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Quantitative evaluation of the host-colonizing capabilities of the enteric bacterium Pantoea using plant and insect
Geetanchaly Nadarasah1, John Stavrinides1
1Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S0A2, Canada.
Abstract:
The genus Pantoea is a highly diverse group comprising free-living, and both pathogenic and non-pathogenic host-associating species. Pathogenic isolates have been found to infect insects, plants and humans, yet it is unclear whether these isolates have similar pathogenic potential to the free-living environmental populations. Using MLSA of six housekeeping genes, we evaluated the phylogenetic relationships among 115 environmental and clinical (human) isolates representing 11 Pantoea species. An overlay of the location of isolation onto the resulting tree revealed that clinical and environmental isolates are interspersed, and do not form distinctive groups. We then conducted quantitative growth assays of our isolates using maize, onion and fruit flies as hosts. Notably, most clinical isolates were able to grow in both plant hosts often comparably or even better than the environmental isolates. There were no obvious growth or host colonization patterns that could distinguish those isolates with clinical potential. Growth of an isolate in one host could not be predicted based on its performance in another host, nor could host growth be predicted by phylogeny or source of isolation. This work demonstrates that the host-colonizing capabilities of all Pantoea species groups is unpredictable, indicating a broader host range and pathogenic potential than currently assumed.
Insights
The Pantoea genus includes diverse bacteria, with clinical and environmental strains showing similar growth capabilities across various hosts. This suggests a broader, unpredictable host range and pathogenic potential than previously assumed for Pantoea species.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Pathogen Discovery
Background:
- The genus Pantoea comprises diverse bacteria, including free-living, plant-associated, and human-pathogenic species.
- The pathogenic potential of clinical Pantoea isolates compared to environmental strains remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phylogenetic relationships among environmental and clinical Pantoea isolates.
- To assess the host colonization and growth capabilities of Pantoea isolates across different hosts.
Main Methods:
- Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of six housekeeping genes was performed on 115 Pantoea isolates.
- Quantitative growth assays were conducted using maize, onion, and fruit flies as hosts.
- Phylogenetic analysis was combined with host-colonization data to identify distinguishing patterns.
Main Results:
- Clinical and environmental Pantoea isolates were phylogenetically interspersed, not forming distinct groups.
- Most clinical isolates demonstrated significant growth on plant hosts (maize, onion), comparable or superior to environmental isolates.
- No clear patterns distinguished clinical isolates based on host growth, phylogeny, or isolation source; host colonization was unpredictable.
Conclusions:
- Pantoea species exhibit unpredictable host-colonizing capabilities, irrespective of their origin (clinical vs. environmental).
- The findings indicate a broader host range and potentially greater pathogenic potential within the Pantoea genus than currently recognized.
