Yersinia enterocolitica Yop mutants as oral live carrier vaccines

Attenuated enteropathogenic yersiniae that translocate heterologous antigens into the cytosol of antigen presenting cells via their type three secretion system (TTSS) are considered promising candidates for the development of live oral vaccine carrier strains that induce CD8 T cell responses. Wild type Yersinia enterocolitica of serotype O:8 however efficiently suppresses the immune response of the host by translocating effector proteins called Yersinia outer proteins (Yops) into the cytosol of immune cells. We therefore tested immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and virulence ofyop mutants that translocate the model antigen Listeriolysin (LLO) of Listeria monocytogenes in a mouse model. A deltayopP mutant-based vaccine carrier strain induced the highest numbers of LLO91-99-specific CD8 T cells and effectively protected mice against a lethal challenge with Listeria whereas deltayopPT, deltayopPV(K42Q), and deltayopPO mutants of Y. enterocolitica induced fewer CD8 T cells and conferred only partial protection. The deltayopPH, deltayopPE, deltayopPM, and deltayopPQ mutants induced the weakest CD8 T cell response and did not significantly protect mice against Listeria presumably due to the strong attenuation of these strains in the mouse model. Even though a Y. enterocolitica strain WA-C(pTTSS), which translocated only LLO (but not Yops), induced superior MHC class I-restricted antigen presentation in DC compared to the deltayopP mutants in vitro, this strain was not able to significantly colonize mouse tissue or to induce CD8 T cell responses in vivo. The success in designing a Yersinia oral vaccine carrier is therefore dependent to a great extent on the subtle balance between immunogenicity and attenuation.     

Different enteropathogenic Yersinia strains found in wild boars and domestic pigs

Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains isolated from wild boars and fattening pigs were characterized and compared with each other. In wild boars, ail-positive Y. enterocolitica strains belonged to bioserotypes 4/O:3 (36%, 5/14), 2/O:9 (29%, 4/14), and 2/O:5,27 (21%, 3/14). Additionally, two ail-positive strains were untypable. Among fattening pigs, the bioserotype 4/O:3 was dominating (91%, 71/78), and bioserotypes 2/O:5,27 (8%, 6/78) and 2/O:9 (1%, 1/78) were rare. inv-positive Y. pseudotuberculosis strains of serotypes O:1 and O:2 were isolated only from wild boars. Antimicrobial resistance patterns between wild boar and fattening pig strains differed. Most of the ail-positive Y. enterocolitica strains carried yst, hreP, and virF genes. Several genotypes of Y. enterocolitica strains were obtained by PFGE using NotI, ApaI, XhoI, and SpeI enzymes. All genotypes of wild boar strains differed from fattening pig strains. Especially strains of bioserotype 4/O:3 were clearly different with all four enzymes. These results show that wild boar strains differed from domestic pig strains. More wild boar strains should be isolated to show that wild boars and domestic pigs are reservoirs for different Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis strains.     

Yersinia in effluents from the food-processing industry.

Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis are current sources of pathogenic strains in humans and animals. Yersiniae infections occur throughout the world, but are most prevalent in regions with moderate and subtropical climates. In Australia, Central Europe and North America, cases of human infections with Yersinia enterocolitica now rank in third place. The food-processing industry may influence the epidemiological situation in different ways. Effluents which contaminate the environment may originate from slaughterhouses; e.g. from sewage contaminated with faeces from the lairage or contaminated effluents from the actual slaughter areas. The carcasses may serve as carriers of the organisms to the food-processing plants where they eventually contaminate the processed foods. Rodents and pests may also be carriers. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis strains mainly occur in swine and pork. The ability to multiply under refrigeration and in vacuum-packaged products means that pathogenic Y. enterocolitica can cause foodborne diseases. If a plant harbours any pathogenic Yersiniae, transfer of the contaminant to the sewage is possible. Although pathogenic Yersiniae from infected animals can survive in sewage and in surface waters, the role of properly treated sewage in the transmission of yersiniosis seems to be of minor importance. If the recommendations for modern slaughter techniques are properly followed, the spread of pathogens in the slaughterhouses and, subsequently, into other food-processing plants can be minimised.     

