Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni causes campylobacteriosis, a bacterial gastroenteritis with high incidence worldwide. Moreover, C. jejuni infection can trigger the polyneuropathic disorder denominated Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The C. jejuni strains that can elicit GBS carry either wlaN or cgtB, coding both genes for a β-1,3-galactosyltransferase enzyme that is required for the production of sialylated lipooligosaccharide (LOSSIAL). We described a differential prevalence of the genes wlaN and cgtB in C. jejuni isolates from three different ecological niches: humans, broiler chickens, and wild birds. The distribution of both genes, which is similar between broiler chicken and human isolates and distinct when compared to the wild bird isolates, suggests a host-dependent distribution. Moreover, the prevalence of the wlaN and cgtB genes seems to be restricted to some clonal complexes. Gene sequencing identified the presence of new variants of the G- homopolymeric tract within the wlaN gene. Furthermore, we detected two variants of a G rich region within the cgtB gene, suggesting that, similarly to wlaN, the G-tract in the cgtB gene mediates the phase variation control of cgtB expression. Caco-2 cell invasion assays indicate that there is no evident correlation between the production of LOSSIAL and the ability to invade eukaryotic cells.
Highlights
IntroductionCampylobacter jejuni causes the most common bacterial food-borne disease in Europe, a gastroenteritis named campylobacteriosis, which can range from mild, watery to bloody diarrhea [1,2]
Campylobacter jejuni causes the most common bacterial food-borne disease in Europe, a gastroenteritis named campylobacteriosis, which can range from mild, watery to bloody diarrhea [1,2].Campylobacteriosis is mostly transmitted to humans by the consumption and improper handling of poultry meat [3]
We describe the prevalence of the genes responsible for LOSSIAL production, cgtB and wlaN, in C. jejuni isolates from different ecological origin: humans, broiler chickens, and wild birds
Summary
Campylobacter jejuni causes the most common bacterial food-borne disease in Europe, a gastroenteritis named campylobacteriosis, which can range from mild, watery to bloody diarrhea [1,2]. During the acute-phase of C. jejuni-associated GBS infection, the sera contain high titers of antibodies against LOSSIAL that cross-react with GM1 gangliosides [8]. Genomic analyses revealed the presence of hypervariable sequences in C. jejuni genes coding for proteins involved in the biosynthesis of surface structures [13]. Most of these hypervariable sequences consist of short homopolymeric nucleotide tracts. We describe the prevalence of the genes responsible for LOSSIAL production, cgtB and wlaN, in C. jejuni isolates from different ecological origin: humans, broiler chickens, and wild birds. The correlation between the production of LOSSIAL and the ability to invade eukaryotic cells is evaluated
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