Antigenic and genetic characterisation of lipoprotein lppC from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC

Lipoprotein lppC, an immunodominant antigen, and its corresponding gene lppC were characterised in Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony (SC) type, the etiological agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). The lppC gene was found in the type strain of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC and in field strains isolated in Europe, Africa, and Australia, as well as in vaccine strains. Southern blot analysis indicated the presence of at least four copies of lppC in the genome of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, of which only one seems to be functional. Genes homologous to lppC have also been detected in closely related mycoplasmas such as M. mycoides subsp. mycoides large colony (LC) type and in M. sp. bovine group 7. lppC is encoded as a precursor with a consensus sequence for a prokaryotic signal peptidase II. The amino acid sequence of lppC and its precursor showed similarity to both LppB (at the N-terminal domain) and LppQ (at the C-terminal domain), two lipoproteins described previously in M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC. The N-terminal domain of the mature lppC seems to be surface exposed. The C-terminal domain presented an integral membrane structure made up of five repeated units, rich in hydrophobic and aromatic amino acids, which may have pore forming potential in the mycoplasmal membrane. A recombinant peptide representing the N-terminal half of lppC was obtained following cloning in vector pETHIS-1 and expression in Escherichia coli hosts. The recombinant protein was used on immunoblots for serological analysis of sera from cattle that were naturally or experimentally infected with M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC.     

Application of dot immunobinding on membrane filtration (MF dot) to the study of relationships within "M. mycoides cluster" and within "glucose and arginine-negative cluster" of ruminant mycoplasmas.

A total of 189 isolates from cattle, sheep and goats, allocated to two groups on biochemical grounds, have been examined by a dot immunobinding membrane-filtration (MF dot) method. Seventy glucose fermenting isolates, showing relationships with the "Mycoplasma mycoides cluster", have been compared by MF dot against polyclonal hyperimmunesera prepared against the following reference strains: M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, small colony type (SC), strain PG1 and large colony type (LC) strain Y Goat; M. capricolum strain California Kid (CK); M. species bovine serogroup 7 strain PG50, and, ovine/caprine serogroup 11 strain 2-D. The isolates fell into 5 main groups: (a) 14 serologically homogeneous isolates similar to subsp. mycoides SC PG1 (b) 4 homogeneous isolates similar to PG50 (c) 14 isolates all serologically similar to Y Goat, but heterogeneously reactive with subsp. capri PG3 and M. capricolum CK antisera (d) 7 isolates serologically similar to subsp. capri PG3, but heterogeneously reactive with subsp. mycoides SC PG1, M. capricolum CK and 2-D antisera (e) 28 isolates strongly reactive with both M. capricolum CK and serogroup 7 PG50 antisera. 119 isolates that were all glucose and arginine negative were also compared by the MF dot method with the reference strains. Most of these could be classified definitely as M. bovis (78 isolates), M. agalactiae (21 isolates) and serogroup 11 (5 isolates). 13 isolates gave a strong reaction with both M. bovigenitalium and serogroup p11 antisera. 2 isolates showed an unclassifiable pattern. The results confirm that the glucose and arginine-negative cluster strains that reacted with 2-D antiserum, also share serological relationships with the "M. mycoides cluster", albeit with a very heterogeneous pattern.     

Molecular analysis of field strains of Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae and Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides, small colony type isolated from goats in Tanzania.

