TY - JOUR
T1 - Cronobacter spp.—Opportunistic Foodborne Pathogens
T2 - an Update on Evolution, Osmotic Adaptation and Pathogenesis
AU - Lehner, Angelika
AU - Tall, Ben Davis
AU - Fanning, Seamus
AU - Srikumar, Shabarinath
N1 - Funding Information:
Conflict of Interest Dr. Lehner reports grants from Swiss National Science Foundation, during the conduct of the study.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature.
PY - 2018/6/1
Y1 - 2018/6/1
N2 - Purpose of Review: Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic, foodborne pathogens capable of causing severe illnesses predominantly in premature and low-birth-weight infants. These organisms have evolved features, which aid them to survive under harsh environmental conditions but may also contribute to pathogenesis during infection. In this review, we highlight efforts to study genetic diversity and evolutionary aspects, osmotic adaptation and pathogenesis of these pathogens. Recent Findings: Next-generation genome sequencing-based techniques elucidated a species-level bidirectional divergence driven by niche adaptation in Cronobacter spp. Whole genome comparisons and proteomics revealed genes and pathways contributing to the survival and persistence phenotype in low-moisture environments. In silico genome comparisons and application of suitable in vivo models provided answers to pathogenesis-related questions. Summary: Development and application of innovative molecular techniques and in vivo infection models have shed light on how Cronobacter spp. adapt to challenges experienced in natural, food processing and host-related environments.
AB - Purpose of Review: Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic, foodborne pathogens capable of causing severe illnesses predominantly in premature and low-birth-weight infants. These organisms have evolved features, which aid them to survive under harsh environmental conditions but may also contribute to pathogenesis during infection. In this review, we highlight efforts to study genetic diversity and evolutionary aspects, osmotic adaptation and pathogenesis of these pathogens. Recent Findings: Next-generation genome sequencing-based techniques elucidated a species-level bidirectional divergence driven by niche adaptation in Cronobacter spp. Whole genome comparisons and proteomics revealed genes and pathways contributing to the survival and persistence phenotype in low-moisture environments. In silico genome comparisons and application of suitable in vivo models provided answers to pathogenesis-related questions. Summary: Development and application of innovative molecular techniques and in vivo infection models have shed light on how Cronobacter spp. adapt to challenges experienced in natural, food processing and host-related environments.
KW - Cronobacter spp
KW - Evolution
KW - Osmotic adaptation
KW - Pathogenesis
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U2 - 10.1007/s40588-018-0089-7
DO - 10.1007/s40588-018-0089-7
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85043467118
SN - 2196-5471
VL - 5
SP - 97
EP - 105
JO - Current Clinical Microbiology Reports
JF - Current Clinical Microbiology Reports
IS - 2
ER -