Umeå University's logo

umu.sePublications
Change search
Refine search result
123456 1 - 50 of 276
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Rows per page
  • 5
  • 10
  • 20
  • 50
  • 100
  • 250
Sort
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
Select
The maximal number of hits you can export is 250. When you want to export more records please use the Create feeds function.
  • 1. Achouiti, Ahmed
    et al.
    Vogl, Thomas
    Urban, Constantin F
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Röhm, Marc
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Hommes, Tijmen J
    van Zoelen, Marieke AD
    Florquin, Sandrine
    Roth, Johannes
    van't Veer, Cornelis
    de Vos, Alex F
    van der Poll, Tom
    Myeloid-related protein-14 contributes to protective immunity in gram-negative pneumonia derived sepsis2012In: PLoS Pathogens, ISSN 1553-7374, Vol. 8, no 10, p. e1002987-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia-derived sepsis. Myeloid related protein 8 (MRP8, S100A8) and MRP14 (S100A9) are the most abundant cytoplasmic proteins in neutrophils. They can form MRP8/14 heterodimers that are released upon cell stress stimuli. MRP8/14 reportedly exerts antimicrobial activity, but in acute fulminant sepsis models MRP8/14 has been found to contribute to organ damage and death. We here determined the role of MRP8/14 in K. pneumoniae sepsis originating from the lungs, using an established model characterized by gradual growth of bacteria with subsequent dissemination. Infection resulted in gradually increasing MRP8/14 levels in lungs and plasma. Mrp14 deficient (mrp14(-/-)) mice, unable to form MRP8/14 heterodimers, showed enhanced bacterial dissemination accompanied by increased organ damage and a reduced survival. Mrp14(-/-) macrophages were reduced in their capacity to phagocytose Klebsiella. In addition, recombinant MRP8/14 heterodimers, but not MRP8 or MRP14 alone, prevented growth of Klebsiella in vitro through chelation of divalent cations. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) prepared from wildtype but not from mrp14(-/-) neutrophils inhibited Klebsiella growth; in accordance, the capacity of human NETs to kill Klebsiella was strongly impaired by an anti-MRP14 antibody or the addition of zinc. These results identify MRP8/14 as key player in protective innate immunity during Klebsiella pneumonia.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 2. Afset, J. E.
    et al.
    Larssen, K. W.
    Bergh, K.
    Larkeryd, A.
    Sjodin, A.
    Johansson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Forsman, M.
    Phylogeographical pattern of Francisella tularensis in a nationwide outbreak of tularaemia in Norway, 20112015In: Eurosurveillance, ISSN 1025-496X, E-ISSN 1560-7917, Vol. 20, no 19, p. 9-14, article id 21125Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In 2011, a nationwide outbreak of tularaemia occurred in Norway with 180 recorded cases. It was associated with the largest peak in lemming density seen in 40 years. Francisella tularensis was isolated from 18 patients. To study the geographical distribution of F. tularensis genotypes in Norway and correlate genotype with epidemiology and clinical presentation, we performed whole genome sequencing of patient isolates. All 18 genomes from the outbreak carried genetic signatures of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica and were assigned to genetic clades using canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms. Ten isolates were assigned to major genetic clade B.6 (subclade B.7), seven to clade B.12, and one to clade B.4. The B.6 subclade B.7 was most common in southern and central Norway, while clade B.12 was evenly distributed between the southern, central and northern parts of the country. There was no association between genotype and clinical presentation of tularaemia, time of year or specimen type. We found extensive sequence similarity with F. tularensis subsp. holarctica genomes from high-endemic tularaemia areas in Sweden. Finding nearly identical genomes across large geographical distances in Norway and Sweden imply a life cycle of the bacterium without replication between the outbreaks and raise new questions about long-range migration mechanisms.

  • 3.
    Ahlm, Clas
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Olsen, Björn
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Koskinen, Lars Ove
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Neurosurgery.
    Monsen, Tor
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Brain abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus2000In: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases, ISSN 0036-5548, E-ISSN 1651-1980, Vol. 32, no 5, p. 562-563Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A Swedish tourist was admitted to a Cuban hospital due to epileptic seizures caused by brain tumors. Upon return to Sweden and admission to our hospital, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated. He was later considered to be free of MRSA but then developed a brain abscess from which MRSA was isolated.

