Investigating Anthrax-Associated Virulence Genes among Archival and Contemporary Group Genomes.

causes anthrax through virulence factors encoded on two plasmids. However, non- organisms within the closely related, environmentally ubiquitous group (BCG) may cause an anthrax-like disease in humans through the partial adoption of anthrax-associated virulence genes, challenging the definition of anthrax disease. To elucidate these phenomena and their evolutionary past, we performed whole-genome sequencing on non- BCG isolates, including 93 archival (1967-2003) and 5 contemporary isolates (2019-2023).

Locally Acquired Melioidosis Linked to Environment - Mississippi, 2020-2023.

Melioidosis, caused by , is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease endemic to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is typically acquired through contact with contaminated soil or fresh water. Before this investigation, was not known to have been isolated from the environment in the continental United States.

Burkholderia thailandensis Isolated from the Environment, United States.

Burkholderia thailandensis, an opportunistic pathogen found in the environment, is a bacterium closely related to B. pseudomallei, the cause of melioidosis. Human B.

Melioidosis in Cynomolgus Macaques ( ) Imported to the United States from Cambodia.

Melioidosis, a potentially fatal infectious disease of humans and animals, including nonhuman primates (NHPs), is caused by the high-consequence pathogen This environmental bacterium is found in the soil and water of tropical regions, such as Southeast Asia, where melioidosis is endemic. The global movement of humans and animals can introduce into nonendemic regions of the United States, where environmental conditions could allow establishment of the organism. Approximately 60% of NHPs imported into the United States originate in countries considered endemic for melioidosis.

Benchmark datasets for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance bioinformatics.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has spread globally and is being surveilled with an international genome sequencing effort. Surveillance consists of sample acquisition, library preparation, and whole genome sequencing. This has necessitated a classification scheme detailing Variants of Concern (VOC) and Variants of Interest (VOI), and the rapid expansion of bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis.

In silico analyses of penicillin binding proteins in Burkholderia pseudomallei uncovers SNPs with utility for phylogeography, species differentiation, and sequence typing.

Burkholderia pseudomallei causes melioidosis. Sequence typing this pathogen can reveal geographical origin and uncover epidemiological associations. Here, we describe B.

Software testing in microbial bioinformatics: a call to action.

Computational algorithms have become an essential component of research, with great efforts by the scientific community to raise standards on development and distribution of code. Despite these efforts, sustainability and reproducibility are major issues since continued validation through software testing is still not a widely adopted practice. Here, we report seven recommendations that help researchers implement software testing in microbial bioinformatics.

Multistate Outbreak of Melioidosis Associated with Imported Aromatherapy Spray.

Melioidosis, caused by the bacterium is an uncommon infection that is typically associated with exposure to soil and water in tropical and subtropical environments. It is rarely diagnosed in the continental United States. Patients with melioidosis in the United States commonly report travel to regions where melioidosis is endemic.

Subclinical Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection Associated with Travel to the British Virgin Islands.

Phylogenetic analysis of a clinical isolate associated with subclinical Burkholderia pseudomallei infection revealed probable exposure in the British Virgin Islands, where reported infections are limited. Clinicians should consider this geographic distribution when evaluating possible infection among persons with compatible travel history.

Complete Genome Sequence of sp. Strain W8901, a Human Clinical Specimen, Assembled Using MiSeq and MinION Sequence Data.

sp. strain W8901 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, mycolic acid-containing coccobacillus obtained from a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Here, we report on the complete, circular genome sequence obtained using Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION reads in order to better resolve the phylogeny of a rare pathogen.

Complete and Circularized Bacterial Genome Sequence of sp. Strain X0973.

sp. strain X0973 is a Gram-positive, weakly acid-fast, aerobic actinomycete obtained from a human abscess with NBRC 100433 as its closest phylogenetic neighbor. Here, we report using Illumina MiSeq and PacBio reads to assemble the complete and circular genome sequence of 3.

A real-time multiplex PCR assay for detection of the causative agents of rat bite fever, Streptobacillus moniliformis and zoonoticStreptobacillus species.

Rat bite fever (RBF) caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis has been described as a diagnostic challenge. While it has a favorable prognosis with treatment, timely diagnosis is hindered by the lack of culture-free identification methods. Here we present a multiplex real-time PCR assay that detects the zoonotic Streptobacillus spp.

Genomic Diversity of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Ceara, Brazil.

is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes the sapronotic disease melioidosis. An outbreak in 2003 in the state of Ceara, Brazil, resulted in subsequent surveillance and environmental sampling which led to the recognition of as an endemic pathogen in that area. From 2003 to 2015, 24 clinical and 12 environmental isolates were collected across Ceara along with one from the state of Alagoas.

Genomic Diversity of Burkholderia pseudomallei Isolates, Colombia.

We report an analysis of the genomic diversity of isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the cause of melioidosis, recovered in Colombia from routine surveillance during 2016-2017. B. pseudomallei appears genetically diverse, suggesting it is well established and has spread across the region.

Complete and Circularized Genome Assemblies of the Kroppenstedtia eburnea Genus Type Strain and the Kroppenstedtia pulmonis Species Type Strain with MiSeq and MinION Sequence Data.

DSM 45196 and W9323 are aerobic, Gram-positive, filamentous, chemoorganotrophic thermoactinomycetes. Here, we report on the complete and circular genome assemblies generated using Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION reads. Putative gene clusters predicted to be involved in the production of secondary metabolites were also identified.

Melioidosis in a Resident of Texas with No Recent Travel History, United States.

To our knowledge, environmental isolation of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, from the continental United States has not been reported. We report a case of melioidosis in a Texas resident. Genomic analysis indicated that the isolate groups with B.

Rapid Nanopore Whole-Genome Sequencing for Anthrax Emergency Preparedness.

Human anthrax cases necessitate rapid response. We completed Bacillus anthracis nanopore whole-genome sequencing in our high-containment laboratory from a human anthrax isolate hours after receipt. The de novo assembled genome showed no evidence of known antimicrobial resistance genes or introduced plasmid(s).

Unique Clindamycin-Resistant Clostridioides difficile Strain Related to Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Epidemic BI/RT027 Strain.

During a surveillance study of patients in a long-term care facility and the affiliated acute care hospital in the United States, we identified a Clostridioides difficile strain related to the epidemic PCR ribotype (RT) 027 strain associated with hospital outbreaks of severe disease. Fifteen patients were infected with this strain, characterized as restriction endonuclease analysis group DQ and RT591. Like RT027, DQ/RT591 contained genes for toxin B and binary toxin CDT and a tcdC gene of identical sequence.

Melioidosis after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Thomas/St. John District, US Virgin Islands, October 2017.

We report 2 cases of melioidosis in women with diabetes admitted to an emergency department in the US Virgin Islands during October 2017. These cases emerged after Hurricanes Irma and Maria and did not have a definitively identified source. Poor outcomes were observed when septicemia and pulmonary involvement were present.

Vagococcus bubulae sp. nov., isolated from ground beef, and Vagococcus vulneris sp. nov., isolated from a human foot wound.

Two unusual catalase-negative, Gram-stain-positive, Vagococcus-like isolates that were referred to the CDC Streptococcus Laboratory for identification are described. Strain SS1994 was isolated from ground beef and strain SS1995 was isolated from a human foot wound. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of isolates SS1994 and SS1995 against Vagococcus type strain sequences supported their inclusion in the genus Vagococcus.