Molecular characterization of phenotypically CAMP-negative Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from bovine mastitis

In the present study three phenotypically CAMP-negative Streptococcus agalactiae, isolated from three cows with mastitis, were characterized by molecular analysis. An identification of the S. agalactiae was performed by conventional methods and by PCR amplification of species specific parts of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region. In addition all three phenotypically CAMP-negative isolates harboured a normal sized CAMP-factor encoding cfb gene indicating a reduced expression of CAMP-factor or a gene defect elsewhere along the pathway of expression. The clonal identity of the three isolates could be demonstrated by macrorestriction analysis of their chromosomal DNA.     

奶牛乳腺炎无乳链球菌的分离鉴定

无乳链球菌是比较常见的导致奶牛乳腺炎的病原菌,该菌也是山羊、绵羊慢性乳房炎的病原菌之一,也能引起婴儿败血症、脑膜炎和肺炎等。人医临床上对该菌以B群链球菌相称。试验从内蒙古呼和浩特市周边5个牛场中患有乳房炎的病牛中采集120份乳样,通过分菌培养、形态学观察、生化试验,鉴定出14株无乳链球菌,同时对这14株菌进行了药物敏感试验、动物致病性试验等。试验结果发现,所分离到的无乳链球菌对青霉素类、氨基糖苷类药物高度敏感,对磺胺类、氟哌酸、喹诺酮类药物中度敏感。动物致病性试验对小鼠的致死率达到80%以上。     

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus uberis isolates from bovine milk

Streptococci are one among the major mastitis pathogens which have a considerable impact on cow health, milk quality, and productivity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and virulence characteristics of streptococci from bovine milk and to assess the molecular epidemiology and population structure of the Indian isolates using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Out of a total of 209 bovine composite milk samples screened from four herds (A–D), 30 Streptococcus spp. were isolated from 29 milk samples. Among the 30 isolates, species-specific PCR and partial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis identified 17 Streptococcus agalactiae arising from herd A and 13 Streptococcus uberis comprising of 5, 7, and 1 isolates from herds B, C, and D respectively. PCR based screening for virulence genes revealed the presence of the cfb and the pavA genes in 17 and 1 S. agalactiae isolates, respectively. Similarly, in S. uberis isolates, cfu gene was present in six isolates from herd C, the pau A/skc gene in all the isolates from herds B, C, and D, whereas the sua gene was present in four isolates from herd B and the only isolate from herd D. On MLST analysis, all the S. agalactiae isolates were found to be of a novel sequence type (ST), ST-483, reported for the first time and is a single locus variant of the predicted subgroup founder ST-310, while the S. uberis isolates were found to be of three novel sequence types, namely ST-439, ST-474, and ST-475, all reported for the first time. ST-474 was a double locus variant of three different STs of global clonal complex ST-143 considered to be associated with clinical and subclinical mastitis, but ST-439 and ST-475 were singletons. Unique sequence types identified for both S. agalactiae and S. uberis were found to be herd specific. On PFGE analysis, identical or closely related restriction patterns for S. agalactiae ST-483 and S. uberis ST-439 in herds A and B respectively, but an unrelated restriction pattern for S. uberis ST-474 and ST-475 isolates from herds D and C respectively, were obtained. This signifies that the isolates of particular ST may exhibit related PFGE patterns suggesting detection of a faster molecular clock by PFGE than MLST. Since all the isolates of both the species belonged to novel sequence types, their epidemiological significance in global context could not be ascertained, however, evidence suggests that they have uniquely evolved in Indian conditions. Further research would be useful for understanding the role of these pathogens in bovine sub-clinical mastitis and implementing effective control strategies in India.     

Studies on Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from bovine mastitis in Indonesia

All 83 bacterial strains isolated from seven farms in three areas of the island of Java in Indonesia investigated in the present study could be identified as Streptococcus agalactiae. Identification was performed by cultural, biochemical and serological properties and by polymerase chain reaction amplification of species-specific parts of the gene encoding the 16S rRNA, the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region and the CAMP factor (cfb) gene. All isolates were unpigmented. almost all of the isolates had the serotype pattern II/X. Despite these similarities a macrorestriction analysis of the chromosomal DNA of the bacteria revealed no significant homologies of the DNA-fingerprints of the S. agalactiae from the various areas. This last finding might possibly indicate that a single ancestral unpigmented serotype II/X S. agalactiae clone was responsible for the mastitis situation on Java and had evolved separately in the various farms and regions.     

