Identification of a VapA virulence factor functional homolog in Rhodococcus equi isolates housing the pVAPB plasmid

Willingham-Lane, Jennifer M.; Coulson, Garry B.; Hondalus, Mary K.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204475

Cited by 9 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…mice, apparently also humans). This critical vap determinant is probably the common ancestor of vapA of the equine pVAPA type and its allelic variants vapN of the ruminant pVAPN type (Valero‐Rello et al , ) and vapK1/2 (and putative duplicate thereof, vapB ) of the porcine pVAPB type (Valero‐Rello et al , ; Willingham‐Lane et al , ) (Fig. A and B).…”

Section: Evolution Of R Equi Virulencementioning

confidence: 99%

The pathogenic actinobacterium Rhodococcus equi: what's in a name?

Vázquez‐Boland¹,

Meijer

2019

Molecular Microbiology

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Summary Rhodococcus equi is the only recognized animal pathogenic species within an extended genus of metabolically versatile Actinobacteria of considerable biotechnological interest. Best known as a horse pathogen, R. equi is commonly isolated from other animal species, particularly pigs and ruminants, and causes severe opportunistic infections in people. As typical in the rhodococci, R. equi niche specialization is extrachromosomally determined, via a conjugative virulence plasmid that promotes intramacrophage survival. Progress in the molecular understanding of R. equi and its recent rise as a novel paradigm of multihost adaptation has been accompanied by an unusual nomenclatural instability, with a confusing succession of names: "Prescottia equi", "Prescotella equi", Corynebacterium hoagii and Rhodococcus hoagii. This article reviews current advances in the genomics, biology and virulence of this pathogenic actinobacterium with a unique mechanism of plasmid‐transferable animal host tropism. It also discusses the taxonomic and nomenclatural issues around R. equi in the light of recent phylogenomic evidence that confirms its membership as a bona fide Rhodococcus.

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Section: Evolution Of R Equi Virulencementioning

confidence: 99%

The pathogenic actinobacterium Rhodococcus equi: what's in a name?

Vázquez‐Boland¹,

Meijer

2019

Molecular Microbiology

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“…The pathogenicity of “ R. equi” is mediated by Virulence Associated Proteins (VAPs) encoded on the acquired pathogenicity islands (PAIs) of host-adapted conjugative virulence plasmids [ 89 ]. “ R. equi ” isolates from equine, porcine, and bovine samples carry different types of plasmids called pVAPA, pVAPB, and pVAPN, respectively [ 90 ].…”

Section: Ubiquity Of Rhodococcus and Existence Of Pathogenic Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The pVAPB plasmid consists of vapB, -J, -K1, -K2, -L , and -M , whereas pVAPN carries vapN, -O, -P , and -Q genes. VapK1, vapK2, vapB , and vapN are functionally equivalent to vapA [ 90 , 94 , 95 ].…”

Section: Ubiquity Of Rhodococcus and Existence Of Pathogenic Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses to Ecopollutants and Pathogenization Risks of Saprotrophic Rhodococcus Species

et al. 2021

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Under conditions of increasing environmental pollution, true saprophytes are capable of changing their survival strategies and demonstrating certain pathogenicity factors. Actinobacteria of the genus Rhodococcus, typical soil and aquatic biotope inhabitants, are characterized by high ecological plasticity and a wide range of oxidized organic substrates, including hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Their cell adaptations, such as the ability of adhering and colonizing surfaces, a complex life cycle, formation of resting cells and capsule-like structures, diauxotrophy, and a rigid cell wall, developed against the negative effects of anthropogenic pollutants are discussed and the risks of possible pathogenization of free-living saprotrophic Rhodococcus species are proposed. Due to universal adaptation features, Rhodococcus species are among the candidates, if further anthropogenic pressure increases, to move into the group of potentially pathogenic organisms with “unprofessional” parasitism, and to join an expanding list of infectious agents as facultative or occasional parasites.

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“…Each bacterial isolate contains either only one plasmid type or none ( 15 ). A total of 21 vap genes and pseudogenes are known; four of these ( vapA , vapK1 , vapK2 , and vapN ) have demonstrated roles in macrophage infection, whereas the others are likely less or not at all relevant ( 16 , 17 ). A recent intriguing study ( 7 ) showed that, against expectation, host specificity associated with the different pVAP types (pVAPA and foals, etc.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%