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Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
Published on: July 11, 2016
Root sepsis associated with insect-dwelling Sebaldella termitidis in a lesser dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius)
Tobias Eisenberg1, Stefanie P Glaeser2, Peter Kämpfer2
1Landesbetrieb Hessisches Landeslabor, Abteilung Veterinärmedizin, Schubertstr. 60/Haus 13, 35392, Giessen, Germany. tobias.eisenberg@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
Abstract:
Sebaldella termitidis is a rare fastidious microorganism of the Leptotrichiaceae family. A variety of closely related species are associated with severe and even life-threatening disease in humans and animals, such as Streptobacillus moniliformis, the etiological organism of rat-bite fever as well as members of Leptotrichia spp. and Sneathia sanguinegens, which have been reported from cases of septicaemia. In contrast, since its description some 50 years ago, S. ermitidis has so far never been reported as a vertebrate pathogen, nor has it been found aside from its natural termite host. A lesser dwarf lemur was presented with unilateral facial inflammation originating from rotten maxillary teeth and septic root abscess. Surgical intervention and root extraction significantly improved the clinical cause in that a pus-filled cavity underneath the right eye could be drained, sampled and flushed. Bacteria displaying substantial characteristics of S. termitidis were cultured from the sampled pus. Morphological features observed included strictly anaerobic regular Gram-negative rods. Significant shared biochemical properties included negative reactions for cytochrome oxidase, catalase, urease, nitrate reduction and indole production. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed 99.9 % sequence homology to the S. termitidis type strain NCTC 11300(T), from which it, nevertheless, differed with respect to rep and rep- and RAPD-PCR profiles. An affiliation of the lemur isolate described in this study with the type strain of S. termitidis as well as a clear discrimination from other members of the Leptotrichiaceae could also be confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. This is the first evidence for clinical disease caused by S. termitidis in a vertebrate species indicating a broader host spectrum of this rarely encountered microorganism.
Insights
Sebaldella termitidis, a rare bacterium, was identified as the cause of a severe infection in a lemur. This finding expands the known host range for this microorganism beyond its typical termite host.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Sebaldella termitidis is a rare, fastidious bacterium from the Leptotrichiaceae family.
- Related species like Streptobacillus moniliformis cause severe diseases in humans and animals.
- S. termitidis has historically only been found in termites and not known to be a vertebrate pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative agent of a severe infection in a lesser dwarf lemur.
- To characterize the bacterium isolated from the lemur and determine its relationship to known species, particularly S. termitidis.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial culture from pus from a lemur with facial inflammation and abscess.
- Morphological and biochemical characterization of the isolate.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing, rep-PCR, RAPD-PCR, MALDI-TOF MS, and FTIR spectroscopy for identification and comparison.
Main Results:
- A bacterium consistent with S. termitidis was isolated from the lemur's abscess.
- The isolate shared 99.9% 16S rRNA gene homology with the S. termitidis type strain but differed in PCR profiles.
- Spectroscopic methods confirmed the affiliation with S. termitidis and differentiated it from other Leptotrichiaceae.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of Sebalda termitidis causing clinical disease in a vertebrate.
- The findings suggest a broader host spectrum for S. termitidis than previously recognized.
- This expands our understanding of the pathogenic potential within the Leptotrichiaceae family.
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