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PubMed1989

Lethal graft-versus-host reaction against non-H-2 antigens. I. Prevention of GVH-associated immunodeficiency by preimmunizing the donor against host-specific non-H-2 antigens.

Injection of B10.D2 cells into irradiated H-2d compatible (DBA/2xB10.D2)F1 recipients provokes a lethal GVH that can be abrogated by donor preimmunization against host-specific DBA/2 non-H-2 antigens. To study the possible relationship between the observed protection and restoration of immune responsiveness, we compared spleen cellularity, selected T and B cell functions, and NK activity in GVH and protected mice during the 1st month after grafting. Normal and isografted mice served as controls. GVH was found to be characterized by an early stimulation phase associated with splenomegaly and increased percentages (but not numbers) of Lyt-2+ and L3T4+ cells, followed by profound aplasia and abrogation of IL-2 production. Response to a B cell mitogen (LPS) is depressed, and cells from GVH mice exert a strong suppressive effect on the LPS and PHA responsiveness of normal cells. Suppression appears to be mediated by a radioresistant, nylon nonadherent, asialo GM1 negative cell expressing a low level of Thy-1 antigen. In contrast, protection correlates with progressive restoration of spleen cellularity and LPS responsiveness, with decreased but clearly detectable IL-2 production, and transient nonspecific suppressor activity. The immune status of protected mice resembles that of isografted controls. No correlation was found between mortality (or protection) and either PHA responsiveness, which remained depressed in all grafted mice throughout the observation period, or NK activity, which was strongly depressed in both GVH and protected mice. In conclusion, protection correlates with the disappearance of nonspecific suppressor cells and the restoration of cellularity and certain nonspecific immune functions. Donor immunization against host-specific non-H-2 antigens, which protects against mortality, also protects against GVH-associated immune deficiency.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Inhibition of Dark CO(2) Fixation and Photosynthesis in Leaf Discs of Corn Susceptible to the Host-specific Toxin Produced by Helminthosporium maydis, Race T.

The host-specific toxin produced by Helminthosporium maydis, race T, causes 50% inhibition of dark fixation of (14)CO(2) by leaf discs of susceptible (Texas male sterile) corn when it is diluted to approximately 1/10,000 of the volume of the original fungus culture filtrate. Dilutions of 1/10 or less are required for equivalent inhibition of discs prepared from resistant (N) corn. Root growth and photosynthesis were considerably less sensitive (dilution values 1/3000 and 1/1200, respectively), as was leakage of (14)C induced by toxin from preloaded discs. Based on literature values for dilutions causing ion leakage or inhibition of mitochondrial oxidation, toxin dilutions several orders of magnitude greater bring about inhibition of dark CO(2) fixation. Preincubation of discs in light increased sensitivity of dark fixation to toxin and an effect of light on symptom development was shown. Phosphoenolypruvate carboxylase activity in extracts of roots or leaves was not affected by toxin nor was the enzyme level altered in excised leaves treated with toxin. Inhibition of dark fixation of CO(2) provides a bioassaay for race T toxin which is both reliable and rapid.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Low host specificity of herbivorous insects in a tropical forest.

Two decades of research have not established whether tropical insect herbivores are dominated by specialists or generalists. This impedes our understanding of species coexistence in diverse rainforest communities. Host specificity and species richness of tropical insects are also key parameters in mapping global patterns of biodiversity. Here we analyse data for over 900 herbivorous species feeding on 51 plant species in New Guinea and show that most herbivorous species feed on several closely related plant species. Because species-rich genera are dominant in tropical floras, monophagous herbivores are probably rare in tropical forests. Furthermore, even between phylogenetically distant hosts, herbivore communities typically shared a third of their species. These results do not support the classical view that the coexistence of herbivorous species in the tropics is a consequence of finely divided plant resources; non-equilibrium models of tropical diversity should instead be considered. Low host specificity of tropical herbivores reduces global estimates of arthropod diversity from 31 million (ref. 1) to 4 6 million species. This finding agrees with estimates based on taxonomic collections, reconciling an order of magnitude discrepancy between extrapolations of global diversity based on ecological samples of tropical communities with those based on sampling regional faunas.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Host specificity of cloned Spironucleus sp. originating from the European hamster.

