Streptococcusdentiloxodontae sp. nov., isolated from the oral cavity of elephants.

A Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped organism was isolated from oral cavity samples collected from healthy elephants. The isolated strain, NUM 2404T, was tentatively identified as a streptococcal species based on the results of biochemical tests. Although a comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggested the classification of this organism into the genus Streptococcus, it did not correspond to any recognized species of the genus. Strain NUM 2404T was related most closely to Streptococcus saliviloxodontae NUM 6306T with 95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, but the phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that NUM 2404T clustered with Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449T and Streptococcus troglodytae TKU 31T. Comparative sequence analysis based on two housekeeping genes, groEL, which encodes the 60 kDa heat-shock protein, and rpoB, encoding the ß subunit of RNA polymerase, of NUM 2404T indicated that it was most closely related to those of Streptococcus orisratti A63T and Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33478T with 82.7 and 85.1 % sequence similarities, respectively. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic differences, it is proposed that the novel isolate be classified in the genus Streptococcus as representative of a novel species, Streptococcus dentiloxodontae sp. nov. The type strain is NUM 2404T (=JCM 19284T=DSM 27381T).

A gene cluster for the synthesis of serotype g-specific polysaccharide antigen in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is an important pathogen related to aggressively progressive periodontal breakdown in adolescents and adults. The species can be divided into six serotypes (a-f) according to their surface carbohydrate antigens. Recently, a new serotype g of A. actinomycetemcomitans was proposed. The aim of the present study was to sequence the gene cluster associated with the biosynthesis of the serotype g-specific polysaccharide antigen and develop serotype-specific primers for PCR assay to identify serotype g strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The serotype-specific polysaccharide (SSPS) gene cluster of the NUM-Aa 4039 strain contained 21 genes in 21,842-bp nucleotides. The similarity of the SSPS gene cluster sequence was 96.7 % compared with that of the serotype e strain. Seventeen serotype g genes showed more than 90 % homology both in nucleotide and amino acids to the serotype e strain. Three additional genes with 1,579 bp in NUM-Aa 4039 were inserted into the corresponding ORF13 of the serotype e strain. The serotype g-specific primers were designed from the insertion region of NUM-Aa 4039. Serotypes of the a-f strains were not amplified by serotype-specific g primers; only NUM-Aa 4039 showed an amplicon band. The NUM-Aa 4039 strain was three genes in the SSPS gene cluster different from those of serotype e strain. The specific primers derived from these different regions are useful for identification and distribution of serotype g strain among A. actinomycetemcomitans from clinical samples.

Streptococcus loxodontisalivarius sp. nov. and Streptococcus saliviloxodontae sp. nov., isolated from oral cavities of elephants.

Four Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative, coccoid-shaped organisms were isolated from elephant oral cavities. The isolates were tentatively identified as streptococcal species based on the results of biochemical tests. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed the organisms to be members of the genus Streptococcus. Two isolates (NUM 6304(T) and NUM 6312) were related most closely to Streptococcus salivarius with 96.8 % and 93.1 % similarity based on the 16S rRNA gene and the RNA polymerase ß subunit encoding gene (rpoB), respectively, and to Streptococcus vestibularis with 83.7 % similarity based on the 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (groEL). The other two isolates (NUM 6306(T) and NUM 6318) were related most closely to S. vestibularis with 97.0 % and 82.9 % similarity based on the 16S rRNA and groEL genes, respectively, and to S. salivarius with 93.5 % similarity based on the rpoB gene. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, these isolates are suggested to represent novel species of the genus Streptococcus, for which the names Streptococcus loxodontisalivarius sp. nov. (type strain NUM 6304(T) = JCM 19287(T) = DSM 27382(T)) and Streptococcus saliviloxodontae sp. nov. (type strain NUM 6306(T) = JCM 19288(T) = DSM 27513(T)) are proposed.

Streptococcus oriloxodontae sp. nov., isolated from the oral cavities of elephants.

