pathogenic strains in wildlife populations is essential to monitor the epidemiological status of this disease worldwide. Methods In this study, we characterize an isolated strain of a Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) using Multiple Locus Variable number tandem repeats Analysis (MLVA) (Variable Number Tandem Repeats-VNTRs: 4, 7, 10, Lb4 and Lb5). To confirm the identity of the isolated strain, partial 16S rRNA sequencing was carried out. Phylogeny was constructed using Neighbor- joining. Results The pathogenic leptospiral strain isolated from Llama guanicoe had the genetic profile identical to L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjobovis reference strain Sponselee. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first isolation and genetic characterization of a pathogenic leptospiral strain in Guanacos in South America.

scholarly journals Molecular characteristics of Brucella melitensis isolates from humans in Qinghai Province, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Jun Zhao ◽  
Ji-Quan Li ◽  
Li Ma ◽  
Hong-Mei Xue ◽  
Xu-Xin Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Brucella Melitensis ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Human Brucellosis ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Qinghai Province ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeats

Abstract Background The prevalence of human brucellosis in Qinghai Province of China has been increasing rapidly, with confirmed cases distributed across 31 counties. However, the epidemiology of brucellosis transmission has not been fully elucidated. To characterize the infecting strains isolated from humans, multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) and whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based approaches were employed. Methods Strains were isolated from two males blood cultures that were confirmed Brucella melitensis positive following biotyping and MLVA. Genomic DNA was extracted from these two strains, and whole-genome sequencing was performed. Next, SNP-based phylogenetic analysis was performed to compare the two strains to 94 B. melitensis strains (complete genome and draft genome) retrieved from online databases. Results The two Brucella isolates were identified as B. melitensis biovar 3 (QH2019001 and QH2019005) following conventional biotyping and were found to have differences in their variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) using MLVA-16. Phylogenetic examination assigned the 96 strains to five genotype groups, with QH2019001 and QH2019005 assigned to the same group, but different subgroups. Moreover, the QH2019005 strain was assigned to a new subgenotype, IIj, within genotype II. These findings were then combined to determine the geographic origin of the two Brucella strains. Conclusions Utilizing a whole-genome SNP-based approach enabled differences between the two B. melitensis strains to be more clearly resolved, and facilitated the elucidation of their different evolutionary histories. This approach also revealed that QH2019005 is a member of a new subgenotype (IIj) with an ancient origin in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

scholarly journals Human Q Fever on the Guiana Shield and Brazil: Recent Findings and Remaining Questions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loïc Epelboin ◽  
Carole Eldin ◽  
Pauline Thill ◽  
Vincent Pommier de Santi ◽  
Philippe Abboud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Guiana Shield ◽  
Animal Reservoir ◽  
The World ◽  
Unique Strain ◽  
Amazonian Region

Abstract Purpose of Review In this review, we report on the state of knowledge about human Q fever in Brazil and on the Guiana Shield, an Amazonian region located in northeastern South America. There is a contrast between French Guiana, where the incidence of this disease is the highest in the world, and other countries where this disease is practically non-existent. Recent Findings Recent findings are essentially in French Guiana where a unique strain MST17 has been identified; it is probably more virulent than those usually found with a particularly marked pulmonary tropism, a mysterious animal reservoir, a geographical distribution that raises questions. Summary Q fever is a bacterial zoonosis due to Coxiella burnetii that has been reported worldwide. On the Guiana Shield, a region mostly covered by Amazonian forest, which encompasses the Venezuelan State of Bolivar, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and the Brazilian State of Amapá, the situation is very heterogeneous. While French Guiana is the region reporting the highest incidence of this disease in the world, with a single infecting clone (MST 117) and a unique epidemiological cycle, it has hardly ever been reported in other countries in the region. This absence of cases raises many questions and is probably due to massive under-diagnosis. Studies should estimate comprehensively the true burden of this disease in the region.

scholarly journals Slipped-Strand Mispairing at Noncontiguous Repeats in Poecilia reticulata: A Model for Minisatellite Birth

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 155 (3) ◽  
pp. 1313-1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S Taylor ◽  
Felix Breden
Keyword(s):  
Tandem Repeat ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Repeat Motif ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Direct Repeats ◽  
Mt Dna ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeats

Abstract The standard slipped-strand mispairing (SSM) model for the formation of variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) proposes that a few tandem repeats, produced by chance mutations, provide the “raw material” for VNTR expansion. However, this model is unlikely to explain the formation of VNTRs with long motifs (e.g., minisatellites), because the likelihood of a tandem repeat forming by chance decreases rapidly as the length of the repeat motif increases. Phylogenetic reconstruction of the birth of a mitochondrial (mt) DNA minisatellite in guppies suggests that VNTRs with long motifs can form as a consequence of SSM at noncontiguous repeats. VNTRs formed in this manner have motifs longer than the noncontiguous repeat originally formed by chance and are flanked by one unit of the original, noncontiguous repeat. SSM at noncontiguous repeats can therefore explain the birth of VNTRs with long motifs and the “imperfect” or “short direct” repeats frequently observed adjacent to both mtDNA and nuclear VNTRs.

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