In vivo experiments with a clone of the intestinal flagellate Spironucleus sp. originating from the laboratory European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), and the comparison with a spontaneous infection from laboratory bred European hamsters suggest high specificity of this clone for the homologous host. Only the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) could be infected experimentally, though the mean intensity of infection was lower. Other heterologous recipients, mice and rats of one outbred and one inbred strain each, could not be infected. Even immunodeficient mice (athymic and C.B-17-scid) remained uninfected after inoculation of 5 x 10(5) cysts per mouse. This is the second Spironucleus clone, after the rat isolate (Schagemann et al., 1990), with a high level of host specificity suggesting heterogeneity within the genus Spironucleus.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Phylogeny of Alternaria fungi known to produce host-specific toxins on the basis of variation in internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA.

The internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) of ribosomal DNA from Alternaria species, including seven fungi known to produce host-specific toxins, were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-amplification and direct sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data by the Neighbor-joining method showed that the seven toxin-producing fungi belong to a monophyletic group together with A. alternata. In contract, A. dianthi, A. panax, A. dauci, A. bataticola, A. porri, A. sesami and A. solani, species that can be morphologically distinguished from A. alternata, could be clearly separated from A. alternata by phylogenetic of the ITS variation. These results suggest that Alternaria pathogens which produce host-specific toxins are pathogenic variants within a single variable species, A. alternata.

Alternaria↗

PubMed2002

Host specificity dynamics: observations on gyrodactylid monogeneans.

The directly transmitted viviparous gyrodactylids have high species richness but low morphological and biological diversity, and many species are recorded from only a single host. They therefore constitute a guild of species ideal for studies of the evolutionary significance of host specificity. The group has the widest host range of any monogenean family, being found on 19 orders of bony fish. However, individual species range from narrowly specific (71% of 402 described species recorded from a single host) to extremely catholic (Gyrodactylus alviga recorded from 16 hosts). Gyrodactylid-host interactions extend from 60 mya (G. lotae, G. lucii) down to 150 years (G. derjavini on Oncorhynchus mykiss). Co-evolution with the host is comparatively rare within the gyrodactylids, but host switching or ecological transfer is common, and has been facilitated by the mixing of fish strains that followed glaciation. In this review, we consider the factors responsible for gyrodactylid specificity patterns, using examples from our work on salmonid gyrodactylids including G. salaris, responsible for major epidemics on wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Norway since 1975, and G. thymalli from grayling and G. derjavini from trout.G. salaris has a wide host range with highest population growth rates on Norwegian salmon strains. However, growth rates are variable on both host strains and species, because of the multitude of micro- and macro-environmental factors influencing parasite mortality and fecundity. A better predictor of performance is the proportion of fishes of a strain which are innately resistant to the parasite, a measure which is negatively correlated with the time to peak infection in a host strain. Population growth rate is also negatively correlated with age of infection; the initial rate, therefore, predicts best the suitability of a fish as host for G. salaris. The host response to gyrodactylids appears to be the same mechanism in all salmonids with innate resistance as one end of a spectrum, but influenced by stress and probably under polygenic control. Hybrid experiments show that performance of G. salaris on a host is heritable, and usually intermediate between that of the parents. This host response mechanism, coupled with the initial parasite population growth on a fish, determines the host specificity, i.e. whether the fish will be susceptible, a responder or innately resistant. The use of population growth rate parameters allows comparison of different hosts as a resource for a gyrodactylid. In the case of G. salaris, East Atlantic and Baltic strains of Atlantic salmon are core hosts, but other salmonids can physiologically sustain infections for considerable periods, and may be important in parasite dispersal and transmission. A further group of non-salmonid fishes are unable to sustain G. salaris reproduction, but can act as transport hosts.Population growth parameters are very labile to stressors and environmental factors, particularly temperature and salinity, and also other aspects of host ecology and water quality. These factors may also influence the spectrum of hosts that can be infected under particular conditions, and probably favoured ecological transfer of gyrodactylids between host species in periglacial conditions. G. salaris may still be undergoing post-glacial range expansion (aided by anthropogenic spread) as shown by the increase in the species range over the last 25 years. The origin of G. salaris, G. teuchis and G. thymalli is discussed in relation to glacial refugiums during the last ice age.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Host-specific generation and maintenance of Tomato bushy stunt virus defective interfering RNAs.

