Degradation of SDS by psychrotolerant Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Bacillus pumilus isolated from Southern Ocean water samples.

Bioremediation of surfactants in water bodies holds significant ecological importance as they are contaminants of emerging concern posing substantial threats to the aquatic environment. Microbes exhibiting special ability in terms of bioremediation of contaminants have always been reported to thrive in extraordinary environmental conditions that can be extreme in terms of temperature, lack of nutrients, and salinity. Therefore, in the present investigation, a total of 46 bacterial isolates were isolated from the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean and screened for degradation of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Further, two Gram-positive psychrotolerant bacterial strains, ASOI-01 and ASOI-02 were identified with significant SDS degradation potential. These isolates were further studied for growth optimization under different environmental conditions. The strains were characterized as Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Bacillus pumilus based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular (16S RNA gene) characteristics. The study reports 88.9% and 93.4% degradation of SDS at a concentration of 100 mgL-1, at 20 °C, and pH 7 by S. saprophyticus ASOI-01 and B. pumilus ASOI-02, respectively. The experiments were also conducted in wastewater samples where a slight reduction in degradation efficiency was observed with strains ASOI-01 and ASOI-02 exhibiting 76.83 and 64.93% degradation of SDS respectively. This study infers that these bacteria can be used for the bioremediation of anionic surfactants from water bodies and establishes the potential of extremophilic microbes for the utilization of sustainable wastewater management.

Production of nanocalcite crystal by a urease producing halophilic strain of Staphylococcus saprophyticus and analysis of its properties by XRD and SEM.

Cementation of salt-containing soils can be achieved by salt-tolerant or halophilic calcite precipitation bacteria. Therefore, the isolation of calcite-producing bacteria in the presence of salt is the first step in the microbial cementation of saline soils. Urease producing bacteria can cause calcite nano-crystals to precipitate by producing urease in the presence of urea and calcium. The purpose of this study was to isolate urease producing halophilic bacteria in order to make calcite precipitate in saline soil. The calcite and the properties of the strains were further analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray detector. In this study, a total of 110 halophilic strains were isolated, from which 58 isolates proved to have the ability of urease production. Four strains were identified to produce nano-calcite using urease activity in the precipitation medium. The XRD studies showed that the size of these particles was in the range of 40-60 nm. Strain H3 revealed that calcite is mostly produced in the precipitation medium containing 5% salt in comparison with other strains. This strain also produced calcite precipitates in the precipitation medium containing 15% salt. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these isolates are about 99-100% similar to Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Unusual Manifestation of Live Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Corynebacterium urinapleomorphum, and Helicobacter pylori in the Gallbladder with Cholecystitis.

Culture-independent studies have identified DNA of bacterial pathogens in the gallbladder under pathological conditions, yet reports on the isolation of corresponding live bacteria are rare. Thus, it is unclear which pathogens, or pathogen communities, can colonize the gallbladder and cause disease. Using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, culture techniques, phylogenetic analysis, urease assays and Western blotting, we investigated the presence of live bacterial communities in the gallbladder of a cholecystitis patient after cholecystectomy. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of isolated bacterial colonies revealed the presence of pathogens most closely resembling Corynebacterium urinapleomorphum nov. sp., Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Helicobacter pylori. The latter colonies were confirmed as H. pylori by immunohistochemistry and biochemical methods. H. pylori cultured from the gallbladder exhibited both the same DNA fingerprinting and Western cagA gene sequence with ABC-type EPIYA (Glu-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Ala) phosphorylation motifs as isolates recovered from the gastric mucus of the same patient, suggesting that gastric H. pylori can also colonize other organs in the human body. Taken together, here we report, for the first time, the identification and characterization of a community consisting of live S. saprophyticus; C. urinapleomorphum, and H. pylori in the gallbladder of a patient with acute cholecystitis. Their potential infection routes and roles in pathogenesis are discussed.

Using MALDI-TOF MS typing method to decipher outbreak: the case of Staphylococcus saprophyticus causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Marseille, France.

