Prevalence of Clostridium botulinum in Retail Peanut Butters from a 2007 Survey in Ottawa, Canada.

The spore-forming, anaerobic bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, can cause intestinal toxemia (colonization) botulism in adults and infants by colonizing the gut and producing botulinum neurotoxin in situ. In 2006, peanut butter was identified as a lab-confirmed source of C. botulinum spores for an adult colonization botulism case in Canada. It is recommended for infants to be exposed to peanut butter at an early age to help prevent the development of a peanut allergy, yet the prevalence of C. botulinum in retail peanut butters is currently unknown. This report details a survey that was conducted in 2007 for the presence of viable C. botulinum spores in 92 peanut butters and 12 other nut butter spreads obtained from retail grocery stores in Ottawa, Canada. Samples were tested for viable C. botulinum spores by detecting botulinum neurotoxin in enrichment cultures by mouse bioassay. Three of the peanut butters from the entire survey of nut butter spreads (3/104, 3%) produced cultures containing botulinum neurotoxin. Whole genome sequencing performed on one isolate from this survey, as well as a clinical isolate and peanut butter isolates associated with the 2006 adult colonization case revealed that all C. botulinum isolates contained a full-length chromosomal bont/A1 gene within an ha-orf + cassette. This study identifies retail peanut butters as a potential source of viable C. botulinum spores at the time of sampling. Whether peanut butter represents a food category that may be contributing to the incidence of infant botulism has yet to be determined.

Comparative virulome analysis of four Staphylococcus epidermidis strains from human skin and platelet concentrates using whole genome sequencing.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the predominant bacterial contaminants in platelet concentrates (PCs), a blood component used to treat bleeding disorders. PCs are a unique niche that triggers biofilm formation, the main pathomechanism of S. epidermidis infections. We performed whole genome sequencing of four S. epidermidis strains isolated from skin of healthy human volunteers (AZ22 and AZ39) and contaminated PCs (ST10002 and ST11003) to unravel phylogenetic relationships and decipher virulence mechanisms compared to 24 complete S. epidermidis genomes in GenBank. AZ39 and ST11003 formed a separate unique lineage with strains 14.1 .R1 and SE95, while AZ22 formed a cluster with 1457 and ST10002 closely grouped with FDAAGOS_161. The four isolates were assigned to sequence types ST1175, ST1174, ST73 and ST16, respectively. All four genomes exhibited biofilm-associated genes ebh, ebp, sdrG, sdrH and atl. Additionally, AZ22 had sdrF and aap, whereas ST10002 had aap and icaABCDR. Notably, AZ39 possesses truncated ebh and sdrG and harbours a toxin-encoding gene. All isolates carry multiple antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance to fosfomycin (fosB), ß-lactams (blaZ) and fluoroquinolones (norA). This study reveales a unique lineage for S. epidermidis and provides insight into the genetic basis of virulence and antibiotic resistance in transfusion-associated S. epidermidis strains.

Complete genomes of Clostridium botulinum type B(F) isolates associated with a 1995 foodborne botulism outbreak from commercial pâté reveals a recombination event disrupting the ntnh gene.

Foodborne botulism is a neuroparalytic disease caused by ingestion of foods contaminated with botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), produced by Clostridium botulinum. In 1995 a husband and wife from Québec, Canada, were hospitalized for several months with prolonged muscle paralysis after ingesting a commercial pâté de campagne. Examination of faecal samples from both patients and the pâté produced viable Group I (proteolytic) C. botulinum type B from each of the three samples. Whole genome sequencing revealed that all three isolates contain identical bont/B5 and bont/F2 genes encoded on a plasmid. Both faecal isolate genomes were identical in chromosome and plasmid length, as well as gene content. The genome of the pâté isolate was nearly identical to that of the faecal isolates with the notable difference of a missing 13-gene insertion on the bont/B5 cluster disrupting the ntnh gene. Examination of the insertion revealed several mobile genetic elements that participate in recombination.

Targeted metagenomics using bait-capture to detect antibiotic resistance genes in retail meat and seafood.

