Immunomodulatory Potential of Polysaccharides from Coriolus Versicolor Against Intracellular Bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Immunomodulatory Potential of Polysaccharides from Coriolus Versicolor Against Intracellular Bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Veterinary World, EISSN: 2231-0916 RESEARCH ARTICLE Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.12/June-2019/1.pdf Open Access Immunomodulatory potential of polysaccharides from Coriolus versicolor against intracellular bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae Manikya Pramudya and Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia. Corresponding author: Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih, e-mail: [email protected] Co-author: MP: [email protected] Received: 14-12-2018, Accepted: 09-04-2019, Published online: 01-06-2019 doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.735-739 How to cite this article: Pramudya M, Wahyuningsih SPA (2019) Immunomodulatory potential of polysaccharides from Coriolus versicolor against intracellular bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Veterinary World, 12(6): 735-739. Abstract Background and Aim: For many years, people use natural products from the plant and fungal to improve immune response against microorganism. This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of polysaccharides (PS) from Coriolus versicolor in mice infected by intracellular bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six female BALB/C mice were divided into six groups: Normal control, negative control, positive control, P1 (PS before infection), P2 (PS after infection), and P3 (PS before and after infection). PS were administrated for 10 days. N. gonorrhoeae was infected twice with 2 weeks gap from the first to second exposure with a dose of 106 cells. 1 week after the end of treatment, level of oxidants, innate immune responses, and adaptive immune responses were measured. Results: This study showed that PS administration could restore the number of leukocytes as normal but could not enhance the number of phagocytes and its activity. PS administration also showed immunosuppression activity by lowering nitric oxide levels in P2 and P3 groups (p<0.05). This result showed that PS prevent over-expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by decreasing phagocytic activity. Contrast with innate immune response result; PS administration could significantly increase interferon-gamma level in P1, P2, and P3 groups (p<0.05). Level of antibodies was significantly increased in the P3 group (p<0.05). PS administration also showed an increased level of tumor necrosis factor-α, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: PS enhance adaptive immunity due to the capability of N. gonorrhoeae that able to survive and replicate in phagocytes. Thus, PS from C. versicolor could be potentially be used as a natural immunomodulator against intracellular bacteria. Keywords: immune response, immunomodulator, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, polysaccharide. Introduction N. gonorrhoeae, but these bacteria are relatively resis- Sexually transmitted infection such as gonor- tant to degradation of phagocytes and able to modu- rhea is one of the major public health problems which late apoptosis in macrophage [7,8]. Immune response has been causing serious morbidity and mortality [1]. mediated by T-cell is needed to destroy these bacte- Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are approximately 60 ria. The human body needs a particular compound to million cases each year worldwide [2]. Hananta et al. [3] modulate immune response. reported that the prevalence of asymptomatic urogen- Polysaccharides (PS) from natural sources such ital gonorrhea among the Indonesian population is as fungal and plant have been known to improve the very high. N. gonorrhoeae infects the female cervix immune function of the body [9,10]. Coriolus versicolor and male urethra leads to severe complications such is one of the medicinal mushrooms used in Japan, China, as pelvic inflammatory disease, urethritis, cervicitis, Korea, and other Asian countries [11]. Both PS krestin ectopic pregnancy, disseminated gonococcal infection, and PS peptide from C. versicolor are active as biological and infertility [4]. Moreover, N. gonorrhoeae infec- response modifier. Carbohydrate in powdered polysac- tion is associated with increased risk of HIV trans- charide krestin contains 91-93% active compound β-glu- mission [5]. N. gonorrhoeae are intracellular bacteria can [11]. Wahyuningsih et al. [12] reported that PS of that able to survive and replicate inside of the cell [6]. C. coriolus could enhance the response of immunoglob- Naturally, innate immunity can inhibit transmission of ulin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Another study was also reported that polysaccharide from C. versicolor Copyright: Pramudya and Wahyuningsih. Open Access. This induce B-cell activation and enhance cytokine produc- article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons. tion [13]. However, studies have not been reported on the org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, activity of PS from C. coriolus as an immunomodulator and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to against N. gonorrhoeae in Indonesia. the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data the immunomodulatory properties of PS from made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. C. versicolor growth in Indonesia including number Veterinary World, EISSN: 2231-0916 735 Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.12/June-2019/1.pdf of phagocytes, number of leukocytes, phagocytic Phagocytes and leukocytes counts activity, level of cytokine, level of antibody, and level Blood sample (10 