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is one of the leading causes of urinary tract infections (UTI). In December 2014, our surveillance system identified an abnormal increase in S. saprophyticus causing UTIs in four university hospitals in Marseille, indicating a suspected community S. saprophyticus UTI outbreak. This was detected by our surveillance system BALYSES (Bacterial real-time Laboratory-based Surveillance System). S. saprophyticus/ Escherichia coli UTI ratio increased three-fold from 0.0084 in 2002 to 0.025 in December 2015 in Marseille with an abnormal peak in December 2014, and with an annual estimated ratio trend of 5.10-6 (p-value < 10-3). Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) spectral analysis of strains was used to analyse strains cluster expansion, comparing strains from Marseille to those from Nice during the same period. MALDI-TOF MS spectral analysis revealed a geographical restricted clonal expansion of the strains clusters in Marseille as compared to Nice. Our finding suggests (i) a geographically restricted expansion of a specific S. saprophyticus strain clusters circulating in Marseille, and (ii) MALDI-TOF MS can be used as a cost-effective tool to investigate an outbreak.

A molecular portrait of maternal sepsis from Byzantine Troy.

Pregnancy complications are poorly represented in the archeological record, despite their importance in contemporary and ancient societies. While excavating a Byzantine cemetery in Troy, we discovered calcified abscesses among a woman's remains. Scanning electron microscopy of the tissue revealed 'ghost cells', resulting from dystrophic calcification, which preserved ancient maternal, fetal and bacterial DNA of a severe infection, likely chorioamnionitis. Gardnerella vaginalis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus dominated the abscesses. Phylogenomic analyses of ancient, historical, and contemporary data showed that G. vaginalis Troy fell within contemporary genetic diversity, whereas S. saprophyticus Troy belongs to a lineage that does not appear to be commonly associated with human disease today. We speculate that the ecology of S. saprophyticus infection may have differed in the ancient world as a result of close contacts between humans and domesticated animals. These results highlight the complex and dynamic interactions with our microbial milieu that underlie severe maternal infections.

Identification of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus saprophyticus by polymerase chain reaction based on the heat-shock repressor encoding hrcA gene.

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is an uropathogen belonging to the human microbiota and is responsible for community-acquired infections of the urinary tract. Identification of Staphylococcus species by biochemical tests is laborious and costly when compared to routine laboratory tests. Because of their high sensitivity and specificity, molecular methods are better suited for accurate identification of Staphylococcusspp. Therefore, the goal of this work was to standardize a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol using species-specific primers, based on the heat-shock repressor coding hrcA gene, for the identification of S.saprophyticus. A total of 142 S. saprophyticus strains were obtained from different sources, including clinical, environmental, and foodborne strains. We also included 98 strains of Staphylococcus spp. to further validate the proposed method. Reliable results for the detection of S. saprophyticus isolates were obtained for 100% of the strains evaluated. The results were in accordance with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry identification, thus highlighting the applicability of species-specific PCR for the molecular identification of S. saprophyticus.

High prevalence of Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus in environmental samples of a Tunisian hospital.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of detection of coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) in environmental samples of 17 services in a Tunisian hospital, determining the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and genotypes of recovered isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first study that determines the prevalence of CoNS with correlation of antibiotic resistance in the hospital environment in Tunisia. CoNS were obtained from 83 of the 200 tested samples (41.5%). Staphylococcus haemolyticus was the most prevalent species (45.8%), followed by S. saprophyticus (36.1%). The remaining CoNS species detected were S. epidermidis, S. cohnii, S. warneri, S. sciuri, S. simulans, S. pasteuri, S. arlettae, and S. xilosus. Methicillin-resistant CoNS were detected in 20 of the 200 tested samples (10%), and the mecA gene was demonstrated in 18 S. haemolyticus, one S. epidermidis and one S. saprophyticus isolates. Methicillin susceptible isolates were detected in 63 samples (31.5%). Antimicrobial resistance genes detected were as follows (number of isolates): erythromycin [msr(A) (n = 32); erm(C) (n = 8)], tetracycline [tet(K) and/or tet(M) (n = 21)], gentamicin [aac(6')-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia (n = 16)], kanamycin [(aph(3')-IIIa (n = 19)], tobramycin [ant(4')-Ia (n = 14)], and streptomycin [ant(6')-Ia (n = 3)]. The high frequency of detection of multi-drug-resistant CoNS in the hospital environment, especially S. haemolyticus and S. saprophyticus, is of relevance and could be due to cross-transmission between patients, staff, and environment.

