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A rapid method for identification of typical Leuconostoc species by 16S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method was developed to detect and identify typical Leuconostoc species. This method utilises a set of specific primers for amplification of the 16S rDNA region of typical Leuconostoc species. All Leuconostoc-type strains, all Leuconostoc isolates from kimchi, Korea's traditional, fermented vegetable product, and strains from closely related genera were examined to verify the identification by this method. The primers resulted in amplification only for nine typical Leuconostoc spp., but not for any other genera tested. The size of the amplified products was 976 bp and the amplicons of the different species could be differentiated from each other with MseI, HaeIII and Tsp509I endonucleases, except for the species Leuconostoc argentinum and Leuconostoc lactis, which were indistinguishable. A PCR-RFLP method for the typical Leuconostoc species was optimized to identify a large number of isolates from fermented vegetable product. This PCR-RFLP method enables the rapid and reliable identification of Leuconostoc species and to distinguish them from the other phylogenetically related lactic acid bacteria in food samples.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Leuconostoc kimchii sp. nov., a new species from kimchi.

A Gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, coccus-shaped bacterium, designated IH25T, was isolated from kimchi, a traditional Korean vegetable product. Phylogenetic analysis based on almost complete 16S rDNA sequences placed the isolate in a monophyletic clade corresponding to the genus Leuconostoc. All validly described species in the genus Leuconostoc, with the exception of Leuconostoc fallax, showed high sequence identity of over 97%. The 16S rDNA sequence of strain IH25T showed the highest homology to those of Leuconostoc gelidum DSM 5578T (98.9%) and Leuconostoc citreum KCTC 3526T (98.3 %). However, DNA-DNA hybridization experiments indicated that the organism represents a novel genomic species in the genus, since the previously known leuconostocs share DNA homology with strain IH25T of less than 70%. In this work, it is proposed that isolate IH25T be classified in the genus Leuconostoc as Leuconostoc kimchii sp. nov. The type strain of Leuconostoc kimchii is IH25T (= KCTC 2386T = IMSNU 11154T).

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

Antibacterial activity of three Leuconostoc strains isolated from vacuum-packaged processed meats.

One hundred and fifty lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from vacuum-packaged processed meats were screened for antagonistic activity against various food spoilage microorganisms and foodborne pathogens. Nineteen strains produced bacteriocins active against closely related LAB and Listeria strains. Leuconostoc carnosum (LA54a and TA26b) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subspecies dextranicum (TA33a) produced bacteriocins that were susceptible to proteolytic enzymes, but not to catalase, lysozyme or chloroform. They were heat stable up to 100 degrees C for thirty minutes at pH 2 to 7, and exerted a bacteriolytic effect. Bacteriocin production by all Leuconostoc strains was growth associated, occurring at incubation temperatures of 0 degrees C to 30 degrees C and initial medium pH 4.5 to 7.5. Probing of plasmid DNA from the three Leuconostoc strains with an oligonucleotide probe homologous to the nucleotide sequence of leucocin A-UAL 187 indicated plasmid-mediated bacteriocin production. Homology of the three Leuconostoc bacteriocin-coding genes to the amino-terminal end of the leucocin A-UAL 187 gene from Leuconostoc gelidum UAL 187 is therefore suggested. This evidence implies that all three Leuconostoc strains produce type 2, Listeria active bacteriocins.

Bacteria↗

Bacteriocins of leuconostocs isolated from meat.