Involvement of CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses in LcrV DNA vaccine induced protection against lethal Yersinia pestis challenge

Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) is the causative pathogen of plague, a highly fatal disease for which an effective vaccine, especially against mucosal transmission, is still not available. Like many bacterial infections, antigen-specific antibody responses have been traditionally considered critical, if not solely responsible, for vaccine-induced protection against Y. pestis. Studies in recent years have suggested the importance of T cell immune responses against Y. pestis infection but information is still limited about the details of Y. pestis antigen-specific T cell immune responses. In current report, studies are conducted to identify the presence of CD8+ T cell epitopes in LcrV protein, the leading antigen of plague vaccine development. Furthermore, depletion of CD8+ T cells in LcrV DNA vaccinated Balb/C mice led to reduced protection against lethal intranasal challenge of Y. pestis. These findings establish that an LcrV DNA vaccine is able to elicit CD8+ T cell immune responses against specific epitopes of this key plague antigen and that a CD8+ T cell immune response is involved in LcrV DNA vaccine-elicited protection. Future studies in plague vaccine development will need to examine if the presence of detectable T cell immune responses, in particular CD8+ T-cell immune responses, will enhance the protection against Y. pestis in higher animal species or humans.     

Occurrence of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in small wild rodents

Rodents are a potential source of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. In order to study this, 190 rodents were captured and sampled on seven pig farms (n=110), five chicken farms (n=55) and six other locations (n=25) in Sweden. Pigs from three of the pig farms were also sampled (n=60). Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was detected by TaqMan PCR in about 5% of rodent samples and 18% of pig samples. Only rodents caught on pig farms tested positive for the pathogen. Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 4/O:3 strains isolated from the rodent and pig samples were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and revealed a high degree of similarity, which was confirmed by random amplified polymorphic DNA. Y. pseudotuberculosis was only detected in one rodent sample. Thus, rodents may be vectors for the transmission of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica to pigs, acting as carriers rather than a reservoir, and should therefore remain an important issue in hygiene control measures on farms.     

Isolation of Yersinia, campylobacter, Plesiomonas and Aeromonas from environmental water and fresh water fishes]

Yersinia, Campylobacter, Plesiomonas and Aeromonas are known causative agents in waterborne diseases. For about 10 years, outbreak of diarrhea has been observed, especially among children, in the mountain areas of Okayama. Y. pseudotuberculosis recently isolated from non-chlorinated drinking water sources such as mountain streams and wells has been suspected to be the causative bacteria of the disease. Attempts were made to isolate Yersinia and Campylobacter from water samples from rivers in rural areas and Plesiomonas and Aeromonas from samples of well water and fresh water fishes in Okayama prefecture from 1987 to 1990. The isolation rate of Yersinia from river water samples was 7.5% with a higher rate in the mountain areas than in the nonmountain areas. While Y. enterocolitica was isolated throughout the year, Y. pseudotuberculosis was only seen during the winter. Various serogroups including human types of Y. enterocolitica and serogroup 2B, 4A and UT of Y. pseudotuberculosis were detected. Campylobacter was isolated from 0.5% of river water samples. Plesiomonas from 1.5% of fresh water fishes, and Aeromonas was isolated from 6.9% of well water samples and 47.1% of fresh water fishes.     

2004-2005年我国部分地区小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌宿主分布调查

目的了解2004-2005年小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌宿主分布情况。方法对从不同宿主样品中分离到的小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌进行生物化学鉴定、血清学分型、毒力基因PCR检测。结果2004-2005年从8种常见动物宿主及食品中共分离到230株小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌,35.65%分离自猪,致病性菌株中51.52%来自猪,所占比例最高,而分离自腹泻病人、兔的菌株均为致病性菌株。结论我国小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌宿主分布广泛,猪是最主要的宿主动物。     

Induction of specific Th1 responses and suppression of IgE antibody formation by vaccination with plasmid DNA encoding Der f 11

DNA vaccines encoding low-molecular-weight allergens have been used to prevent IgE responses. A high-molecular-weight mite allergen Der f 11 that was hardly to be purified for immunotherapy was used to develop a DNA vaccine here. Vaccination of mice with plasmid DNA encoding Df11 (pDf11) induced Th1 responses characterized by IgG2a responses and spleen cell secretion of IFN-gamma. In contrast, sensitization with recombinant Der f 11 (rDf11) and alum induced Th2 responses characterized by IgE responses and spleen cell secretion of IL-4 and IL-5. Vaccination with pDf11 prevented the induction of IgE responses. Moreover, it could inhibit on-going IgE responses. The debate whether CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were the regulatory cells to inhibit IgE responses by DNA vaccination was also examined. First, sensitization of pDf11-vaccinated mice after depletion of CD8+ T cells still showed suppression of IgE responses. Secondly, adoptive transfer of either CD4- or CD8-depleted spleen cells from pDf11-vaccinated mice suppressed IgE responses. In conclusion, this is the first report to confirm the therapeutic effect of a DNA vaccine encoding a strong allergen on specific IgE responses. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are crucial for the immunomodulation of IgE responses by pDf11.     

