Genetic Barcodes for Improved Environmental Tracking of an Anthrax Simulant

Buckley, Patricia E.; Rivers, Bryan; Katoski, Sarah E.; Kim, Michael; Kragl, Frank J.; Broomall, S. M.; Krepps, Michael; Skowronski, Evan W.; Rosenzweig, C. Nicole; Paikoff, Sari; Emanuel, Peter A.; Gibbons, Henry S.

doi:10.1128/aem.01827-12

Cited by 24 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Barcodes (also referred to as fingerprints or profiles), normally assigned to microorganisms based on phenotypic or molecular analyses, have been used over the years to identify, compare, and track microorganisms [34-39]. In the present study, the diversity of metabolic capabilities among isolates was revealed using the combined API 20E and Enterotube II identification systems, where 18 unique barcodes (i.e., metabolic fingerprints) were identified from the 45 isolates tested (Table 3 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Escherichia coli Isolated from Untreated Surface Waters

Janezic¹,

Ferry²,

Hendricks³

et al. 2013

TOMICROJ

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A common member of the intestinal microbiota in humans and animals is Escherichia coli. Based on the presence of virulence factors, E. coli can be potentially pathogenic. The focus of this study was to isolate E. coli from untreated surface waters (37 sites) in Illinois and Missouri and determine phenotypic and genotypic diversity among isolates. Water samples positive for fecal coliforms based on the Colisure® test were streaked directly onto Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar (37°C) or transferred to EC broth (44.5°C). EC broth cultures producing gas were then streaked onto EMB agar. Forty-five isolates were identified as E. coli using API 20E and Enterotube II identification systems, and some phenotypic variation was observed in metabolism and fermentation. Antibiotic susceptibility of each isolate was also determined using the Kirby-Bauer Method. Differential responses to 10 antimicrobial agents were seen with 7, 16, 2, and 9 of the isolates resistant to ampicillin, cephalothin, tetracycline, and triple sulfonamide, respectively. All of the isolates were susceptible or intermediate to amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, polymyxin B, gentamicin, imipenem, and nalidixic acid. Genotypic variation was assessed through multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for four virulence genes (stx1 and stx2 [shiga toxin], eaeA [intimin]; and hlyA [enterohemolysin]) and one housekeeping gene (uidA [β-D-glucuronidase]). Genotypic variation was observed with two of the isolates possessing the virulence gene (eaeA) for intimin. These findings increase our understanding of the diversity of E. coli in the environment which will ultimately help in the assessment of this organism and its role in public health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Escherichia coli Isolated from Untreated Surface Waters

Janezic¹,

Ferry²,

Hendricks³

et al. 2013

TOMICROJ

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“…More recently, evaluations of this organism specifically as a spore surrogate (23)(24)(25) and also as released in dry (26) and wet (27) aerosols have been reported. BtcryϪ, the acrystalliferous derivative of B. thuringiensis HD-1 (12), was developed to be a safe, accurate, and publicly acceptable surrogate for B. anthracis spores.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Aerosol and Surface Deposition Characteristics of Two Surrogates for Bacillus anthracis Spores

Bishop

Stapleton

2016

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Spores of an acrystalliferous derivative of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, termed Btcry؊, are morphologically, aerodynamically, and structurally indistinguishable from Bacillus anthracis spores. Btcry؊ spores were dispersed in a large, openended barn together with spores of Bacillus atrophaeus subsp. globigii, a historically used surrogate for Bacillus anthracis. Spore suspensions (2 ؋ 10 12 CFU each of B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii and Btcry؊) were aerosolized in each of five spray events using a backpack misting device incorporating an air blower; a wind of 4.9 to 7.6 m s ؊1 was also flowing through the barn in the same direction. Filter air samplers were situated throughout the barn to assess the aerosol density of the spores during each release. Trays filled with a surfactant in aqueous buffer were placed on the floor near the filter samplers to assess spore deposition. Spores were also recovered from arrays of solid surfaces (concrete, aluminum, and plywood) that had been laid on the floor and set up as a wall at the end of the barn. B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores were found to remain airborne for significantly longer periods, and to be deposited on horizontal surfaces at lower densities, than Btcry؊ spores, particularly near the spray source. There was a 6-fold-higher deposition of Btcry؊ spores than of B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores on vertical surfaces relative to the surrounding airborne density. This work is relevant for selecting the best B. anthracis surrogate for the prediction of human exposure, hazard assessment, and hazard management following a malicious release of B. anthracis. IMPORTANCEThere is concern that pathogenic bacteria could be maliciously disseminated in the air to cause human infection and disruption of normal life. The threat from spore-forming organisms, such as the causative agent of anthrax, is particularly serious. In order to assess the extent of this risk, it is important to have a surrogate organism that can be used to replicate the dispersal characteristics of the threat agent accurately. This work compares the aerosol dispersal and deposition behaviors of the surrogates Btcry؊ and B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii. Btcry؊ spores remained in the air for a shorter time, and were markedly more likely to adhere to vertical surfaces, than B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores. Bacillus anthracis is an important bacterial agent of concern (1). It is pathogenic to humans, particularly by inhalational exposure (2). The organism's endospores manifest greater environmental persistence and higher resistance to chemical decontaminants than those of other bacteria. Understanding of the threat posed by malicious use of B. anthracis and the development of effective countermeasures require a comparable, nonpathogenic surrogate. Bacillus atrophaeus subsp. globigii has, for many decades, been a B. anthracis surrogate (3). B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii and other surrogates related to Bacillus subtilis have generated useful information regarding spore dispersal (4, 5)....