µL) and intraperitoneal fluid of nitric oxide (NO) in mice infected by intracellular (30 µL) were dissolved with 100 µL of Turk solu- bacteria N. gonorrhoeae. tion, separately. Then, number phagocytes and leuko- cytes from both blood and intraperitoneal fluid were Materials and Methods counted using hemocytometer. Ethical approval Phagocytes activity assay All procedures involving animal care were car- The intraperitoneal suspension (70 µL) was ried out in accordance with the guidelines laid down smeared on glass slides and air-dried. The smear was by Animal Care and Use Committee of Veterinary fixed using methanol for 15 min and stained with Faculty, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia. Giemsa solution for 20 min. Phagocytic activity was Materials and chemicals determined by counting the number of phagocytes in C. versicolor was collected from Surabaya, Kediri a population of 100 phagocytes. and Tulungagung, East Java, Indonesia. N. gonor- Serum cytokines and antibody assay rhoeae was purchased from Balai Besar Laboratorium Whole blood was collected and centrifuged at Kesehatan, Surabaya Indonesia. Antibody level, inter- 3000 rpm and 4°C for 10 min, while the upper layer feron-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and contained the serum. The levels of antibody, IFN-γ, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit TNF-α, in the serum, were analyzed by commercial were purchased from BioLegend (BioLegend, Inc., ELISA kits (BioLegend, Massachusetts, USA) accord- San Diego, USA). All other chemicals and solvent ing to the manufacturer’s protocol. Level of cytokines used were of analytical reagent grade. IFN-γ and TNF-α was measured using Sandwich- Preparation of crude PS from C. versicolor ELISA method. Meanwhile, the level of antibody was According to Cui and Christi [11], C. versicolor measured using an indirect ELISA method. The absor- in coarse powder (200 g) was macerated twice with bance was measured using the ELISA reader at 450 nm. o 3 L and 1 L of water, heated at 80-98 C for 2-3 h. The NO assay sample was filtered using Whatman paper No.41, Deproteinated serum (50 µL) was added with vacuum and Buchner funnel and supernatant were 100 µL Griess reagent I and 100 µL Griess Reagent II. collected. The supernatants were precipitated by After that, the sample was homogenized using vortex o ammonium sulfate 90% for 24 h at 4 C. Then, the and incubated for 10 min at room temperature. The o sample was centrifuged at 9000 rpm for 30 min at 4 C. absorbance was measured at 540 nm. The precipitated material was then dissolved in phos- phate-buffered saline (PBS) (30 mL) and dialyzed Statistical analysis through nitrocellulose membrane for 24 h in PBS at Statistical analysis was performed by one-way 4oC. The aqueous solution was freeze-dried to obtain analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s post hoc polysaccharide from C. versicolor (PS). test. All analyses were performed using SPSS Statistic 24 Software (IBM Corporation, USA). The results Animals were reported as the mean±standard deviation of six Thirty-six female BALB/c mice (8-10 weeks; repeats. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. 30-40 g) were obtained from Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga (Surabaya, Indonesia). The Results animals were maintained in cages made of plastic at Number of phagocytes 20oC, with 12-h light/12-h dark cycle, fed and watered The number of phagocytes was significantly by ad libitum. increased in KN–group compared to normal control (p<0.05). All of the treatment groups with the admin- Experimental design istration of C. versicolor PS showed no significant After 7 days of acclimatization, mice were ran- difference compared to control groups. P3 group domly divided into six groups (KN: Normal control; (114±23 cell/mm3) showed
Recommended publications
  • Avoidance of Mechanisms of Innate Immune Response by Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
    ADVANCEMENTS OF MICROBIOLOGY – POSTĘPY MIKROBIOLOGII 2019, 58, 4, 367–373 DOI: 10.21307/PM–2019.58.4.367 AVOIDANCE OF MECHANISMS OF INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSE BY NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE Jagoda Płaczkiewicz* Department of Virology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw Submitted in July, accepted in October 2019 Abstract: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus) is a Gram-negative bacteria and an etiological agent of the sexually transmitted disease – gonorrhea. N. gonorrhoeae possesses many mechanism to evade the innate immune response of the human host. Most are related to serum resistance and avoidance of complement killing. However the clinical symptoms of gonorrhea are correlated with a significant pres- ence of neutrophils, whose response is also insufficient and modulated by gonococci. 1. Introduction. 2. Adherence ability. 3. Serum resistance and complement system. 4. Neutrophils. 4.1. Phagocytosis. 4.1.1. Oxygen- dependent intracellular killing. 4.1.2. Oxygen-independent intracellular killing. 4.2. Neutrophil extracellular traps. 4.3. Degranulation. 4.4. Apoptosis. 5. Summary UNIKANIE MECHANIZMÓW WRODZONEJ ODPOWIEDZI IMMUNOLOGICZNEJ PRZEZ NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE Streszczenie: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonokok) to Gram-ujemna dwoinka będąca czynnikiem etiologicznym choroby przenoszonej drogą płciową – rzeżączki. N. gonorrhoeae posiada liczne mechanizmy umożliwiające jej unikanie wrodzonej odpowiedzi immunologicznej gospodarza. Większość z nich związana jest ze zdolnością gonokoków do manipulowania układem dopełniacza gospodarza oraz odpor- nością tej bakterii na surowicę. Jednakże symptomy infekcji N. gonorrhoeae wynikają między innymi z obecności licznych neutrofili, których aktywność jest modulowana przez gonokoki. 1. Wprowadzenie. 2. Zdolność adherencji. 3. Surowica i układ dopełniacza. 4. Neutrofile. 4.1. Fagocytoza. 4.1.1. Wewnątrzkomórkowe zabijanie zależne od tlenu. 4.1.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Potential of Metabolomics to Reveal Burkholderia Cepacia Complex Pathogenesis and Antibiotic Resistance
