Genetic diversity and virulence of Bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infections
ABSTRACT Bacillus cereus catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are an increasing concern in Japanese hospitals. Although their clinical characteristics have been explored, the genetic relationships and virulence profiles of B. cereus isolates from CRBSIs remain understudied. Here, using a...
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| Language: | English |
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American Society for Microbiology
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Microbiology Spectrum |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.02407-24 |
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| author | Akiko Okutani Shu Okugawa Fumie Fujimoto Mahoko Ikeda Takeya Tsutsumi Kyoji Moriya Ken Maeda |
| author_facet | Akiko Okutani Shu Okugawa Fumie Fujimoto Mahoko Ikeda Takeya Tsutsumi Kyoji Moriya Ken Maeda |
| author_sort | Akiko Okutani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Bacillus cereus catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are an increasing concern in Japanese hospitals. Although their clinical characteristics have been explored, the genetic relationships and virulence profiles of B. cereus isolates from CRBSIs remain understudied. Here, using advanced genomic techniques, we investigated the genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and virulence profiles of B. cereus isolates from patients with bloodstream infections. We analyzed 28 B. cereus group strains isolated from blood samples at the University of Tokyo Hospital between 2005 and 2017 using whole-genome sequencing, core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing, and virulence gene profiling. Core-genome SNP analysis revealed significant genetic diversity among the isolates, suggesting multiple independent sources of infection. The isolates predominantly belonged to panC clades III and IV, with distinct virulence gene profiles. All panC clade III isolates contained hbl operon genes, whereas four isolates from clade IV harbored cereulide synthetase genes (cesABCD). One isolate possessed a capsule gene operon (capBCADE), a rare finding among clinical B. cereus strains. Biofilm formation ability was observed in 50% of catheter-related isolates, although this ability was not significantly different from that of the noncatheter-related isolates.IMPORTANCEThis study provides novel insights into the genetic diversity and virulence potential of B. cereus strains causing bloodstream infections in a Japanese hospital setting. These findings suggest diverse infection pathways and highlight the importance of continuous molecular epidemiological surveillance for effective infection control. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ad6c0ef2ca4f4ad9b9e11058b525fb24 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2165-0497 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microbiology Spectrum |
| spelling | doaj-art-ad6c0ef2ca4f4ad9b9e11058b525fb242025-08-20T03:01:02ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologyMicrobiology Spectrum2165-04972025-03-0113310.1128/spectrum.02407-24Genetic diversity and virulence of Bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infectionsAkiko Okutani0Shu Okugawa1Fumie Fujimoto2Mahoko Ikeda3Takeya Tsutsumi4Kyoji Moriya5Ken Maeda6Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Infection Control and Prevention, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, JapanABSTRACT Bacillus cereus catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are an increasing concern in Japanese hospitals. Although their clinical characteristics have been explored, the genetic relationships and virulence profiles of B. cereus isolates from CRBSIs remain understudied. Here, using advanced genomic techniques, we investigated the genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and virulence profiles of B. cereus isolates from patients with bloodstream infections. We analyzed 28 B. cereus group strains isolated from blood samples at the University of Tokyo Hospital between 2005 and 2017 using whole-genome sequencing, core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing, and virulence gene profiling. Core-genome SNP analysis revealed significant genetic diversity among the isolates, suggesting multiple independent sources of infection. The isolates predominantly belonged to panC clades III and IV, with distinct virulence gene profiles. All panC clade III isolates contained hbl operon genes, whereas four isolates from clade IV harbored cereulide synthetase genes (cesABCD). One isolate possessed a capsule gene operon (capBCADE), a rare finding among clinical B. cereus strains. Biofilm formation ability was observed in 50% of catheter-related isolates, although this ability was not significantly different from that of the noncatheter-related isolates.IMPORTANCEThis study provides novel insights into the genetic diversity and virulence potential of B. cereus strains causing bloodstream infections in a Japanese hospital setting. These findings suggest diverse infection pathways and highlight the importance of continuous molecular epidemiological surveillance for effective infection control.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.02407-24Bacillus cereus groupbloodstream infectionwhole-genome analysisepidemiology |
| spellingShingle | Akiko Okutani Shu Okugawa Fumie Fujimoto Mahoko Ikeda Takeya Tsutsumi Kyoji Moriya Ken Maeda Genetic diversity and virulence of Bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infections Microbiology Spectrum Bacillus cereus group bloodstream infection whole-genome analysis epidemiology |
| title | Genetic diversity and virulence of Bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infections |
| title_full | Genetic diversity and virulence of Bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infections |
| title_fullStr | Genetic diversity and virulence of Bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infections |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic diversity and virulence of Bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infections |
| title_short | Genetic diversity and virulence of Bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infections |
| title_sort | genetic diversity and virulence of bacillus cereus group isolates from bloodstream infections |
| topic | Bacillus cereus group bloodstream infection whole-genome analysis epidemiology |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.02407-24 |
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