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“…[62][63][64] In 1979 for example, B. anthracis was inadvertently released from a bioagent production facility in Sverdlovsk, Russia and killed 68 people. Anthrax, caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, is extremely dangerous due the ease of spreading infectious spores.…”

Section: T4 Phagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Anthrax, caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, is extremely dangerous due the ease of spreading infectious spores. [62][63][64] In 1979 for example, B. anthracis was inadvertently released from a bioagent production facility in Sverdlovsk, Russia and killed 68 people. In the United States, B. anthracis was weaponized by mailing spores to political and news media offices.…”

Section: T4 Phagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…67 Three plague pandemics have been documented in human history, and the bacteria has also been employed as a biological warfare agent. 62,68 The "Black Death" resulted in the elimination of up to one third of Europe's population, and parts of the United States are still exposed to the plague-causing bacteria Yersinia pestis each year. 69 Here, PA and two antigens from Y. pestis (F1 and V) were fused to Soc (Figure 3a).…”

Section: T4 Phagementioning

confidence: 99%

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Phage display as a tool for vaccine and immunotherapy development

Hess

Jewell

2019

Bioengineering & Transla Med

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Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria and coopt the cellular machinery to create more phage proteins, eventually resulting in the release of new phage particles. Phages are heavily utilized in bioengineering for applications ranging from tissue engineering scaffolds to immune signal delivery. Of specific interest to vaccines and immunotherapies, phages have demonstrated an ability to activate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The genome of these viral particles can be harnessed for DNA vaccination, or the surface proteins can be exploited for antigen display. More specifically, genes that encode an antigen of interest can be spliced into the phage genome, allowing antigenic proteins or peptides to be displayed by fusion to phage capsid proteins. Phages therefore present antigens to immune cells in a highly ordered and repetitive manner. This review discusses the use of phage with adjuvanting activity as antigen delivery vehicles for vaccination against infectious disease and cancer. K E Y W O R D S bacteriophage, biomaterials, drug delivery, immunology, nanotechnology, phage display, vaccine 1 | INTRODUCTION Bacteriophages, or phages, are prokaryotic viruses that specifically infect bacteria, and are the most abundant life form on earth. 1 Phages were first discovered in the early 20th century and noted for their antibacterial activity. The practice of administering phages (i.e., phage therapy) to patients suffering from bacterial infections began shortly after their discovery, but was controversial largely due to lack of mechanistic knowledge and variable success rates. In fact, the treatment was largely abandoned upon the discovery of antibiotics. 2 Research in this field was reenergized, however, following the development of phage display systems in 1985. 3 George Smith, a chemist at the University of Missouri, demonstrated fusion of peptides to the outer (i.e., capsid) proteins of phages enabling surface display. This work, for which Smith shared a Nobel Prize in 2018, laid the ground work for affinity selection, epitope mapping, and antibody discovery. Since this time, phages have been an important tool for the bioengineering field, exploited for a range of applications including theranostics, 4 batteries, 5,6 drug delivery, 7 and vaccine development. 1Phages are one of many nanotechnologies being investigated for these applications. This review will focus on the advantages that phages provide to the nanomedicine field, specifically vaccination and immunotherapy. Nanomedicine ranges from diagnostics to treatments and relies on the fields of biomedical and chemical engineering,

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Genetic Barcodes for Improved Environmental Tracking of an Anthrax Simulant

Cited by 24 publications

References 39 publications

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Escherichia coli Isolated from Untreated Surface Waters

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Escherichia coli Isolated from Untreated Surface Waters

Aerosol and Surface Deposition Characteristics of Two Surrogates for Bacillus anthracis Spores

Phage display as a tool for vaccine and immunotherapy development

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