Adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the chronic phenotype by mutations in the algTmucABD operon in isolates from Brazilian cystic fibrosis patients

Author(s)

Cacador, Natalia Candido ^[1] ; da Costa Capizzani, Carolina Paulino ^[1] ; Monteiro Marin Torres, Lfdia Alice Gomes ^[2] ; Galetti, Renata ^[1] ; Ciofu, Oana ^[3] ; da Costa Darini, Ana Lticia ^[1] ; Flefiby, Niels ^{[3, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Copenhagen, Dept Immunol & Microbiol, Copenhagen - Denmark

^[4] Univ Hosp, Rigshosp, Dept Clin Microbiol, Copenhagen - Denmark

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 13, n. 11 NOV 29 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Chronic lung infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This is associated with the conversion of the non-mucoid to the mucoid phenotype. However, there is little information about the occurrence of alginate-producing P. aeruginosa in CF patients outside Europe and North America. The aim of the present study was to investigate mutations in the algTmucABD operon in mucoid and non-mucoid isolates from Brazilian CF patients. Twenty-seven mucoid and 37 non-mucoid isolates from 40 CF patients chronically infected by P. aeruginosa attending a CF reference center in Brazil were evaluated by sequence analysis. Mutations in mucA were observed in 93% of the mucoid isolates and 54% of the non-mucoid isolates. Among these non-mucoid isolates, 55% were considered revertants, since they also had mutations in algT (algU). Most isolates associated with moderate alginate production presented point mutations in mucB and/or mucD. We identified 30 mutations not previously described in the operon. In conclusion, mutations in mucA were the main mechanism of conversion to mucoidy, and most of the non-mucoid isolates were revertants, but the mechanism of revertance is not fully explained by changes in algT. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/13455-6 - Epidemiology of bacterial infections in patients with cystic fibrosis involving Achromobacter and Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria
• Grantee: Carolina Paulino da Costa Capizzani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/11728-0 - Complete sequencing of plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria of interest and genome analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-producing SPM-1 and KPC-2 lines by large-scale sequencing
• Grantee: Renata Galetti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/14494-8 - Molecular epidemiology of gram-negative bacteria and genetic of antibiotic resistance
• Grantee: Ana Lúcia da Costa Darini
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/13358-0 - Classical and molecular epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with Cystic Fibrosis
• Grantee: Natália Candido Caçador
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)