Several bacteriocin-producing Leuconostoc strains have been isolated from meat and identified as Leuconostoc gelidum UAL 187, Leuconostoc paramesenteroides-La7a, Leuconostoc carnosum-Ta11a and Leuconostoc carnosum-La54a. All strains produce bacteriocins that are active against Listeria monocytogenes and other lactic acid bacteria of concern in meat spoilage. All of the bacteriocins studied are heat stable in acidic environments and are inactivated by a range of proteolytic enzymes but not by catalase or lysozyme. Most are detected early in the growth cycle and are produced at refrigeration temperatures and in a pH range of 4.0-7.0. Leucocin A-UAL187, produced by Leuconostoc gelidium UAL 187, is a small peptide (MW 3930) translated as a 61 amino acid prepeptide consisting of a 24 amino acid leader region and 37 amino acid active bacteriocin that is secreted. A probe designed from a region of the leucocin gene has been used to locate the bacteriocin genes in the other strains (La7a, La54a and Ta11a). Strong hybridization signals were detected from 8.9 MDa, 32 MDa and 8.9 MDa plasmids in strains La7a, La54a and Ta11a, respectively. The bacteriocin structural gene from Leuconostoc carnosum-Ta11a (leucocin B-Ta11a) has been cloned and sequenced and the bacteriocin shows 100% homology to leucocin A-UAL187; however, the prepeptide differs in six residues. The mature extracellular bacteriocin from strain UAL 187 was purified and characterized by precipitation, gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction chromatography followed by RP-HPLC and amino-terminal sequencing, whilst those of the other strains are in the process of being purified and characterized using similar techniques.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Peritonitis due to Leuconostoc species in a child receiving peritoneal dialysis.

Leuconostoc species are rarely pathogenic in humans, but may cause infection in patients at risk. A 7-year-old girl with p-ANCA-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis, treated with peritoneal dialysis, developed peritonitis due to Leuconostoc species. She had a history of treatment with vancomycin and a brief course of immunosuppressive therapy. The peritonitis responded well to ampicillin therapy. To date, only 47 cases of Leuconostoc infection, including our patient, have been reported in the medical literature; 25 of the cases occurred in children. Only 1 prior case has been reported in the setting of peritoneal dialysis. The risk factors for Leuconostoc infections are not clear, but commonly associated conditions include immunocompromised status and indwelling medical devices. Leuconostoc species are easily misidentified as streptococci in culture, but they possess inherent resistance to vancomycin despite sensitivity to most other antibiotics. In patients with gram-positive peritonitis, Leuconostoc should be considered as a possible etiological agent, particularly if vancomycin resistance is noted in an organism thought to be a Streptococcus species.

Ampicillin↗

Autolysis of dairy leuconostocs and detection of peptidoglycan hydrolases by renaturing SDS-PAGE.

The autolysis of lactic acid bacteria plays a major role during cheese ripening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the autolytic properties and peptidoglycan hydrolase content of dairy leuconostocs. Autolysis of 59 strains of dairy Leuconostoc was examined under starvation conditions in potassium phosphate buffer. The ability of dairy leuconostocs to lyse is strain dependant and not related to the species. The peptidoglycan hydrolase profile of Leuc. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides 10L was analysed by renaturing gel electrophoresis. Two major activity bands migrating at 41 and 52 kDa were observed. According to the specificity analysis, strain 10L seems to contain a glycosidase and an N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanine amidase, or an endopeptidase. The peptidoglycan hydrolase profiles of various Leuconostoc species were also compared. Several peptidoglycan hydrolase activities could be detected in the different Leuconostoc species. Further characterization of the peptidoglycan hydrolases will help to control autolysis of leuconostocs in cheese.

Bacteriolysis↗

Proposal to reclassify Leuconostoc oenos as Oenococcus oeni [corrig.] gen. nov., comb. nov..

Wine strains belonging to the genus Leuconostoc were classified as Leuconostoc oenos by Garvie in 1967, and this name was confirmed on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names in 1980. L. oenos is distinguished from other Leuconostoc spp. by its growth in acidic media, by its requirement for a growth factor in tomato juice, and by a number of carbohydrate fermentation characteristics. In addition, the results of a total soluble cell protein analysis, an electrophoretic analysis of NAD-dependent D-(-)-lactate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and alcohol dehydrogenase, and an analysis of cross-reactivity with anti-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and anti-NAD-dependent D-(-)-lactate dehydrogenase performed with other Leuconostoc spp. clearly indicated that L. oenos should be distinguished from the other Leuconostoc species. Phylogenetic studies, in particular 16S and 23S rRNA sequencing studies, have revealed that L. oenos represents a distinct subline that is separate from other Leuconostoc spp. and lactic acid bacteria. In view of the phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness of L. oenos, we propose that this species should be assigned to a new genus as Oenococcus oeni [corrig.] gen. nov., comb. nov. The type strain of O. oeni is NCDO 1674 (= ATCC 23179).