    MINI REVIEW published: 13 July 2015 doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00668 Potential of metabolomics to reveal Burkholderia cepacia complex pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance Nusrat S. Shommu 1, Hans J. Vogel 1 and Douglas G. Storey 2* 1 Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, 2 Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a collection of closely related, genetically distinct, ecologically diverse species known to cause life-threatening infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. By virtue of a flexible genomic structure and diverse metabolic activity, Bcc bacteria employ a wide array of virulence factors for pathogenesis Edited by: in CF patients and have developed resistance to most of the commonly used Steve Lindemann, Pacific Northwest National antibiotics. However, the mechanism of pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance is still Laboratory, USA not fully understood. This mini review discusses the established and potential virulence Reviewed by: determinants of Bcc and some of the contemporary strategies including transcriptomics Joanna Goldberg, Emory University School and proteomics used to identify these traits. We also propose the application of metabolic of Medicine, USA profiling, a cost-effective modern-day approach to achieve new insights. Tom Metz, Pacific Northwest National Keywords: Burkholderia cepacia complex, virulence, antibiotic resistance, metabolomics, cystic fibrosis Laboratory, USA *Correspondence: Burkholderia cepacia Complex in Cystic Fibrosis Douglas G. Storey, Microbiology Research Group, Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of at least 17 Gram-negative b-proteobacteria that Department of Biological are phenotypically related but genetically discrete (Mahenthiralingam et al., 2005; Vanlaere et al., Sciences, University of Calgary, 2008, 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Infection by Functioning Igm Memory B Cells
    Vigorous Response of Human Innate Functioning IgM Memory B Cells upon Infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae This information is current as Nancy S. Y. So, Mario A. Ostrowski and Scott D. of October 1, 2021. Gray-Owen J Immunol 2012; 188:4008-4022; Prepublished online 16 March 2012; doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100718 http://www.jimmunol.org/content/188/8/4008 Downloaded from Supplementary http://www.jimmunol.org/content/suppl/2012/03/16/jimmunol.110071 Material 8.DC1 http://www.jimmunol.org/ References This article cites 69 articles, 32 of which you can access for free at: http://www.jimmunol.org/content/188/8/4008.full#ref-list-1 Why The JI? Submit online. • Rapid Reviews! 30 days* from submission to initial decision • No Triage! Every submission reviewed by practicing scientists by guest on October 1, 2021 • Fast Publication! 4 weeks from acceptance to publication *average Subscription Information about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: http://jimmunol.org/subscription Permissions Submit copyright permission requests at: http://www.aai.org/About/Publications/JI/copyright.html Email Alerts Receive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at: http://jimmunol.org/alerts The Journal of Immunology is published twice each month by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc., 1451 Rockville Pike, Suite 650, Rockville, MD 20852 Copyright © 2012 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0022-1767 Online ISSN: 1550-6606. The Journal of Immunology Vigorous Response of Human Innate Functioning IgM Memory B Cells upon Infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae Nancy S.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Symbiotic Lineage Related to Neisseria and Snodgrassella Arises from the Dynamic and Diverse Microbiomes in Sucking Lice
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/867275; this version posted December 6, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. A new symbiotic lineage related to Neisseria and Snodgrassella arises from the dynamic and diverse microbiomes in sucking lice Jana Říhová1, Giampiero Batani1, Sonia M. Rodríguez-Ruano1, Jana Martinů1,2, Eva Nováková1,2 and Václav Hypša1,2 1 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic 2 Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, ASCR, v.v.i., České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author for correspondence: Václav Hypša, Department of Parasitology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic, +42 387 776 276, [email protected] Abstract Phylogenetic diversity of symbiotic bacteria in sucking lice suggests that lice have experienced a complex history of symbiont acquisition, loss, and replacement during their evolution. By combining metagenomics and amplicon screening across several populations of two louse genera (Polyplax and Hoplopleura) we describe a novel louse symbiont lineage related to Neisseria and Snodgrassella, and show its' independent origin within dynamic lice microbiomes. While the genomes of these symbionts are highly similar in both lice genera, their respective distributions and status within lice microbiomes indicate that they have different functions and history. In Hoplopleura acanthopus, the Neisseria-related bacterium is a dominant obligate symbiont universally present across several host’s populations, and seems to be replacing a presumably older and more degenerated obligate symbiont.
