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[Identification of the Clinical Isolate CCGC 19/16 as Bacillus cytotoxicus]
N B Polyakov1,2, D S Karpov3, M V Zubasheva1,4
1Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 123098 Russia.
Molekuliarnaia Biologiia
|February 19, 2025
Summary
Accurate identification of Bacillus cereus species is challenging due to their similarity. Combining multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and MALDI-TOF MS offers high resolution for distinguishing these pathogenic bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Genomics
Context:
- Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) species are genetically similar gram-positive bacteria with significant pathogenic potential.
- Distinguishing between species like B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis is difficult, complicating disease treatment.
- A clinical isolate, CCGC 19/16, previously showed mixed characteristics of B. cereus and B. cytotoxicus.
Purpose:
- To accurately identify the clinical isolate CCGC 19/16 within the Bacillus cereus s.l. group.
- To characterize the unique phenotypic traits of strain CCGC 19/16.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different identification methods for B. cereus s.l. species.
Summary:
- Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and MALDI-TOF MS identified CCGC 19/16 as Bacillus cytotoxicus.
- Strain CCGC 19/16 exhibits atypical characteristics, including lack of thermotolerance, antibiotic sensitivity, and increased motility, differentiating it from other B. cytotoxicus strains.
- The study highlights that prolonged sample storage can lead to misidentification and that rapid, single-gene methods lack sufficient resolution for B. cereus s.l. identification.
Impact:
- The combination of MLST and MALDI-TOF MS provides robust resolution for accurate identification of closely related B. cereus s.l. species.
- Understanding the unique traits of B. cytotoxicus strain CCGC 19/16 aids in clinical diagnostics and treatment strategies.
- This research underscores the limitations of rapid diagnostic methods and emphasizes the need for comprehensive techniques in bacterial identification.
