Multi-drug-resistant Enterococcus spp. as a cause of non-responsive septic synovitis in three horses

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: Three Thoroughbred horses, a 6-week-old filly (Case 1), a 15-year-old broodmare (Case 2) and a yearling filly (Case 3), sustained synovial sepsis secondary to trauma.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Case 1 presented with a heel bulb laceration communicating with the distal interphalangeal joint. Arthroscopic lavage was performed and treatment commenced using systemic and local broad spectrum antimicrobial drugs. A pure growth of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Enterococcus gallinarum was cultured from samples of synovium and joint fluid. Antimicrobial treatment was changed according to the susceptibility results. Response to treatment was poor and despite repeat arthroscopic lavage and intra-osseous regional perfusion of antimicrobials the filly was subject to euthanasia 24 days after the initial injury. Post-mortem examination confirmed septic synovitis, cartilage degeneration and osteomyelitis.

Case 2 sustained a full thickness wound to the carpus which was sharply debrided and closed. The wound dehisced with effusion within the tendon sheath. Drainage was established and treatment included systemic broad spectrum antimicrobials, topical lavage with povodine-iodine and manuka honey infusion. A mixed infection including MDR Enterococcus faecalis was cultured from the synovial fluid. Antebrachiocarpal joint effusion developed 21 days after initial injury and joint sepsis was confirmed. Arthroscopic lavage and tendon sheath debridement were performed, followed by treatment with systemic and local antimicrobials. The mare improved and was discharged. Three months later lameness recurred and corticosteroids were administered intra-articularly. The mare became non-weight bearing lame and was subject to euthanasia. Post-mortem examination confirmed joint sepsis of the antebrachiocarpal and intercarpal joint.

Case 3 presented with a complete articular open fracture of the tibial crest. Under general anaesthesia the fracture was stabilised and the wounds debrided and closed. Systemic broad-spectrum antimicrobials were administered. Six days later the wound dehisced and a bone fragment was removed. Three weeks post-surgery the wound deteriorated with a purulent discharge. Culture of the discharge revealed a mixed bacterial infection, including a MDR Enterococcus faecalis. Femoropatellar joint involvement was confirmed, and treatment included joint lavage, local and systemic antibiosis, and manuka honey instilled into the wound. The filly initially improved, and then deteriorated such that euthanasia was performed.

DIAGNOSIS: All three cases had synovial sepsis with MDR Enterococcus spp.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased awareness of MDR pathogens in equine wound infections is essential. Prompt diagnostic testing, appropriate therapy, infection control strategies and on-going monitoring and management are vital to limit the clinical impact of these organisms.     

禽大肠杆菌的分离与16S rRNA的鉴定

从疑似患有大肠杆菌病的病死鸡群中采取粪便样品,分离病原进行生化鉴定,从8份样品中分离鉴定出6株大肠杆菌。根据细菌16S rRNA 基因的高度保守性,设计合成大肠杆菌的共同引物,对随机选取的1株细菌进行PCR扩增,并与GenBank中的E.coli 16S rRNA进行序列比对,确定这株细菌与大肠杆菌的同源性达99%以上。本方法特异性好,为实验室鉴定大肠杆菌提供了一种简单、容易操作的手段。     

Genetic diversity of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolated from horses

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is an opportunistic and zoonotic pathogen of horses. In this study, genetic intraspecies variability of SEZ obtained mainly from respiratory and genital samples of horses was investigated by analysis of the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) and of the 16S rRNA gene. 16S–23S ISR rRNA type A1 was predominant, although a high rate of multiple products (30.5%) was obtained. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene detected three genogroups (I, II and III). 16S rRNA variable regions V1 and V2 are the most important regions for evaluating SEZ intraspecies variability, but at least V1-V5 regions should be considered to avoid mistakes. Analysis of all 16S rRNA sequences available in databases assigned human SEZ to groups I and III but not to group II. These results show a high genetic variability in SEZ collected from different specimens of horses from various regions of Italy.     