Metagenomics analysis of foods has the potential to provide comprehensive data on the presence and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in the microbiome of foods. However, AMR genes are generally present in low abundance compared to other bacterial genes in the food microbiome and consequently require multiple rounds of in-depth sequencing for detection. Here, a metagenomics approach, using bait-capture probes targeting antimicrobial resistance and plasmid genes, is used to characterize the resistome and plasmidome of retail beef, chicken, oyster, shrimp, and veal enrichment cultures (n = 15). Compared to total shotgun metagenomics, bait-capture required approximately 40-fold fewer sequence reads to detect twice the number of AMR gene classes, AMR gene families, and plasmid genes across all sample types. For the detection of critically important extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes the bait capture method had a higher overall positivity rate (44%) compared to shotgun metagenomics (26%), and a culture-based method (29%). Overall, the results support the use of bait-capture for the identification of low abundance genes such as AMR genes from food samples.

Choice of DNA extraction method affects detection of bacterial taxa from retail chicken breast.

BACKGROUND: Sequence-based methods for the detection of bacteria such as 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and metagenomics can provide a comprehensive view of the bacterial microbiome of food. These methods rely on the detection of gene sequences to indicate the presence of viable bacteria. This indirect form of detection can be prone to experimental artefacts. Sample handling and processing are key sources of variation that require standard approaches. Extracting sufficient quantities of high quality DNA from food matrices is challenging because target bacterial species are usually minor components of the microbiota and foods contain an array of compounds that are inhibitory to downstream DNA applications. Here, three DNA extraction methods are compared for their ability to extract high quality bacterial DNA from retail chicken breast rinses, with or without enrichment. Method performance was assessed by comparing ease of use, DNA yield, DNA quality, PCR amplicon yield, and the detection of bacterial taxa by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. RESULTS: All three DNA extraction methods yielded DNA of sufficient quantity and quality to perform quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The extraction methods differed in ease of use, with the two commercial kits (PowerFood, PowerSoil) offering considerable time and cost savings over a hybrid method that used laboratory reagents for lysis and commercial column based kits for further purification. Bacterial richness as determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was similar across the three DNA extraction methods. However, differences were noted in the relative abundance of bacterial taxa, with significantly higher abundance of Gram-positive genera detected in the DNA samples prepared using the PowerFood DNA extraction kit. CONCLUSION: The choice of DNA extraction method can affect the detection of bacterial taxa by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in chicken meat rinses. Investigators should be aware of this procedural bias and select methods that are fit for the purposes of their investigation.

Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus CI/BAC/25/13/W, Isolated from Contaminated Platelet Concentrates in England.

We present the genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus CI/BAC/25/13/W, which was isolated in 2013 as a contaminant of a platelet concentrate with abnormal clotting at the National Health Service Blood and Transplant. Assessment of the genome sequence showed the presence of one chromosome (2,719,347 bp) and one plasmid (1,533 bp).

Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus PS/BAC/169/17/W, Isolated from a Contaminated Platelet Concentrate in England.

We report the genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus PS/BAC/169/17/W, which was isolated in 2017 from a contaminated platelet concentrate at the National Health Service Blood and Transplant. Assessment of the genome sequence of this strain showed the presence of a 2,753,746-bp chromosome and a plasmid of 2,762 bp.

Reduced Infection Efficiency of Phage NCTC 12673 on Non-Motile Campylobacter jejuni Strains Is Related to Oxidative Stress.

Campylobacter jejuni is a Gram-negative foodborne pathogen that causes diarrheal disease and is associated with severe post-infectious sequelae. Bacteriophages (phages) are a possible means of reducing Campylobacter colonization in poultry to prevent downstream human infections. However, the factors influencing phage-host interactions must be better understood before this strategy can be predictably employed. Most studies have focused on Campylobacter phage binding to the host surface, with all phages classified as either capsule- or flagella-specific. Here we describe the characterization of a C. jejuni phage that requires functional flagellar glycosylation and motor genes for infection, without needing the flagella for adsorption to the cell surface. Through phage infectivity studies of targeted C. jejuni mutants, transcriptomic analysis of phage-resistant mutants, and genotypic and phenotypic analysis of a spontaneous phage variant capable of simultaneously overcoming flagellar gene dependence and sensitivity to oxidative stress, we have uncovered a link between oxidative stress, flagellar motility, and phage infectivity. Taken together, our results underscore the importance of understanding phage-host interactions beyond the cell surface and point to host oxidative stress state as an important and underappreciated consideration for future phage-host interaction studies.

Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Strain PS/BAC/317/16/W, Isolated from Contaminated Platelet Concentrates in England.