DNA, Bacterial↗

Analysis of the beta' subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase does not support the hypothesis inferred from 16S rRNA analysis that Oenococcus oeni (formerly Leuconostoc oenos) is a tachytelic (fast-evolving) bacterium.

rRNA sequencing has shown that leuconostocs comprise three distinct phylogenetic lineages which have been designated separate genera (viz., the genera Leuconostoc sensu stricto, Oenococcus, and Weissella). In addition, the 16S rRNA line formed by Oenococcus oeni (formerly Leuconostoc oenos) is exceptionally long; this fact, together with variations in the compositions of conserved positions in the 16S rRNA, has led to the hypothesis (D. Yang and C. R. Woese, Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 12:145-149, 1989) that this organism is a fast-evolving bacterium. Previous evidence that the leuconostocs should be divided into three genera and that O. oeni is an example of tachytelic evolution has come solely from rRNA analyses. In this study we seqenced the rpoC gene encoding the beta' subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of leuconostocs and performed a comparative phylogenetic analysis. The subdivision of the leuconostocs into three distinct lineages was confirmed by the rpoC gene data, but no evidence that indicated that O. oeni is evolving at an extraordinary rate was found. If O. oeni is truly tachytelic, then fast-evolving phenomena would be expected to occur throughout the whole genome, including this independent molecular chronometer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Common occurrence of plasmid DNA and vancomycin resistance in Leuconostoc spp.

Resistance to vancomycin permitted detection, in a culture of Streptococcus cremoris 290PC, of a contaminant gram-positive coccus. Morphological and physiological characteristics indicated that this bacterium was a strain of Leuconostoc sp., designated PO184. This strain contained four plasmid species, which were distinct from those harbored by S. cremoris 290PC. Antibiotic disk susceptibility tests indicated that Leuconostoc sp. strain PO184 was also resistant to sulfathiazole and trimethoprim and susceptible to 17 other antimicrobials. The MIC of vancomycin for this strain was greater than 2,000 micrograms/ml, and resistance did not depend on drug inactivation. Leuconostoc sp. strain PO184 produced a substance which was inhibitory to S. cremoris U134, but not to S. lactis ATCC 11454. Five other leuconostocs produced substances with antibacterial activity. Of 18 strains of Leuconostoc sp., 14 were resistant to at least 500 micrograms of vancomycin per ml, including four L. oenos strains which harbored no plasmid DNA in the 1- to 76-megadalton range. Twelve Leuconostoc sp. strains contained at least one plasmid species in this mass range. These findings are discussed from the physiological, taxonomical, and ecological standpoints and with regard to their potential applications.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Detection of Leuconostoc strains at a meat processing plant using polymerase chain reaction.

To simplify the labor-intensive conventional routine testing of samples to detect Leuconostoc at a meat processing plant, we developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers specific for Leuconostoc from 16S rRNA gene sequences. These primers did not detect other common lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lact. sake, Lact. fermentum, Lact. acidophilus and Weissella viridescens. PCR with this primer detected all Leuconostoc species tested (Leu. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, Leu. pseudomesenteroides, Leu. carnosum, Leu. lactic, Leu. citreum, Leu. amelibiosum, Leu. gelidum), except for Leu. fallax, and no other lactic acid bacteria on agarose gel electrophoresis. The method could identify areas contaminated with Leuconostoc in a large-scale industrial meat processing plant. Of 69 samples analyzed, 34 were positive for Leuconostoc according to the conventional culture method (isolation of LAB producing dextran) and PCR, whereas 29 were negative according to both. Six samples were culture-negative but positive by PCR. No false negative results were generated by PCR. The method is rapid and simple, is useful for routinely monitoring areas contaminated with Leuconostoc in meat processing plants, and could help to prevent the spoilage of meat products.