Sequence heterogeneity in the 18S rRNA gene within Theileria equi and Babesia caballi from horses in South Africa

A molecular epidemiological survey of the protozoal parasites that cause equine piroplasmosis was conducted using samples collected from horses and zebra from different geographical locations in South Africa. A total of 488 samples were tested for the presence of Theileria equi and/or Babesia caballi using the reverse line blot hybridization assay. Ten percent of the samples hybridized to the Theileria/Babesia genus-specific probe and not to the B. caballi or T. equi species-specific probes, suggesting the presence of a novel species or genotype. The small subunit of rRNA gene (18S; ∼1600 bp) was amplified and sequenced from 33 of these 488 samples. Sequences were compared with published sequences from the public sequence databases. Twelve distinct T. equi and six B. caballi 18S rRNA sequences were identified. Alignments demonstrated extensive sequence variation in the V4 hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene within T. equi. Sequence variation was also found in B. caballi 18S rRNA genes, although there was less variation than observed for T. equi. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences revealed three T. equi clades and two B. caballi clades in South Africa. The extent of sequence heterogeneity detected within T. equi and B. caballi 18S rRNA genes was unexpected since concerted evolution is thought to maintain homogeneity within repeated gene families, including rRNA genes, in eukaryotes. The findings reported here show that careful examination of variants of the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi and B. caballi is required prior to the development of molecular diagnostic tests to detect these parasites in horses. Species-specific probes must be in designed in regions of the gene that are both conserved within and unique to each species.     

马急性滑膜炎模型关节液中MMP-3和MMP-13含量变化的研究

关节滑膜炎是骨关节疾病发病的基本病理过程,试验通过研究马急性滑膜炎关节液中基质金属蛋白酶-3(MMP-3)和基质金属蛋白酶-13(MMP-13)含量的变化,进而研究马滑膜炎机理。试验选用8匹马,在马右侧中间腕关节内注入0.5 ng大肠杆菌脂多糖(LPS)诱导滑膜炎,同时在对侧关节内注入等量的PBS作为对照,于注射药物前和注射药物后的8、24 h和168 h,采马关节液.用ELISA检测马关节液中MMP-3和MMP-13的含量。结果注入LPS的关节液中MMP-3和MMP-13的量在注射后的24 h内持续升高,在24 h达到最大量10.01 ng/mL和6.08 ng/mL,与对照组比较差异性显著,24 h后开始下降,168 h时含量恢复到对照水平。试验结果表明,12'S诱导的滑膜炎模型为一过性的.在急性滑膜炎过程中,MMP-3和MMP-13的表达和释放增加,并且这两种酶在滑膜炎过程中起到重要作用。     

牛无浆体16S rRNA基因的克隆测序及分析

从自然感染无浆体的重庆黄牛无菌采集血液,提取全血基因组,用血营养菌16S rRNA基因的通用引物进行PCR扩增,得到长约1500 bp的扩增片段,将其克隆到pMD18-T载体后进行测序,并与5条边缘无浆体、4条中央无浆体、4条牛无浆体、4条羊无浆体和3条嗜吞噬细胞无浆体16S rRNA基因序列进行系统发育分析.结果表明所克隆的基因片段长度为1412 bp,GenBank登录号为FJ169957.序列比较结果显示,所获得的序列与Kawa-hara公布的牛无浆体日本株(AB211163)同源性最高,达到99.0%,系统发育分析发现,该序列被聚类到牛无浆体群,并与嗜吞噬细胞无浆体群聚类到一个大的分支.本文从分子水平证实重庆地区存在牛无浆体,牛无浆体与嗜吞噬细胞无浆体的亲缘关系比其他3种无浆体更近.     