We present the genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus strain PS/BAC/317/16/W, which was isolated from contaminated platelet concentrates by the National Health Service Blood and Transplant in England (2017). Genome sequence analysis revealed the presence of one chromosome (2,665,983 bp) and two plasmids (4,265 bp and 2,921 bp) in this strain.

Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Strain CBS2016-05, Isolated from Contaminated Platelet Concentrates in Canada.

We present the genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus strain CBS2016-05, which was isolated from contaminated platelet concentrates by Canadian Blood Services in 2016. This strain caused a septic reaction in an acute leukemia patient. Genome sequence analysis revealed the presence of one chromosome (2,766,936 bp) and one plasmid (36,441 bp).

Complete Genome Sequence of Clostridium botulinum CJ0611A1, a Type A(B) Isolate Associated with an International Outbreak of Botulism from Commercial Carrot Juice.

We report the complete genome (3.9-Mb chromosome, 5.9-kb plasmid) of Clostridium botulinum CJ0611A1, a type A(B) strain isolated from carrot juice distributed in Canada and linked to an international 2006 foodborne botulism outbreak. This strain encodes a full-length bont/A1 gene and a truncated bont/B gene.

Genomic analysis of human noroviruses using combined Illumina-Nanopore data.

Whole-genome sequence analysis of noroviruses is routinely performed by employing a metagenomic approach. While this methodology has several advantages, such as allowing for the examination of co-infection, it has some limitations, such as the requirement of high viral load to achieve full-length or near full-length genomic sequences. In this study, we used a pre-amplification step to obtain full-length genomic amplicons from 39 Canadian GII isolates, followed by deep sequencing on Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms. This approach significantly reduced the required viral titre to obtain full-genome coverage. Herein, we compared the coverage and sequences obtained by both platforms and provided an in-depth genomic analysis of the obtained sequences, including the presence of single-nucleotide variants and recombination events.

Binding of Phage-Encoded FlaGrab to Motile Campylobacter jejuni Flagella Inhibits Growth, Downregulates Energy Metabolism, and Requires Specific Flagellar Glycans.

Many bacterial pathogens display glycosylated surface structures that contribute to virulence, and targeting these structures is a viable strategy for pathogen control. The foodborne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni expresses a vast diversity of flagellar glycans, and flagellar glycosylation is essential for its virulence. Little is known about why C. jejuni encodes such a diverse set of flagellar glycans, but it has been hypothesized that evolutionary pressure from bacteriophages (phages) may have contributed to this diversity. However, interactions between Campylobacter phages and host flagellar glycans have not been characterized in detail. Previously, we observed that Gp047 (now renamed FlaGrab), a conserved Campylobacter phage protein, binds to C. jejuni flagella displaying the nine-carbon monosaccharide 7-acetamidino-pseudaminic acid, and that this binding partially inhibits cell growth. However, the mechanism of this growth inhibition, as well as how C. jejuni might resist this activity, are not well-understood. Here we use RNA-Seq to show that FlaGrab exposure leads C. jejuni 11168 cells to downregulate expression of energy metabolism genes, and that FlaGrab-induced growth inhibition is dependent on motile flagella. Our results are consistent with a model whereby FlaGrab binding transmits a signal through flagella that leads to retarded cell growth. To evaluate mechanisms of FlaGrab resistance in C. jejuni, we characterized the flagellar glycans and flagellar glycosylation loci of two C. jejuni strains naturally resistant to FlaGrab binding. Our results point toward flagellar glycan diversity as the mechanism of resistance to FlaGrab. Overall, we have further characterized the interaction between this phage-encoded flagellar glycan-binding protein and C. jejuni, both in terms of mechanism of action and mechanism of resistance. Our results suggest that C. jejuni encodes as-yet unidentified mechanisms for generating flagellar glycan diversity, and point to phage proteins as exciting lenses through which to study bacterial surface glycans.

Transcriptomic Analysis of the Campylobacter jejuni Response to T4-Like Phage NCTC 12673 Infection.

