Discrimination of <i>Gardnerella</i> Species by Combining MALDI-TOF Protein Profile, Chaperonin <i>cpn60</i> Sequences, and Phenotypic Characteristics
The description of <i>Gardnerella vaginalis</i> was recently updated and three new species, including nine genome species within <i>Gardnerella</i>, were defined using whole genome sequences and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spect...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/277 |
| Summary: | The description of <i>Gardnerella vaginalis</i> was recently updated and three new species, including nine genome species within <i>Gardnerella</i>, were defined using whole genome sequences and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. A fast and simple method based on readily available techniques would be of immense use to identify <i>Gardnerella</i> species in research and clinical practice. Here we show that 34 previously characterized <i>Gardnerella</i> isolates were assigned to the species using partial chaperonin <i>cpn60</i> sequences. The MALDI Biotyper from Bruker Daltonik GmbH demonstrated the capability to differentiate the phylogenetically diverse groups composed of <i>G. vaginalis</i>/<i>G. piotii</i> and <i>G. leopoldii</i>/<i>G. swidsinskii</i>. Among the phenotypic properties that characterize <i>Gardnerella</i> species are sialidase and β-galactosidase activities. Our data confirmed that the NanH3 enzyme is responsible for sialidase activity in <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. isolates. Almost all <i>G. piotii</i> isolates displayed a sialidase positive phenotype, whereas the majority of <i>G. vaginalis</i> strains were sialidase negative. <i>G. leopoldii</i> and <i>G. swidskinskii</i> displayed a sialidase negative phenotype. β-galactosidase is produced exclusively in <i>G</i>. <i>vaginalis</i> strains. Earlier determined phenotypic characteristics associated with virulence of <i>Gardnerella</i> isolates now assigned to the defined species may provide insights on how diverse species contribute to shaping the vaginal microbiome. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-0817 |