The accumulation of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) defective interfering RNAs (DIs) has been observed in several species of plants, but the involvement of host-specific processes and the functional role of DIs are still poorly understood. In this study, the accumulation of DIs was compared after several passages of TBSV through Nicotiana benthamiana and pepper (Capsicum annuum). As anticipated, passages of wild-type TBSV through N. benthamiana resulted in the accumulation of significant levels of TBSV DIs, which caused symptom attenuation and prevented the plants from lethal necrosis. On the contrary, TBSV infection of pepper plants caused severe local and systemic chlorosis, but continuous virus passages did not result in detectable levels of DIs accumulation. In addition, the inoculation of pepper plants with a mixture of helper virus and DI either from in vitro generated transcripts or from infected N. benthamiana did not yield DI in upper pepper leaves. Our cumulative results suggest that complex host-specific determinants play an important role in TBSV DI generation and their subsequent maintenance and accumulation.

Capsicum↗

PubMed2000

Experimental evidence of host specificity of Bartonella infection in rodents.

A large number of Bartonella species and genetic variants were compared for their ability to cause bacteremia in different rodent species: the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), BALB/c mouse and Wistar rat. Experimental data supported field observations that host specificity can occur among certain Bartonella species and rodent species. Bacteremia could only be readily produced in cotton rats or white-footed mice if the strains used for inoculation were originally obtained from the same species or from a phylogenetically close species. A few Bartonella colonies could be observed in the blood of some BALB/c mice by 7 days after inoculation, but no evidence of the persistence of the infection was found. Host specificity suggests the possibility of a long co-speciation of Bartonella species with their rodent hosts. Host-parasite relationships measured by the duration and level of bacteremia and the minimal infectious dose may serve as additional criteria for classification of Bartonella isolates obtained from natural environments.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Isolation and characterization of symbiotic mutants of bradyrhizobium sp. (Arachis) strain NC92: mutants with host-specific defects in nodulation and nitrogen fixation.

Random transposon Tn5 mutagenesis of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Arachis) strain NC92, a member of the cowpea cross-inoculation group, was carried out, and kanamycin-resistant transconjugants were tested for their symbiotic phenotype on three host plants: groundnut, siratro, and pigeonpea. Two nodulation (Nod- phenotype) mutants were isolated. One is unable to nodulate all three hosts and appears to contain an insertion in one of the common nodulation genes (nodABCD); the other is a host-specific nodulation mutant that fails to nodulate pigeonpea, elicits uninvaded nodules on siratro, and elicits normal, nitrogen-fixing nodules on groundnut. In addition, nine mutants defective in nitrogen fixation (Fix- phenotype) were isolated. Three fail to supply symbiotically fixed nitrogen to all three host plants. Surprisingly, nodules elicited by one of these mutants exhibit high levels of acetylene reduction activity, demonstrating the presence of the enzyme nitrogenase. Three more mutants have partially effective phenotypes (Fix +/-) in symbiosis with all three host plants. The remaining three mutants fail to supply fixed nitrogen to one of the host plants tested while remaining partially or fully effective on the other two hosts; two of these mutants are Fix- in pigeonpea and Fix +/- on groundnut and on siratro, whereas the other one is Fix- on groundnut but Fix+ on siratro and on pigeonpea. These latter mutants also retain significant nodule acetylene reduction activity, even in the ineffective symbioses. Such bacterial host-specific fixation (Hsf) mutants have not previously been reported.

DNA Transposable Elements↗

PubMed2006

X-ray structure of a native calicivirus: structural insights into antigenic diversity and host specificity.