  • 4.
    Alam, Athar
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Golovliov, Igor
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Javed, Eram
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology.
    Kumar, Rajender
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Ådén, Jörgen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Dissociation between the critical role of ClpB of Francisella tularensis for the heat shock response and the DnaK interaction and its important role for efficient type VI secretion and bacterial virulence2020In: PLoS Pathogens, ISSN 1553-7366, E-ISSN 1553-7374, Vol. 16, no 4, p. 1-27, article id e1008466Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Author summary Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are essential virulence determinants of many Gram-negative pathogens, including Francisella tularensis. This highly virulent bacterium encodes an atypical T6SS lacking ClpV, the ATPase crucial for prototypic T6SS sheath disassembly. It, however, possesses ClpB, a protein critical for heat shock survival via its interaction with DnaK. Since ClpB possesses ATPase activity, it has been hypothesized to provide a compensatory function for the absence of ClpV, a hypothesis supported by the recent findings from us and others. Here, we investigated how F. tularensis ClpB controls T6S. In silico modelling of the ClpB-DnaK complex identified key interactions that were experimentally verified. For example, mutating one of the DnaK-interacting residues rendered the bacterium exquisitely susceptible to heat shock, but had no effect on T6S and virulence. In contrast, removing the N-terminal of ClpB only had a slight effect on the heat shock response, but strongly compromised both T6S and virulence. Intriguingly, the Escherichia coli ClpB could fully complement the function of F. tularensis ClpB. The data demonstrate that the two critical roles of ClpB, mediating heat shock survival and effective T6S, are dissociated and that the N-terminal is crucial for T6S and virulence. Francisella tularensis, a highly infectious, intracellular bacterium possesses an atypical type VI secretion system (T6SS), which is essential for its virulence. The chaperone ClpB, a member of the Hsp100/Clp family, is involved in Francisella T6SS disassembly and type VI secretion (T6S) is impaired in its absence. We asked if the role of ClpB for T6S was related to its prototypical role for the disaggregation activity. The latter is dependent on its interaction with the DnaK/Hsp70 chaperone system. Key residues of the ClpB-DnaK interaction were identified by molecular dynamic simulation and verified by targeted mutagenesis. Using such targeted mutants, it was found that the F. novicida ClpB-DnaK interaction was dispensable for T6S, intracellular replication, and virulence in a mouse model, although essential for handling of heat shock. Moreover, by mutagenesis of key amino acids of the Walker A, Walker B, and Arginine finger motifs of each of the two Nucleotide-Binding Domains, their critical roles for heat shock, T6S, intracellular replication, and virulence were identified. In contrast, the N-terminus was dispensable for heat shock, but required for T6S, intracellular replication, and virulence. Complementation of the Delta clpB mutant with a chimeric F. novicida ClpB expressing the N-terminal of Escherichia coli, led to reconstitution of the wild-type phenotype. Collectively, the data demonstrate that the ClpB-DnaK interaction does not contribute to T6S, whereas the N-terminal and NBD domains displayed critical roles for T6S and virulence.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 5.
    Almyroudis, Nikolaos G.
    et al.
    Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
    Grimm, Melissa J.
    Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
    Davidson, Bruce A.
    Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
    Röhm, Marc
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Urban, Constantin F.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Segal, Brahm H.
    Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
    NETosis and NADPH oxidase: at the intersection of host defense, inflammation, and injury2013In: Frontiers in Immunology, E-ISSN 1664-3224, Vol. 4, article id 45Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Neutrophils are armed with both oxidant-dependent and -independent pathways for killing pathogens. Activation of the phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase constitutes an emergency response to infectious threat and results in the generation of antimicrobial reactive oxidants. In addition, NADPH oxidase activation in neutrophils is linked to activation of granular proteases and generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETosis involves the release of nuclear and granular components that can target extracellular pathogens. NETosis is activated during microbial threat and in certain conditions mimicking sepsis, and can result in both augmented host defense and inflammatory injury. In contrast, apoptosis, the physiological form of neutrophil death, not only leads to non-inflammatory cell death but also contributes to alleviate inflammation. Although there are significant gaps in knowledge regarding the specific contribution of NETs to host defense, we speculate that the coordinated activation of NADPH oxidase and NETosis maximizes microbial killing. Work in engineered mice and limited patient experience point to varying susceptibility of bacterial and fungal pathogens to NADPH oxidase versus NET constituents. Since reactive oxidants and NET constituents can injure host tissue, it is important that these pathways be tightly regulated. Recent work supports a role for NETosis in both acute lung injury and in autoimmunity. Knowledge gained about mechanisms that modulate NETosis may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to limit inflammation-associated injury.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 6.
    Andersson, Henrik
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Hartmanova (Andersson), Blanka
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Landfors, Mattias
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Ryden, Patrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.
    Noppa, Laila
    FOI, Umeå (Swedish Defence Research Agency).
    Näslund, Linda
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Näslund, A.
    T A microarray analysis of the murine macrophage response to infection with Francisella tularensis LVS2006In: Journal of Medical Microbiology, ISSN 0022-2615, E-ISSN 1473-5644, Vol. 55, no 8, p. 1023-1033Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 7.
    Andersson, Henrik
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Hartmanova, Blanka
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Bäck, Erik
    Universitetssjukhuset i Örebro.
    Eliasson, Henrik
    Universitetssjukhuset i Örebro.
    Landfors, Mattias
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Näslund, Linda
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Ryden, Patrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Transcriptional profiling of the peripheral blood response during tularemia.2006In: Genes and Immunity, ISSN 1466-4879, E-ISSN 1476-5470, Vol. 7, no 6, p. 503-513Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 8.
    Andersson, Henrik
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Hartmanova, Blanka
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Kuolee, R.
    Ryden, Patrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.
    Conlan, Wayne
    NRC, Kanada.
    Chen, Wang
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Transcriptional profiling of the host responses in mouse lungs following aerosol2006In: Journal of Medical Microbiology, ISSN 0022-2615, E-ISSN 1473-5644, Vol. 55, no 3, p. 263-271Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 9.
    Andersson, Henrik
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Hartmanová, Blanka
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    KuoLee, Rhonda
    Rydén, Patrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Conlan, Wayne
    NRC, Kanada.
    Chen, Wangxue
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Transcriptional profiling of host responses in mouse lungs following aerosol infection with type A Francisella tularensis2006In: Journal of Medical Microbiology, ISSN 0022-2615, E-ISSN 1473-5644, Vol. 55, no 3, p. 263-271Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 10.
    Andersson, Henrik
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Hartmanová, Blanka
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Rydén, Patrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Näslund, Linda
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Noppa, Laila
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    A microarray analysis of the host response to intracellular infection with Francisella tularensis LVSManuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
  • 11.
    Andersson, T
    et al.
    Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Sweden and Swedish Institute for National Food Agency (SLV), Sweden and Communicable Disease Control (SMI), Solna, Sweden.
    Bjelkmar, P
    Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control (SMI), Solna, Sweden, and Inera AB, Sweden.
    Hulth, A
    Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control (SMI), Solna, Sweden.
    Lindh, J
    Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden and Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control (SMI), Solna, Sweden.
    Stenmark, Stephan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases. County Medical Officer, Västerbotten, Sweden.
    Widerström, Micael
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Syndromic surveillance for local outbreak detection and awareness: evaluating outbreak signals of acute gastroenteritis in telephone triage, web-based queries and over-the-counter pharmacy sales2014In: Epidemiology and Infection, ISSN 0950-2688, E-ISSN 1469-4409, Vol. 142, no 2, p. 303-313Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    For the purpose of developing a national system for outbreak surveillance, local outbreak signals were compared in three sources of syndromic data - telephone triage of acute gastroenteritis, web queries about symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmacy sales of antidiarrhoeal medication. The data sources were compared against nine known waterborne and foodborne outbreaks in Sweden in 2007-2011. Outbreak signals were identified for the four largest outbreaks in the telephone triage data and the two largest outbreaks in the data on OTC sales of antidiarrhoeal medication. No signals could be identified in the data on web queries. The signal magnitude for the fourth largest outbreak indicated a tenfold larger outbreak than officially reported, supporting the use of telephone triage data for situational awareness. For the two largest outbreaks, telephone triage data on adult diarrhoea provided outbreak signals at an early stage, weeks and months in advance, respectively, potentially serving the purpose of early event detection. In conclusion, telephone triage data provided the most promising source for surveillance of point-source outbreaks.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 12.
    Angelin, Martin
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Forsell, Joakim
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Granlund, Margareta
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Evengård, Birgitta
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Palmgren, Helena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Johansson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Risk factors for colonization with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae in healthcare students on clinical assignment abroad: A prospective study2015In: Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, ISSN 1477-8939, E-ISSN 1873-0442, Vol. 13, no 3, p. 223-229Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The increase of antibiotic resistance in clinically important bacteria is a worldwide threat, especially in healthcare environments. International travel is a risk factor for gut colonization with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE). The risk for healthcare students of being colonized with ESBL-PE when participating in patient-related work abroad has not been previously investigated. Methods: Swedish healthcare students travelling for pre-clinical and clinical courses outside Scandinavia submitted faecal samples and survey data before and after travel. The faecal samples were screened for ESBL-PE and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). Screening results and survey data were analysed to identify risk factors for colonization. Results: In the 99 subjects who submitted a full set of samples, 35% were colonized with a new ESBL-PE strain during travel. No CPE was found. The most important risk factor for ESBL-PE colonization was travel destination, and the highest colonization rate was found in the South East Asia region. Antibiotic treatment during travel was an independent risk factor for ESBL-PE colonization but patient-related work was not significantly associated with an increased risk. Conclusions: Patient-related work abroad was not a risk factor for ESBL-PE suggesting that transmission from patients is uncommon. Pre-travel advice on avoiding unnecessary antibiotic treatment during travel is recommended.

  • 13.
    Backlund, Christoffer
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology.
    Prevalence of Fusobacterium necrophorum and emm-types of Group A Streptococci in tonsillitis in Umeå2018Independent thesis Basic level (professional degree), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
  • 14.
    Bailey, Leslie
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Muschiol, Sandra
    Engström, Patrik
    Nordström, Peter
    Henriques-Normark, Birgitta
    Waldenström, Anders
    Gylfe, Åsa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Elofsson, Mikael
    Wolf-Watz, Hans
    Bergström, Sven
    Small molecule inhibitors reveal a role for the Chlamydia type III secretion system in iron acquisitionManuscript (Other academic)
  • 15. Bao, Xiaofeng
    et al.
    Gylfe, Åsa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Sturdevant, Gail L.
    Gong, Zheng
    Xu, Shuang
    Caldwell, Harlan D.
    Elofsson, Mikael
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Fan, Huizhou
    Benzylidene acylhydrazides inhibit chlamydial growth in a type III secretion- and iron chelation-independent manner2014In: Journal of Bacteriology, ISSN 0021-9193, E-ISSN 1098-5530, Vol. 196, no 16, p. 2989-3001Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Chlamydiae are widespread Gram-negative pathogens of humans and animals. Salicylidene acylhydrazides, developed as inhibitors of type III secretion system (T3SS) in Yersinia spp., have an inhibitory effect on chlamydial infection. However, these inhibitors also have the capacity to chelate iron, and it is possible that their antichlamydial effects are caused by iron starvation. Therefore, we have explored the modification of salicylidene acylhydrazides with the goal to uncouple the antichlamydial effect from iron starvation. We discovered that benzylidene acylhydrazides, which cannot chelate iron, inhibit chlamydial growth. Biochemical and genetic analyses suggest that the derivative compounds inhibit chlamydiae through a T3SS-independent mechanism. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in a Chlamydia muridarum variant resistant to benzylidene acylhydrazides, but it may be necessary to segregate the mutations to differentiate their roles in the resistance phenotype. Benzylidene acylhydrazides are well tolerated by host cells and probiotic vaginal Lactobacillus species and are therefore of potential therapeutic value.