钦州湾牡蛎线粒体16 S rRNA基因片段核苷酸序列分析

对69个钦州湾牡蛎个体的线粒体DNA16S rRNA进行PCR扩增,纯化后的PCR产物测序分析,研究16S rRNA基因在白肉牡蛎和红肉牡蛎2个群体中的遗传多样性,通过DNAman比对序列并构建系统进化树。结果得到2个群体的序列长度均为434bp,共检测到16个核苷酸突变位点,包括8个转换位点和8个颠换位点。与GenBank序列比对发现,白肉牡蛎和香港牡蛎的序列基本相同,系统进化树中显示白肉牡蛎与香港牡蛎聚为一支,红肉牡蛎与有明巨牡蛎聚为一支。证实了白肉牡蛎和红肉牡蛎是2个不同的种,它们有各自的遗传多样性,该研究为牡蛎的遗传育种提供科学依据。     

Phylogeography of North African Amietophrynus xeros estimated from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Amietophrynus xeros was sequenced for part of the 16S rRNA mitochondrial region to assess genetic diversity between populations from Niger, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and Tanzania. Although populations are currently unconnected, diversity within the Sahel region was relatively low, indicating that the species only expanded into this region relatively recently, perhaps after the last glacial maximum. Diversity was higher between samples from Tanzania. Some individuals of two species from previously published studies, A. garmani and A. gutturalis, share haplotypes with A. xeros, but this is likely to be due to error, possibly misidentifica-tion. Similar errors appear to exist in published studies of other North African Amietophrynusspecies such as A. regularis.     

IBDV逆转录—聚合酶链反应和核酸杂交检测方法的研究

以建立的传染性法氏囊病病毒（ＩＢＤＶ）逆转录－聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）和核酸杂交检测方法，检测了细胞培养物、病理组织、粪便和饲料中的ＩＢＤＶ，并与ＩＢＤＶ夹心ＥＬＩＳＡ、琼脂扩散试验（ＩＤ）和病毒分离方法进行了平行比较试验。结果表明，ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ和核酸杂交检测方法具有高度的敏感性和特异性，是深入研究ＩＢＤ流行病学，特别是传播途径的新手段     

Ecological characterization of three different phylogenetic groups belonging to the cellulolytic bacterial species Fibrobacter succinogenes in the rumen

To study the group‐dependent ecology of Fibrobacter succinogenes in the rumen, real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays for two phylogenetic groups (groups 2 and 3) of F. succinogenes were newly established and applied to rumen samples. Both the assays targeting the bacterial 16S rDNA were sensitive and accurate, showing wide quantifiable ranges (10⁴?10⁹ and 10²?10⁹ copies of 16S rDNA) and high recoveries of known amounts of added DNA (96.9 and 98.0%). The quantity of group 1 was confirmed to be numerable by subtracting assay values of groups 2 and 3 from that of F. succinogenes species (groups 1–3). By using the developed assays and the above subtractive calculation, the quantities of all three groups were evaluated in solid and liquid fractions of the rumen content and also on hay stems. In the solid fraction, groups 1 and 2 were abundantly present, compared with group 3 (P < 0.05). On untreated hay stems, group 1 was dominant throughout 48 h. In addition, group 1 showed growth even on the cellulase‐treated hay stems, unlike the other two groups. These results suggest that F. succinogenes group 1 greatly contributes to rumen fiber digestion, even for less degradable materials.     

Enantiospecific pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen in plasma and synovial fluid of horses with acute synovitis

Pharmacokinetic parameters were established for enantiomers of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ketoprofen (KTP) administered as the racemic mixture at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg and as separate enantiomers, each at a dose of 1.1 mg/kg to a group of six horses (five mares and one gelding). A four-period cross-over study in a LPS-induced model of acute synovitis was used. After administration of the racemic mixture S(+)KTP was the predominant enantiomer in plasma as well as in synovial fluid. Unidirectional inversion of R(-) to S(+)KTP was demonstrated but the inversion was less marked than previously reported. It is suggested that this reduction could be because of the influence of the inflammatory reaction on hepatic metabolism. The disposition of KTP enantiomers after administration of the racemic mixture was similar to those observed after administration of S(+) and R(-)KTP. The S(+) and R(-)KTP concentrations in synovial fluid were low and short lasting. After administration of R(-)KTP significant concentrations of the optical antipode were detected in synovial fluid.     

