Presence of genes associated with adhesion, invasion, and toxin production inCampylobacter jejuniisolates and effect of temperature on their expression

Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate the presence of genes associated with adhesion (cadF), invasion (ciaB), and cytotoxin production (cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC) among Campylobacter jejuni isolates from a poultry slaughterhouse and to investigate the effect of different temperatures on the expression of these virulence-associated genes. A total of 88 C. jejuni isolates from cecum, liver, chicken carcasses, chilled water, and scalding water were submitted to PCR assay for detection of virulence genes. Representative isolates were selected for gene expression evaluation at 37 and 42 °C, according to their virulence gene profile and genotypic typing. All C. jejuni isolates carried the five virulence-associated genes, which play an important role in the infectious process. Differential gene expression by RT–qPCR was observed among C. jejuni isolates at 37 and 42 °C. The expression levels at 37 °C showed upregulation of the ciaB, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC genes in five isolates, with the exception of ciaB for isolate 4. At 42 °C, upregulation was observed for ciaB and cdtC, cdtA and cdtB, and cadF in four, three, and two isolates, respectively. The C. jejuni isolates expressed the virulence genes evaluated, and the expression is gene- and isolate-dependent and varied according the temperature.

Genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of thermophilic Campylobacter isolated from broiler production chain

“…Among the thermophilic Campylobacter species, C. jejuni is the species most isolated in the productive chain of broilers [41,42] and is also responsible for 90% of cases of human campylobacteriosis [6]. Our results showed that 75% (9/12) of the cecum samples were positive for C. jejuni.…”

Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence-Associated Markers in Campylobacter Strains From Diarrheic and Non-diarrheic Humans in Poland

“…We noted lack of tssL and tssM genes encoding inner membrane proteins and lack of the tssI gene encoding VgrG protein that functions as a puncturing device toward the targeted cells (Silverman et al, 2012). However, all T6SS-positive Campylobacter isolates possessed the hcp gene highlighted by Corcionivoschi et al (2015) as an indicative component of a functional T6SS in C. jejuni.…”

“…Multiple bacterial factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of campylobacteriosis including adhesion, invasion, and production of certain toxins, which support Campylobacter to invade the host, cause disease, and evade host defense (de Oliveira et al, 2019). Identification of virulence factors involved in the pathogenesis of campylobacteriosis is crucial to better understanding the mechanisms of the infection and to identify if certain, potentially more virulent strains exist.…”

Taking Control: Campylobacter jejuni Binding to Fibronectin Sets the Stage for Cellular Adherence and Invasion

“…The intestinal life cycle of C. jejuni requires transition to an animal's gut, where it responds to changes in physiological conditions. The abundance of the CadF and FlpA proteins has been demonstrated to be responsive to host conditions, including temperature, oxygen levels, oxidative stress, and mucin (Tu et al, 2008;Hong et al, 2014;Koolman et al, 2016;Guccione et al, 2017;de Oliveira et al, 2019). For example, Hong and colleagues reported that culturing C. jejuni with porcine mucin resulted in an increase in 32 proteins and a decrease in 20 proteins compared to bacteria grown in the absence of mucin for 24 h using a label-free LC-MS/MS technique (Hong et al, 2014).…”