Abstract
BackgroundUnclassified simian strain Treponema Fribourg-Blanc was isolated in 1966 from baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in West Africa. This strain was morphologically indistinguishable from T. pallidum ssp. pallidum or ssp. pertenue strains, and it was shown to cause human infections.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo precisely define genetic differences between Treponema Fribourg-Blanc (unclassified simian isolate, FB) and T. pallidum ssp. pertenue strains (TPE), a high quality sequence of the whole Fribourg-Blanc genome was determined with 454-pyrosequencing and Illumina sequencing platforms. Combined average coverage of both methods was greater than 500×. Restriction target sites (n = 1,773), identified in silico, of selected restriction enzymes within the Fribourg-Blanc genome were verified experimentally and no discrepancies were found. When compared to the other three sequenced TPE genomes (Samoa D, CDC-2, Gauthier), no major genome rearrangements were found. The Fribourg-Blanc genome clustered with other TPE strains (especially with the TPE CDC-2 strain), while T. pallidum ssp. pallidum strains clustered separately as well as the genome of T. paraluiscuniculi strain Cuniculi A. Within coding regions, 6 deletions, 5 insertions and 117 substitutions differentiated Fribourg-Blanc from other TPE genomes.Conclusions/SignificanceThe Fribourg-Blanc genome showed similar genetic characteristics as other TPE strains. Therefore, we propose to rename the unclassified simian isolate to Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue strain Fribourg-Blanc. Since the Fribourg-Blanc strain was shown to cause experimental infection in human hosts, non-human primates could serve as possible reservoirs of TPE strains. This could considerably complicate recent efforts to eradicate yaws. Genetic differences specific for Fribourg-Blanc could then contribute for identification of cases of animal-derived yaws infections.
Highlights
Treponema Fribourg-Blanc was isolated in 1966 from baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in West Africa [1,2]
Previous reports have shown that the FB strain was morphologically indistinguishable from other T. pallidum ssp. pallidum (TPA) or T. pallidum ssp. pertenue strains (TPE) strains [2]
The ability of FB strain to attach to mammalian cells was similar to TPE but different from TPA strains [36]
Summary
Treponema Fribourg-Blanc was isolated in 1966 from baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in West Africa [1,2] This strain was morphologically indistinguishable from T. pallidum ssp. Similar lesions were found in wild baboons living in other Tanzanian National Parks and in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania) [12] This clinical manifestation suggested a disease similar to human syphilis infections, a genetic analysis of the causative agent showed higher genetic similarity to human yaws-causing strains than to syphiliscausing strains [11,12]. Unclassified simian strain Treponema Fribourg-Blanc was isolated in 1966 from baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in West Africa. This strain was morphologically indistinguishable from T. pallidum ssp. pallidum or ssp. pertenue strains, and it was shown to cause human infections
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