HTLV-1 infection in solid organ transplant donors and recipients in Spain

HTLV-1 infection is a neglected disease, despite infecting 10-15 million people worldwide and severe illnesses develop in 10% of carriers lifelong. Acknowledging a greater risk for developing HTLV-1 associated illnesses due to immunosuppression, screening is being widely considered in the transplantation setting. Herein, we report the experience with universal HTLV testing of donors and recipients of solid organ transplants in a survey conducted in Spain. All hospitals belonging to the Spanish HTLV network were invited to participate in the study. Briefly, HTLV antibody screening was performed retrospectively in all specimens collected from solid organ donors and recipients attended since the year 2008. A total of 5751 individuals were tested for HTLV antibodies at 8 sites. Donors represented 2312 (42.2%), of whom 17 (0.3%) were living kidney donors. The remaining 3439 (59.8%) were recipients. Spaniards represented nearly 80%. Overall, 9 individuals (0.16%) were initially reactive for HTLV antibodies. Six were donors and 3 were recipients. Using confirmatory tests, HTLV-1 could be confirmed in only two donors, one Spaniard and another from Colombia. Both kidneys of the Spaniard were inadvertently transplanted. Subacute myelopathy developed within 1 year in one recipient. The second recipient seroconverted for HTLV-1 but the kidney had to be removed soon due to rejection. Immunosuppression was stopped and 3 years later the patient remains in dialysis but otherwise asymptomatic. The rate of HTLV-1 is low but not negligible in donors/recipients of solid organ transplants in Spain. Universal HTLV screening should be recommended in all donor and recipients of solid organ transplantation in Spain. Evidence is overwhelming for very high virus transmission and increased risk along with the rapid development of subacute myelopathy

Killer yeasts as biocontrol agents of spoilage yeasts and bacteria isolated from wine

During the winemaking process Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the main yeast species but other yeasts called non-Saccharomyces as well as different species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are also present. Then, one strategy to prevent or reduce microbial contamination during the winemaking process is the use of killer yeasts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the killer activity (KA) of autochthonous yeasts from Northwest region of Argentine (S. cerevisiae Cf8 and Wickerhamomyces anomalus Cf20) on spoilage yeasts and in LAB of the wine. The KA was evaluated using cell-free supernatants obtained from pure and mixed cultures of strains Cf8-Cf20. S. cerevisiae Cf8 showed a growth reduction between 7 and 48% on D. anomala BDa15, P. membranifaciens BPm481 and Z. bailii Bzb317 while W. anomalus Cf20 exhibited KA of 20, 61, 91 and 92% against B. bruxellensis Ld1, D. anomala BDa15, P. membranifaciens BPm481 and P. guilliermondii Cd6, respectively. Killer mixed supernatants showed growth inhibition similar to strain Cf20. Screening against LAB showed that both killer toxins were able to inhibit the growth of L. hilgardii 5w as well as to reduce a 16–31% histamine production by this LAB strain. These results confirm the potential of autochthonous killer yeasts as biocontrol agents in winemaking process. The mixed culture S. cerevisiae Cf8-W. anomalus Cf20 presented a wide range of KA on spoilage yeasts as well as on L. hilgardii. Therefore, the use of killer yeasts as starter cultures would allow producing wines with controlled quality

Bacteriophages of lactic acid bacteria and biotechnological tools

The study of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) phages has not only brought information about the types and characteristics of lytic phages present in the fermentation industry but, in particular, streptococcal comparative phage genomics has also significantly contributed to the field of phage taxonomy and to the characterization of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system. LAB phages have been isolated from diverse natural sources and upon induction of lysogens. One of the approaches to minimize the negative impact of phages in dairy is on the implementation of technological hurdles to reduce phage contamination. In the context of LAB phages, the TP901‐1 serine integrase can carry out intramolecular integration on a transfected plasmid substrate and intrachromosomal deletions in human cells. LAB phages can also be regarded as a very valuable biocontrol tool to prevent growth of LAB in those biotechnological processes in which LAB are undesirable.Peer reviewe

Genomic diversity in Fructobacillus spp. isolated from fructose-rich niches.

The Fructobacillus genus is a group of obligately fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) that requires the use of fructose or another electron acceptor for their growth. In this work, we performed a comparative genomic analysis within the genus Fructobacillus by using 24 available genomes to evaluate genomic and metabolic differences among these organisms. In the genome of these strains, which varies between 1.15- and 1.75-Mbp, nineteen intact prophage regions, and seven complete CRISPR-Cas type II systems were found. Phylogenetic analyses located the studied genomes in two different clades. A pangenome analysis and a functional classification of their genes revealed that genomes of the first clade presented fewer genes involved in the synthesis of amino acids and other nitrogen compounds. Moreover, the presence of genes strictly related to the use of fructose and electron acceptors was variable within the genus, although these variations were not always related to the phylogeny

Characterization of the Pattern of αs1- and β-Casein Breakdown and Release of a Bioactive Peptide by a Cell Envelope Proteinase from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CRL 581▿

The cell envelope-associated proteinases (CEPs) of the lactobacilli have key roles in bacterial nutrition and contribute to the development of the organoleptic properties of fermented milk products as well, as they can release bioactive health-beneficial peptides from milk proteins. The influence of the peptide supply, carbohydrate source, and osmolites on the CEP activity of the cheese starter Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CRL 581 was investigated. The CEP activity levels were controlled by the peptide content of the growth medium. The maximum activity was observed in a basal minimal defined medium, whereas in the presence of Casitone, Casamino Acids, or yeast extract, the synthesis of CEP was inhibited 99-, 70-, and 68-fold, respectively. The addition of specific di- or tripeptides containing branched-chain amino acids, such as leucylleucine, prolylleucine, leucylglycylglycine, or leucylproline, to the growth medium negatively affected CEP activity, whereas dipeptides without branched-chain amino acids had no effect on the enzyme's production. The carbon source and osmolites did not affect CEP activity. The CEP of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis CRL 581 exhibited a mixed-type CEPI/III variant caseinolytic specificity. Mass-spectrometric screening of the main peptide peaks isolated by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography allowed the identification of 33 and 32 peptides in the αs1- and β-casein hydrolysates, respectively. By characterizing the peptide sequence in these hydrolysates, a pattern of αs1- and β-casein breakdown was defined and is reported herein, this being the first report for a CEP of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis. In this pattern, a series of potentially bioactive peptides (antihypertensive and phosphopeptides) which are encrypted within the precursor protein could be visualized

Cell growth and MDH activity of <i>L</i>. <i>reuteri</i> CRL 1101 grown in MRS_G and MRS_GF at 37°C for 24 h.

<p>a) Growth kinetics in both media; b) Specific MDH activity in both media; c, d) Carbohydrate consumption and mannitol production in MRS_G and MRS_GF, respectively. Statistical analysis in Fig 2b was performed using two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-test. A value of <i>p<</i>0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p

Shotgun proteomic identification of proteins of <i>L</i>. <i>reuteri</i> CRL 1101 whole lysates, grown in the absence and in the presence of fructose for 24 h.

<p>Score and mass values are reported along with the number of identified peptides (matches) and gene locus tag. In the current experimental conditions, matches with score values >30 were considered proof of identity or extensive homology (<i>p</i><0.01).</p

Conversion of fructose into mannitol catalyzed by the mannitol 2-dehydrogenase (MDH) enzyme.

<p>Conversion of fructose into mannitol catalyzed by the mannitol 2-dehydrogenase (MDH) enzyme.</p