  • 16. Bengtsson-Palme, Johan
    et al.
    Angelin, Martin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Huss, Mikael
    Kjellqvist, Sanela
    Kristiansson, Erik
    Palmgren, Helena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Larsson, D. G. Joakim
    Johansson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    The Human Gut Microbiome as a Transporter of Antibiotic Resistance Genes between Continents2015In: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, ISSN 0066-4804, E-ISSN 1098-6596, Vol. 59, no 10, p. 6551-6560Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Previous studies of antibiotic resistance dissemination by travel have, by targeting only a select number of cultivable bacterial species, omitted most of the human microbiome. Here, we used explorative shotgun metagenomic sequencing to address the abundance of >300 antibiotic resistance genes in fecal specimens from 35 Swedish students taken before and after exchange programs on the Indian peninsula or in Central Africa. All specimens were additionally cultured for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing enterobacteria, and the isolates obtained were genome sequenced. The overall taxonomic diversity and composition of the gut microbiome remained stable before and after travel, but there was an increasing abundance of Proteobacteria in 25/35 students. The relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes increased, most prominently for genes encoding resistance to sulfonamide (2.6-fold increase), trimethoprim (7.7-fold), and beta-lactams (2.6-fold). Importantly, the increase observed occurred without any antibiotic intake. Of 18 students visiting the Indian peninsula, 12 acquired ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, while none returning from Africa were positive. Despite deep sequencing efforts, the sensitivity of metagenomics was not sufficient to detect acquisition of the low-abundant genes responsible for the observed ESBL phenotype. In conclusion, metagenomic sequencing of the intestinal microbiome of Swedish students returning from exchange programs in Central Africa or the Indian peninsula showed increased abundance of genes encoding resistance to widely used antibiotics.

  • 17.
    Berg, Mari
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Biomedical Laboratory Science. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Utvärdering av Sysmex UF-5000 för snabb antibiotikaresistens­bestämning av bakterier2018Independent thesis Basic level (professional degree), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Download (pdf)
    sammanfattning
  • 18.
    Binesse, Johan
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Lindgren, Helena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Lindgren, Lena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Conlan, Wayne
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species-Degrading Enzymes of Francisella tularensis SCHU S42015In: Infection and Immunity, ISSN 0019-9567, E-ISSN 1098-5522, Vol. 83, no 6, p. 2255-2263Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular bacterium utilizing macrophages as its primary intracellular habitat and is therefore highly capable of resisting the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), potent mediators of the bactericidal activity of macrophages. We investigated the roles of enzymes presumed to be important for protection against ROS. Four mutants of the highly virulent SCHU S4 strain with deletions of the genes encoding catalase (katG), glutathione peroxidase (gpx), a DyP-type peroxidase (FTT0086), or double deletion of FTT0086 and katG showed much increased susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and slightly increased susceptibility to paraquat but not to peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and displayed intact intramacrophage replication. Nevertheless, mice infected with the double deletion mutant showed significantly longer survival than SCHU S4-infected mice. Unlike the aforementioned mutants, deletion of the gene coding for alkyl-hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (ahpC) generated a mutant much more susceptible to paraquat and ONOO- but not to H2O2. It showed intact replication in J774 cells but impaired replication in bone marrow-derived macrophages and in internal organs of mice. The live vaccine strain, LVS, is more susceptible than virulent strains to ROS-mediated killing and possesses a truncated form of FTT0086. Expression of the SCHU S4 FTT0086 gene rendered LVS more resistant to H2O2, which demonstrates that the SCHU S4 strain possesses additional detoxifying mechanisms. Collectively, the results demonstrate that SCHU S4 ROS-detoxifying enzymes have overlapping functions, and therefore, deletion of one or the other does not critically impair the intracellular replication or virulence, although AhpC appears to have a unique function.

  • 19. Bjornsdottir, Halla
    et al.
    Christenson, Karin
    Forsman, Huamei
    Stylianou, Marios
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Urban, Constantin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Dahlgren, Claes
    Karlsson, Anna
    Bylund, Johan
    Cytotoxic Peptides from S. aureus Cause Neutrophil Cell Death with NET-like Features2014In: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, ISSN 0300-9475, E-ISSN 1365-3083, Vol. 79, no 6, p. 432-432Article in journal (Other academic)
  • 20.
    Björkström, Markus V
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Paediatrics.
    Hall, Lina
    Söderlund, Stina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Paediatrics.
    Håkansson, Eva Grahn
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Håkansson, Stellan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Paediatrics.
    Domellöf, Magnus
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Paediatrics.
    Intestinal flora in very low-birth weight infants2009In: Acta Paediatrica, ISSN 0803-5253, E-ISSN 1651-2227, Vol. 98, no 11, p. 1762-1767Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    AIM: To study the early faecal microbiota in very low-birth weight infants (VLBW, <1500 g), possible associations between faecal microbiota and faecal calprotectin (f-calprotectin) and to describe the faecal microbiota in cases with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) before diagnosis. METHODS: Stool samples from the first weeks of life were analysed in 48 VLBW infants. Bacterial cultures were performed and f-calprotectin concentrations were measured. In three NEC cases, cultures were performed on stool samples obtained before diagnosis. RESULTS: Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were often identified in the first stool sample, 55% and 71% of cases, respectively within the first week of life. A positive correlation between lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and volume of enteral feed was found. Other bacteria often identified were Escherichia coli, Enterococcus and Staphyloccus sp. F-calprotectin was not associated with any bacterial species. All NEC cases had an early colonization of LAB. Prior to onset of disease, all cases had a high colonization of non-E. coli Gram-negative species. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the previous studies in VLBW infants, we found an early colonization with LAB. We speculate that this may be due to early feeding of non-pasteurized breast milk.

  • 21.
    Boman, Andreas
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Detection of tularemia in trapped wild voles.2014Independent thesis Advanced level (professional degree), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
  • 22. Bonnedahl, Jonas
    et al.
    Drobni, Mirva
    Gauthier-Clerc, Michel
    Hernandez, Jorge
    Granholm, Susanne
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases.
    Kayser, Yves
    Melhus, Asa
    Kahlmeter, Gunnar
    Waldenström, Jonas
    Johansson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Olsen, Björn
    Uppsala universitet.
    Dissemination of Escherichia coli with CTX-M type ESBL between humans and yellow-legged gulls in the south of France2009In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 4, no 6, p. e5958-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Extended Spectrum beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae started to appear in the 1980s, and have since emerged as some of the most significant hospital-acquired infections with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella being main players. More than 100 different ESBL types have been described, the most widespread being the CTX-M beta-lactamase enzymes (bla(CTX-M) genes). This study focuses on the zoonotic dissemination of ESBL bacteria, mainly CTX-M type, in the southern coastal region of France. We found that the level of general antibiotic resistance in single randomly selected E. coli isolates from wild Yellow-legged Gulls in France was high. Nearly half the isolates (47.1%) carried resistance to one or more antibiotics (in a panel of six antibiotics), and resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin and streptomycin was most widespread. In an ESBL selective screen, 9.4% of the gulls carried ESBL producing bacteria and notably, 6% of the gulls carried bacteria harboring CTX-M-1 group of ESBL enzymes, a recently introduced and yet the most common clinical CTX-M group in France. Multi locus sequence type and phylogenetic group designations were established for the ESBL isolates, revealing that birds and humans share E. coli populations. Several ESBL producing E. coli isolated from birds were identical to or clustered with isolates with human origin. Hence, wild birds pick up E. coli of human origin, and with human resistance traits, and may accordingly also act as an environmental reservoir and melting pot of bacterial resistance with a potential to re-infect human populations.