DNA Primers↗

Differentiation of dextran-producing Leuconostoc strains from fermented rice cake (puto) using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from puto, a fermented rice cake consumed as a breakfast and snack food in the Philippines. The microflora was dominated by dextran-producing leuconostocs, and these were differentiated into four groups using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of restriction enzyme digested chromosomal DNA, in conjunction with taxonomic tests. The four groups corresponded to the species Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, Leuconostoc citreum and Leuconostoc fallax. Several strains showed an unusual clumping phenotype, and two of these were capable of inhibiting other strains of lactic acid bacteria.

Bacteriocins↗

Infection due to Leuconostoc species: six cases and review.

Leuconostocs, members of the family Streptococcacae, have only recently been recognized as potential pathogens. We describe six cases of leuconostoc bacteremia and review 11 additional cases of infection reported in the literature. Fifteen patients with bacteremia ranged from neonates to persons aged 78 years. Almost all were hospitalized with significant underlying diseases, had received previous antibiotic therapy, and had undergone procedures that interrupted the normal integumentary defense. Leuconostoc bacteremia was associated with fever, leukocytosis, and gastrointestinal complaints. Eight of 15 patients had polymicrobial bacteremia, seven of these eight with staphylococcal species. Clinical isolates of Leuconostoc were frequently misidentified, usually as viridans streptococci. All clinical isolates identified to date--and most agricultural isolates--demonstrate a high level of resistance to vancomycin. Successful regimens for treatment of Leuconostoc include high-dose penicillin, clindamycin, and where appropriate, removal of infected intravascular catheters. Susceptibility testing of all gram-positive bacteria isolated from normally sterile body sites is recommended.

Adolescent↗

Leuconostoc durionis sp. nov., a heterofermenter with no detectable gas production from glucose.

Three lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains obtained from a Malaysian acid-fermented condiment, tempoyak (made from pulp of the durian fruit), showed analogous but distinct patterns after screening by SDS-PAGE of whole-cell proteins and comparison with profiles of all recognized LAB species. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of one representative strain showed that the taxon belongs phylogenetically to the genus Leuconostoc, with its nearest neighbour being Leuconostoc fructosum (98 % sequence similarity). Biochemical characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization experiments demonstrated that the strains differ from Leuconostoc fructosum and represent a single, novel Leuconostoc species for which the name Leuconostoc durionis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 22556(T) (= LAB 1679(T) = D-24(T) = CCUG 49949(T)).

Bacterial Proteins↗

Leuconostoc pseudoficulneum sp. nov., isolated from a ripe fig.

Six strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from a ripe fig. These strains constituted a highly homogeneous, but distinct, cluster that was separate from other LAB species in a polyphasic approach including dot-blot DNA-DNA hybridization, SDS-PAGE whole-cell protein profiling, carbohydrate fermentation ability, growth characteristics, enzymic profiling, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis macrorestriction analysis and RFLPs. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing positioned a representative strain, LC51(T), in a distinct line of descent within the recently described clade comprising Leuconostoc ficulneum, Leuconostoc fructosum and Leuconostoc durionis; L. ficulneum was its closest neighbour (98 % sequence similarity). DNA-DNA hybridization values and chemotaxonomic and biochemical characteristics, including enzymic profiles detected with API ZYM microtubes, confirmed that this group of strains is distinct from L. ficulneum and represents a novel species within the genus Leuconostoc. Taking into account the common origin and phylogenetic proximity, the name Leuconostoc pseudoficulneum sp. nov. is proposed. Strain LC51(T) (=DSM 15468(T) = CECT 5759(T)) is the type strain; the DNA G + C content of this strain is 44.5 mol%.

Base Composition↗

The putative immunity protein of the gram-positive bacteria Leuconostoc mesenteroides is preferentially located in the cytoplasm compartment.