An evaluation of methods for the isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from surface waters in the Grand River watershed

Yersinia enterocolitica is a foodborne pathogen, but the importance of water as a route of exposure for human infection is not well known. Y. enterocolitica isolation methods were developed primarily for food and clinical samples, and may not be effective for use with environmental samples. The objective of this study was to assess the recovery of Y. enterocolitica from surface water used for drinking water treatment. Four enrichment broths and an alkaline treatment protocol were compared for the isolation of Y. enterocolitica bioserogroup 4/O:3 spiked into surface water samples. Results showed that the methods tested were not effective for the recovery of Y. enterocolitica, primarily due to inadequate inhibition of interfering background microorganisms. Using one method that showed the most potential for recovery, Yersinia spp. were isolated from rivers in southwestern Ontario, Canada, over a 17-month period. Of 200 samples analysed, Yersinia spp. were isolated from 52 samples. All river isolates belonged to non-pathogenic sub-groups, including Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A, Y. aldovae, Y. bercovieri, Y. frederiksenii, Y. intermedia, Y. kristensenii and Y. mollaretii. Results of this study show that method improvements are required to more fully understand the role of water as a source of clinically important Yersinia strains.     

Occurrence of bacteria of the Yersinia genus in surface water]

The aim of the study was determination of the frequency of occurrence of Yersinia genus bacteria in surface waters polluted to various degrees with bacteria of the coliform and of fecal coli. For detection of Yersinia rods the previously elaborated medium Endo MLCe and the membrane filter method were applied. Samples of 42 surface waters were examined, including 26 from rivers and 16 from lakes, ponds and clay-pits. On the basis of sanitary bacteriological analysis 16 surface waters were classified to class I purity, 10 to class II, the remaining ones to class III or beyond classification. Yersinia rods were detected in 15 water bodies that is 35.7% of the examined waters. A total of 27 Yersinia strains were identified with dominance of Y. intermedia (14 strains) and Y. enterocolitica (10 strains). Three strains represented by the species Yersinia frederiksenii. Most of the Y. enterocolitica strains belonged to biotype 1, the particular strains being represented by various serotypes. Hence their different origin may be concluded. The pathogenic serotypes 0:3 and 0:9 of Yersinia enterocolitica were not detected.     

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis with inflammation of the appendix: a case report

Human enteric infection with Yersinia enterocolitica or Yersinia pseudotuberculosis may masquerade clinically as acute appendicitis but it is unusual for the appendix to be histologically inflamed. We report a case of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in which acute appendicitis was present in the absence of terminal ileitis.     

Bacteriophage-encoded type III effectors in Salmonella enterica subspecies 1 serovar Typhimurium.

Salmonella spp. are Gram-negative bacteria which cause infections ranging from mild, self-limiting enterocolitis to systemic (typhoid) disease. Recent work has established that the genetic makeup varies considerably between different Salmonella strains. Phages play an important role in this diversity. In fact, Salmonella has emerged as a prime example for the involvement of virulence factor encoding phages in the emergence of new epidemic strains. Among other virulence factors, Salmonella enterica utilizes two specialized protein secretion systems termed type III secretion systems (TTSS) to deliver effector proteins into host cells which manipulate host cell signaling cascades. These two TTSS and several effectors are encoded within Salmonella pathogenicity islands 1 and 2. Some effectors including SopE, SspH1, SseI and SopE2 are encoded by phages or phage remnants. These phage-encoded effectors seem to be transferred between different Salmonella strains. They have attracted much interest because they might contribute to the evolution of Salmonella spp. Here we will focus on SopEPhi which encodes the SPI-1 effector SopE. It provides an excellent example to illustrate how horizontally transferred effector proteins are integrated into the complex regulatory network of a TTSS in a recipient bacterium. Additional data supporting the hypothesis are presented. This is a prerequisite to allow optimization of the bacterium host cell interaction by reassortment of the phage-encoded effector protein repertoire.     