Caliciviruses, grouped into four genera, are important human and veterinary pathogens with a potential for zoonosis. In these viruses, capsid-related functions such as assembly, antigenicity, and receptor interactions are predominantly encoded in a single protein that forms an icosahedral capsid. Understanding of the immunologic functions and pathogenesis of human caliciviruses in the Norovirus and Sapovirus genera is hampered by the lack of a cell culture system or animal models. Much of our understanding of these viruses, including the structure, has depended on recombinant capsids. Here we report the atomic structure of a native calicivirus from the Vesivirus genus that exhibits a broad host range possibly including humans and map immunological function onto a calicivirus structure. The vesivirus structure, despite a similar architectural design as seen in the recombinant norovirus capsid, exhibits novel features and indicates how the unique modular organization of the capsid protein with interdomain flexibility, similar to an antibody structure with a hinge and an elbow, integrates capsid-related functions and facilitates strain diversity in caliciviruses. The internally located N-terminal arm participates in a novel network of interactions through domain swapping to assist the assembly of the shell domain into an icosahedral scaffold, from which the protruding domain emanates. Neutralization epitopes localize to three hypervariable loops in the distal portion of the protruding domain surrounding a region that exhibits host-specific conservation. These observations suggest a mechanism for antigenic diversity and host specificity in caliciviruses and provide a structural framework for vaccine development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Vbeta-dependent stimulation of bovine and human T cells by host-specific staphylococcal enterotoxins.

Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine and ovine species produce unique molecular variants of type C staphylococcal enterotoxin (SEC). The SEC animal variants have greater than 98% amino acid sequence identity with SEC1, a human-associated SEC. The two SEC animal variants have been designated SEC(bovine) and SEC(ovine) according to their corresponding host species. We showed previously that these toxins induce quantitatively different levels of T-cell stimulation in several animal species. The present study compared the abilities of these closely related host-specific SEC variants to stimulate Vbeta-bearing T cells from bovine and human donors. All three toxins expanded human T cells bearing T-cell receptor Vbeta elements (huVbeta) 3, 12, 13.2, 14, 15, 17, and 20. However, SEC1 resulted in greater expansion of hyVbeta12 than either SEC(bovine) or SEC(ovine). In addition, bovine T cells proliferate in a Vbeta-dependent manner in response to these superantigens (SAgs). All three toxins induced the proliferation of bovine T cells bearing the previously sequenced Vbeta element (boVbeta) from the bovine T-cell clone BTB13 (boVbetaBTB13). SEC1 and SEC(ovine) also were able to induce proliferation of bovine T cells bearing boVbetaBTB35, which SEC(bovine) failed to stimulate. The species-specific differences in T-cell proliferation exhibited by these closely related SEC variants may reflect the evolutionary adaptation of S. aureus, presumably to increase its host range by the manipulation of the immune system in a host-specific manner.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2025

Development and application of a novel beta-tubulin genotyping tool reveals host-specific transmission cluster in Balantioides coli.

Balantioides coli is a zoonotic ciliated protozoan that infects humans and other mammals. Conventional and ITS-based genotyping approaches have limitations that hinder precise molecular epidemiological investigations. The objective of this study was to develop a new β-tubulin gene-based approach to enhance the detection and genotyping of B. coli. We performed single-cell isolation and whole-genome sequencing on two B. coli isolates from pigs and two from guinea pigs. We then used the β-tubulin gene sequences to design PCR primers for the new genotyping assay. We validated the assay using 56 ITS-confirmed B. coli-positive fecal DNA samples from pigs, cattle, sheep, and guinea pigs. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using both β-tubulin and ITS sequences. The β-tubulin-based nested PCR assay exhibited 100% detection efficiency and greater specificity than ITS-based methods. Phylogenetic analysis of the β-tubulin gene sequences classified B. coli into three genotypes (I-III). Genotype III appears to be specific to guinea pigs. Genotypes I and II were found across multiple hosts, indicating potential cross-species transmission. Of the five full-length B. coli β-tubulin sequences obtained in this study, 264 polymorphic sites (19.8%) were identified, including both synonymous and non-synonymous mutations. Frequent recombination events within the β-tubulin locus were detected, indicating substantial genetic diversity. Therefore, the β-tubulin gene is a robust marker for genotyping and epidemiological studies of B. coli. The novel nested PCR assay overcomes the limitations of ITS-based methods and has produced data revealing previously unrecognized genetic diversity and host specificity patterns of B. coli.