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.     

无乳链球菌及其血清型的PCR方法鉴定

无乳链球菌(S.agalactiae)是引起奶牛乳房炎和新生儿期侵袭性感染(包括败血症、肺炎和脑膜炎)的重要病原菌.为快速准确地鉴定S.agalactiae及其血清型,本研究对22株从国内不同地区分离的牛源链球菌进行生化鉴定以及针对S.agalactiae保守基因sip进行PCR鉴定,并采用多重PCR技术扩增sip基因阳性菌株的cps基因进行血清分型.结果显示,PCR扩增sip基因阳性17株,其中15株生化试验与PCR结果一致;多重PCR扩增cps基因显示,其中Ia型4株、Ⅱ型11株、Ⅲ型2株.本研究为鉴定S.agalactiae及其血清型提供了参考.     

海南罗非鱼源无乳链球菌的分离鉴定及生物学特性研究

为探究目前海南地区罗非鱼无乳链球菌病的流行性,了解该地区无乳链球菌耐药情况,本研究2020年8月从海南地区部分渔业养殖场的病鱼中共分离获得15株无乳链球菌,对各分离菌株的血清型、主要毒力基因及耐药性进行检测,并对多重耐药情况进行分析。血清型检测结果显示,15株分离菌株的血清型与对照菌株A909一致,均为Ⅰa型。毒力基因检测结果显示,15株分离菌株均未检出毒力基因scpB,但该毒力基因在参考菌株人源无乳链球菌2603V/R中检出,而主要毒力基因cylE、sodA、gapC的检出率均为100%。药敏试验结果表明,15株分离菌株对甲氧胺嘧啶、磺胺异噁唑、复方新诺明、链霉素、新霉素、庆大霉素的耐药率达85%以上;对头孢克洛、头孢曲松、头孢哌酮、头孢拉定、卡那霉素、红霉素、利福平、克林霉素敏感性达80%以上;未发现对甲氧胺嘧啶、氟罗沙星、链霉素、新霉素、庆大霉素敏感的菌株。多重耐药检测结果表明,15株分离菌株均至少对4种药物表现耐药,其中6重及以上耐药的菌株占总分离菌株数的86.67%,并有2株为13重耐药菌株。本研究为海南地区鱼源无乳链球菌病的用药提供参考,为华南地区罗非鱼无乳链球菌的流行病学和疾病防控提供调查依据。     

青海地区奶牛无乳链球菌的分离与鉴定

无乳链球菌是导致奶牛乳房炎的常见病原菌之一,为了掌握青海地区无乳链球菌的流行情况及常用药物的敏感性,从而为本地区更好的预防与治疗奶牛乳房炎提供保障。本试验在青海地区16个奶牛场共采集258份乳房炎乳样,经革兰氏染色与绵羊鲜血琼脂培养基培养纯化,获得疑似链球菌137株;随后经玻片法血浆凝固酶试验、CAMP试验、生化试验与动物致病性试验对无乳链球菌进行鉴定,结果显示,137株链球菌中含有无乳链球菌42株,分离率为30.7%;经K-B纸片扩散法对无乳链球菌耐药性检测结果显示,该地区无乳链球菌主要对头孢类高度敏感,对氧氟沙星、磺胺类、氨苄青霉素与阿米卡星中度敏感。     