    [Show full text]
  • CTA with Carbohydrates Is a Semi-Solid Medium Suitable for the Determination of Fermentation Reactions of Fastidious Microorganisms
    Administrative Offices Phone: 207-873-7711 Fax: 207-873-7022 Customer Service Phone: 1-800-244-8378 P.O. Box 788 Fax: 207-873-7022 Waterville, Maine 04903-0788 RT. 137, China Road Winslow, Maine 04901 TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION CYSTINE TRYPTIC AGAR [CTA] w/ or w/o CARBOHYDRATES Catalog No: T1400 Control (w/o Carbohydrates) T1410 CTA w/DEXTROSE T1440 CTA w/MALTOSE T1420 CTA w/FRUCTOSE T1445 CTA w/MANNITOL T1430 CTA w/LACTOSE T1450 CTA w/SUCROSE T1435 CTA w/XYLOSE T0340 CTA w/SORBOSE T0350 CTA w/INULIN T0355 CTA w/SORBITOL INTENDED USE: CTA with carbohydrates is a semi-solid medium suitable for the determination of fermentation reactions of fastidious microorganisms. CTA medium without carbohydrates is suitable for maintenance of organisms, and for detection of motility. HISTORY/SUMMARY: CTA medium has been accepted for the determination of carbohydrate utilization for a number of fastidious organisms, particularly Neisseria species and anaerobes. It has also been reported useful in fermentation studies of yeast. As a maintenance medium without carbohydrates, it supports the growth of organisms such as Neisseria, Pasteurella, Streptococci, Brucella, Corynebacteria and others. Motility can be detected in the semisolid medium when inoculated by stab line. PRINCIPLES: The base medium is free of carbohydrates and meat extracts. It contains Cystine and Casein Peptone as nutrients for the growth of fastidious organisms. Phenol red is added as an indicator of fermentation reactions. Carbohydrates are usually incorporated in the medium in 1% final concentrations. If a microorganism is inoculated in the medium containing a carbohydrate, and is capable of fermenting it, the medium indicator will turn from orange red to yellow.
    [Show full text]
  • Isolation of Neisseria Sicca from Genital Tract
    Al-Dorri (2020): Isolation of N sicca from genital tract Dec, 2020 Vol. 23 Issue 24 Isolation of Neisseria sicca from genital tract Alaa Zanzal Ra'ad Al-Dorri1* 1. Department of Medical Microbiology, Tikrit University/ College of Medicine (TUCOM), Iraq. *Corresponding author:[email protected] (Al-Dorri) Abstract In the last few decades some researchers has focused on N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae in attempts to understand the pathogenesis of the diseases produced by these organisms. Although little attention has been paid to the other neisseria species since they are considered harmless organisms of little clinical importance although they can cause infections. In this paper, pathological features and the clinical of high vaginal and cervical infections caused by Neisseria sicca are described, which are normal inhabitants of the human respiratory tract as in oropharynx and can act as opportunistic pathogens when present in other sites such as female genital tract. We note they usually infect married women at a young age group who were multipara and active sexual women. N.sicca was resistant to most antibiotics that were used while the doxycycline was the most effective antibiotic against N.sicca. Keywords: Neisseria sicca,genital tract infection, pharyngeal carriage, colonization, antimicrobial resistance How to cite this article: Al-Dorri AZR (2020): Isolation of Neisseria sicca from genital tract, Ann Trop Med & Public Health; 23(S24): SP232417. DOI:http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2020.232417 Introduction: Neisseria is considered as a genus of b-Proteobacteria, which are absolute symbionts in human mucosal surfaces. 8 species of Neisseria have been reported and they normally colonize the mucosal surfaces of humans [1, 2].
