Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia induce distinct metabolic responses

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A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness
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A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

Published on: September 28, 2022

Carolyn M Slupsky1, Andriy Cheypesh, Danny V Chao

  • 1Department of Medicine, and Magnetic Resonance Diagnostics Centre, 550A HMRC, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2S2.

Journal of Proteome Research
|April 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals distinct urinary metabolic changes in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus. Metabolomics can track pneumonia progression and recovery, aiding diagnosis and drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Metabolomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Pneumonia, a lower respiratory tract infection, is commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Antibiotic resistance in these pathogens poses a significant global health threat.
  • Understanding host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing new diagnostics and therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize urinary metabolite alterations in a mouse model during pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae and S. aureus.
  • To investigate the potential of metabolomics for monitoring infection and recovery.
  • To explore host-microbial metabolic interplay during pneumonia.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a C57Bl/6 mouse model infected with either S. pneumoniae or S. aureus.
  • Employed multivariate targeted profiling of (1)H NMR spectra to analyze urinary metabolites.
  • Tracked metabolic trajectories throughout the infection and recovery phases.

Main Results:

  • Significant urinary metabolic profile changes were observed within 24 hours of infection.
  • S. pneumoniae infection led to decreased TCA cycle intermediates and increased fucose, creatine, and taurine.
  • S. aureus infection caused a decrease in various metabolites, including 1-methylnicotinamide and others, alongside gut-derived microbial metabolite disturbances.

Conclusions:

  • Urinary metabolomics effectively captures host responses to bacterial pneumonia.
  • Metabolic profiles return to baseline levels upon recovery, indicating potential for health monitoring.
  • Metabolomics offers a promising avenue for pneumonia diagnosis, drug development, and understanding host-pathogen dynamics.

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