A molecular analysis of strains of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (M. capripneumoniae) and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, small colony type (M. mycoides SC) isolated from goats was performed using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) fingerprinting techniques. Among the 11 field strains of M. capripneumoniae from Tanzanian goats, two AFLP patterns were demonstrated, with 10 of the strains showing indistinguishable patterns. Five Kenyan strains of M. capripneumoniae produced three AFLP patterns, with two of them being indistinguishable from the 10 identical Tanzanian and one Ugandan strain (M74/93) isolated from sheep. The AFLP pattern of the type strain (F38(T)) was identical to two Kenyan strains (Baringo and G183/82). On PFGE analysis, all the examined M. capripneumoniae strains exhibited identical PFGE profiles.Five field strains of M. mycoides SC isolated from goats displayed identical AFLP patterns except for one strain which differed from others at only one position. The AFLP pattern of the type strain of M. mycoides SC (PG1(T)) was different from the field strains. The five field strains of M. mycoides SC produced identical PFGE profiles, which were, however, different from the type strain. The AFLP and PFGE profiles of M. mycoides SC strains from goats were identical to those of six strains isolated from cattle affected with contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in the same areas. The results of this study suggest a close epidemiological linkage between strains of M. capripneumoniae and between M. mycoides SC type, respectively, isolated from goats in Tanzania.     

Strains of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony type isolated in China between 1953 and 1960 show close similarity to strains of the Africa/Australia cluster

In this study, six Chinese strains of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony type (MmmSC) isolated between 1953-1960 were analysed and their molecular characteristics compared to those of the African PG1 and Afade strains, the European C305 and 138/5 strains and the closely related caprine M. mycoides subsp.mycoides large colony type Y-goat strain. PCR amplification of long DNA fragments showed that the six Chinese strains, the PG1 strain and the Y-goat strain, just like Afade, did not have the 8.84 kb deletion characteristic of the European strains C305 and 138/5. In comparison, the lppB gene sequence of the six MmmSC Chinese strains was found to be 99% homologous to that of PG1and Afade, but <93% homologous to the Y-goat sequence. The anti-rLppB antiserum reacted with PG1, Y-goat and the six Chinese strains at 67 kDa sites in Western blot, indicating that the lppB gene and its encoding protein exist in the Chinese strains. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of MmmSC strains from various regions confirmed that the Chinese strains were identical to the African and Australian cluster. This finding was further supported by the outcome of selective primer amplification. Based on these results, it is suggested that CBPP in China may have originated from Australia.     

Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster

AIM: To develop real-time PCR assays for the detection and differentiation of members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. METHODS: Five real-time PCR assays were designed to allow differentiation of members of the M. mycoides cluster: an assay for detection of the M. mycoides subspecies, viz M. mycoides subsp mycoides large colony (MmmLC), M. mycoides subsp capri (Mmc), and M. mycoides subsp mycoides small colony (MmmSC); one for the detection of the M. capricolum subspecies, viz M. capricolum subsp capricolum (Mcc), M. capricolum subsp capripneumoniae (Mccp), and Mycoplasma sp bovine group 7 (BG7); and three for the specific detection of MmmSC, Mccp, and BG7. A panel of 74 Mycoplasma isolates from various geographical origins and a panel of 21 other bacterial isolates were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the assays. RESULTS: The assays displayed 100% analytical sensitivity in detecting all target Mycoplasma isolates. The analytical detection limit for the assays to detect the M. mycoides subspecies, M. capricolum subspecies, and MmmSC was determined to be 100 fg of genomic DNA, while the Mccp and BG7 assays had a detection limit of 100 fg and 10 fg of genomic DNA, respectively. The M. mycoides subspecies assay had a detection limit of 10(3) (SD 10(2)) cfu/ml milk, 10(4) (SD 10(4)) cfu per swab, and 10(3) (SD 10(3)) cfu/g lung in inoculated samples. The assays displayed 100% specificity when applied to non-target bacterial isolates and to 110 culture-negative milk samples. CONCLUSIONS: The assays were highly sensitive and specific, and provide accurate detection and differentiation of the members of the M. mycoides cluster.     

Mastitis caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (large colony type) in goat flocks in Spain

We describe three different outbreaks of mastitis caused by M. mycoides subspecies mycoides LC type (Mmm LC) in three goat flocks from the Extremadura Region of south-west Spain. Thirty-two fast-growing isolates were obtained on Hayflick's and Friis's media with inhibitors from different specimens. All were identified as Mmm LC in spite of their cultural, biochemical and serological features.     