    [Show full text]
  • Atypical, Yet Not Infrequent, Infections with Neisseria Species
    pathogens Review Atypical, Yet Not Infrequent, Infections with Neisseria Species Maria Victoria Humbert * and Myron Christodoulides Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 11 November 2019; Accepted: 18 December 2019; Published: 20 December 2019 Abstract: Neisseria species are extremely well-adapted to their mammalian hosts and they display unique phenotypes that account for their ability to thrive within niche-specific conditions. The closely related species N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis are the only two species of the genus recognized as strict human pathogens, causing the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea and meningitis and sepsis, respectively. Gonococci colonize the mucosal epithelium of the male urethra and female endo/ectocervix, whereas meningococci colonize the mucosal epithelium of the human nasopharynx. The pathophysiological host responses to gonococcal and meningococcal infection are distinct. However, medical evidence dating back to the early 1900s demonstrates that these two species can cross-colonize anatomical niches, with patients often presenting with clinically-indistinguishable infections. The remaining Neisseria species are not commonly associated with disease and are considered as commensals within the normal microbiota of the human and animal nasopharynx. Nonetheless, clinical case reports suggest that they can behave as opportunistic pathogens. In this review, we describe the diversity of the genus Neisseria in the clinical context and raise the attention of microbiologists and clinicians for more cautious approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of the many pathologies these species may cause. Keywords: Neisseria species; Neisseria meningitidis; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; commensal; pathogenesis; host adaptation 1.
    [Show full text]
  • WHO GUIDELINES for the Treatment of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
    WHO GUIDELINES FOR THE Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae WHO GUIDELINES FOR THE Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data WHO guidelines for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Contents: Web annex D: Evidence profiles and evidence-to-decision framework -- Web annex E: Systematic reviews -- Web annex F: Summary of conflicts of interest 1.Neisseria gonorrhoeae - drug therapy. 2.Gonorrhea - drug therapy. 3.Drug Resistance, Microbial. 4.Guideline. I.World Health Organization. ISBN 978 92 4 154969 1 (NLM classification: WC 150) © World Health Organization 2016 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization are available on the WHO website (http://www.who.int) or can be purchased from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; email: [email protected]). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for non-commercial distribution– should be addressed to WHO Press through the WHO website (http://www.who.int/about/licensing/ copyright_form/index.html). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
    [Show full text]
  • Meningococcal Vaccines: Current Status and Emerging Strategies
    Review Meningococcal Vaccines: Current Status and Emerging Strategies Pumtiwitt C. McCarthy *, Abeer Sharyan and Laleh Sheikhi Moghaddam Department of Chemistry, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; [email protected] (A.S.); [email protected] (L.S.M.) * Correspondence: [email protected] ; Tel.: +1‐443‐885‐3882 Received: 30 January 2018; Accepted: 23 February 2018; Published: 25 February 2018 Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis causes most cases of bacterial meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis is a public health burden to both developed and developing countries throughout the world. There are a number of vaccines (polysaccharide‐based, glycoconjugate, protein‐based and combined conjugate vaccines) that are approved to target five of the six disease‐causing serogroups of the pathogen. Immunization strategies have been effective at helping to decrease the global incidence of meningococcal meningitis. Researchers continue to enhance these efforts through discovery of new antigen targets that may lead to a broadly protective vaccine and development of new methods of homogenous vaccine production. This review describes current meningococcal vaccines and discusses some recent research discoveries that may transform vaccine development against N. meningitidis in the future. Keywords: Neisseria meningitidis; glycoconjugate vaccines; protein‐based vaccines; vaccine development 1. Introduction Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis. According to the World Health Organization, the disease has a high mortality rate (up to 50% if left untreated) and can leave 10% of those who do survive with devastating sequelae such as deafness and loss of limbs [1]. Most cases of the disease affect children under the age of 2 and between the ages of 16–21 [2].