  • 23. Broekhuijsen, Martien
    et al.
    Larsson, Pär
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Byström, Mona
    Eriksson, Ulla
    Larsson, Eva
    Prior, Richard G.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Titball, Richard W.
    Forsman, Mats
    FOI, Umeå.
    Genome-wide DNA microarray analysis of Francisella tularensis strains demonstrates extensive genetic conservation within the species but identifies regions that are unique to the highly virulent F. tularensis subsp. tularensis.2003In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology, ISSN 0095-1137, E-ISSN 1098-660X, Vol. 41, no 7, p. 2924-2931Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 24.
    Broman, T
    et al.
    Department of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå.
    Thelaus, J
    Andersson, A-C
    Department of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå.
    Bäckman, S
    Department of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå.
    Wikström, P
    Department of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå.
    Larsson, E
    Department of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå.
    Granberg, M
    Department of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå.
    Karlsson, L
    Department of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå.
    Bäck, E
    Department of Infectious Diseases, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro.
    Eliasson, H
    Department of Infectious Diseases, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro.
    Mattsson, R
    National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Forsman, M
    Department of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå.
    Molecular Detection of Persistent Francisella tularensis Subspecies holarctica in Natural Waters2011In: International Journal of Microbiology, ISSN 1687-918X, E-ISSN 1687-9198, Vol. 2011, p. Article ID 851946-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Tularemia, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, where F. tularensis subspecies holarctica has long been the cause of endemic disease in parts of northern Sweden. Despite this, our understanding of the natural life-cycle of the organism is still limited. During three years, we collected surface water samples (n = 341) and sediment samples (n = 245) in two areas in Sweden with endemic tularemia. Real-time PCR screening demonstrated the presence of F. tularenis lpnA sequences in 108 (32%) and 48 (20%) of the samples, respectively. The 16S rRNA sequences from those samples all grouped to the species F. tularensis. Analysis of the FtM19InDel region of lpnA-positive samples from selected sampling points confirmed the presence of F. tularensis subspecies holarctica-specific sequences. These sequences were detected in water sampled during both outbreak and nonoutbreak years. Our results indicate that diverse F. tularensis-like organisms, including F. tularensis subsp. holarctica, persist in natural waters and sediments in the investigated areas with endemic tularemia.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 25. Bruce, Michael G
    et al.
    Deeks, Shelley L
    Zulz, Tammy
    Bruden, Dana
    Navarro, Christine
    Lovgren, Marguerite
    Jette, Louise
    Kristinsson, Karl
    Sigmundsdottir, Gudrun
    Jensen, Knud Brinkløv
    Lovoll, Oistein
    Nuorti, J Pekka
    Herva, Elja
    Nystedt, Anders
    Sjostedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Koch, Anders
    Hennessy, Thomas W
    Parkinson, Alan J
    International Circumpolar Surveillance System for invasive pneumococcal disease, 1999-20052008In: Emerging Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1080-6040, E-ISSN 1080-6059, Vol. 14, no 1, p. 25-33Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The International Circumpolar Surveillance System is a population-based surveillance network for invasive bacterial disease in the Arctic. The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced for routine infant vaccination in Alaska (2001), northern Canada (2002-2006), and Norway (2006). Data for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) were analyzed to identify clinical findings, disease rates, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial drug susceptibility; 11,244 IPD cases were reported. Pneumonia and bacteremia were common clinical findings. Rates of IPD among indigenous persons in Alaska and northern Canada were 43 and 38 cases per 100,000 population, respectively. Rates in children <2 years of age ranged from 21 to 153 cases per 100,000 population. In Alaska and northern Canada, IPD rates in children <2 years of age caused by PCV7 serotypes decreased by >80% after routine vaccination. IPD rates are high among indigenous persons and children in Arctic countries. After vaccine introduction, IPD caused by non-PCV7 serotypes increased in Alaska.

  • 26.
    Bröms, Jeanette E.
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Ishikawa, Takahiko
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Wai, Sun N.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    A functional VipA-VipB interaction is required for the type VI secretion system activity of Vibrio cholerae O1 strain A15522013In: BMC Microbiology, E-ISSN 1471-2180, Vol. 13, p. 96-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Many Gram-negative bacteria rely on a type VI secretion system (T6SS) to infect eukaryotic cells or to compete against other microbes. Common to these systems is the presence of two conserved proteins, in Vibrio cholerae denoted VipA and VipB, which have been shown to interact in many clinically relevant pathogens. In this study, mutagenesis of a defined region within the VipA protein was used to identify residues important for VipB binding in V. cholerae O1 strain A1552. Results: A dramatically diminished interaction was shown to correlate with a decrease in VipB stability and a loss of hemolysin co-regulated protein (Hcp) secretion and rendered the bacterium unable to compete with Escherichia coli in a competition assay. Conclusions: This confirms the biological relevance of the VipA-VipB interaction, which is essential for the T6SS activity of many important human pathogens.

  • 27.
    Bröms, Jeanette E
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Lavander, Moa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Meyer, Lena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    IglG and IglI of the Francisella pathogenicity island are important virulence determinants of Francisella tularensis LVS2011In: Infection and Immunity, ISSN 0019-9567, E-ISSN 1098-5522, Vol. 79, no 9, p. 3683-3696Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia, a disease intimately associated with the multiplication of the bacterium within host macrophages. This in turn requires the expression of Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) genes, believed to encode a type VI secretion system. While the exact functions of many of the components have yet to be revealed, some have been found to contribute to the ability of Francisella to cause systemic infection in mice as well as to prevent phagolysosomal fusion and facilitate escape into the host cytosol. Upon reaching this compartment, the bacterium rapidly multiplies, inhibits activation of the inflammasome, and ultimately causes apoptosis of the host cell. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of the FPI-encoded proteins IglG, IglI, and PdpE to the aforementioned processes in F. tularensis LVS. The ΔpdpE mutant behaved similarly to the parental strain in all investigated assays. In contrast, ΔiglG and ΔiglI mutants, although they were efficiently replicating in J774A.1 cells, both exhibited delayed phagosomal escape, conferred a delayed activation of the inflammasome, and exhibited reduced cytopathogenicity as well as marked attenuation in the mouse model. Thus, IglG and IglI play key roles for modulation of the intracellular host response and also for the virulence of F. tularensis.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 28.
    Bröms, Jeanette E
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Lavander, Moa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    A conserved α-helix essential for a type VI secretion-like system of Francisella tularensis2009In: Journal of Bacteriology, ISSN 0021-9193, E-ISSN 1098-5530, Vol. 191, no 8, p. 2431-2446Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Francisella tularensis harbors genes with similarity to genes encoding components of a type VI secretion system (T6SS) recently identified in several gram-negative bacteria. These include iglA and iglB, the homologues of which are conserved in most T6SSs. We used a yeast two-hybrid system to study the interaction of the Igl proteins of F. tularensis LVS. We identified a region of IglA, encompassing residues 33-132, necessary for efficient binding to IglB as well as for IglAB protein stability and intra-macrophage growth. In particular, residues 103-122, overlapping with a highly conserved alpha-helix, played an absolutely essential role. Point mutations within this domain caused modest defects in IglA-IglB binding in yeast, but markedly impaired intra-macrophage replication and phagosomal escape, resulting in severe attenuation of LVS in mice. Thus, IglA-IglB complex formation is clearly crucial for Francisella pathogenicity. This interaction may be universal to T6S, since IglAB homologues of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli were also shown to interact in yeast and the interaction was dependent on the preservation of the same alpha-helix. Heterologous interactions formed between non-native IglAB proteins further supported the notion of a conserved binding site. Thus, IglA-IglB complex formation is clearly crucial for Francisella pathogenicity and the same interaction is conserved in other human pathogens.

  • 29.
    Bröms, Jeanette E
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Lavander, Moa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Dissection of the Functions of the IglC Protein of Francisella tularensis2010In: The challenge of highly pathogenic microorganisms: mechanisms of virulence and novel medical countermeasures, Springer, 2010, p. 67-75Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Francisella tularensis harbors genes with similarity to genes encoding components of a type VI secretion system (T6SS). These include iglA and iglB, the homologues of which are conserved in T6SSs. They are part of the igl operon, also encompassing the iglC and iglD genes. We have used a yeast two-hybrid system to study the interaction of the Igl proteins of E tularensis LVS. Previously, we identified a region of IglA necessary for efficient binding to IglB as well as for IglAB protein stability and intra-macrophage growth with an essential role for a conserved alpha-helical region. Thus, IglA-IglB complex formation is clearly crucial for Francisella pathogenicity and the same interaction is conserved in other human pathogens. Herein, the interaction of IglC with other members of the operon was investigated. It showed no binding to the other members in the yeast two-hybrid assay and we found also that two cysteine residues, C191 and C192, predicted to be putative prenylation sites, played no role for the important contribution of IglC to the intracellular replication of E tularensis although C191 was important for the stability of the protein.

