Searching and identification of transcripts contributing to the intracellular entry, colonization, and antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus canis.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08513
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: TAKAHASHI Takashi 北里大学, 感染制御科学府, 教授 (00292855)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 人獣共通感染症 / 病原細菌 / 転写物配列 / 宿主細胞内侵入 / 宿主細胞内生存

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Companion animals (dogs/cats) and humans are living closely. Additionally, medical institutes are introducing animal-assisted therapy as a mental health support for hospital patients. However, there are the concerns about transmission of pathogens between dogs/cats and humans.
The purpose of this study was to specify the mechanisms about invasions, colonization, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence based on the genomes/transcripts in a zoonotic bacterium, Streptococcus canis strains.
The S. canis strains possessed the mechanisms regarding invasions, colonization, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence, which were similar with those in other streptococci (e.g., S. pyogenes). We should conduct the future analyses to clarify these mechanisms.

Free Research Field

感染症学、臨床微生物学、感染制御学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は人獣共通病原菌である犬レンサ球菌が保有する侵入性・定着性・薬剤耐性・病原性を解明したものであり、検索した限り、日本における最初の研究成果となる。
本菌種も他のレンサ球菌(例えば、化膿レンサ球菌)と類似した侵入性機構・定着性機構・薬剤耐性機構・病原性機構を有している点は学術的に興味深い。
ペニシリン結合タンパク質におけるアミノ酸置換を示すペニシリン低感受性犬レンサ球菌の実証を踏まえ、獣医診療における抗菌薬の慎重投与を早急に促進する必要がある。