进口冻肉中小肠结肠炎耶尔森氏菌检出情况分析

目的：了解我国进口冻肉产品中小肠结肠炎耶尔森氏菌的检出情况，为此类产品的风险分析和检验检疫工作提供依据。方法：通过采用小肠结肠炎耶尔森氏菌的国标检验方法和VITEK、API生化鉴定仪对247份进口冻肉产品进行检测。结果：247份样品中共检出耶尔森属菌33份，其中17份为小肠结肠炎耶尔森氏菌，检出率为6．88％，均属于生物1A型，其中3株为血清O：8型，其余均属非常见血清型。阳性样品中16份为冻鸡类样品，1份为冻猪肉类样品。94份海产样品无一份检出。结论：通过实验数据分析我国进口的冻肉产品中冻鸡类产品检出小肠结肠炎耶尔森氏菌比率较高，而海产品和冻猪肉产品中检出率相对较低，所以认为冻鸡类产品小肠结肠炎耶尔森氏菌污染风险较高，应加强此类产品检验监管力度。     

CD40 ligand enhances immunogenicity of vector-based vaccines in immunocompetent and CD4+ T cell deficient individuals

Impairment of host immunity, particularly CD4+ T cell deficiency, presents significant complications for vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy. CD40 ligand (CD40L or CD154), a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF), is an important co-stimulatory molecule and, through interactions with its cognate receptor CD40, plays a pivotal role in the generation of host immune responses. Exploitation of CD40L and its receptor CD40 could provide a means to enhance and potentially restore protective immune responses in CD4+ T cell deficiency. To investigate the potential adjuvanticity of CD40L, we constructed recombinant plasmid DNA and adenoviral (Ad) vaccine vectors expressing murine CD40L and the mycobacterial protein antigen 85B (Ag85B). Co-immunization of mice with CD40L and Ag85B by intranasal or intramuscular prime-boosting led to route-dependent enhancement of the magnitude of vaccine-induced circulating and lung mucosal CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in both normal (CD4-replete) and CD4+ T cell deficient animals, including polyfunctional T cell responses. The presence of CD40L alone was insufficient to enhance or restore CD4+ T cell responses in CD4-ablated animals; however, in partially depleted animals, co-immunization with Ag85B and CD40L was capable of eliciting enhanced T cell responses, similar to those observed in normal animals, when compared to those given vaccine antigen alone. In summary, these findings show that CD40L has the capacity to enhance the magnitude of vaccine-induced polyfunctional T cell responses in CD4+ T cell deficient mice, and warrants further study as an adjuvant for immunization against opportunistic pathogens in individuals with CD4+ T cell deficiency.     

浙江省部分地区小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌(动物株)分子生物学特征初探

目的：了解浙江省部分地区小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌的血清型别、毒力基因分布等情况。方法：利用常规细菌分离方法从家禽、家畜和鼠类粪便标本中分离小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌，并进行毒力基因检测，同时对血清型O：3、O：5和O：8的菌株进行脉冲场凝胶电泳分析。结果：2004～2005年，从全省各点采集的动物标本中共分离到22株小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌，分布于11个血清型，并以O：8和O：3为主。PCR检测将分离到的22株小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌毒力携带情况分为4型：Ⅰ型（ail^＋、ystA^＋、ystB^-、yadA^＋、virF^＋），Ⅱ型（ail^＋、ystA^＋、ystB^-、yadA^-、virF^-），Ⅲ型（ail^-、ystA^-、ystB^＋、yadA^-、virF^-），Ⅳ型（ail^-、ystA^-、ystB^-、yadA^-、virF^-）。脉冲场凝胶电泳分析，O：3型菌株显示有2种带型，O：5型菌株的带型完全相同，O：8型菌株的带型则存在明显差异。结论：浙江省的从动物分离的小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌以非致病性菌株居多，且存在一定的地区差异。猪是致病性小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌的重要携带者，应警惕致病性小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌通过猪感染人和其它动物以及环境的危险。     

The detection of Yersinia enterocolitica in surface water by quantitative PCR amplification of the ail and yadA genes

Yersinia enterocolitica has been detected in surface water, and drinking untreated water is a risk factor for infection. PCR-based methods have been used to detect Y. enterocolitica in various sample types, but quantitative studies have not been conducted in water. In this study, quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based methods targeting the Yersinia virulence genes ail and yadA were used to survey the Grand River watershed in southern Ontario, Canada. Initial testing of reference strains showed that ail and yadA PCR assays were specific for pathogenic biotypes of Y. enterocolitica; however the genes were also detected in one clinical Yersinia intermedia isolate. A survey of surface water from the Grand River watershed showed that both genes were detected at five sampling locations, with the ail and yadA genes detected in 38 and 21% of samples, respectively. Both genes were detected more frequently at colder water temperatures. A screening of Yersinia strains isolated from the watershed showed that the ail gene was detected in three Y. enterocolitica 1A/O:5 isolates. Results of this study show that Yersinia virulence genes were commonly detected in a watershed used as a source of drinking water, and that the occurrence of these genes was seasonal.     