DNA免疫防制鸡传染性支气管炎的探索研究

ＯＲＦ完整的ＩＢＶ类Ｍ４１株Ｓ１基因ｃＤＮＡ插入真核表达质粒ｐＣＩ ＣＭＶ启动子下游我隆位点，构成ｐＣＩＳ１用于１周龄ＳＰＦ雏鸡的ＤＮＡ免疫试验。试验鸡生疏腿部肌肉注射ｐＣＩＳ１ＤＮＡ１００ｇ，２周后加强免疫一次。二次免疫２周后，代感染ＩＢＶ Ｈ５２株。结果，ＩＢＶ人工感染后第４天气管－泄殖腔棉拭子鸡胚病毒分离阳性者，免疫试验组为１／６，而对照组为６／６，鸡胚病毒中和试验显示，二次免疫后临感染前及     

Serum amyloid A isoforms in serum and synovial fluid in horses with lipopolysaccharide-induced arthritis

The aim of the study was to determine the intraarticular serum amyloid A (SAA) response pattern in horses with inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the radiocarpal joint of four horses. Serum and synovial fluid (SF) samples were collected before and at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 144 h after injection. Concentrations of SAA were measured by immunoturbidometry, and expression of SAA isoforms was visualized by denaturing isoelectric focusing and Western blotting. The LPS injection caused systemic and local clinical signs of inflammation. Serum amyloid A appeared in serum and SF within 8 h after LPS injection. Isoelectric focusing showed three major SAA bands with apparent isoelectric points (pI) of 7.9, 8.6, and >9.3 in serum and SF. Synovial fluid contained two additional isoforms with highly alkaline apparent pI values (apparent pI value extrapolated from standard curve = 10.0 and 10.2), which were not present in any of the serum samples. In conclusion, intraarticular injection of LPS induced systemic and local inflammatory responses in the horses. By demonstrating SF-specific SAA isoforms the results of the present study suggest that SAA is synthesized locally in the equine inflamed joint, similar to what has been demonstrated in humans previously. The marked local SAA synthesis suggests an important pathophysiological role in inflammatory arthritis.     

Quantitative comparisons of select cultured and uncultured microbial populations in the rumen of cattle fed different diets

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The number and diversity of uncultured ruminal bacterial and archaeal species revealed by 16S rRNA gene (rrs) sequences greatly exceeds that of cultured bacteria and archaea. However, the significance of uncultured microbes remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to assess the numeric importance of select uncultured bacteria and cultured bacteria and the impact of diets and microenvironments within cow rumen in a comparative manner. RESULTS: Liquid and adherent fractions were obtained from the rumen of Jersey cattle fed hay alone and Holstein cattle fed hay plus grain. The populations of cultured and uncultured bacteria present in each fraction were quantified using specific real-time PCR assays. The population of total bacteria was similar between fractions or diets, while total archaea was numerically higher in the hay-fed Jersey cattle than in the hay-grain-fed Holstein cattle. The population of the genus Prevotella was about one log smaller than that of total bacteria. The populations of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, the genus Butyrivibrio, and R. albus was at least one log smaller than that of genus Prevotella. Four of the six uncultured bacteria quantified were as abundant as F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens and the genus Butyrivibrio. In addition, the populations of several uncultured bacteria were significantly higher in the adherent fractions than in the liquid fractions. These uncultured bacteria may be associated with fiber degradation. CONCLUSIONS: Some uncultured bacteria are as abundant as those of major cultured bacteria in the rumen. Uncultured bacteria may have important contribution to ruminal fermentation. Population dynamic studies of uncultured bacteria in a comparative manner can help reveal their ecological features and importance to rumen functions.     

Quantitative comparisons of select cultured and uncultured microbial populations in the rumen of cattle fed different diets