Two strains were isolated from oral cavity samples of healthy elephants. The isolates were Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped organisms that were tentatively identified as a streptococcal species based on the results of biochemical tests. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggested classification of these organisms in the genus Streptococcus with Streptococcus criceti ATCC 19642(T) and Streptococcus orisuis NUM 1001(T) as their closest phylogenetic neighbours with 98.2 and 96.9% gene sequence similarity, respectively. When multi-locus sequence analysis using four housekeeping genes, groEL, rpoB, gyrB and sodA, was carried out, similarity of concatenated sequences of the four housekeeping genes from the new isolates and Streptococcus mutans was 89.7%. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments suggested that the new isolates were distinct from S. criceti and other species of the genus Streptococcus. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic differences, it is proposed that the novel isolates are classified in the genus Streptococcus as representatives of Streptococcus oriloxodontae sp. nov. The type strain of S. oriloxodontae is NUM 2101(T) ( =JCM 19285(T) =DSM 27377(T)).

Streptococcus orisasini sp. nov. and Streptococcus dentasini sp. nov., isolated from the oral cavity of donkeys.

Four Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccoid isolates that were obtained from donkey oral cavities formed two distinct clonal groups when characterized by phenotypic and phylogenetic studies. From the results of biochemical tests, the organisms were tentatively identified as a streptococcal species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed the organisms to be members of the genus Streptococcus. Two of the isolates were related most closely to Streptococcus ursoris with 95.6 % similarity based on the 16S rRNA gene and to Streptococcus ratti with 92.0 % similarity based on the 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (groEL). The other two isolates, however, were related to Streptococcus criceti with 95.0 and 89.0 % similarities based on the 16S rRNA and groEL genes, respectively. From both phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, the four isolates formed two distinct clonal groups and are suggested to represent novel species of the genus Streptococcus. The names proposed for these organisms are Streptococcus orisasini sp. nov. (type strain NUM 1801(T) = JCM 17942(T) = DSM 25193(T)) and Streptococcus dentasini sp. nov. (type strain NUM 1808(T) = JCM 17943(T) = DSM 25137(T)).

Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the water-soluble glucan synthesizing-glucosyltransferase genes of Streptococcus dentirousetti.

Two tandemly aligned glucosyltransferase (GTF) genes whose gene products are responsible for water-soluble glucan synthesis were isolated from Streptococcus dentirousetti NUM1303 and sequenced. One of the GTF genes of S. dentirousetti consisted of a 4110 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encoded for a 1369 amino acid protein and was revealed to be a S. sobrinus gtfS homolog. The percent similarity of amino acid sequences of the GTF-S from S. dentirousetti compared to those from S. sobrinus was 99%. In addition, a putative gtfT was found in tandem in the downstream region of the S. dentirousetti gtfS. The gtfT of S. dentirousetti consisted of a 4527 bp ORF encoding for 1508 amino acids. The similarity of amino acid sequences of the GTF-T from S. dentirousetti and S. sobrinus was 94%. Phylogenetic analysis based on amino acid sequences from other related streptococcal GTFs suggested that both GTF-S and GTF-T of S. dentirousetti are closely related to S. sobrinus.

Transgenic mice that overexpress human IL-15 in enterocytes recapitulate both B and T cell-mediated pathologic manifestations of celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated intestinal inflammatory disorder afflicting genetically susceptible individuals triggered by the consumption of dietary cereals with high gluten content. As with many other organ-specific autoimmune diseases, the dominant tissue-destructive inflammation in CD is T cell-mediated. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-15 that is overexpressed in the intestinal epithelium of CD patients has emerged as a pivotal element that orchestrates intestinal inflammation and T cell-mediated autoimmune tissue destruction. Although no animal model exists that recapitulates the full spectrum of CD pathophysiology, we have previously reported that transgenic mice that overexpress human IL-15 in enterocytes (T3(b)-hlL-15 Tg) display many of the T cell-mediated pathologic features seen in CD. Extending these observations, we now report that T3(b)-hlL-15 Tg mice in addition to recapitulating T cell-mediated effects also display autoantibodies including those against tissue transglutaminase 2 and extensive lamina propria plasmacytosis, all of which are characteristic of CD, thereby reflecting the possibility that locally expressed IL-15 drives both T and B cell pathologic effects seen in CD. More importantly, these findings support the validity and utility of T3(b)-hlL-15 Tg mice as a reasonable model to investigate not only tissue-destructive pathologic processes in CD, but also to explore novel therapeutic modalities for the treatment of this disease.

Prevention of allergic asthma by vaccination with transgenic rice seed expressing mite allergen: induction of allergen-specific oral tolerance without bystander suppression.