1997-2010年宁夏回族自治区小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌致病性的基因特征

目的 了解宁夏回族自治区小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌主要毒力基因分布情况和致病性小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌分子分型特征。方法 于1997-2010年在宁夏回族自治区共分离得到283株小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌,用PCR法分析其黏附侵袭位点基因(ail)、耐热肠毒素A基因（ystA）、ystB、黏附素基因（yadA）、毒力活化因子基因（virF）;应用限制性内切酶Not Ⅰ酶切致病性小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌染色体DNA进行脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE),利用BioNumerics软件进行聚类分析。结果 209株O∶3、O∶9血清型小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌中ail、ystA、yadA、virF毒力基因阳性,ystB为阴性的占97.6％( 204/209);O∶8血清型和未开展血清分型的菌株5种毒力基因全部阴性;11株O∶5血清型有9株5种毒力基因全部阴性。将致病性菌株进行PFGE分型,根据染色体DNA的Not Ⅰ酶切图谱,将29株O∶3血清型分成12个PFGE带型,包含5株以上的优势PFGE带型有2种。180株O∶9血清型菌株分成13个PFGE带型,包含10株以上的优势PFGE带型有4种,各自是从同一地区猪与家鼠、猪与犬、猪与野兔分离。结论 宁夏地区O∶3、O∶9血清型小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌具有致病性,O∶3逐步成为如今的优势血清型;O∶5、O∶8与血清未分型的菌株无致病性。     

The ail gene is present in some Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A strains

One chromosomal virulence marker of Yersinia is the gene ail, which encodes Ail, an outer membrane protein that promotes attachment and invasion. A high correlation has been found between the ail gene and the virulence of Yersinia. Here, we report two Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A strains that are usually nonpathogenic and carry the ail gene. The ail gene sequences of biotype 1A strains displayed similarity to the bioserotype 1B/O:8 strain 8081. The finding suggests that ail-based detection methods for Y. enterocolitica alone are insufficient to detect real pathogenic strains.     

Antibodies against Yersinia among farmers and slaughterhouse workers.

Antibodies to immunoglobulins (Ig) M, G, and A against Yersinia enterocolitica serotypes O:3, O:5, O:8, and O:9 and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotypes I and III were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay of the serum samples of 161 slaughterhouse workers, 147 pig farmers, and 114 grain or berry farmers. The crude risk ratios for elevated serum antibody concentrations were calculated with the use of the grain and berry farmers as the reference population. The risk for an elevated Y enterocolitica O:3 Ig G concentration was 3.0 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.3-7.1) for the pig farmers and 1.8 (95% CI 0.7-4.4) for the slaughterhouse workers and the respective risks for elevated Y enterocolitica O:9 Ig G were 2.4 (95% CI 1.1-5.5) and 1.7 (95% CI 0.7-4.0). Since these two serotypes are commonly associated with swine, the increased number of subjects with elevated antibody levels could be causally related to occupational contact with this animal.     

Elimination of Yersinia enterocolitica by chlorine on fresh tomatoes

The effect of temperature throughout 18 day-storage and the efficacy of different free chlorine concentrations in washing solutions upon the survival of Yersinia enterocolitica on surface of inoculated fresh tomatoes were studied. Two virulence plasmid-bearing strains. A. Y. enterocolitica W1024 0:9--a reference strain--and B. Y. enterocolitica B1 0:5 Lis Xz--a strain isolated from food in San Luis, Argentina, were assayed. Counts of both strains at 6 degrees C did not present significant changes during the first 4 days, but increased until day 15. Both strains were able to grow on tomatoes stored at 22 degrees C and 35 degrees C. At 22 degrees C maximum values were obtained on days 3 and 4, with a subsequent significant decrease. Highest counts were obtained at 37 degrees C. No detectable levels of viable cells were observed by using 500 ppm free chlorine washing solution. Non-inoculated tomatoes were analyzed for Y. enterocolitica with negative results. Zero tolerance for pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains has been recommended for ready-to-use vegetables. Therefore, sanitary measures should be taken in the manipulation and storage of fresh tomatoes.