Abstract
Weissella spp. are non-spore forming, catalase-negative, gram-positive coccobacilli. They are often misidentified by traditional and commercial phenotypic identification methods as Lactobacillus spp. or Lactobacillus-like organisms. Weissella spp. were previously grouped along with Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., and Pediococcus spp. Utilization of more sensitive methods like DNA sequencing or Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has facilitated identification of Weissella as a unique genus. Nineteen species have been identified to date. W. confusa, W. cibaria, and W. viridescens are the only species isolated from humans. The true prevalence of Weissella spp. continues to be probably underestimated. Weissella spp. strains have been isolated from a wide range of habitats including raw milk, feces, fermented cereals, and vegetables. Weisella is believed to be a rare cause of usually nonfatal infections in humans, and is often considered a contaminant. However, in recent years, Weissella spp. have been implicated in bacteremia, abscesses, prosthetic joint infections, and infective endocarditis. Alterations of the gut flora from surgery or chemotherapy are believed to facilitate translocation of Weissella spp. due to disruption of the mucosal barrier, predisposing the host to infection with this organism. Implications of the isolation of Weissella spp. from blood must be interpreted in context of underlying risk factors. Weissella spp. are inherently resistant to vancomycin. Therefore, early consideraton of the pathogenic role of this bacteria and choice of alternate therapy is important to assure better outcomes.
Highlights
Weissella spp. are non-spore forming, hetero-fermentative, facultative anaerobic, gram-positive, catalase-negative, alpha hemolytic bacteria that appear as short rods or coccobacilli in pairs and chains (Collins et al, 1993; Olano et al, 2001; Björkroth et al, 2009)
Only W. confusa, W. cibaria, and W. viridescens have been isolated from human clinical specimens (Björkroth et al, 2002; Kulwichit et al, 2007; Fusco et al, 2015) and considered as opportunistic pathogens (Fusco et al, 2015)
A compromise of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier due to surgery is associated with increased risk of acquiring this infection and may be a probable route of entry of W. confusa resulting in bacteremia and endocarditis (Flaherty et al, 2003; Shin et al, 2007)
Summary
Edited by: Vincenzina Fusco, National Research Council of Italy Institute of Sciences of Food. Reviewed by: Carmen Wacher, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico Giuseppe Blaiotta, Dipartimento di Agraria, Italy. Weissella spp. are non-spore forming, catalase-negative, gram-positive coccobacilli. They are often misidentified by traditional and commercial phenotypic identification methods as Lactobacillus spp. or Lactobacillus-like organisms. W. confusa, W. cibaria, and W. viridescens are the only species isolated from humans. Weissella spp. strains have been isolated from a wide range of habitats including raw milk, feces, fermented cereals, and vegetables. Alterations of the gut flora from surgery or chemotherapy are believed to facilitate translocation of Weissella spp. due to disruption of the mucosal barrier, predisposing the host to infection with this organism. Implications of the isolation of Weissella spp. from blood must be interpreted in context of underlying risk factors.
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