This study tested the feasibility of oral immunotherapy for bronchial asthma using a newly developed subunit vaccine in which a fragment (p45-145) of mite allergen (Der p 1) containing immunodominant human and mouse T cell epitopes was encapsulated in endoplasmic reticulum-derived protein bodies of transgenic (Tg) rice seed. Allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin responses, T cell proliferation, Th1/Th2 cytokine production, airway inflammatory cell infiltration, bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) and lung histology were investigated in allergen-immunized and -challenged mice. Prophylactic oral vaccination with the Tg rice seeds clearly reduced the serum levels of allergen-specific IgE and IgG. Allergen-induced CD4(+) T cell proliferation and production of Th2 cytokines in vitro, infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils and mononuclear cells into the airways and BHR were also inhibited by oral vaccination. The effects of the vaccine were antigen-specific immune response because the levels of specific IgE and IgG in mice immunized with Der f 2 or ovalbumin were not significantly suppressed by oral vaccination with the Der p 1 expressing Tg rice. Thus, the vaccine does not induce nonspecific bystander suppression, which has been a problem with many oral tolerance regimens. These results suggest that our novel vaccine strategy is a promising approach for allergen-specific oral immunotherapy against allergic diseases including bronchial asthma.

Streptococcus ursoris sp. nov., isolated from the oral cavities of bears.

Three Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped organisms were isolated from the oral cavities of bears. The isolates were tentatively identified as a streptococcal species based on the results of biochemical tests. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed that the organisms were members of the genus Streptococcus, but they did not correspond to any recognized species of the genus. The nearest phylogenetic relative of the new isolates was Streptococcus ratti ATCC 19645(T) (98.6 %), however, DNA-DNA hybridization analysis showed that the isolates displayed less than 15 % DNA-DNA relatedness with the type strain of S. ratti. Colonies of the novel strains grown on mitis salivarius agar showed an extracellular polysaccharide-producing colony morphology. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that the novel isolates are classified in the genus Streptococcus as Streptococcus ursoris sp. nov. The type strain of S. ursoris is NUM 1615(T) (=JCM 16316(T)=DSM 22768(T)).

Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of novel glucosyltransferase genes of mutans streptococci isolated from pig oral cavity.

Nucleotide sequences of water-insoluble glucan-producing glucosyltransferase (gtf) genes of new mutans streptococci isolated from pig oral cavity, Streptococcus orisuis JCM14035, and of Streptococcus criceti HS-6 were determined. The gtf gene of S. orisuis JCM14035 consisted of a 4,401 bp ORF encoding for a 1,466 amino acids, and was revealed to belong to the gtfI group. The percent homology of amino acid sequence of the GTF-I from S. orisuis and S. criceti are 95.0%, however, this score ranges from 77.0% to 78.0% when compared to Streptococcus sobrinus 6715. The deduced N-terminal amino acid sequence was considered responsible for the secretion of GTF-I in S. orisuis JCM14035 and S. criceti HS-6 with high similarity to known GTF proteins from other streptococci. In addition, two other conserved regions, i.e., N-terminal putative catalytic-site and C-terminal glucan binding domain, were also found in GTF-Is of S. orisuis JCM14035 and S. criceti HS-6. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that S. orisuis JCM14035 and S. criceti HS-6, closely related to each other, resemble S. sobrinus and S. downei based on the amino acid sequences of the GTFs.

Differences in integrin-dependent phagocytosis among three hemocyte subpopulations of the Pacific oyster "Crassostrea gigas".

Integrins play a key role in immunoresponses such as attachment, spreading, and phagocytosis in invertebrate hemocytes. This study was designed to identify integrin expression patterns at the hemocyte subpopulation level, and correlate the expression levels with phagocytic ability. First, we cloned a beta integrin from Crassostreagigas hemocytes and used real-time RT-PCR to analyze the quantitative expression level of its encoding mRNA. The expression level in hyalinocytes was significantly higher than that in granulocytes and agranulocytes. Subsequently, we investigated the phagocytic ability of each subpopulation using anti-alpha(5)beta(1) integrin antibody, and found that phagocytosis of hyalinocytes was inhibited by neutralization with the antibody but enhanced against the antibody-conjugated microspheres. In contrast, phagocytic abilities of granulocytes and agranulocytes showed high and zero levels, respectively, regardless of the antibody. These results suggest that phagocytosis of hyalinocytes is regulated by an integrin-dependent mechanism and that of granulocytes is elicited by other functional receptors.