    [Show full text]
  • Pathogenic Neisseriae: Surface Modulation, Pathogenesis and Infection Control
    REVIEWS Pathogenic neisseriae: surface modulation, pathogenesis and infection control Mumtaz Virji Abstract | Although renowned as a lethal pathogen, Neisseria meningitidis has adapted to be a commensal of the human nasopharynx. It shares extensive genetic and antigenic similarities with the urogenital pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae but displays a distinct lifestyle and niche preference. Together, they pose a considerable challenge for vaccine development as they modulate their surface structures with remarkable speed. Nonetheless, their host-cell attachment and invasion capacity is maintained, a property that could be exploited to combat tissue infiltration. With the primary focus on N. meningitidis, this Review examines the known mechanisms used by these pathogens for niche establishment and the challenges such mechanisms pose for infection control. Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) and Neisseria surface variation also poses a substantial problem in gonorrhoeae (gonococcus), the well known agents of developing effective vaccines against several strains of epidemic meningitis and gonorrhoea, respectively, are N. meningitidis and against N. gonorrhoeae. Although related Gram-negative bacteria that specifically infect multicomponent vaccines are being developed, the humans; both pathogens prefer to inhabit distinct available vaccines fall short of combating all virulent human mucosal niches and cause markedly different strains7,8. diseases (FIG. 1). One important difference between the An array of molecules is produced by bacteria pathogens is that almost all clinically important N. men- to enable them to colonize and/or infect the host, ingitidis strains are encapsulated, whereas N. gonorrhoeae including adhesins, which are key factors that are strains lack capsule biosynthetic genes. N. meningitidis required for initial colonization of human mucosal is a frequent asymptomatic colonizer of the human sites.
    [Show full text]
  • Neisseria Gonorrhoeae by Real-Time PCR with Reflex to Antibiotic Resistance by Molecular Analysis
    Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Real-time PCR with Reflex to Antibiotic resistance by Molecular Analysis “The sensitivity and specificity of the nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are clearly the highest of any of the test chorioamnionitis, premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation, platforms for the diagnosis of chlamydial and gonococcal neonatal sepsis, and postpartum endometritis. infections. Since accurate diagnosis is the goal, there is no • During vaginal delivery with an infected mother, 30% to 35% justification for the ongoing use of other technologies”(1, 2). of neonates will acquire Neisseria gonorrhoeae which, if left - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) untreated, can progress to corneal ulceration and scarring, as well as blindness called gonorrheal ophthalmia neonatorum. • MDL provides detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Real- Time PCR, one of the most powerful and sensitive gene Laboratory Diagnosis analysis techniques available. • Diagnosis of infections with N. gonorrhoeae has traditionally • Sensitivity and specificity up to 99%. relied upon Gram stain, culture, and immunochemical • Test results are typically available within 24-48 hours. techniques. Although culture techniques may be highly • This test has been validated for detection of N. gonorrhoeae specific, sensitivity is greatly impacted by the adequacy of the using the OneSwab®, UroSwab® (males and females), and ® clinical specimen and transport conditions, particularly when ThinPrep . transporting to off-site facilities. Epidemiology • Due to the genome plasticity of N. gonorrhoeae strains circulating in the population, this bacterium has developed • Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported bacterial resistance to multiple classes of antimicrobial agents, resulting STD in the United States with an estimated 700,000 new N.
    [Show full text]
  • Burkholderia Cepacia
    P.O. Box 131375, Bryanston, 2074 Ground Floor, Block 5 Bryanston Gate, Main Road Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa www.thistle.co.za Tel: +27 (011) 463-3260 Fax: +27 (011) 463-3036 OR + 27 (0) 86-538-4484 e-mail : [email protected] Please read this section first The HPCSA and the Med Tech Society have confirmed that this clinical case study, plus your routine review of your EQA reports from Thistle QA, should be documented as a “Journal Club” activity. This means that you must record those attending for CEU purposes. Thistle will not issue a certificate to cover these activities, nor send out “correct” answers to the CEU questions at the end of this case study. The Thistle QA CEU No is: MT00025. Each attendee should claim THREE CEU points for completing this Quality Control Journal Club exercise, and retain a copy of the relevant Thistle QA Participation Certificate as proof of registration on a Thistle QA EQA. MICROBIOLOGY LEGEND CYCLE 28 – ORGANISM 6 Burkholderia cepacia Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) is a gram-negative rod that is 1.6-3.2 µm in length and was formerly classified as Pseudomonas. It was discovered in 1949 by Walter Burkholder at Cornell University in rotting onions. B. cepacia is a strict aerobe and a chemo-organotroph with an optimum temperature of 30 to 35⁰C. It is found in soil, water and on plants and can survive longer in wet environments then in dry ones. It is unique in the way that is can be versatile in its uses - plant pathogen, human pathogen, bioremediation agent, and a bio- control agent.
    [Show full text]