Tubulin↗

PubMed1991

Antigen detection ELISAs: pretreatment of serum to reduce interference by specific host antibodies.

The pretreatment of serum to reduce interference by specific host antibodies was investigated as a means of improving the sensitivity of antigen detection ELISAs whilst screening serum samples. Four antigen detection assays based on monoclonal antibodies directed against antigens of the bovine filariid Onchocerca gibsoni were used in this study and, of these, three assays suffered a dramatic drop in sensitivity when detecting male O. gibsoni antigen in the presence of bovine serum as compared with antigen in buffer. A number of methods for pretreating serum to eliminate the problem of antibody interference with antigen detection were attempted, including heat and alkali treatments, detergent treatment of heat treated samples and the use of a reducing agent. The pretreatment of serum by boiling for 5 minutes in the presence of an equal volume of 0.1 M Na2EDTA pH 4.0 and recovery of the supernatant fluid following centrifugation at 16000 g was the most effective method of restoring the sensitivity of each of these three assays whilst screening bovine serum. Pretreatment of serum using this method produced up to a 512-fold increase in sensitivity compared with results obtained in assays with non-treated serum.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Host specificity and geographical distribution of Eubothrium in European salmonid fish.

The host specificity and distribution of Eubothrium crassum (Bloch, 1779) and Eubothrium salvelini (Schrank, 1790), morphologically fairly similar pseudophyllidean tapeworms parasitizing salmonid fish, were critically assessed on the basis of morphological and genetic evaluation of extensive material collected from different definitive hosts and geographical regions in Europe. Eubothrium crassum occurs in fish of the genera Salmo, i.e. salmon (S. salar - both freshwater and marine), sea trout (S. trutta trutta), brown trout (S. trutta fario), and lake trout (S. trutta lacustris), and also in Danubian salmon (Hucho hucho) and vendace (Coregonus albula). Eubothrium salvelini parasitizes Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Europe, and also whitefish (Coregonus wartmanni). Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), which is not a native European fish species, was found to be a suitable definitive host for both Eubothrium species, which may occur simultaneously in the same fish. Previous records of E. crassum in Arctic char and brook trout, and those of E. salvelini in fish of the genus Salmo were most probably misidentifications. Most studies of Eubothrium have involved salmonids from the northern part of Europe, with few records from southern and south-eastern Europe. This study also confirmed the reliability of the morphology of the apical disc for the discrimination of E. crassum and E. salvelini.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Virus and host-specific adaptations in the BL1 and BR1 genes of bipartite geminiviruses.

The host range of individual geminiviruses may be quite narrow, and closely related viruses can exhibit distinct host adaptations. Two such bipartite geminiviruses are bean golden mosaic virus (GBMV) and tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV). In both, the BL1 and BR1 genes are required for the spread of virus infection in plants. We have investigated the contributions of BL1 and BR1 to host-specific phenotypes of BGMV and TGMV by constructing hybrid viruses in which these coding regions were exchanged. Hybrids were assayed on bean, a good host for BGMV, and Nicotiana benthamiana, a good host for TGMV. A BGMV hybrid having TGMV BL1 and BR1 efficiently infected beans, but elicited attenuated symptoms. In N. benthamiana, this hybrid had slightly increased virulence and DNA accumulation relative to wild-type BGMV. A TGMV hybrid having BGMV BL1 and BR1 was virulent in N. benthamiana, but elicited attenuated symptoms. However, this hybrid exhibited no gain of function in beans relative to wild-type TGMV. Hybrid viruses with TGMV BL1 and BGMV BR1 had severely defective phenotypes in either viral or host background. Although exchanging BL1 and BR1 between BGMV and TGMV did not change host range, some host adaptation of these genes is suggested. However, virus-specific compatibility between BL1 and BR1 is of more importance for viability. Thus, these gene products may act in concert to potentiate virus movement.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1994

Tyzzer's infection: host specificity of Clostridium piliforme isolates.