Selectivity of Mitis Salivarius agar and a new selective medium for oral streptococci in dogs.

An evaluation on the applicability of Mitis Salivarius agar (MS) medium, commonly used for the detection of oral streptococci in human and animals, to dog specimens and the development of a new selective medium for isolating streptococci from the canine oral cavity are described. Oral samples from dogs were cultured on MS medium under anaerobic conditions. The predominant facultative anaerobic bacteria on MS plates were gram-negative rods. Selectivity of streptococci on MS medium was 21.2%. A new selective medium, designated MS-CAN-AE, was developed for the isolation of streptococci from the canine oral cavity. The average growth recovery of laboratory and clinically isolated strains of streptococci on MS-CAN-AE medium was 84.1% of that on MS medium. Gram-positive rods and gram-negative rods and cocci rarely grew on the MS-CAN-AE. The selectivity of MS-CAN-AE was 95.0% for clinical samples. MS-CAN-AE medium will be helpful for investigations of streptococci in the canine oral cavity.

Complete Genome Sequence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Serotype g Strain NUM4039 (JCM 30399).

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is considered to be a major etiological agent of aggressive periodontitis and includes serotype a to g strains. We herein report the first complete genome sequence of A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype g strain NUM4039. The genome is 2,382,853 bp in length with a G+C content of 44.34%.

New rapid polymerase chain reaction-immunochromatographic assay for Porphyromonas gingivalis.

BACKGROUND: A simple and rapid method for Porphyromonas gingivalis detection in clinical samples has been developed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) with a lateral-flow device (strip) to detect species-specific 16S rRNA genes. METHODS: The PCR used a pair of primer sets labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or biotin at each 5' terminus. The strip used a nitrocellulose membrane containing streptavidin conjugated to gold particles and anti-FITC line. RESULTS: PCR and ICA detected as few as 1 and 10 cells of P. gingivalis, respectively. ICA required 5 to 10 minutes more than the initial PCR. The amplifications were not observed in other oral black-pigmented bacteria at concentrations of 10(6) colony forming unit (CFU). The ICA strips showed bands at more than 10(4) CFU/ml equivalents in clinical samples from periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnostic assay based on PCR-ICA was developed for the detection of P. gingivalis, and results were obtained visually in 3 hours. PCR-ICA will be a valuable tool for the rapid detection of target bacteria by chair side.

Expression of trypsin-like activity by the genera Corynebacterium and Actinomyces in canine periodontitis.

Trypsin-like activity (TLA), clinical parameters and TLA-positive bacteria were examined in periodontitis and healthy sites in dogs. TLA was markedly higher in periodontitis than at healthy sites. There was good correlation between TLA positivity and severity of periodontal disease. The proportions of TLA-positive bacteria to total isolates in periodontitis and healthy sites were 21.1% and 2.1%, respectively. Among TLA-positive bacteria in periodontitis sites, 4.4% showed strong TLA activity, 35.3% showed moderate and 60.3% showed weak activity. In the healthy sites, all the TLA-positive bacteria showed weak activity. In all, 90% of the total number of TLA-positive bacteria were identified as belonging to the family Actinomycetaceae; 40% of bacteria belonging to the family Actinomycetaceae were identified as genus Corynebacterium with moderate trypsin-like activity and the remaining 60% were identified as genus Actinomyces with weak activity. Obligately anaerobic bacteria accounted for only 5.9% of the total population of TLA-positive bacteria; they were gram-negative coccobacilli, gram-positive rods and gram-positive cocci. These observations suggested that bacteria in the family Actinomycetaceae may play an important role in periodontitis and that measurement of TLA is a clinically reliable marker for the diagnosis of periodontitis in dogs.

Isolation and characterization of hemolysin activated by reductant from Prevotella intermedia.

The hemolysin from Prevotella intermedia was partially purified from culture supernatant and then characterized. The hemolysin produced a clear beta-hemolytic zone on a blood agar plate. Hemolytic activity was 2.5-fold greater in culture supernatant compared to that cell-associated. The isolation and purification procedure involved ammonium sulfate and polyethylene glycol precipitations and ion-exchange chromatographies on DEAE-Sephacel and CM-Sepharose. The activity of this hemolysin was stimulated by reductants such as cysteine, dithiothreitol, glutathione etc., and was lost upon oxidation. Trypsin or heat treatment resulted in complete inhibition of hemolytic activity. Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and EDTA did not affect the activity. The optimal pH of this hemolysin was 7.5.

