Wild raccoons as potential reservoir of cytolethal distending toxin-producing Providencia strains in Japan
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Wild raccoons as potential reservoir of cytolethal distending toxin-producing Providencia strains in Japan

24/04/2025 Osaka Metropolitan University
In view of increasing reports of infections due to virulent Providencia species including cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) gene-positive strains, it is important to identify the reservoirs and transmission routes of such pathogenic strains.

Raccoons considered to be a source of zoonotic pathogens were monitored for the presence of Providencia species in Japan and analyzed for cdt genes. Of 384 wild raccoon rectal swabs analyzed, 60% were positive for Providencia species, of which 20% carried cdt-genes.

Among seven Providencia species isolated (P. alcalifaciens, P. rustigianii, P. rettgeri, P. stuartii, P. heimbachae, P. vermicola, and P. huaxiensis), cdt genes were distributed in P. alcalifaciens (63%), P. rustigianii (16%), and novel in P. rettgeri (21%). Complete cdt gene clusters were identified in P. alcalifaciens and P. rustigianii strains, whereas P. rettgeri had intact cdtB but truncated cdtA and cdtC genes. Phylogenetic analyses showed divergent pulsotypes among the cdt gene-positive Providencia strains.

Cytotoxicity assay revealed that P. alcalifaciens and P. rustigianii produced CDT more toxic to eukaryotic cells compared to human clinical strains, which were neutralized by anti-PaCdtB serum. As expected, the P. rettgeri strains with truncated cdt genes had no biological activity. Molecular analysis revealed that all the cdt genes were located on plasmids as determined by S1-nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (S1-PFGE) and Southern hybridization assay.

Intriguingly, the cdtB gene in P. rustigianii strains was detected on dual plasmids. Notably, all the cdt gene-positive Providencia strains were found to carry plasmid-mediated T3SS-related genes.

These results suggest that wild raccoons are possible reservoir of virulent Providencia strains in Japan.

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About OMU
Established in Osaka as one of the largest public universities in Japan, Osaka Metropolitan University is committed to shaping the future of society through “Convergence of Knowledge” and the promotion of world-class research. For more research news, visit https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/ and follow us on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.
https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/
Journal: Microbiology Spectrum
Title: Wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) as potential reservoir of cytolethal distending toxin producing Providencia strains in Japan
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02616-24
Author(s): Okechukwu John Obi, Atsushi Hinenoya, Sharda Prasad Awasthi, Noritoshi Hatanaka, Shah M. Faruque, Shinji Yamasaki
Publication date: 25 February 2025
URL: https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.02616-24
Attached files
  • Raccoons carrying pathogenic Providencia strains: Wild raccoons considered to be a source of zoonotic pathogens were monitored for the presence of Providencia species in Japan and analyzed for cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) genes. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University
24/04/2025 Osaka Metropolitan University
Regions: Asia, Japan
Keywords: Science, Life Sciences, Health, Environmental health, Medical, Public Dialogue - health, Well being

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