  • 30.
    Bröms, Jeanette E.
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Meyer, Lena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Lavander, Moa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Larsson, Pär
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    DotU and VgrG, core components of type VI secretion systems, are essential for Francisella LVS pathogenicity2012In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 4, article id e34639Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis causes tularemia, a disease which requires bacterial escape from phagosomes of infected macrophages. Once in the cytosol, the bacterium rapidly multiplies, inhibits activation of the inflammasome and ultimately causes death of the host cell. Of importance for these processes is a 33-kb gene cluster, the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), which is believed to encode a type VI secretion system (T6SS). In this study, we analyzed the role of the FPI-encoded proteins VgrG and DotU, which are conserved components of type VI secretion (T6S) clusters. We demonstrate that in F. tularensis LVS, VgrG was shown to form multimers, consistent with its suggested role as a trimeric membrane puncturing device in T6SSs, while the inner membrane protein DotU was shown to stabilize PdpB/IcmF, another T6SS core component. Upon infection of J774 cells, both Delta vgrG and Delta dotU mutants did not escape from phagosomes, and subsequently, did not multiply or cause cytopathogenicity. They also showed impaired activation of the inflammasome and marked attenuation in the mouse model. Moreover, all of the DotU-dependent functions investigated here required the presence of three residues that are essentially conserved among all DotU homologues. Thus, in agreement with a core function in T6S clusters, VgrG and DotU play key roles for modulation of the intracellular host response as well as for the virulence of F. tularensis.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 31.
    Bröms, Jeanette E.
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Meyer, Lena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Department of Experimental Medical Science, Section for Immunology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    A mutagenesis-based approach identifies amino acids in the N-terminal part of Francisella tularensis IglE that critically control type VI system-mediated secretion2017In: Virulence, ISSN 2150-5594, E-ISSN 2150-5608, Vol. 8, no 6, p. 821-847Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis is the etiological agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia. Its life cycle is characterized by an ability to survive within phagocytic cells through phagosomal escape and replication in the cytosol, ultimately causing inflammasome activation and host cell death. Required for these processes is the Francisella Pathogenicity Island (FPI), which encodes a Type VI secretion system (T6SS) that is active during intracellular infection. In this study, we analyzed the role of the FPI-component IglE, a lipoprotein which we previously have shown to be secreted in a T6SS-dependent manner. We demonstrate that in F. tularensis LVS, IglE is an outer membrane protein. Upon infection of J774 cells, an Delta iglE mutant failed to escape from phagosomes, and subsequently, to multiply and cause cytopathogenicity. Moreover, Delta iglE was unable to activate the inflammasome, to inhibit LPS-stimulated secretion of TNF-alpha, and showed marked attenuation in the mouse model. In F. novicida, IglE was required for in vitro secretion of IglC and VgrG. A mutagenesis-based approach involving frameshift mutations and alanine substitution mutations within the first similar to 38 residues of IglE revealed that drastic changes in the sequence of the extreme N-terminus (residues 2-6) were well tolerated and, intriguingly, caused hyper-secretion of IglE during intracellular infection, while even subtle mutations further downstream lead to impaired protein function. Taken together, this study highlights the importance of IglE in F. tularensis pathogenicity, and the contribution of the N-terminus for all of the above mentioned processes.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 32.
    Bröms, Jeanette E.
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Meyer, Lena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Sun, Kun
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Lavander, Moa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Unique substrates secreted by the type VI secretion system of Francisella tularensis during intramacrophage infection2012In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 11, article id e50473Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Gram-negative bacteria have evolved sophisticated secretion machineries specialized for the secretion of macromolecules important for their life cycles. The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is the most widely spread bacterial secretion machinery and is encoded by large, variable gene clusters, often found to be essential for virulence. The latter is true for the atypical T6SS encoded by the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) of the highly pathogenic, intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis. We here undertook a comprehensive analysis of the intramacrophage secretion of the 17 FPI proteins of the live vaccine strain, LVS, of F. tularensis. All were expressed as fusions to the TEM beta-lactamase and cleavage of the fluorescent substrate CCF2-AM, a direct consequence of the delivery of the proteins into the macrophage cytosol, was followed over time. The FPI proteins IglE, IglC, VgrG, IglI, PdpE, PdpA, IglJ and IglF were all secreted, which was dependent on the core components DotU, VgrG, and IglC, as well as IglG. In contrast, the method was not directly applicable on F. novicida U112, since it showed very intense native beta-lactamase secretion due to FTN_1072. Its role was proven by ectopic expression in trans in LVS. We did not observe secretion of any of the LVS substrates VgrG, IglJ, IglF or IglI, when tested in a FTN_1072 deficient strain of F. novicida, whereas IglE, IglC, PdpA and even more so PdpE were all secreted. This suggests that there may be fundamental differences in the T6S mechanism among the Francisella subspecies. The findings further corroborate the unusual nature of the T6SS of F. tularensis since almost all of the identified substrates are unique to the species.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 33.
    Bröms, Jeanette E
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Lavander, Moa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    The role of the Francisella Tularensis pathogenicity island in type VI secretion, intracellular survival, and modulation of host cell signaling2010In: Frontiers in microbiology, ISSN 1664-302X, Vol. 1, p. 136-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent gram-negative intracellular bacterium that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. Essential for its virulence is the ability to multiply within host cells, in particular monocytic cells. The bacterium has developed intricate means to subvert host immune mechanisms and thereby facilitate its intracellular survival by preventing phagolysosomal fusion followed by escape into the cytosol, where it multiplies. Moreover, it targets and manipulates numerous host cell signaling pathways, thereby ameliorating the otherwise bactericidal capacity. Many of the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unknown but key elements, directly or indirectly responsible for many of the aforementioned mechanisms, rely on the expression of proteins encoded by the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), suggested to constitute a type VI secretion system. We here describe the current knowledge regarding the components of the FPI and the roles that have been ascribed to them.

  • 34.
    Brönnestam, Rolf
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biosciences, Medical and Clinical Genetics.
    Polymorphism of the human complement component C3- genetic and immunological aspects1973Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Genetic polymorphism is by definition the occurrence in the same population of two or more alleles at one locus,each with a frequency high enough not to be maintained by recurrent mutation only (1). Among the human plasmaproteins two major categories of polymorphism have been described, allotypic and electrophoretic heterogeneity. Allotypy is defined by Oudin as individual antigenic differences among proteins within a species (2). The first discovered polymorphism of this category was the Gm system of immunoglobulin G by Grubb (3). The first described electrophoretic heterogeneity in plasma proteins was theHp (haptoglobin) system discovered by Smithies (4). Sincethen genetic variants of several other human plasma proteins have been found. This dissertation is concerned with thegenetic and immunological aspects of the polymorphism of the third component of human complement, C3.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 35.
    Bönquist, Linda
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Lindgren, Helena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Golovliov, Igor
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Guina, Tina
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    MglA and Igl proteins contribute to the modulation of Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain-containing phagosomes in murine macrophages2008In: Infection and Immunity, ISSN 0019-9567, E-ISSN 1098-5522, Vol. 76, no 8, p. 3502-3510Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS), in contrast to its iglC mutant, replicates in the cytoplasm of macrophages. We studied the outcome of infection of the murine macrophagelike cell line J774A.1 with LVS and with iglC, iglD, and mglA mutants, the latter of which is deficient in a global regulator. Compared to LVS, all of the mutants showed impaired intracellular replication up to 72 h, and the number of the mglA mutant bacteria even decreased. Colocalization with LAMP-1 was significantly increased for all mutants compared to LVS, indicating an impaired ability to escape into the cytoplasm. A lysosomal acidity-dependent dye accumulated in approximately 40% of the vacuoles containing mutant bacteria but not at all in vacuoles containing LVS. Preactivation of the macrophages with gamma interferon inhibited the intracellular growth of all strains and significantly increased acidification of phagosomes containing the mutants, but it only slightly increased the LAMP-1 colocalization. The intracellular replication and phagosomal escape of the iglC and iglD mutants were restored by complementation in trans. In conclusion, the IglC, IglD, and MglA proteins each directly or indirectly critically contribute to the virulence of F. tularensis LVS, including its intracellular replication, cytoplasmic escape, and inhibition of acidification of the phagosomes.