奶牛乳腺炎无乳链球菌的分离鉴定与耐药性分析

奶牛乳腺炎是奶牛养殖业的常见疾病,而无乳链球菌是乳腺炎的重要病原体之一。本试验从江苏和河北地区的规模化奶牛场中共收集67份乳腺炎奶样,经分离培养和鉴定,共分离出33株无乳链球菌。药敏试验表明:河北地区和江苏地区奶牛场的分离株对阿莫西林、头孢氨苄等β-内酰胺类药物以及恩诺沙星等喹诺酮类药物高度敏感,而对链霉素、庆大霉素、卡那霉素以及丁胺卡那等氨基糖苷类药物均表现出较高的耐药性。此外,河北地区分离株对四环素、多西环素这两种药物比较敏感,但在江苏地区无乳链球菌对这两种药物表现出了较强的耐药性,耐药率均高达74.1%。说明不同地区的无乳链球菌耐药情况有一定的差异。本研究结果可为临床上用抗生素预防和治疗乳腺炎提供参考。     

Separation from whey of three growth factors for Streptococcus agalactiae.

Wheys of milk and colostrum were treated with ethanol and the concentrated supernatant fluids were subjected to chromatographic procedures (anion exchange resin, using distilled water as eluent). The fractions were tested for capabilities to stimulate the growth of Streptococcus agalactiae in a mixture (1:32) of pasteurized milk and steamed milk. Three stimulatory factors (F), designated F-1, F-2, and F-3, were separated; F-1 was nonionic, and F-2 and F-3 were cationic. A mixture containing any 2 factors gave greater stimulation than either factor tested alone, and a mixture of all 3 gave the greatest stimulation. The F-2 activity was attributed to cystine.     

Identification of Anaplasma spp. rickettsia isolated from horses from clinical disease cases in Poland

This study was aimed at determining the cause of the diseases in five horses exhibiting symptoms of fever, joint oedema and ataxia and thrombocytopenia. The PCR technique revealed the presence in the blood of 16S RNA Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. genetic material. DNA amplification with primers EHR 521 and EHR 747 gave a product with a size of 247 bp. The sequence of the PCR product obtained showed a 97.6-99.6% similarity with a sequence of a fragment of 16S RNA Anaplasma phagocytophilum, gene number EU 090186 from GenBank. Intravenous administration of oxytetracycline at a dose of 8 mg/kg of body mass for 7 days resulted in a gradual recovery.     

Identification and characterization of staphylococci isolated from cats

Staphylococcus simulans was found to be the most common staphylococcal species present on the healthy skin and in the nares of cats. S. aureus was the most frequent Staphylococcus species in lesions. Most of the S. aureus strains showed the characteristics of the human ecovar. Other strains isolated formed a heterogenic collection in which not less than 13 species were represented. One of these, S. epidermidis, was almost exclusively associated with lesions. It was concluded that coagulase-positive staphylococci are not endogenous to cats. Staphylococci from other sources, most frequently from man, are often associated with lesions in these animals.     

Identification and characterization of Streptococcus suis

A total of 188 Streptococcus suis strains isolated from pigs with various lesions, mainly bronchopneumonia, were identified using classical biochemical methods and using the API 20 STREP system. The serological classification was performed by precipitation reactions after Lancefield extraction, slide-coagglutinations and capsular reaction tests. Fifty-nine strains belonged to Types 1, 1/2 or 2, 78 strains to Types 3-8 and 51 strains were non-typable. The results of the different tests and the biochemical differences between the different serotypes are discussed.     

Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis: a review.

Streptococcus agalactiae continues to be a major cause of subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle and a source of economic loss for the industry. Veterinarians are often asked to provide information on herd level control and eradication of S. agalactiae mastitis. This review collects and collates relevant publications on the subject. The literature search was conducted in 1993 on the Agricola database. Articles related to S. agalactiae epidemiology, pathogen identification techniques, milk quality consequences, and control, prevention, and therapy were included. Streptococcus agalactiae is an oblique parasite of the bovine mammary gland and is susceptible to treatment with a variety of antibiotics. Despite this fact, where state or provincial census data are available, herd prevalence levels range from 11% (Alberta, 1991) to 47% (Vermont, 1985). Infection with S. agalactiae is associated with elevated somatic cell count and total bacteria count and a decrease in the quantity and quality of milk products produced. Bulk tank milk culture has, using traditional milk culture techniques, had a low sensitivity for identifying S. agalactiae at the herd level. New culture methods, using selective media and large inocula, have substantially improved the sensitivity of bulk tank culture. Efficacy of therapy on individual cows remains high. Protocols for therapy of all infected animals in a herd are generally successful in eradicating the pathogen from the herd, especially if they are followed up with good udder hygiene techniques.     

Identification and characterization of IgA1 protease from Streptococcus suis

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a major swine pathogen and an emerging zoonotic agent. However, the current understanding of the S. suis pathogenesis of infection remains limited. In the present study, an IgA1 protease of S. suis was identified for the first time. The protein was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant protein showed good cleaving reactivity to IgA1 and was highly immunoreactive to convalescent sera. The gene was found to exist in most pathogenic strains but scarcely in non-invasive isolates. These findings suggested that the IgA1 protease might play an important role in the pathogenesis of S. suis.     

奶牛乳房炎无乳链球菌的分离与鉴定

利用THB固体培养基和色素培养基初步筛选出奶牛乳房炎中无乳链球菌，以分离的12株疑似菌的基因组DNA为模板进行PCR扩增，对扩增产物进行分析，结合选择培养的生理生化特性对分离菌进行鉴定。结果表明，12株疑似菌中有8株为无乳链球菌.     

Identification and characteristics of staphylococci isolated from lesions and normal skin of horses

One hundred and twenty eight strains of Staphylococcus from lesions, mostly of the skin, in horses were identified and compared with 29 strains isolated from the healthy skin. The pathogenic species Staphylococcus aureus, S. intermedius and S. hyicus were found almost exclusively in lesions. Other species such as S. xylosus and S. sciuri were more frequently found on the healthy skin than in lesions. The S. aureus strains formed a very heterogeneous collection. Many of these strains were staphylokinase positive and rapidly coagulated bovine plasma. Such strains are rarely found in other animals and man.     

牦牛乳房炎病原无乳链球菌的分离鉴定与耐药性分析

本试验通过无菌采集西藏地区牦牛乳汁,进行细菌分离、纯化及PCR鉴定;同时对分离的菌株进行药物敏感性研究,以期在生产实践中对该病原的防治提供参考.结果显示,纯化所得到的细菌为革兰氏阳性链球菌,经生化试验及PCR鉴定为无乳链球菌;药敏试验结果显示分离菌株对青霉素类、氨基糖苷类和氯霉素类等大部分药物敏感.本研究为西藏地区牦牛无乳链球菌引起的乳房炎的有效防治提供参考.     

广西罗非鱼无乳链球菌的分离鉴定、毒力基因及耐药性研究

本研究旨在明确中国罗非鱼主养区广西各地罗非鱼无乳链球菌（Streptococcus agalactiae）分离株的血清型分布、毒力基因携带情况和耐药情况,为罗非鱼无乳链球菌病的防控奠定基础。2018-2019年从广西柳州、钦州、南宁、北海等地患无乳链球菌病罗非鱼体内分离了47株无乳链球菌,并对各分离株的血清型、毒力基因分布和耐药情况进行检测和分析。血清型检测结果表明,47株无乳链球菌血清型高度一致,均为Ⅰa血清型。对4种毒力基因检测结果表明,47株无乳链球菌临床分离株cylE、sodA、gapC毒力基因的检出率均为100%,而scpB基因仅在人源参考菌株2603V/R中检出,在所有鱼源分离株中未检出。对11类（31种）常见抗生素的药敏试验结果表明,临床分离株对磺胺异噁唑、新霉素、庆大霉素、卡那霉素的耐药率达到90%以上,对氧氟沙星、左氧氟沙星、氨苄青霉素、阿莫西林、头孢克洛、头孢曲松、头孢哌酮、头孢拉定、土霉素、强力霉素的敏感性均为100%。多重耐药检测结果表明,5重以上耐药菌株占93.62%,其中9重以上耐药菌株为19.15%,且均分离自柳州地区。结果表明,广西地区罗非鱼源无乳链球菌血清型单一,均为Ⅰa血清型,且均携带多种毒力基因,多重耐药现象严重。