Campylobacter jejuni is a frequent foodborne pathogen of humans. As C. jejuni infections commonly arise from contaminated poultry, phage treatments have been proposed to reduce the C. jejuni load on farms to prevent human infections. While a prior report documented the transcriptome of C. jejuni phages during the carrier state life cycle, transcriptomic analysis of a lytic C. jejuni phage infection has not been reported. We used RNA-sequencing to profile the infection of C. jejuni NCTC 11168 by the lytic T4-like myovirus NCTC 12673. Interestingly, we found that the most highly upregulated host genes upon infection make up an uncharacterized operon (cj0423⁻cj0425), which includes genes with similarity to T4 superinfection exclusion and antitoxin genes. Other significantly upregulated genes include those involved in oxidative stress defense and the Campylobactermultidrug efflux pump (CmeABC). We found that phage infectivity is altered by mutagenesis of the oxidative stress defense genes catalase (katA), alkyl-hydroxyperoxidase (ahpC), and superoxide dismutase (sodB), and by mutagenesis of the efflux pump genes cmeA and cmeB. This suggests a role for these gene products in phage infection. Together, our results shed light on the phage-host dynamics of an important foodborne pathogen during lytic infection by a T4-like phage.

Blenderized Enteral Nutrition Diet Study: Feasibility, Clinical, and Microbiome Outcomes of Providing Blenderized Feeds Through a Gastric Tube in a Medically Complex Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND: Chronically ill children often require feeding via gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes). Commercial formula is most commonly used for enteral feeding; however, caregivers have been requesting blenderized tube feeds (BTFs) as an alternative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using BTFs in a medically complex pediatric population and assess their impact on clinical outcomes, as well as the microbiota. METHODS: Twenty pediatric participants were included. Participants were G-tube dependent and receiving ≥75% of their daily energy requirements from commercial formula. Over 4 weeks, participants were transitioned from commercial formula to BTF and were monitored for 6 months for changes in nutrient intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, oral feeding, medication use, and caregiver perceptions. Changes to intestinal microbiota were monitored by 16S rDNA-based sequencing. RESULTS: Transition onto BTF was feasible in 17 participants, and 1 participant transitioned to oral feeds. Participants required 50% more calories to maintain their body mass index while on BTFs compared with commercial formula. BTF micronutrient content was superior to commercial formula. Prevalence of vomiting and use of acid-suppressive agents significantly decreased on BTFs. Stool consistency and frequency remained unchanged, while stool softener use increased. The bacterial diversity and richness in stool samples significantly increased, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased. Caregivers were more satisfied with BTFs and unanimously indicated they would recommend BTFs. CONCLUSION: Initiation and maintenance of BTFs is not only feasible in a medically complex pediatric population but can also be associated with improved clinical outcomes and increased intestinal bacterial diversity.

NuA4 Lysine Acetyltransferase Complex Contributes to Phospholipid Homeostasis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Actively proliferating cells constantly monitor and readjust their metabolic pathways to ensure the replenishment of phospholipids necessary for membrane biogenesis and intracellular trafficking. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, multiple studies have suggested that the lysine acetyltransferase complex NuA4 plays a role in phospholipid homeostasis. For one, NuA4 mutants induce the expression of the inositol-3-phosphate synthase gene, INO1, which leads to excessive accumulation of inositol, a key metabolite used for phospholipid biosynthesis. Additionally, NuA4 mutants also display negative genetic interactions with sec14-1ts , a mutant of a lipid-binding gene responsible for phospholipid remodeling of the Golgi. Here, using a combination of genetics and transcriptional profiling, we explore the connections between NuA4, inositol, and Sec14 Surprisingly, we found that NuA4 mutants did not suppress but rather exacerbated the growth defects of sec14-1ts under inositol-depleted conditions. Transcriptome studies reveal that while loss of the NuA4 subunit EAF1 in sec14-1ts does derepress INO1 expression, it does not derepress all inositol/choline-responsive phospholipid genes, suggesting that the impact of Eaf1 on phospholipid homeostasis extends beyond inositol biosynthesis. In fact, we find that NuA4 mutants have impaired lipid droplet levels and through genetic and chemical approaches, we determine that the genetic interaction between sec14-1ts and NuA4 mutants potentially reflects a role for NuA4 in fatty acid biosynthesis. Altogether, our work identifies a new role for NuA4 in phospholipid homeostasis.

