title: Corynebacterium ulcerans isolates from humans and dogs: fibrinogen, fibronectin and collagen-binding, antimicrobial and PFGE profiles.
abstract: Corynebacterium ulcerans has been increasingly isolated as an emerging zoonotic agent of diphtheria and other infections from companion animals. Since pets are able to act as symptomless carriers, it is also essential to identify virulence potential for humans of these isolates. In this work the ability of C. ulcerans to bind to fibrinogen (Fbg), fibronectin (Fn) and Type I collagen as well the genetic relationship among strains isolated from human and asymptomatic dogs in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) were analyzed. Five pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles were demonstrated (I, II, III, IV and V). In addition, the IV and V profiles exhibiting ≥85 % similarity were expressed by the BR-AD41 and BR-AD61 strains from companion dogs living in the same neighborhood. Independent of the PFGE-types, human and dog isolates showed affinity to Fbg, Fn and collagen. Heterogeneity of PFGE profiles indicated endemicity of C. ulcerans in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. Differences in the expression of adhesins to the human extracellular matrix may contribute to variations in the virulence and zoonotic potential of C. ulcerans strains.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance-LDCIC, Collaborating Center for Diphtheria of CGLAB/SVS/MS, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro-UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Liliane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Simpson-Louredo
authors.forename: Juliana Nunes
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Renata Stavracakis
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Peixoto
authors.forename: Louisy Sanches
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Camila Azevedo
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: Elisa Martins
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ladeira
authors.forename: Cintia Silva
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Veronica Viana
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Maria Helena Simões Villas
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bôas
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Ana Luíza
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mattos-Guaraldi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001938:Brazil; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005353:Fibronectins; D005340:Fibrinogen; D003094:Collagen