Phylogenetic and comparative genomics of the family Leptotrichiaceae and introduction of a novel fingerprinting MLVA for Streptobacillus moniliformis

Abstract

BackgroundThe Leptotrichiaceae are a family of fairly unnoticed bacteria containing both microbiota on mucous membranes as well as significant pathogens such as Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative organism of streptobacillary rat bite fever. Comprehensive genomic studies in members of this family have so far not been carried out. We aimed to analyze 47 genomes from 20 different member species to illuminate phylogenetic aspects, as well as genomic and discriminatory properties.ResultsOur data provide a novel and reliable basis of support for previously established phylogeny from this group and give a deeper insight into characteristics of genome structure and gene functions. Full genome analyses revealed that most S. moniliformis strains under study form a heterogeneous population without any significant clustering. Analysis of infra-species variability for this highly pathogenic rat bite fever organism led to the detection of three specific variable number tandem analysis loci with high discriminatory power.ConclusionsThis highly useful and economical tool can be directly employed in clinical samples without laborious prior cultivation. Our and prospective case-specific data can now easily be compared by using a newly established MLVA database in order to gain a better insight into the epidemiology of this presumably under-reported zoonosis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3206-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Streptobacillus canis sp. nov. isolated from a dog

“…The genus Streptobacillus contained for almost a century only the monotypic species Streptobacillus moniliformis [1] ( Streptobacillus , Leptotrichiaceae, Fusobacteriales), the causative organism of rat bite fever (RBF) and a food-borne variant, Haverhill fever [2]. RBF is typically characterized by a triad of fever, arthritis and a maculopapular, petechial or pustular rash, but severe causes of infection may include life-threatening sequelae [3, 4]. Recently, Streptobacillus hongkongensis [5], Streptobacillus felis [6, 7], Streptobacillus notomytis [8] and Streptobacillus ratti [9] were described as novel species.…”

Identification of a dynamic middle ear microbiome in healthy adults

“…Also among the rare taxa was Peptococcus, a Firmicutes genus within the Gram positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC) group that enters the aerodigestive tract via saliva or saliva aerosols [33]. Similarly, some of the otic OTUs were assigned to the Eubacterium brachy group, within the Firmicutes, and to uncultured Leptotrichiaceae within the Fusobacteria, which are groups of obligate anaerobes known to disperse through the aerodigestive tract as well [34,35].…”

Molecular typing of Mycobacterium kansasii using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and a newly designed variable-number tandem repeat analysis

“…Furthermore, since MIRU-VNTR analysis is based on PCR amplification of the respective loci, followed by determination of the sizes of the amplicons by gel electrophoresis, it is considered relatively inexpensive and easy to handle typing method. Over the last 15 years, sequences similar to MIRU-VNTRs in M. tuberculosis , have been identified in several NTM species, including M. abscessus , M. avium , M. intracellulare , M. marinum , and M. ulcerans 25 – 30 , and non-mycobacteria 31 , 32 and used for inter-strain differentiation with a varied degree of success.…”