Phenotypic and Molecular Antibiotic Resistance Determination of Airborne Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus spp. Strains from Healthcare Facilities in Southern Poland.

This study assessed the antimicrobial resistance of airborne Staphylococcus spp. strains isolated from healthcare facilities in southern Poland. A total of 55 isolates, belonging to 10 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) species, isolated from 10 healthcare facilities (including hospitals and outpatient units) were included in the analysis. The most frequently identified species were Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Staphylococcus warneri, which belong to normal human skin flora, but can also be the cause of common and even severe nosocomial infections. Disk diffusion tests showed that the bacterial strains were most frequently resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline and only 18% of strains were susceptible to all tested antimicrobials. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific gene regions was used to determine the presence of the Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin resistance mechanisms in CoNS. The molecular analysis, conducted using specific primer pairs, identified the msrA1 gene, encoding active efflux pumps in bacterial cells, as the most frequent resistance gene. As many as seven antibiotic resistance genes were found in one isolate, whereas the most common number of resistance genes per isolate was five (n = 17). It may be concluded that drug resistance was widely spread among the tested strains, but the resulting antimicrobial resistance profile indicates that in the case of infection, the use of antibiotics from the basic antibiogram group will be effective in therapy. However, before administering treatment, determination of the specific antimicrobial resistance should be conducted, particularly in the case of hospitalized patients.

Resistance to fluoroquinolones and methicillin in ophthalmic isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from companion animals.

Resistance to fluoroquinolones and methicillin was determined for 49 ophthalmic isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from dogs with and without ophthalmic disease. Resistance was observed for ciprofloxacin (40.8%), ofloxacin (38.8%), enrofloxacin (38.8%), levofloxacin (34.7%), and moxifloxacin (4.1%). Eighteen isolates, 16 of which were resistant to oxacillin, were mecA-positive. Nine of the 16 oxacillin-resistant mecA-positive S. pseudintermedius isolates were resistant to more than one fluoroquinolone and 2 isolates were resistant to 5 fluoroquinolones. The frequency of mecA gene occurrence and fluoroquinolone resistance was twice as high among S. pseudintermedius isolates derived from dogs with ophthalmic disease compared with isolates for dogs without ophthalmic disease. The high prevalence of methicillin and fluoroquinolone resistance in S. pseudintermedius from dogs with ophthalmic disease is a concern.

Résistance aux fluoroquinolones et à la méthicilline dans les isolats oculaires deStaphylococcus pseudintermediusdes animaux de compagnie. La résistance aux fluoroquinolones et à la méthicilline a été déterminée pour 49 isolats oculaires de Staphylococcus pseudintermedius provenant de chiens atteints et exempts d'une maladie ophtalmique. La résistance a été observée pour la ciprofloxacine (40,8 %), l'ofloxacine (38,8 %), l'enrofloxacine (38,8 %), la levofloxacine (34,7 %) et la moxifloxacine (4,1 %). Dix-huit isolats, dont 16 étaient résistants à l'oxacilline, étaient positifs pour mecA. Neuf des 16 isolats de S. pseudintermedius positifs pour mecA résistants à l'oxacilline et étaient résistants à plus d'une fluoroquinolone et 2 isolats étaient résistants à 5 fluoroquinolones. La fréquence de l'occurrence du gène mecA et de la résistance aux fluoroquinolones était deux fois supérieure pour les isolats S. pseudintermedius dérivés de chiens atteints d'une maladie ophtalmique comparativement aux chiens sans maladie ophtalmique. La prévalence élevée de la résistance à la méthicilline et à la fluoroquinolone pour S. pseudintermedius chez les chiens atteints d'une maladie ophtalmique est préoccupante.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Application of different molecular techniques for characterization of catalase-positive cocci isolated from sucuk.