L-fucose influences chemotaxis and biofilm formation in Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are zoonotic pathogens once considered asaccharolytic, but are now known to encode pathways for glucose and fucose uptake/metabolism. For C. jejuni, strains with the fuc locus possess a competitive advantage in animal colonization models. We demonstrate that this locus is present in > 50% of genome-sequenced strains and is prevalent in livestock-associated isolates of both species. To better understand how these campylobacters sense nutrient availability, we examined biofilm formation and chemotaxis to fucose. C. jejuni NCTC11168 forms less biofilms in the presence of fucose, although its fucose permease mutant (fucP) shows no change. In a newly developed chemotaxis assay, both wild-type and the fucP mutant are chemotactic towards fucose. C. jejuni 81-176 naturally lacks the fuc locus and is unable to swim towards fucose. Transfer of the NCTC11168 locus into 81-176 activated fucose uptake and chemotaxis. Fucose chemotaxis also correlated with possession of the pathway for C. jejuni RM1221 (fuc+) and 81116 (fuc-). Systematic mutation of the NCTC11168 locus revealed that Cj0485 is necessary for fucose metabolism and chemotaxis. This study suggests that components for fucose chemotaxis are encoded within the fuc locus, but downstream signals only in fuc + strains, are involved in coordinating fucose availability with biofilm development.

Stress Responses, Adaptation, and Virulence of Bacterial Pathogens During Host Gastrointestinal Colonization.

Invading pathogens are exposed to a multitude of harmful conditions imposed by the host gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Bacterial defenses against these physical and chemical stresses are pivotal for successful host colonization and pathogenesis. Enteric pathogens, which are encountered due to the ingestion of or contact with contaminated foods or materials, are highly successful at surviving harsh conditions to colonize and cause the onset of host illness and disease. Pathogens such as Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Salmonella, Listeria, and virulent strains of Escherichia have evolved elaborate defense mechanisms to adapt to the diverse range of stresses present along the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, these pathogens contain a multitude of defenses to help survive and escape from immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages. This chapter focuses on characterized bacterial defenses against pH, osmotic, oxidative, and nitrosative stresses with emphasis on both the direct and indirect mechanisms that contribute to the survival of each respective stress response.

Oxidative and nitrosative stress defences of Helicobacter and Campylobacter species that counteract mammalian immunity.

Helicobacter and Campylobacter species are Gram-negative microaerophilic host-associated heterotrophic bacteria that invade the digestive tract of humans and animals. Campylobacter jejuni is the major worldwide cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans, while Helicobacter pylori is ubiquitous in over half of the world's population causing gastric and duodenal ulcers. The colonisation of the gastrointestinal system by Helicobacter and Campylobacter relies on numerous cellular defences to sense the host environment and respond to adverse conditions, including those imposed by the host immunity. An important antimicrobial tool of the mammalian innate immune system is the generation of harmful oxidative and nitrosative stresses to which pathogens are exposed during phagocytosis. This review summarises the regulators, detoxifying enzymes and subversion mechanisms of Helicobacter and Campylobacter that ultimately promote the successful infection of humans.

Cj1386, an atypical hemin-binding protein, mediates hemin trafficking to KatA in Campylobacter jejuni.

Catalase enzymes detoxify H2O2 by the dismutation of H2O2 into O2 and H2O through the use of hemin cofactors. While the structure and biochemical properties of catalase enzymes have been well characterized over many decades of research, it remained unclear how catalases acquire hemin. We have previously reported that Cj1386 is essential for ensuring proper hemin content in Campylobacter jejuni catalase (KatA) (A. Flint, Y. Q. Sun, and A. Stintzi, J Bacteriol 194: 334-345, 2012). In this report, an in-depth molecular characterization of Cj1386 was performed to elucidate the mechanistic details of this association. Coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed that KatA-Cj1386 transiently interact in vivo, and UV-visible spectroscopy demonstrated that purified Cj1386 protein binds hemin. Furthermore, hemin titration experiments determined that hemin binds to Cj1386 in a 1:1 ratio with hexacoordinate hemin binding. Mutagenesis of potential hemin-coordinating residues in Cj1386 showed that tyrosine 57 was essential for hemin coordination when Cj1386 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The importance of tyrosine 57 in hemin trafficking in vivo was confirmed by introducing the cj1386(Y57A) allele into a C. jejuni Δcj1386 mutant background. The cj1386(Y57A) mutation resulted in increased sensitivity toward H2O2 relative to the wild type, suggesting that KatA was not functional in this strain. In support of this finding, KatA immunoprecipitated from the Δcj1386+cj1386(Y57A) mutant had significantly reduced hemin content compared to that of the cj1386(WT) background. Overall, these findings indicate that Cj1386 is involved in directly trafficking hemin to KatA and that tyrosine 57 plays a key role in this function.