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC can be grouped into a single subspecies

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC can be combined into one taxon on the basis of several contributions on both DNA sequence and protein analyses reported in the literature. Moreover, for the differentiation and identification of mycoplasmas of the "mycoides cluster", we investigated the rpoB gene, encoding the beta-subunit of the RNA polymerase. A segment of 527 bp of the rpoB gene was amplified from 31 strains of ruminant mycoplasmas by PCR. The nucleotide sequences were determined and aligned, and accurate genetic relationships were calculated. Cluster analysis of rpoB DNA allowed species differentiation within the "mycoides cluster" and confirmed that M. mycoides subsp. capri and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC cannot be distinguished from each other. "Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri" is proposed as a common name for both subspecies.     

In vitro susceptibilities of field isolates of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large colony type to 15 antimicrobials

In vitro susceptibilities of 16 Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large colony type field isolates to 15 antimicrobial agents were determined using a broth microdilution method. The most effective antimicrobials were fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and macrolides, with MIC values under 2 microg/ml. Resistance to nalidixic acid, gentamicin, streptomycin and spectinomycin was observed.     

Experimental infections of goats with Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides, LC type

In five experiments 29 goats were infected experimentally by five different routes with a strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides, LC type, isolated from a contagious caprine pleuropneumonia-like outbreak on a farm in northern Sweden. All the goats were colonised except those inoculated subcutaneously with small doses. In its pattern of pathogenicity this strain was similar to other experimentally tested strains except that peroral infection in kids produced no clinical signs. A 'contact' goat was also colonised but the clinical signs seen in it were probably due to a concomitant infection with Pasteurella haemolytica.     

Genotyping of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC by multilocus sequence analysis allows molecular epidemiology of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC (MmmSC) is the etiological agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). Although eradicated in most developed countries, the disease reappeared in Europe in the 1990s. This reappearance may have been caused either by importation from sub-Saharan Africa, where CBPP is still endemic, or by the reemergence of virulent strains in Europe, as suggested by earlier studies. A multilocus sequence analysis scheme has been developed to address this issue and, most importantly, to be able to monitor new epidemics. The alignment of the full genome sequence of the reference strain PG1 and the partial genome sequence of a pathogenic strain allowed the identification of polymorphic sites. Nineteen initial loci were selected within housekeeping genes, genes of unknown function and non coding sequences. The suitability of these loci for genotyping MmmSC strains was first tested on six strains of diverse geographic origin. The analyses showed that the published PG1 sequence contained a number of specific polymorphisms that were therefore of no use for molecular typing. Among the eight informative polymorphic loci finally selected, only one (ftsY) was positioned within a housekeeping gene. Three main groups and 31 different allelic profiles were identified among 51 strains and strain variants examined. Cluster analysis confirmed that European strains from the 1990s did not originate from Africa. It also showed a genetic link between a European strain isolated in 1967 and those found in southern Africa and Australia. This was in agreement with historical data showing that CBPP was introduced in these regions during colonisation in the 19th century.     

Genetic and antigenic characterisation of elongation factor Tu from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC

Specific serodiagnosis of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is hampered by the low antibody titers against Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small-colony type (MmmSC) antigens in calf serum due to persistent infections and by the existence of cross-reactions among the members of the mycoides cluster. In order to identify potential diagnostic antigens, we have constructed a genomic library from MmmSC which was screened with antibodies from naturally-infected animals. Using this strategy, a genome fragment has been isolated and characterised. The complete nucleotide sequence of this fragment revealed the presence of several open reading frames, including that of translation elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), whose product was responsible of the positive reaction observed when expressed in E. coli. The organisation of this MmmSC genome region differed from that of other Mycoplasma species whose complete genome sequences are known, but was similar, by PCR amplification analysis of genomic DNA, to other members of the mycoides cluster, such as Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (Mcc). Nevertheless, the MmmSC and Mcc amplicons could be distinguished by digestion with restriction enzymes AseI or HindIII, strategy that could be used as a tool for differential diagnosis of infections caused by members of the mycoides cluster. The full recombinant EF-Tu was produced in E. coli, after correction of an unusual tryptophan codon by site-directed mutagenesis, and used to investigate anti-EF-Tu circulating antibodies in bovine sera.     