Background: The number and diversity of uncultured ruminal bacterial and archaeal species revealed by 16S rRNA gene (rrs) sequences greatly exceeds that of cultured bacteria and archaea. However, the significance of uncultured microbes remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to assess the numeric importance of select uncultured bacteria and cultured bacteria and the impact of diets and microenvironments within cow rumen in a comparative manner. Results: Liquid and adherent fractions were obtained from the rumen of Jersey cattle fed hay alone and Holstein cattle fed hay plus grain. The populations of cultured and uncultured bacteria present in each fraction were quantified using specific real-time PCR assays. The population of total bacteria was similar between fractions or diets, while total archaea was numerically higher in the hay-fed Jersey cattle than in the hay-grain-fed Holstein cattle. The population of the genus Prevotella was about one log smaller than that of total bacteria. The populations of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, the genus Butyrivibrio, and R. albus was at least one log smaller than that of genus Prevotella. Four of the six uncultured bacteria quantified were as abundant as F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens and the genus Butyrivibrio. In addition, the populations of several uncultured bacteria were significantly higher in the adherent fractions than in the liquid fractions. These uncultured bacteria may be associated with fiber degradation. Conclusions: Some uncultured bacteria are as abundant as those of major cultured bacteria in the rumen. Uncultured bacteria may have important contribution to ruminal fermentation. Population dynamic studies of uncultured bacteria in a comparative manner can help reveal their ecological features and importance to rumen functions.     

鹅源栗褐芽胞杆菌的分离和鉴定

为了鉴定从狮头鹅心血中分离到的芽胞杆菌.本研究进行了一系列生理生化试验和动物致病性试验,根据试验结果可鉴定该芽胞杆菌为栗褐芽胞杆茵.同时,提取了该芽胞杆菌的基因组DNA,用细菌16SrRNA基因的通用引物,经PCR方法成功扩增出其部分16S rRNA基因,克隆后测序表明其全长1 516 bp,G+C含量为55%.该序列GenBank登录号为EU717967.BLAST在线分析显示其与栗褐芽胞杆菌的16S rRNA基因序列一致性>99.5%,从分子水平进一步证实了该菌为栗褐芽胞杆菌.将其回归动物试验结果表明:以1×10~8CFU/只的接种剂量对鹧鸪、鹌鹑的致死率为60%,对狮头鹅的致死率70%.     

兔多杀性巴氏杆菌16S rRNA PCR检测方法的建立

为建立一种快速准确检测兔多杀性巴氏杆菌(P.multocida)的PCR方法,本研究以P.multocida的高度保守的16S rRNA为靶基因,参考已公布的P.multocida的16S rRNA基因设计1对特异性引物,优化PCR反应条件,建立了P.multocida PCR快速检测方法。该PCR方法的敏感性达到60 cfu/mL,采用该PCR方法扩增P.multocida标准株和分离株均能扩增出643 bp的目的片段,扩增兔大肠杆菌、支气管败血波氏杆菌结果为阴性,证明本实验所建立的P.multocida PCR检测方法快速、敏感、特异、可靠,可用于P.multocida的快速鉴定与诊断。同时用建立的PCR方法对临床疑似病兔的脏器分离菌进行扩增,可扩增出目的条带,与细菌的分离结果相一致。     

Characterization of bovine ruminal epithelial bacterial communities using 16S rRNA sequencing, PCR-DGGE, and qRT-PCR analysis

Currently, knowledge regarding the ecology and function of bacteria attached to the epithelial tissue of the rumen wall is limited. In this study, the diversity of the bacterial community attached to the rumen epithelial tissue was compared to the rumen content bacterial community using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, PCR-DGGE, and qRT-PCR analysis. Sequence analysis of 2785 randomly selected clones from six 16S rDNA (～1.4kb) libraries showed that the community structures of three rumen content libraries clustered together and were separated from the rumen tissue libraries. The diversity index of each library revealed that ruminal content bacterial communities (4.12/4.42/4.88) were higher than ruminal tissue communities (2.90/2.73/3.23), based on 97% similarity. The phylum Firmicutes was predominant in the ruminal tissue communities, while the phylum Bacteroidetes was predominant in the ruminal content communities. The phyla Fibrobacteres, Planctomycetes, and Verrucomicrobia were only detected in the ruminal content communities. PCR-DGGE analysis of the bacterial profiles of the rumen content and ruminal epithelial tissue samples from 22 steers further confirmed that there is a distinct bacterial community that inhibits the rumen epithelium. The distinctive epimural bacterial communities suggest that Firmicutes, together with other epithelial-specific species, may have additional functions other than food digestion.