A selective medium for the isolation of Corynebacterium species in oral cavities.

Corynebacterium matruchotii is a microbial inhabitant in the oral cavity of humans and is associated with the formation of dental calculi. C. matruchotii forms highly specific morphological units, which are referred to as corn-cobs. Although other Corynebacterium species have frequently been isolated from the oral cavity of humans, their distribution has not been reported as extensively. The aim of the present study was to develop a selective medium to isolate the genus Corynebacterium and examine the distribution Corynebacterium species in the oral cavity of humans. The growth recoveries of representative Corynebacterium species on the selective medium were sufficient. Moreover, the growth of other representative oral bacteria was markedly inhibited on the selective medium. The proportion of Corynebacterium species in saliva samples collected from 20 subjects was examined. PCR primers were designed for the oral Corynebacterium species. C. matruchotii and Corynebacterium durum accounted for 0.3% and 1.5% of the total cultivable bacteria number on the BHI medium from saliva samples, respectively. The selective medium could distinguish C. matruchotii from C. durum by each colony color using differences in acid production from galactose. The selective medium, designated OCM, was useful for isolating oral Corynebacterium species.

A feasible enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against glucosyltransferase-B from Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans has been considered the principal etiological agent of dental caries in humans. S. mutans can secrete three kinds of glucosyltransferases (GTFs). One of these, GTF-B, which synthesizes water-insoluble glucans from sucrose, has been considered to be one of the most important factors of cariogenic dental plaque formation. Therefore, determination of whether GTF-B is present in plaque and saliva samples may contribute to the evaluation of individual virulence potential (caries risk). The aim of this study was to develop a feasible enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the routine quantification of GTF-B in plaque-derived cultures and clinical samples, and to apply this assay to an epidemiological study. To determine the presence of GTF-B in plaque samples, a sandwich-ELISA was devised, consisting of mouse monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies against GTF-B and a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-rabbit antibody. The developed ELISA allowed for quantification of the amounts of purified GTF-B with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity; this method was not affected by other components such as plaque and saliva. Plaque samples from healthy volunteers were examined using this ELISA method and microbial analysis to apply the assay to an epidemiological study. A correlation was observed between the amount of extracted GTF-B and S. mutans levels as determined by ELISA and cultivated with Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin agar plates derived from plaque samples, although there were some exceptions. In this regard, this ELISA system has the advantage of estimating both the individual numbers of S. mutans and the productivity of GTF-B, namely, the cariogenic potential of S. mutans simultaneously. These results indicate that this ELISA method is a useful tool for the diagnosis of caries risk.

Prevotella dentasini sp. nov., a black-pigmented species isolated from the oral cavity of donkeys.

Four strains (NUM 1903(T), NUM 1904, NUM 1912 and NUM 1925) that were obligately anaerobic, pigmented, Gram-negative-staining rods were isolated from the oral cavity of donkeys. These strains were analysed using the Rapid ID 32A, API 20A and API ZYM systems, by DNA-DNA hybridization with other related species and by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that each of the new isolates was a member of the genus Prevotella and related to Prevotella multiformis PPPA21(T), showing about 93 % sequence similarity. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the four strains are representatives of a novel species, for which the name Prevotella dentasini sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NUM 1903(T) (=JCM 15908(T)=DSM 22229(T)).

Streptococcus dentapri sp. nov., isolated from the wild boar oral cavity.

Four Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative, coccoid-shaped isolates were obtained from the oral cavities of wild boars and characterized by phenotypic and phylogenetic studies. On the results of biochemical tests, the organisms were tentatively identified as a streptococcal species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed that the organisms are members of the genus Streptococcus, with Streptococcus equi subsp. equi ATCC 33398(T) as their closest phylogenetic relative (94.7 % similarity). DNA-DNA hybridization analysis showed that the isolates displayed less than 10 % relatedness to Streptococcus equi subsp. equi DSM 20561(T). From the phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, the four isolates represent a novel species of the genus Streptococcus, for which the name Streptococcus dentapri sp. nov. (type strain NUM 1529(T) =JCM 15752(T) =DSM 21999(T)) is proposed.