This study was carried out for the characterization and discrimination of the indigenous Gram positive, catalase-positive cocci (GCC) population in sucuk, a traditional Turkish dry-fermented sausage. Sucuk samples, produced by the traditional method without starter culture were collected from 8 local producers in Kayseri/Turkey and a total of 116 GCC isolates were identified by using different molecular techniques. Two different molecular fingerprinting methods; namely, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR) and repetitive extragenic palindrome-PCR (rep-PCR), were used for the clustering of isolates and identification at species level was carried out by full length sequencing of 16S rDNA. Combining the results obtained from molecular fingerprinting and 16S rDNA sequencing showed that the dominant GCC species isolated from the sucuk samples was Staphylococcus saprophyticus followed by Staphylococcus succinus and Staphylococcus equorum belonging to the Staphylococcus genus. Real-time PCR DNA melting curve analysis and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis targeting the V1 + V3 regions of 16S rDNA were also applied for the discrimination of isolates belonging to different species. It was observed statistically different Tm values and species-specific HRM profiles for all except 2 species (S. saprophyticus and Staphylococcus xylosus) that have high 16S rDNA sequence similarity. The combination of rep-PCR and/or PCR-RAPD with 16S rRNA gene sequencing was an efficient approach for the characterization and identification of the GCC population in spontaneously fermented sucuk. On the other hand, intercalating dye assays were found to be a simple and very promising technique for the differentiation of the GCC population at species level.

Quantification of bacterial uropathogens in preclinical samples using real-time PCR assays.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (S. saprophyticus) are responsible for the majority of community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI). Agar plating, a gold standard for detection of bacterial uropathogens, is labor intensive, limited for distinguishing between environmental contaminants and pathogens, and fails to effectively detect mixed infections. A reliable method for specific and sensitive quantitative assessment of infections would allow cost-effective evaluation of large numbers of experimental samples. A methodology such as quantitative PCR (qPCR) addresses the limitations of agar plating. We developed and validated highly specific and sensitive qPCR assays to assist researchers in the evaluation of potential vaccines and interventions in preclinical models of UPEC and S. saprophyticus UTI. The developed UPEC PCR targeted a highly conserved region of the UPEC hemolysin D (hlyD) gene that reproducibly detected type strains CFT073 and J96 over a 9 log range with high precision. To quantify S. saprophyticus genomes, a separate qPCR assay targeting the Trk transport gene was developed with an 8 log range. Neither assay detected bacterial species predicted to be sample contaminants. Using our optimized workflow that includes automated steps, up to 200 urine or tissue samples can be processed in as few as 3 h. Additionally, sequence comparisons of our primers and probe to other UTI bacterial strains indicated the broad applicability of these assays. These optimized qPCR assays provide a cost-effective and time-saving method for quantification of bacterial burdens in tissues and body fluids to assess the effectiveness of candidate vaccines or interventions.

Comparison of the accuracy of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry with that of other commercial identification systems for identifying Staphylococcus saprophyticus in urine.

Among 30 urinary isolates of Staphylococcus saprophyticus identified by sequencing methods, the rate of accurate identification was 100% for Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), 86.7% for the Phoenix PID and Vitek 2 GP systems, 93.3% for the MicroScan GP33 system, and 46.7% for the BBL CHROMagar Orientation system.

Time-based distribution of Staphylococcus saprophyticus pulsed field gel-electrophoresis clusters in community-acquired urinary tract infections.

The epidemiology of urinary tract infections (UTI) by Staphylococcus saprophyticus has not been fully characterised and strain typing methods have not been validated for this agent. To evaluate whether epidemiological relationships exist between clusters of pulsed field gel-electrophoresis (PFGE) genotypes of S. saprophyticus from community-acquired UTI, a cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In total, 32 (16%) female patients attending two walk-in clinics were culture-positive for S. saprophyticus. Five PFGE clusters were defined and evaluated against epidemiological data. The PFGE clusters were grouped in time, suggesting the existence of community point sources of S. saprophyticus. From these point sources, S. saprophyticus strains may spread among individuals.