Tyzzer's disease, a well-recognized syndrome in numerous laboratory animal species, is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium, Clostridium piliforme. Distinct isolates of C. piliforme from various laboratory animal species have been identified based on protein and antigenic heterogeneity. The goal of this study was to examine the host specificity of three well-characterized isolates of C. piliforme. Groups of mice, rats, and hamsters were experimentally infected with isolates obtained from a naturally infected mouse (M1), a naturally infected rat (R1), and a naturally infected hamster (H2). To assess infection status, animals were monitored serologically for antibody to C. piliforme over a 12-week period. Evaluation of results indicated that the M1 isolate infected rats and mice but not hamsters, whereas the R1 and H2 isolates infected only the host species from which the isolates were originally obtained. These findings suggest that C. piliforme isolates can be categorized into two types: 1) cross-infective isolates, such as M1, which can infect more than one laboratory animal species, and 2) isolates, such as R1 and H2, which have a more limited host range within laboratory animal species. These results emphasize the need to consider the host specificity of C. piliforme isolates when investigating outbreaks of Tyzzer's disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Host specificity in Metamera sillasenorum, n. sp., a gregarine parasite of the leech Helobdella triserialis with notes on transmission dynamics.

Eugregarines of the suborder Septatorina are apicomplexan parasites that are found mainly in arthropods. Some exceptions are species in the Metameridae that contains the only 5 septate gregarines recorded from annelids. The type genus is Metamera Duke, 1910 with 2 species, Metamera schubergi Duke, 1910, in European Glossiphonia complanata, and Metamera reynoldsi Jones, 1943, from North American G. complanata. Over the summers of 1995-1998, in Keith County, Nebraska, septate gregarines were found in the glossiphoniid leech Helobdella triserialis. The gregarines were determined to be a new species of Metamera, herein named Metamera sillasenorum. Measurements of size and body proportions of over 600 gregarines and 50 oocysts showed differences from measurements of M. schubergi and M. reynoldsi, and secondary septa in the deutomerite were rarely observed. Field observations indicated that M. sillasenorum is probably host specific. In the laboratory, leeches also exhibited strong feeding preferences; e.g., H. triserialis and G. complanata consumed only snails, whereas Helobdella stagnalis consumed only oligochaetes. Infection experiments demonstrated that freshwater snails ingest the oocysts and are required as mechanical vectors. Oocysts were passed unaltered through the snails' intestines. Glossiphonia complanata did not become infected regardless of heavy exposure to oocysts, although only 5 G. complanata were used in the experiments. The results show that host specificity of M. sillasenorum is most likely due to a combination of host-feeding habits and host-parasite compatibility.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Molecular mechanism of host specificity in Plasmodium falciparum infection: role of circumsporozoite protein.

Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites invade liver cells in humans and set the stage for malaria infection. Circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a predominant surface antigen on sporozoite surface, has been associated with the binding and invasion of liver cells by the sporozoites. Although CSP across the Plasmodium genus has homology and conserved structural organization, infection of a non-natural host by a species is rare. We investigated the role of CSP in providing the host specificity in P. falciparum infection. CSP from P. falciparum, P. gallinaceum, P. knowlesi, and P. yoelii species representing human, avian, simian, and rodent malaria species were recombinantly expressed, and the proteins were purified to homogeneity. The recombinant proteins were evaluated for their capacity to bind to human liver cell line HepG2 and to prevent P. falciparum sporozoites from invading these cells. The proteins showed significant differences in the binding and sporozoite invasion inhibition activity. Differences among proteins directly correlate with changes in the binding affinity to the sporozoite receptor on liver cells. P. knowlesi CSP (PkCSP) and P. yoelii CSP (PyCSP) had 4,790- and 17,800-fold lower affinity for heparin in comparison to P. falciparum CSP (PfCSP). We suggest that a difference in the binding affinity for the liver cell receptor is a mechanism involved in maintaining the host specificity by the malaria parasite.

Animals↗