Isolation and characterisation of an Indian strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides type LC from a case of caprine arthritis

Isolation and characterisation of an Indian strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC from a case of caprine arthritis is reported in the study. The isolate was identified based on biochemical, digitonin sensitivity and growth inhibition tests. The virulence of the organism was studied by pathogenicity test in mice and goat. The antigenic and genomic profile of the isolate was compared with that of the standard strain (Y-Goat). Using different sets of primers, polymerase chain reaction was employed for rapid detection of the strain.     

Identification and differentiation of European and African/Australian strains of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small-colony type using polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small-colony type (M. m. m. SC) is the cause of the economically important contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. Isolates from Africa and Australia have previously been documented to have a fragment of approximately 8.84 kb, which is absent in European strains. A set of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers over this region was designed to identify M. m. m. SC isolates and separate European strains from those of Africa/Australia. Specificity of the PCR assay was achieved through the positioning of an oligonucleotide within the insertion sequence IS1296, upstream of this deletion, which then was paired with a reverse primer, upstream of the deletion, within the 8.84 kb-deleted region or downstream of the deletion, generating fragments of 1.1 kb (all M. m. m. SC strains), 1.4 kb (African/Australian strains only) and 1.3 kb (European strains only), respectively. Identification and differentiation was specific for DNA from M. m. m. SC with no amplification of DNA from other cluster members or closely related species. The PCR products did not require differentiation by use of a restriction endonuclease, and have potential for use in detection of this organism in clinical samples.     

Comparison of in vitro activity of danofloxacin, florfenicol, oxytetracycline, spectinomycin and tilmicosin against Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony type

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum mycoplasmacidal concentrations (MMC) of the antimicrobials danofloxacin, florfenicol, oxytetracycline, spectinomycin and tilmicosin were determined in vitro for 20 isolates of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony type (MmmSC), the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). The majority of strains were most susceptible to tilmicosin, followed by danofloxacin, oxytetracycline, florfenicol and spectinomycin with MIC50 values of 0.015, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 8 microg/ml, and MMC50 values of 0.06, 0.5, 8, 8 and 16 microg/ml, respectively. However, tilmicosin had poor mycoplasmacidal activity against two recent strains from Portugal. There was no evidence of resistance to danofloxacin in any of the strains.     

The in vitro effect of six antimicrobials against Mycoplasma putrefaciens, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum isolated from sheep and goats in jordan

Respiratory disease in sheep and goats is a major problem in Jordan and is often associated with Mycoplasma species. Without effective vaccines, control is mainly by chemotherapy, but the uncontrolled use of antimicrobials has led to concerns about the potential development of antimicrobial resistance. The in vitro effect of chloramphenicol, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, tylosin, erythromycin and oxytetracycline was determined against 32 isolates of Mycoplasma species-M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC (6), M. capricolum subsp. capricolum (8) and M. putrefaciens (18), all isolated from either nasal swabs or milk, from sheep and goats in different regions of Jordan. The antimicrobial susceptibility showed some Mycoplasma species-specific differences, with M. capricolum subsp. capricolum being more susceptible to tylosin and erythromycin. Chloramphenicol and florfenicol were the least effective for all three Mycoplasma species. No trends or significant differences in antimicrobial susceptibilities were observed between sheep and goat isolates, between milk or nasal swab isolates, or between isolates from different regions of Jordan. Some isolates of M. capricolum subsp. capricolum and M. putrefaciens showed higher MIC levels with oxytetracycline, as did two isolates of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC with tylosin, possibly indicating signs of development of antimicrobial resistance.     

