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Bacteria colonizing root nodules of wild legumes exhibit virulence-associated properties of mammalian pathogens

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Abstract

Bacteria not proficient in nitrogen fixing symbiosis were proven able to invade root nodules of three wild legumes of the genus Hedysarum in Algeria and to be multiplying in these in place of the natural rhizobium symbionts. The involved species featured taxa known as human pathogens including: Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter kobei, Escherichia vulneris, Pantoea agglomerans and Leclercia adecarboxylata. A direct screening of the phenotypic determinants of virulence using human cultured cells tested positive for the traits of cytotoxicity, vital stain exclusion and adhesion to epithelia. Antibiogram analyses revealed also a complex pattern of multiple antibiotic resistances. The data suggest that legume root nodules can be a site of survival and of active multiplication for populations of mammalian pathogens, which could thus alternate between the target animal and a number of neutral plant hosts. The worldwide distribution of as yet uninvestigated legumes raises the concern that these represent a general niche that could enhance the hazards posed by microorganisms of clinical nature.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Prof. Antonella Mattana for stimulating discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Council (CNR), ISPAAM, Traversa la Crucca 3, località Baldinca, 07040, Li Punti, Sassari, Italy

    Rosella Muresu

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43 B, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Giuseppe Maddau, Giuseppe Delogu & Piero Cappuccinelli

  3. Department of Agricultural Biotechnologies, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (Padova), Italy

    Andrea Squartini

Authors
  1. Rosella Muresu
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  2. Giuseppe Maddau
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  3. Giuseppe Delogu
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  4. Piero Cappuccinelli
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  5. Andrea Squartini
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Correspondence to Andrea Squartini.

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Muresu, R., Maddau, G., Delogu, G. et al. Bacteria colonizing root nodules of wild legumes exhibit virulence-associated properties of mammalian pathogens. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 97, 143–153 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-009-9396-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-009-9396-6

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