  • 36. Champion, Mia D
    et al.
    Zeng, Qiandong
    Nix, Eli B
    Nano, Francis E
    Keim, Paul
    Kodira, Chinnappa D
    Borowsky, Mark
    Young, Sarah
    Koehrsen, Michael
    Engels, Reinhard
    Pearson, Matthew
    Howarth, Clint
    Larson, Lisa
    White, Jared
    Alvarado, Lucia
    Forsman, Mats
    Totalförsvarets forskninginstitut, Umeå Sweden FOI.
    Bearden, Scott W
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Titball, Richard
    Michell, Stephen L
    Birren, Bruce
    Galagan, James
    Comparative genomic characterization of Francisella tularensis strains belonging to low and high virulence subspecies2009In: PLoS pathogens, ISSN 1553-7374, Vol. 5, no 5, p. e1000459-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Tularemia is a geographically widespread, severely debilitating, and occasionally lethal disease in humans. It is caused by infection by a gram-negative bacterium, Francisella tularensis. In order to better understand its potency as an etiological agent as well as its potential as a biological weapon, we have completed draft assemblies and report the first complete genomic characterization of five strains belonging to the following different Francisella subspecies (subsp.): the F. tularensis subsp. tularensis FSC033, F. tularensis subsp. holarctica FSC257 and FSC022, and F. tularensis subsp. novicida GA99-3548 and GA99-3549 strains. Here, we report the sequencing of these strains and comparative genomic analysis with recently available public Francisella sequences, including the rare F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica FSC147 strain isolate from the Central Asian Region. We report evidence for the occurrence of large-scale rearrangement events in strains of the holarctica subspecies, supporting previous proposals that further phylogenetic subdivisions of the Type B clade are likely. We also find a significant enrichment of disrupted or absent ORFs proximal to predicted breakpoints in the FSC022 strain, including a genetic component of the Type I restriction-modification defense system. Many of the pseudogenes identified are also disrupted in the closely related rarely human pathogenic F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica FSC147 strain, including modulator of drug activity B (mdaB) (FTT0961), which encodes a known NADPH quinone reductase involved in oxidative stress resistance. We have also identified genes exhibiting sequence similarity to effectors of the Type III (T3SS) and components of the Type IV secretion systems (T4SS). One of the genes, msrA2 (FTT1797c), is disrupted in F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica and has recently been shown to mediate bacterial pathogen survival in host organisms. Our findings suggest that in addition to the duplication of the Francisella Pathogenicity Island, and acquisition of individual loci, adaptation by gene loss in the more recently emerged tularensis, holarctica, and mediasiatica subspecies occurred and was distinct from evolutionary events that differentiated these subspecies, and the novicida subspecies, from a common ancestor. Our findings are applicable to future studies focused on variations in Francisella subspecies pathogenesis, and of broader interest to studies of genomic pathoadaptation in bacteria.

  • 37.
    Chin, Chui-Yoke
    et al.
    Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States.
    Zhao, Jinshi
    Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, NC, Durham, United States.
    Llewellyn, Anna C.
    Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States.
    Golovliov, Igor
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Zhou, Pei
    Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, NC, Durham, United States.
    Weiss, David S.
    Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, Atlanta, United States; Research Service, Atlanta VA Medical Center, GA, Decatur, United States.
    Francisella FlmX broadly affects lipopolysaccharide modification and virulence2021In: Cell Reports, E-ISSN 2211-1247, Vol. 35, no 11, article id 109247Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The outer membrane protects Gram-negative bacteria from the host environment. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major outer membrane constituent, has distinct components (lipid A, core, O-antigen) generated by specialized pathways. In this study, we describe the surprising convergence of these pathways through FlmX, an uncharacterized protein in the intracellular pathogen Francisella. FlmX is in the flippase family, which includes proteins that traffic lipid-linked envelope components across membranes. flmX deficiency causes defects in lipid A modification, core remodeling, and O-antigen addition. We find that an F. tularensis mutant lacking flmX is >1,000,000-fold attenuated. Furthermore, FlmX is required to resist the innate antimicrobial LL-37 and the antibiotic polymyxin. Given FlmX's central role in LPS modification and its conservation in intracellular pathogens Brucella, Coxiella, and Legionella, FlmX may represent a novel drug target whose inhibition could cripple bacterial virulence and sensitize bacteria to innate antimicrobials and antibiotics.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 38.
    Conlan, J Wayne
    et al.
    NRC, Kanada.
    Shen, Hua
    Golovliov, Igor
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Zingmark, Carl
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Oyston, Petra CF
    Chen, Wangxue
    House, Robert V
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Differential ability of novel attenuated targeted deletion mutants of Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis strain SCHU S4 to protect mice against aerosol challenge with virulent bacteria: effects of host background and route of immunization2010In: Vaccine, ISSN 0264-410X, E-ISSN 1873-2518, Vol. 28, no 7, p. 1824-1831Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis is a highly virulent facultative intracellular pathogen of humans and a potential biological weapon. A live vaccine strain, F. tularensis LVS, was developed more than 50 years ago by pragmatic attenuation of a strain of the less virulent holarctica subspecies. LVS was demonstrated to be highly effective in human volunteers who were exposed to intradermal challenge with fully virulent subsp. tularensis, but was less effective against aerosol exposure. LVS faces regulatory hurdles that to date have prevented its licensure for general use. Therefore, a better defined and more effective vaccine is being sought. To this end we have created gene deletion mutants in the virulent subsp. tularensis strain and tested them for their ability to elicit a protective immune response against systemic or aerosol challenge with the highly virulent wild-type subsp. tularensis strain, SCHU S4. Both oral and intradermal (ID) primary vaccination routes were assessed in BALB/c and C3H/HeN mice as was oral boosting. One SCHU S4 mutant missing the heat shock gene, clpB, was significantly more attenuated than LVS whereas a double deletion mutant missing genes FTT0918 and capB was as attenuated as LVS. In general mice immunized with SCHU S4DeltaclpB were significantly better protected against aerosol challenge than mice immunized with LVS. A single ID immunization of BALB/c mice with SCHU S4DeltaclpB was at least as effective as any other regimen examined. Mice immunized with SCHU S4Delta0918DeltacapB were generally protected to a similar degree as mice immunized with LVS. A preliminary examination of immune responses to vaccination with LVS, SCHU S4DeltaclpB, or SCHU S4Delta0918DeltacapB provided no obvious correlate to their relative efficacies.

  • 39. Conlan, J Wayne
    et al.
    Zhao, Xigeng
    Harris, Gregory
    Shen, Hua
    Bolanowski, Mark
    Rietz, Cecilia
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Chen, Wangxue
    Molecular immunology of experimental primary tularemia in mice infected by respiratory or intradermal routes with type A Francisella tularensis.2008In: Molecular Immunology, ISSN 0161-5890, E-ISSN 1872-9142, Vol. 45, no 10, p. 2962-2969Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The type A subspecies of Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen, and a potential biological weapon. Recently, there has been renewed interest in developing new vaccines and therapeutics against this bacterium. Natural cases of disease, tularemia, caused by the type A subspecies are very rare. Therefore, the United States Food and Drug Administration will rely on the so-called Animal Rule for efficacy testing of anti-Francisella medicines. This requires the human disease to be modeled in one or more animal species in which the pathogenicity of the agent is reasonably well understood. Mice are natural hosts for F. tularensis, and might be able to satisfy this requirement. Tularemia pathogenesis appears to be primarily due to the host inflammatory response which is poorly understood at the molecular level. Additionally, the extent to which this response varies depending on host and pathogen genetic background, or by pathogen challenge route or dose is unknown. Therefore, the present study examined sera and infected tissues from C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice challenged by natural intradermal (ID) and respiratory routes with one of two distinct type A strains of the pathogen for cytokine and chemokine responses that might help to explain the morbidity associated with tularemia. The results show that the molecular immune response was mostly similar regardless of the variables examined. For instance, mRNA for the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, and chemokines KC, and IP-10 was consistently upregulated at all sites of infection. Upregulation of mRNA for several other cytokines and chemokines occurred in a more tissue restricted manner. For instance, IFN-gamma was highly upregulated in the skin of BALB/c, but not C57BL/6 mice after ID inoculation of the pathogen, whilst IL-10 mRNA upregulation was only consistently seen in the skin and lungs.

  • 40.
    Costa, Tiago R D
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Edqvist, Petra J
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Bröms, Jeanette E
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Åhlund, Monika K
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Forsberg, Åke
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Francis, Matthew S
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    YopD self-assembly and binding to LcrV facilitate type III secretion activity by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis2010In: Journal of Biological Chemistry, ISSN 0021-9258, E-ISSN 1083-351X, Vol. 285, no 33, p. 25269-25284Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    YopD-like translocator proteins encoded by several Gram-negative bacteria are important for type III secretion-dependent delivery of anti-host effectors into eukaryotic cells. This probably depends on their ability to form pores in the infected cell plasma membrane, through which effectors may gain access to the cell interior. In addition, Yersinia YopD is a negative regulator essential for the control of effector synthesis and secretion. As a prerequisite for this functional duality, YopD may need to establish molecular interactions with other key T3S components. A putative coiled-coil domain and an alpha-helical amphipathic domain, both situated in the YopD C terminus, may represent key protein-protein interaction domains. Therefore, residues within the YopD C terminus were systematically mutagenized. All 68 mutant bacteria were first screened in a variety of assays designed to identify individual residues essential for YopD function, possibly by providing the interaction interface for the docking of other T3S proteins. Mirroring the effect of a full-length yopD gene deletion, five mutant bacteria were defective for both yop regulatory control and effector delivery. Interestingly, all mutations clustered to hydrophobic amino acids of the amphipathic domain. Also situated within this domain, two additional mutants rendered YopD primarily defective in the control of Yop synthesis and secretion. Significantly, protein-protein interaction studies revealed that functionally compromised YopD variants were also defective in self-oligomerization and in the ability to engage another translocator protein, LcrV. Thus, the YopD amphipathic domain facilitates the formation of YopD/YopD and YopD/LcrV interactions, two critical events in the type III secretion process.