Immunity proteins are though to protect bacteriocin-producing bacterial strains against the bactericidal effects of their own bacteriocin. The immunity protein which protects the lactic acid bacterium Leuconostoc mesenteroides against mesentericin Y105(37) bacteriocin was detected and localized by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, using antibodies directed against the C-terminal end of the predicted immunity protein. The antibodies recognized the immunity proteins of various strains of Leuconostoc, including Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Leuconostoc gelidum. This study demonstrated that immunity proteins produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides accumulated in the cytoplasmic compartment of the bacteria. This is in contrast with other known immunity proteins, such as the colicin immunity proteins, which are integral membrane proteins possessing three to four transmembrane domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of Leuconostoc gasicomitatum sp. nov., associated with spoiled raw tomato-marinated broiler meat strips packaged under modified-atmosphere conditions.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with gaseous spoilage of modified-atmosphere-packaged, raw, tomato-marinated broiler meat strips were identified on the basis of a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) (ribotyping) database containing DNAs coding for 16S and 23S rRNAs (rDNAs). A mixed LAB population dominated by a Leuconostoc species resembling Leuconostoc gelidum caused the spoilage of the product. Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus curvatus, and a gram-positive rod phenotypically similar to heterofermentative Lactobacillus species were the other main organisms detected. An increase in pH together with the extreme bulging of packages suggested a rare LAB spoilage type called "protein swell." This spoilage is characterized by excessive production of gas due to amino acid decarboxylation, and the rise in pH is attributed to the subsequent deamination of amino acids. Protein swell has not previously been associated with any kind of meat product. A polyphasic approach, including classical phenotyping, whole-cell protein electrophoresis, 16 and 23S rDNA RFLP, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and DNA-DNA reassociation analysis, was used for the identification of the dominant Leuconostoc species. In addition to the RFLP analysis, phenotyping, whole-cell protein analysis, and 16S rDNA sequence homology indicated that L. gelidum was most similar to the spoilage-associated species. The two spoilage strains studied possessed 98.8 and 99.0% 16S rDNA sequence homology with the L. gelidum type strain. DNA-DNA reassociation, however, clearly distinguished the two species. The same strains showed only 22 and 34% hybridization with the L. gelidum type strain. These results warrant a separate species status, and we propose the name Leuconostoc gasicomitatum sp. nov. for this spoilage-associated Leuconostoc species.

Animals↗

An automated RNA extraction procedure and application for 16S rRNA sequencing of Leuconostoc amelobiosum.

The determination of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) primary structures by in vitro reverse transcription requires the extraction of rRNA in pure form. Although a number of high reliable techniques have been developed for the purpose most are fairly complex, involving numerous steps and the wasting of large volumes. It describes here a RNA extraction and purification method, suitable for automatic extractors, which consistently yields reasonable amounts of pure total RNA from prokaryotes, free of DNA and RNases. The rRNA from the type strain Leuconostoc amelobiosum was isolated using this procedure. Its 16S rRNA sequence was determined and a comparative analysis with those from all currently described leuconostocs, including several atypical lactobacilli, revealed very high sequence homology with Leuconostoc citreum confirming Leuconostoc amelobiosum is phylogenetically a member of the genus Leuconostoc sensu stricto.

Base Sequence↗

[Leuconostocs in raw milk: isolation and identification of species rapidly utilizing lactose].

Fast lactose fermenting Leuconostoc species and subspecies were isolated from raw milk. Samples were obtained from dairy farms of the surroundings of Buenos Aires city. A lactose, non selective, isolation medium was employed (YCL). Differentiation of leuconostocs from Lactobacillus viridescens and L. confusus was avoided on account of the use of this medium. 801 typical colonies of lactic acid bacteria were selected from YCL agar; 710 of them were identified as lactic acid bacteria from which 114 strains belonged to the genus Leuconostoc. These last strains were then tested for species and subspecies differentiation by dextran production and sugar fermentation. Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum and L. lactis were identified. Four strains identified as Leuconostoc spp do not belong to any known species.

Animals↗