鳖致病性蕈状芽孢杆菌的分离鉴定

从患＂眼球溃疡＂病的中华鳖（Trionyx sinensis）眼玻璃体、心血分离到菌株B1014,经人工感染确定其为致病菌。采用形态特征观察、细菌生化鉴定、16SrDNA序列分析首次证实该致病菌株B1014是蕈状芽孢杆菌（Bacillus mycoides）。     

In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides large colony and Arcanobacterium pyogenes isolated from clinical cases of ulcerative balanitis and vulvitis in Dorper sheep in South Africa

The in vitro activities of enrofloxacin, florfenicol, oxytetracycline and spiramycin were determined against field isolates of Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides large colony (MmmLC) by means of the broth microdilution technique. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of these antimicrobial drugs were determined for a representative number of 10 isolates and 1 type strain. The susceptibility of Arcanobacterium pyogenes to enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline and tilmicosin was determined by means of an agar disk diffusion test. The MICs of enrofloxacin, florfenicol, oxytetracycline and spiramycin were within the ranges of 0.125-0.5, 1.0-2.0, 2.0-4.0 and 4.0-8.0 microg/ml, respectively. This study has shown that resistance of MmmLC against enrofloxacin, florfenicol, oxytetracycline and spiramycin was negligible. All the field strains of A. pyogenes that were tested were susceptible to enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline and tilmicosin with mean inhibition zones of 30.6, 42.3 and 35.8 mm, respectively. Although there is lack of data on in vivo efficacy and in vitro MIC or inhibition zone diameter breakpoints of these antimicrobial drugs for MmmLC, the MIC results indicate that these 4 classes of antimicrobial drugs should be effective in the treatment of ulcerative balanitis and vulvitis in sheep in South Africa.     

Susceptibility of goats and calves after experimental inoculation or contact exposure to a Canadian strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides isolated from a goat.

Transmissibility of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides infection from experimentally inoculated goats to other goats and calves was studied. Eight goats and six calves were housed in an 18 m2 room. Six of the goats were inoculated endobronchially with strain D44 isolated from a natural case of polyarthritis in Ontario. These six goats died within a week of Mycoplasma septicemia. The two contact goats or the six calves never showed signs of disease and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides was not recovered from these animals. The contact goats and four calves were killed 25 days after exposure. They were all seronegative, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides was not recovered at necropsy and none had pathomorphological changes attributable to this Mycoplasma. The two remaining calves were inoculated endobronchially with 10(9) CFU of strain D44 and observed for 20 days. They never showed signs of disease and did not have significant lesions at necropsy. Both developed a significant serological response to M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, although this organism was not recovered during the experimental period or at necropsy. This study did not provide evidence for transmission of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides from endobronchially inoculated goats to contact goats or calves and endobronchially inoculated calves did not develop pneumonia. This would suggest that the infection of the goat population in Canada with this pathogen would not be a significant threat to the cattle population.     

羊丝状支原体簇环介导等温扩增检测方法的建立

本试验利用环介导等温扩增技术(LAMP)建立了羊丝状支原体簇的快速检测方法,该方法以羊丝状支原体簇成员的保守性基因16S rRNA为靶序列,设计了4条特异性引物,在65 ℃等温条件下,60 min一步完成反应。在反应管中预先添加羟基萘酚蓝(HNB),阳性呈蓝色,阴性呈紫色。丝状支原体簇成员——丝状支原体山羊亚种(Mmc)、丝状支原体丝状亚种LC型(Mmm LC)、山羊支原体山羊肺炎亚种(Mccp)的LAMP检测为阳性;对其他病原菌没有交叉反应。以Mmc的核酸为模板进行灵敏度检测,LAMP的最低检出限为10 pg/μL。结果表明,本试验建立了一种特异、敏感、快速、简便的羊丝状支原体簇的LAMP方法。