Corynebacterium ulcerans isolates from humans and dogs: fibrinogen, fibronectin and collagen-binding, antimicrobial and PFGE profiles

• Published in: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Vol. 105; no. 2; pp. 343 - 352
• Main Authors: Simpson-Louredo, Liliane, Ramos, Juliana Nunes, Peixoto, Renata Stavracakis, Santos, Louisy Sanches, Antunes, Camila Azevedo, Ladeira, Elisa Martins, Santos, Cintia Silva, Vieira, Veronica Viana, Bôas, Maria Helena Simões Villas, Hirata, Raphael Jr, Mattos-Guaraldi, Ana Luíza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer-Verlag 01-02-2014; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial agents; Bacterial Adhesion; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Brazil; collagen; Collagen - metabolism; Corynebacterium - classification; Corynebacterium - genetics; Corynebacterium - isolation & purification; Corynebacterium - pathogenicity; Corynebacterium Infections - microbiology; Corynebacterium Infections - veterinary; Corynebacterium ulcerans; Dogs; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; extracellular matrix; fibrinogen; Fibrinogen - metabolism; fibronectins; Fibronectins - metabolism; genetic relationships; Heterogeneity; Humans; Life Sciences; Medical Microbiology; Metropolitan areas; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbiology; Original Paper; pets; Plant Sciences; Protein Binding; pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; Soil Science & Conservation; virulence; Zoonoses; Brazil; PFGE; Dog; Fibronectin; Fibrinogen
• ISSN: 0003-6072; 1572-9699
• DOI: 10.1007/s10482-013-0080-5

Corynebacterium ulcerans has been increasingly isolated as an emerging zoonotic agent of diphtheria and other infections from companion animals. Since pets are able to act as symptomless carriers, it is also essential to identify virulence potential for humans of these isolates. In this work the ability of C. ulcerans to bind to fibrinogen (Fbg), fibronectin (Fn) and Type I collagen as well the genetic relationship among strains isolated from human and asymptomatic dogs in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) were analyzed. Five pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles were demonstrated (I, II, III, IV and V). In addition, the IV and V profiles exhibiting ≥85 % similarity were expressed by the BR-AD41 and BR-AD61 strains from companion dogs living in the same neighborhood. Independent of the PFGE-types, human and dog isolates showed affinity to Fbg, Fn and collagen. Heterogeneity of PFGE profiles indicated endemicity of C. ulcerans in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. Differences in the expression of adhesins to the human extracellular matrix may contribute to variations in the virulence and zoonotic potential of C. ulcerans strains.