Mycobacterium llatzerense, a waterborne Mycobacterium, that resists phagocytosis by Acanthamoeba castellanii
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacteria increasingly associated to public health problems. In water systems, free-living amoebae (FLA) feed on bacteria by phagocytosis, but several bacteria, including many NTM, are resistant to this predation. Thus, FLA can be seen as a training...
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Published in | Scientific reports Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 46270 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
Nature Publishing Group UK
10.04.2017
Nature Publishing Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacteria increasingly associated to public health problems. In water systems, free-living amoebae (FLA) feed on bacteria by phagocytosis, but several bacteria, including many NTM, are resistant to this predation. Thus, FLA can be seen as a training ground for pathogenic bacteria.
Mycobacterium llatzerense
was previously described as frequently associated with FLA in a drinking water network. The present study aimed to characterize the interactions between
M. llatzerense
and FLA.
M. llatzerense
was internalised by phagocytosis and featured lipid inclusions, suggesting a subversion of host resources. Moreover,
M. llatzerense
survived and even multiplied in presence of
A. castellanii
. Using a genomic-based comparative approach, twelve genes involved in phagocytosis interference, described in
M. tuberculosis
, were identified in the
M. llatzerense
genome sequenced in this study. Transcriptomic analyses showed that ten genes were significantly upregulated during the first hours of the infection, which could partly explain
M. llatzerense
resistance. Additionally,
M. llatzerense
was shown to actively inhibit phagosome acidification. In conclusion,
M. llatzerense
presents a high degree of resistance to phagocytosis, likely explaining its frequent occurrence within FLA in drinking water networks. It underscores that NTM should be carefully monitored in water networks to prevent human health concerns. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 PMCID: PMC5385496 Present address: Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. |
ISSN: | 2045-2322 2045-2322 |
DOI: | 10.1038/srep46270 |