Genomic Analysis of Putative Virulence Factors Affecting Cytotoxicity of Cronobacter

Jinghua Cui; Jinghua Cui; Jinrui Hu; Xiaoli Du; Chao Yan; Guanhua Xue; Shaoli Li; Zhigang Cui; Hua Huang; Jing Yuan

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.03104

Frontiers in Microbiology (Feb 2020)

Genomic Analysis of Putative Virulence Factors Affecting Cytotoxicity of Cronobacter

Jinghua Cui,
Jinghua Cui,
Jinrui Hu,
Xiaoli Du,
Chao Yan,
Guanhua Xue,
Shaoli Li,
Zhigang Cui,
Hua Huang,
Jing Yuan

Affiliations

Jinghua Cui: Department of Bacteriology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
Jinghua Cui: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
Jinrui Hu: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
Xiaoli Du: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
Chao Yan: Department of Bacteriology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
Guanhua Xue: Department of Bacteriology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
Shaoli Li: Department of Bacteriology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
Zhigang Cui: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
Hua Huang: Beijing Products Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute, Beijing, China
Jing Yuan: Department of Bacteriology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.03104
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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Cronobacter spp. can cause systemic infections, such as meningitis, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis, in immunocompromised patients, especially neonates. Although some virulence factors have been reported previously, the pathogenesis of Cronobacter remains unclear. In this study, we compared genome sequences from different Cronobacter species, sequence types, and sources, with the virulence genes in the virulence factor database. The results showed that Cronobacter has species specificity for these virulence genes. Additionally, two gene clusters, including sfp encoding fimbriae and hly encoding hemolysin, were discovered. Through cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, and hemolysis assays, we found that the isolates possessing the two gene clusters had higher cytotoxicity and stronger hemolysis capacity than those of other isolates in this study. Moreover, analysis of type VI secretion system (T6SS) cluster and putative fimbria gene clusters of Cronobacter revealed that T6SS have species specificity and isolates with high cytotoxicity possessed more complete T6SS cluster construction than that of the rest. In conclusion, the two novel gene clusters and T6SS cluster were involved in the mechanism underlying the cytotoxicity of Cronobacter.

Published in Frontiers in Microbiology

ISSN: 1664-302X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology

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