  • 41.
    Dahlgren, Markus K
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Zetterström, Caroline E
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Gylfe, Åsa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Linusson, Anna
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Elofsson, Mikael
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Statistical molecular design of a focused salicylidene acylhydrazide library and multivariate QSAR of inhibition of type III secretion in the Gram-negative bacterium Yersinia2010In: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, ISSN 0968-0896, E-ISSN 1464-3391, Vol. 18, no 7, p. 2686-2703Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A combined application of statistical molecular design (SMD), quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling and prediction of new active compounds was effectively used to develop salicylidene acylhydrazides as inhibitors of type III secretion (T3S) in the Gram-negative pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. SMD and subsequent synthesis furnished 50 salicylidene acylhydrazides in high purity. Based on data from biological evaluation in T3S linked assays 18 compounds were classified as active and 25 compounds showed a dose-dependent inhibition. The 25 compounds were used to compute two multivariate QSAR models and two multivariate discriminant analysis models were computed from both active and inactive compounds. Three of the models were used to predict 4416 virtual compounds in consensus and eight new compounds were selected as an external test set. Synthesis and biological evaluation of the test set in Y. pseudotuberculosis and the intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis validated the models. Y. pseudotuberculosis and C. trachomatis cell-based infection models showed that compounds identified in this study are selective and non-toxic inhibitors of T3S dependent virulence.

  • 42. De Pascalis, Roberto
    et al.
    Chou, Alicia Y.
    Ryden, Patrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology.
    Kennett, Nikki J.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Elkins, Karen L.
    Models Derived from In Vitro Analyses of Spleen, Liver, and Lung Leukocyte Functions Predict Vaccine Efficacy against the Francisella tularensis Live Vaccine Strain (LVS)2014In: mBio, ISSN 2161-2129, E-ISSN 2150-7511, Vol. 5, no 2, article id e00936Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Currently, there are no licensed vaccines and no correlates of protection against Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia. We recently demonstrated that measuring in vitro control of intramacrophage bacterial growth by murine F. tularensis-immune splenocytes, as well as transcriptional analyses, discriminated Francisella vaccines of different efficacies. Further, we identified potential correlates of protection against systemic challenge. Here, we extended this approach by studying leukocytes derived from lungs and livers of mice immunized by parenteral and respiratory routes with F. tularensis vaccines. Liver and lung leukocytes derived from intradermally and intranasally vaccinated mice controlled in vitro Francisella Live Vaccine Strain (LVS) intramacrophage replication in patterns similar to those of splenocytes. Gene expression analyses of potential correlates also revealed similar patterns in liver cells and splenocytes. In some cases (e. g., tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin 22 [IL-22], and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]), liver cells exhibited even higher relative gene expression, whereas fewer genes exhibited differential expression in lung cells. In contrast with their strong ability to control LVS replication, splenocytes from intranasally vaccinated mice expressed few genes with a hierarchy of expression similar to that of splenocytes from intradermally vaccinated mice. Thus, the relative levels of gene expression vary between cell types from different organs and by vaccination route. Most importantly, because studies comparing cell sources and routes of vaccination supported the predictive validity of this coculture and gene quantification approach, we combined in vitro LVS replication with gene expression data to develop analytical models that discriminated between vaccine groups and successfully predicted the degree of vaccine efficacy. Thus, this strategy remains a promising means of identifying and quantifying correlative T cell responses.

    IMPORTANCE

    Identifying and quantifying correlates of protection is especially challenging for intracellular bacteria, including Francisella tularensis. F. tularensis is classified as a category A bioterrorism agent, and no vaccines have been licensed in the United States, but tularemia is a rare disease. Therefore, clinical trials to test promising vaccines are impractical. In this report, we further evaluated a novel approach to developing correlates by assessing T cell immune responses in lungs and livers of differentially vaccinated mice; these nonprofessional immune tissues are colonized by Francisella. The relative degree of vaccine efficacy against systemic challenge was reflected by the ability of immune T cells, particularly liver T cells, to control the intramacrophage replication of bacteria in vitro and by relative gene expression of several immunological mediators. We therefore developed analytical models that combined bacterial replication data and gene expression data. Several resulting models provided excellent discrimination between vaccines of different efficacies.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 43. Delaney, Joseph R
    et al.
    Stöven, Svenja
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Uvell, Hanna
    Anderson, Kathryn V
    Engström, Ylva
    Mlodzik, Marek
    Cooperative control of Drosophila immune responses by the JNK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways.2006In: EMBO Journal, ISSN 0261-4189, E-ISSN 1460-2075, Vol. 25, no 13, p. 3068-77Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling is a highly conserved pathway that controls both cytoskeletal remodeling and transcriptional regulation in response to a wide variety of signals. Despite the importance of JNK in the mammalian immune response, and various suggestions of its importance in Drosophila immunity, the actual contribution of JNK signaling in the Drosophila immune response has been unclear. Drosophila TAK1 has been implicated in the NF-kappaB/Relish-mediated activation of antimicrobial peptide genes. However, we demonstrate that Relish activation is intact in dTAK1 mutant animals, and that the immune response in these mutant animals was rescued by overexpression of a downstream JNKK. The expression of a JNK inhibitor and induction of JNK loss-of-function clones in immune responsive tissue revealed a general requirement for JNK signaling in the expression of antimicrobial peptides. Our data indicate that dTAK1 is not required for Relish activation, but instead is required in JNK signaling for antimicrobial peptide gene expression.

  • 44.
    Desvars-Larrive, Amélie
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Liu, X.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Hjertqvist, M.
    Sjöstedt, A.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Johansson, A.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Ryden, Patrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.
    High-risk regions and outbreak modelling of tularemia in humans2017In: Epidemiology and Infection, ISSN 0950-2688, E-ISSN 1469-4409, Vol. 145, no 3, p. 482-490Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Sweden reports large and variable numbers of human tularemia cases, but the high-risk regions are anecdotally defined and factors explaining annual variations are poorly understood. Here, high-risk regions were identified by spatial cluster analysis on disease surveillance data for 1984-2012. Negative binomial regression with five previously validated predictors (including predicted mosquito abundance and predictors based on local weather data) was used to model the annual number of tularemia cases within the high-risk regions. Seven high-risk regions were identified with annual incidences of 3.8-44 cases/100 000 inhabitants, accounting for 56.4% of the tularemia cases but only 9.3% of Sweden's population. For all high-risk regions, most cases occurred between July and September. The regression models explained the annual variation of tularemia cases within most high-risk regions and discriminated between years with and without outbreaks. In conclusion, tularemia in Sweden is concentrated in a few high-risk regions and shows high annual and seasonal variations. We present reproducible methods for identifying tularemia high-risk regions and modelling tularemia cases within these regions. The results may help health authorities to target populations at risk and lay the foundation for developing an early warning system for outbreaks.

  • 45.
    Dwibedi, Chinmay Kumar
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Larsson, Pär
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Ahlinder, Jon
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Lindgren, Petter
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Myrtennäs, Kerstin
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Granberg, Malin
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Larsson, Eva
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Öhrman, Caroline
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Sjödin, Andreas
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Stenberg, Per
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Forsman, Mats
    Swedish Defense Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden.
    Johansson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Biological amplification of low frequency mutations unravels laboratory culture history of the bio-threat agent Francisella tularensis2020In: Forensic Science International: Genetics, ISSN 1872-4973, E-ISSN 1878-0326, Vol. 45Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Challenges of investigating a suspected bio attack include establishing if microorganisms have been cultured to produce attack material and to identify their source. Addressing both issues, we have investigated genetic variations that emerge during laboratory culturing of the bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis. Key aims were to identify genetic variations that are characteristic of laboratory culturing and explore the possibility of using biological amplification to identify genetic variation present at exceedingly low frequencies in a source sample. We used parallel serial passage experiments and high-throughput sequencing of F. tularensis to explore the genetic variation. We found that during early laboratory culture passages of F. tularensis, gene duplications emerged in the pathogen genome followed by single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes for bacterial capsule synthesis. Based on a biological enrichment scheme and the use of high-throughput sequencing, we identified genetic variation that likely pre-existed in a source sample. The results support that capsule synthesis gene mutations are common during laboratory culture, and that a biological amplification strategy is useful for linking a F. tularensis sample to a specific laboratory variant among many highly similar variants.