Time-based distribution of Staphylococcus saprophyticus pulsed field gel-electrophoresis clusters in community-acquired urinary tract infections

The epidemiology of urinary tract infections (UTI) by Staphylococcus saprophyticus has not been fully characterised and strain typing methods have not been validated for this agent. To evaluate whether epidemiological relationships exist between clusters of pulsed field gel-electrophoresis (PFGE) genotypes of S. saprophyticus from community-acquired UTI, a cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In total, 32 (16%) female patients attending two walk-in clinics were culture-positive for S. saprophyticus. Five PFGE clusters were defined and evaluated against epidemiological data. The PFGE clusters were grouped in time, suggesting the existence of community point sources of S. saprophyticus. From these point sources, S. saprophyticus strains may spread among individuals.

Identification of Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from patients with urinary tract infection using a simple set of biochemical tests correlating with 16S-23S interspace region molecular weight patterns.

The emergence of Staphylococcus spp. not only as human pathogens, but also as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants, requires the development of methods for their rapid and reliable identification in medically important samples. The aim of this study was to compare three phenotypic methods for the identification of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from patients with urinary tract infection using the PCR of the 16S-23S interspace region generating molecular weight patterns (ITR-PCR) as reference. All 57 S. saprophyticus studied were correctly identified using only the novobiocin disk. A rate of agreement of 98.0% was obtained for the simplified battery of biochemical tests in relation to ITR-PCR, whereas the Vitek I system and novobiocin disk showed 81.2% and 89.1% agreement, respectively. No other novobiocin-resistant non-S. saprophyticus strain was identified. Thus, the novobiocin disk is a feasible alternative for the identification of S. saprophyticus in urine samples in laboratories with limited resources. ITR-PCR and the simplified battery of biochemical tests were more reliable than the commercial systems currently available. This study confirms that automated systems are still unable to correctly differentiate CoNS species and that simple, reliable and inexpensive methods can be used for routine identification.

Draft genome sequence of Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus M1-1, isolated from the gills of a Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli Hilgendorf, after high hydrostatic pressure processing.

A bacterium designated M1-1 was isolated from the gills of a Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli Hilgendorf, after high hydrostatic pressure processing. Studies of 16S rRNA phylogeny and comparative genomics demonstrated that the isolate belongs to Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of S. saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus M1-1 (KACC 16562).

Coagulase-negative staphylococci: update on the molecular epidemiology and clinical presentation, with a focus on Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), originally described as ubiquitous commensals of the healthy human skin and mucosa, have emerged as important opportunistic pathogens primarily causing healthcare-associated infections in patients with indwelling medical devices. Recent studies, utilizing new molecular typing methods, particularly on Staphylococcus epidermidis, have increased our understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to the evolutionary success of these extremely versatile microorganisms. In the following mini-review, we summarize recent research in this area focusing on the molecular methods and epidemiology of S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus.

Widespread rapid emergence of a distinct methicillin- and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) genetic lineage in Europe.

In order to gain a deeper insight into the phylogenetic background and diversity of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) of animal origin, genetic relationships and clonal distribution among 146 European MRSP were examined using different molecular and phenotypical typing approaches. MRSP strains were derived from clinical microbiological specimens (mainly of small animal origin) sent in for diagnostic purposes from various veterinary facilities between 2005 and 2008. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of SmaI-macrorestriction fragments allowed differentiation of five PFGE-clusters that were subdivided into further distinct subtypes. Representatives of each PFGE subtype were analyzed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for assignment of sequence types (ST). With one exception (ST5), all these MRSP strains belonged to ST71. Furthermore, assessment of spa-typing results revealed that the majority of all strains harboured spa type t02. Further sporadically detected spa types t05 and t06 as well as two new types (t15 and t23), were found to be closely related to t02. According to PCR-based SCCmec-typing, SCCmecIII was the most prevalent type (n=138), and solely one non-typeable variant was identified in several strains (n=8). In addition, all strains were tested positive by PCR for the leukotoxin encoding operon LukI and the Staphylococcus intermedius-exfoliative toxin (SIET), respectively. Our cumulative data indicate a recent emergence of a certain multidrug-resistant MRSP-lineage (ST71) in central and southern European countries during the last few years.