Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
Nat Commun. 2021 Feb 3;12(1):763. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21012-x.
Human and animal infections with bacteria of the genus Sarcina (family Clostridiaceae) are associated with gastric dilation and emphysematous gastritis. However, the potential roles of sarcinae as commensals or pathogens remain unclear. Here, we investigate a lethal disease of unknown etiology that affects sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Sierra Leone. The disease, which we have named "epizootic neurologic and gastroenteric syndrome" (ENGS), is characterized by neurologic and gastrointestinal signs and results in death of the animals, even after medical treatment. Using a case-control study design, we show that ENGS is strongly associated with Sarcina infection. The microorganism is distinct from Sarcina ventriculi and other known members of its genus, based on bacterial morphology and growth characteristics. Whole-genome sequencing confirms this distinction and reveals the presence of genetic features that may account for the unusual virulence of the bacterium. Therefore, we propose that this organism be considered the representative of a new species, named "Candidatus Sarcina troglodytae". Our results suggest that a heretofore unrecognized complex of related sarcinae likely exists, some of which may be highly virulent. However, the potential role of "Ca. S. troglodytae" in the etiology of ENGS, alone or in combination with other factors, remains a topic for future research.
人类和动物感染芽孢八叠球菌属（梭菌科）的细菌与胃扩张和气肿性胃炎有关。然而，芽孢八叠球菌作为共生菌或病原体的潜在作用仍不清楚。在这里，我们研究了一种影响塞拉利昂保护区黑猩猩（Pan troglodytes verus）的未知病因的致死性疾病。我们将这种疾病命名为“流行神经和胃肠综合征”（ENGS），其特征是神经和胃肠道症状，并导致动物死亡，即使经过治疗也是如此。使用病例对照研究设计，我们表明 ENGS 与芽孢八叠球菌感染强烈相关。根据细菌形态和生长特征，该微生物与 Sarcina ventriculi 和其他已知属成员明显不同。全基因组测序证实了这种区别，并揭示了可能导致该细菌异常毒力的遗传特征。因此，我们建议将该生物体视为一种新物种的代表，命名为“Candidatus Sarcina troglodytae”。我们的研究结果表明，可能存在以前未被认识到的相关芽孢八叠球菌复合体，其中一些可能具有高度毒性。然而，“Ca. S. troglodytae”在 ENGS 病因学中的单独或与其他因素共同作用的潜在作用仍然是未来研究的主题。