  • 46.
    Edin, Alicia
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Granholm, Susanne
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Koskiniemi, Satu
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Allard, Annika
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology.
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Johansson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Development and Laboratory Evaluation of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Detecting Viruses and Bacteria of Relevance for Community-Acquired Pneumonia2015In: Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, ISSN 1525-1578, E-ISSN 1943-7811, Vol. 17, no 3, p. 315-324Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Community-acquired pneumonia may present with similar clinical symptoms, regardless of viral or bacterial cause. Diagnostic assays are needed to rapidly discriminate between causes, because this will guide decisions on appropriate treatment. Therefore, a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay with duplex reactions targeting eight bacteria and six viruses was developed. Technical performance was examined with linear plasmids. Upper and Lower respiratory tract specimens were used to compare the qPCR assay with standard microbiological methods. The limit of detection was 5 to 20 DNA template copies with approximately 1000-fold differences in concentrations of the two competing templates. SDs for positive controls were <5%. The use of the qPCR assay resulted in 113 positive identifications in 94 respiratory specimens compared with 38 by using standard diagnostics. Diagnostic accuracy of the qPCR assay varied between 60% positive agreement with standard tests for Streptococcus pneumoniae and 100% for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Negative percentage of agreement was >95% for M. pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza A virus; whereas it was only 56% for Haemophilus influenzae. Multiple microbial agents were identified in 19 of 44 sputum and 19 of 50 nasopharynx specimens. We conclude that in parallel qPCR detection of the targeted respiratory bacteria and viruses is feasible. The results indicate good technical performance of the assay in clinical specimens.

  • 47.
    Edin, Sofia
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology.
    Kaprio, Tuomas
    Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland..
    Hagström, Jaana
    Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland..
    Larsson, Pär
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biosciences, Medical and Clinical Genetics.
    Mustonen, Harri
    Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland..
    Böckelman, Camilla
    Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland..
    Strigård, Karin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Surgery.
    Gunnarsson, Ulf
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Surgery.
    Haglund, Caj
    Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland..
    Palmqvist, Richard
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology.
    The Prognostic Importance of CD20+ B lymphocytes in Colorectal Cancer and the Relation to Other Immune Cell subsets2019In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 9, no 1, article id 19997Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The anti-tumour immune response is critical to patient prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to investigate infiltration of B lymphocytes into CRC tumours, and their clinical relevance, prognostic value and relation to other immune cell subsets. We used multiplexed immunohistochemistry and multispectral imaging to assay the amount of infiltrating CD20+ B lymphocytes along with infiltration of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, FOXP3+ T regulatory cells, CD68+ macrophages and CD66b+ neutrophils, in 316 archival CRC tissue specimens. A higher density of infiltrating CD20+ B lymphocytes was associated with tumours of the right colon (P = 0.025) and of lower stages (P = 0.009). Furthermore, patients whose tumours were highly infiltrated by CD20+ B lymphocytes had a significantly improved disease-specific survival (HR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.28-0.73, P = 0.001), which remained significant in multivariable analysis. CD20+ B lymphocytes were highly and positively associated with CD8+ T lymphocytes (P < 0.001), and part of the prognostic role was found to be a cooperative effect between these lymphocyte subsets. Our results support a favourable prognostic value of tumour-infiltrating CD20+ B lymphocytes in CRC. Furthermore, a cooperative prognostic effect between CD20+ B lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes is suggested.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 48. Ejrnaes, Karen
    et al.
    Sandvang, Dorthe
    Lundgren, Bettina
    Ferry, Sven
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Holm, Stig
    Göteborgs Universitet.
    Monsen, Tor
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Lundholm, Rolf
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Frimodt-Moller, Niels
    Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing of Escherichia coli strains from samples collected before and after pivmecillinam or placebo treatment of uncomplicated community-acquired urinary tract infection in women.2006In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology, ISSN 0095-1137, E-ISSN 1098-660X, Vol. 44, no 5, p. 1776-81Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The primary infecting Escherichia coli strains from 156 women with community-acquired uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) randomized to pivmecillinam or placebo and the E. coli strains causing UTI at two follow-up visits were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In the pivmecillinam treatment group PFGE showed that among patients having a negative urine culture at the first follow-up 77% (46/60) had a relapse with the primary infecting E. coli strain and 23% (14/60) had reinfection with a new E. coli strain at the second follow-up. Among patients having E. coli at the first follow-up PFGE showed that 80% (32/40) had persistence with the primary infecting E. coli strain, 15% (6/40) had reinfection with a new E. coli strain, and 5% (2/40) had different E. coli strains at the two follow-up visits (one had reinfection followed by relapse, and the other had persistence followed by reinfection). In the placebo group the majority had E. coli at the first follow-up. PFGE showed that among these patients 96% (50/52) had persistence with the primary infecting E. coli strain and 4% (2/50) had different E. coli strains at the two follow-up visits (both had persistence followed by reinfection). The finding that the majority of UTIs at follow-up are caused by the primary infecting E. coli strain supports the theory of a vaginal and rectal reservoir but could also support the recent discovery that E. coli strains are able to persist in the bladder epithelium despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, constituting a reservoir for recurrent UTI.

  • 49. Elfving, Karin
    et al.
    Olsen, Björn
    Bergström, Sven
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Waldenström, Jonas
    Lundkvist, Åke
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Mejlon, Hans
    Nilsson, Kenneth
    Dissemination of spotted fever rickettsia agents in Europe by migrating birds2010In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 5, no 1, p. e8572-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Migratory birds are known to play a role as long-distance vectors for many microorganisms. To investigate whether this is true of rickettsial agents as well, we characterized tick infestation and gathered ticks from 13,260 migratory passerine birds in Sweden. A total of 1127 Ixodes spp. ticks were removed from these birds and the extracted DNA from 957 of them was available for analyses. The DNA was assayed for detection of Rickettsia spp. using real-time PCR, followed by DNA sequencing for species identification. Rickettsia spp. organisms were detected in 108 (11.3%) of the ticks. Rickettsia helvetica, a spotted fever rickettsia associated with human infections, was predominant among the PCR-positive samples. In 9 (0.8%) of the ticks, the partial sequences of 17kDa and ompB genes showed the greatest similarity to Rickettsia monacensis, an etiologic agent of Mediterranean spotted fever-like illness, previously described in southern Europe as well as to the Rickettsia sp.IrITA3 strain. For 15 (1.4%) of the ticks, the 17kDa, ompB, gltA and ompA genes showed the greatest similarity to Rickettsia sp. strain Davousti, Rickettsia japonica and Rickettsia heilongjiangensis, all closely phylogenetically related, the former previously found in Amblyomma tholloni ticks in Africa and previously not detected in Ixodes spp. ticks. The infestation prevalence of ticks infected with rickettsial organisms was four times higher among ground foraging birds than among other bird species, but the two groups were equally competent in transmitting Rickettsia species. The birds did not seem to serve as reservoir hosts for Rickettsia spp., but in one case it seems likely that the bird was rickettsiemic and that the ticks had acquired the bacteria from the blood of the bird. In conclusion, migratory passerine birds host epidemiologically important vector ticks and Rickettsia species and contribute to the geographic distribution of spotted fever rickettsial agents and their diseases.

  • 50.
    Eliasson, Henrik
    et al.
    Universitetssjukhuset Örebro.
    Olcén, Per
    Sjöstedt, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology.
    Jurstrand, Margareta
    Bäck, Erik
    Örebro.
    Andersson, Sören
    Kinetics of the immune response associated with tularemia: comparison of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a tube agglutination test, and a novel whole-blood lymphocyte stimulation test.2008In: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, ISSN 1556-6811, E-ISSN 1556-679X, Vol. 15, no 8, p. 1238-43Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We have developed and evaluated a novel and simplified whole-blood lymphocyte stimulation assay that focuses on the measurement of gamma interferon after 24 h of stimulation with whole-cell tularemia antigen and a tularemia enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on highly purified lipopolysaccharide antigen. Comparison of the kinetics of the two assays and those of the traditional tube agglutination test shows that the cellular immune response can be detected earlier by the lymphocyte stimulation assay. This test already shows a high proportion of positive results during the first week after the onset of the disease, may be applicable in everyday laboratory practice, and has the potential of changing routine diagnostics for tularemia. The new ELISA has a high sensitivity and becomes positive to a high degree during the second week of disease.

123456 1 - 50 of 276
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf