Rapid screening of H(2)O(2) production by Mycoplasma mycoides and differentiation of European subsp. mycoides SC (small colony) isolates

Mycoplasma mycoides strains were screened for the ability to produce H(2)O(2) from glucose and glycerol metabolism using rapid and simple colorimetric assays. In quantitative assays, H(2)O(2) production by washed cell suspensions was detected by the oxidation of o-dianisidine in the presence of peroxidase. In qualitative assays, a 3,3'-diaminobenzidine-peroxidase reagent was applied to colonies on agar plates. Both methods enabled differentiation of European subsp. mycoides SC (small colony) isolates from other M. mycoides strains by their inability to produce H(2)O(2) from glycerol metabolism. In addition, two strains of subsp. capri were identified which produced large amounts of H(2)O(2) from glucose oxidation. In lysed cells of these strains, NADH oxidation gave approximately 1 mol H(2)O(2) per mol NADH oxidised whereas in 36 subsp. mycoides and 10 other subsp. capri strains, the quantity produced was 0.01-0.20mol H(2)O(2) per mol NADH oxidised.     

Hydrogen Peroxide Production by Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma agalactiae and Effect of In Vitro Passage on a Mycoplasma bovis Strain Producing High Levels of H2O2

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and oxygen uptake during the oxidation of NADH and L-alpha-glycerophosphate (GP) by lysed cells was determined for the type and field strains of Mycoplasma bovis and M. agalactiae. NADH oxidation by all the strains showed variable production of H2O2 ranging from 0 to 1.21 mol/mol O2 taken up. All strains were unable to oxidize GP, showing absence of GP oxidase activity. Some strains were identified that produced relatively high levels of H2O2 (> 1.0 mol/ mol O2 taken up). In vitro passage of M. bovis strain 119B96 showed reduced H2O2 production: 0.52, 0.16, and 0.07 mol/mol O2 taken up after the 50th, 100th and 200th passages, respectively. SDS-PAGE analysis showed the loss of a protein band of 32 kDa after 50 passages. These preliminary studies show that not only does H2O2 production by potentially pathogenic Mycoplasma spp. vary in the field but also that similar alterations can be induced by passage in culture. In the latter case, at least in one M. bovis strain, this alteration has been shown by SDS-PAGE to be associated with a loss of specific protein production. Further study of these phenomena is essential background for the production of more efficient vaccines for mycoplasmas.     

Biochemical Characterization of Mycoplasma bovirhinis,Mycoplasma dispar and Recent Bovine Isolates of Mycoplasma canis

The pattern and kinetics of substrate utilization by the type strains of Mycoplasma canis, M. bovirhinis and M. dispar and ten recent M. canis isolates from cattle were determined. Metabolism of a range of sugars and organic acids by M. dispar was detectable by measurement of oxygen uptake. Organic acids were not utilized by M. bovirhinis or M. canis, and there was no oxygen uptake during metabolism of glucose or other sugars, as monitored by a pH-change method. The M. canis strains varied in their ability to metabolize sugars; seven of the isolates from cattle had the distinctive ability to metabolize sucrose, and one isolate, plus the type strain (from a dog), metabolized N-acetylglucosamine. The M. bovirhinis strain metabolized maltose. However, all the test strains oxidized glycerol at high rates and with a high affinity. Oxidation of glycerol has been reported for other mycoplasmas from the bovine respiratory tract and leads to the production of hydrogen peroxide, a potential virulence factor.     

Investigations of Outbreaks of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia in Eritrea

Mycoplasmas were isolated from freeze-dried lung samples from goats from the western lowlands of Eritrea suspected of being affected by contagious caprine pleuropneumonia. The goats belonged to two herds in which mortality and morbidity rates were high. Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae was identified in most samples by the polymerase chain reaction and by conventional serological tests. The latex agglutination test detected more positive serum samples in both herds than did the complement fixation test. Following cloning, the isolates of M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae were analysed biochemically and shown to be metabolically similar. They oxidized glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, pyruvate and L-lactate with high affinity and mannose, glucosamine and 2-oxobutyrate with low affinity; they were unable to utilize maltose, trehalose, fructose or ethanol. Major improvements were seen in the growth yield of the Eritrean strains with the addition of pyruvate to the medium. Thus, it may be that organic acids are important energy sources for these strains and may be used in addition to or in place of glucose. In contrast to most other strains of the M. mycoides cluster, the Eritrean strains produced large amounts of hydrogen peroxide during the oxidation of NADH by lysed cells. This characteristic had previously been reported for strain M. F38, the type strain of M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, although strain F38 did not metabolize sugars. Hydrogen peroxide has long been considered a pathogenicity factor in mycoplasma infections. This is the first isolation of M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae from Eritrea.     

三个柠檬品种果实非可食部分初生代谢产物分析

为了比较贵州产尤力克柠檬、四季柠檬和阿特摩柠檬果实非可食部分初生代谢产物差异，本研究采用GC-MS分析了3个柠檬成熟果实非可食部分氨基酸、有机酸和糖等初生代谢产物含量。结果表明，共检测到29个初生代谢产物，其中氨基酸8个、有机酸11个、糖10个，不同柑橘品种不同组织氨基酸、有机酸、糖等初生代谢产物种类和含量存在较大的差异。3个品种均是脯氨酸含量最高；3个品种有机酸种类相似，黄皮层和白皮层含量最高的为奎宁酸，而囊衣含量最高的为柠檬酸。对检测的糖类而言，均是葡萄糖含量最高。     

牛支原体单克隆抗体的制备与鉴定

以牛支原体(Mycoplasma bovis)湖北分离株HB0801作为抗原免疫8周龄BALB/c小鼠,利用杂交瘤技术筛选出了6株能稳定分泌抗牛支原体的单克隆抗体细胞株,分别生产腹水并对单抗进行了纯化和特性鉴定。经亚型测定,这些单抗都属IgG类。腹水ELISA效价在1×10⁵~1.6×10⁶。ELISA特异性分析结果表明,6株单抗与临床分离的牛支原体菌株以及ATCC标准株PG45都显阳性反应,但与牛的其他常见病原菌如多杀性巴氏杆菌、化脓隐秘杆菌等都显阴性反应。所有制备的单抗都与无乳支原体有交叉反应,其中两株单抗1A5和1C11只与无乳支原体有交叉反应,与其他支原体无交叉反应。经Western blotting验证,6株单抗分别识别牛支原体全菌蛋白中的不同条带,说明分别针对不同的蛋白抗原。这些牛支原体单克隆抗体为后期建立牛支原体检测方法及致病机理研究奠定了良好基础。     

Mycoplasma Dispar As a Causative Agent in Pneumonia of Calves

Three field strains of Mycoplasma dispar were inoculated, by aerosol inhalation, into a total of eight naturally-born, colostrum-deprived calves. All three strains produced macroscopic pneumonia, each in one calf. Histopaithologically an exudative bronchitis accompanied by moderate interstitial cell proliferations was found.Reisolation studies indicated that the entire respiratory tract is the natural habitat of Mycoplasma dispar, which apparently does not spread via the blood stream.     

Mycoplasma bovoculi infection increases ocular colonization by Moraxella ovis in calves

To determine whether infection with Mycoplasma bovoculi increases ocular colonization of cattle eyes with Moraxella bovis and other bacteria, colonization of ocular gram-negative bacteria were measured in eyes of cattle infected with Mycoplasma bovoculi. Strains of Moraxella ovis were chosen because these are among the most commonly isolated species of gram-negative bacteria from cattle eyes. Five strains of M ovis were characterized biochemically and by pilus structure, permitting the recognition of 2 biotypes. All strains were tested in a mouse corneal pathogenicity model. One strain of each biotype was selected for testing in calves. All 5 strains were apathogenic for mice, and the 2 strains tested in cattle did not induce keratitis. Infection of calves with Mycoplasma bovoculi increased the amount and persistence of colonization with the strains of M ovis.     

红三叶根际溶磷菌株分泌有机酸与溶磷能力的相关性研究

为初步探究红三叶根际溶磷菌株分泌有机酸与溶磷能力的相关性。利用改良PKOC2液体培养基对筛选自红三叶根际的4株优良溶磷菌进行液体培养,采用钼蓝比色法和高效液相色谱法动态监测溶磷菌培养期间发酵液pH、溶磷量及分泌有机酸的种类和数量。结果表明:菌株MHS7、MHS27、MHS30和MHS49均能分泌乳酸、草酸、苹果酸、富马酸和丁二酸,其中菌株MHS30还能够分泌酒石酸;菌株MHS7溶磷量与pH呈负相关(P>0.05);菌株MHS27溶磷量与pH呈正相关(P>0.05),与分泌乳酸量呈显著正相关(P<0.05);菌株MHS30溶磷量与pH呈显著负相关(P<0.05),与分泌有机酸总量呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),与分泌酒石酸呈显著正相关(P<0.05);菌株MHS49溶磷量与分泌丁二酸呈显著正相关(P<0.05);各菌株分泌有机酸的种类和数量差异较大,溶磷菌的溶磷量与总有机酸量存在一定相关性,但有效磷增量并不完全由总有机酸量来决定,有机酸的种类和数量对溶磷量也有一定的影响。不同菌株溶磷能力与其分泌的有机酸种类和含量之间的关系存在多样性,不同溶磷菌株存在不同的溶磷途径。     

嗜热链球菌产酸特性及其发酵乳中有机酸组分分析

选取实验室分离自自然发酵乳制品中的5株嗜热链球菌菌株为研究对象,进行单菌株发酵酸乳,在发酵期间和酸乳4℃贮藏504 h阶段,分别测定菌株发酵时间、滴定酸度、pH值、活菌数以及采用反相高效液相色谱法测定有机酸含量变化,研究嗜热链球菌发酵产酸特性及其酸乳贮藏期间后酸化及其有机酸组分的变化特性。结果表明：在42℃发酵期间,5株菌在发酵2h后pH值迅速下降,达到发酵终点时间在5～9h,发酵时间最短的是菌株IMAU10632和IMAU20772。在4℃贮藏504h期间,5株菌的pH值下降幅度在0.5左右,最终pH值稳定在4.2左右,产酸速度均较缓慢,均表现出嗜热链球菌后酸化能力弱的特点,且酸度值均在90oT以下。初步筛选出一株菌株IMAU10632,凝乳时间短、产酸速率快、后酸化能力较弱,在4℃贮藏期间活菌数维持在108CFU/mL以上。     

不同品系高羊茅应答高温胁迫的初级代谢产物分析

为探讨高温对高羊茅初级代谢的影响,对耐热性不同的两个高羊茅基因型PI 578718(耐热)和PI 234881(热敏感),进行40℃/35℃(昼/夜各12 h)模拟高温胁迫21 d,分别于不同时间段取样测定生理以及代谢产物的变化。结果表明,在高温胁迫下,草坪质量、叶绿素含量、叶片相对含水量、根系活力持续下降,电解质渗漏加剧,与耐热型基因型相比,热敏感基因型各生理指标变化更明显。通过GC-MS分析,检测并鉴定了25种初级代谢产物,主要包括有机酸和脂肪酸(9种)、氨基酸(9种)、糖类和糖醇(7种),其中氨基酸(如脯氨酸、缬氨酸、谷氨酸)、糖类(如蔗糖)和糖醇(如肌醇)在叶片中大量积累,而有机酸和脂肪酸类(如柠檬酸、棕榈酸)在根系中大量积累。高温胁迫下叶片和根系中代谢产物如缬氨酸、谷氨酸、脯氨酸、蔗糖、肌醇、柠檬酸、棕榈酸含量的升高或维持,可能是耐热基因型PI 578718与热敏感基因型PI 234881之间耐热性差异的主要原因,而且柠檬酸作为抗氧化剂并参与呼吸作用的三羧酸循环途径,它的高积累,可能更有助于提高高羊茅对高温胁迫的耐性和适应性。     

Isolation of Mycoplasmas from nasal swabs of calves affected with respiratory diseases and antimicrobial susceptibility of their isolates

Nasal swabs of 293 calves were examined for Mycoplasma. The samples were collected from calves affected with respiratory diseases on 71 farms in various parts of Japan between 1996 and 1997. Mycoplasma bovirhinis was isolated from 47 of 293 calves (16.0%). Mycoplasma alkalescens, M. bovis, M. arginini, M. bovigenitalium and Acholeplasma spp. were isolated from 19 (6.5%), seven (2.4%), four (1.4%), four (1.4%) and 18 (6.1%) calves, respectively. Pasteurella multocida and P. haemolytica were isolated from 60% of Mycoplasma-positive calves. However, other bacteria were not isolated from calves. To evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of their isolates, 68 M. bovirhinis, 21 M. alkalescens and 10 M. bovis strains were examined for 12 antimicrobial agents. All isolates showed higher susceptibility to tiamulin than to the other drugs used in the study. However, erythromycin had no effect on any of the Mycoplasma strains studied. The field isolates were less susceptible than the type strains to some drugs, such as spiramycin, oxytetracycline and tylosin.     

Comparison of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strains by serologic methods

Six field strains of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae isolated from pneumonic lungs of pigs, reference strains 11 and J of M hyopneumoniae, Ms 42 strain of Mycoplasma flocculare, and BTS 7 strain of Mycoplasma hyorhinis were compared serologically, using hyperimmune antisera produced in rabbits. All strains of M hyopneumoniae were closely related as determined with the disk growth-inhibition test; however, differences in zone sizes indicated that some antigenic heterogeneity existed. Cross-reactions were not detected between M hyopneumoniae, M flocculare, and M hyorhinis with the growth-inhibition test. The metabolic-inhibition test was more useful for detection of intraspecies antigenic difference than was the growth-inhibition test, since antigenic diversity was clearly detected among M hyopneumoniae strains. Slight cross-reactions were observed between M hyopneumoniae and M flocculare. Using 2-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, antigenic differences were observed among M hyopneumoniae strains, although many common components also were detected in electropherograms. Mycoplasma flocculare possessed a close antigenic relationship to M hyopneumoniae, as determined by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, whereas both organisms were less related to M hyorhinis. Evidence obtained in this study indicated that strains of mycoplasmas tentatively identified as M hyopneumoniae were similar antigenically, but evidence was obtained also of some diversity in antigenic structure among these strains.     

柠檬成熟果实可溶性糖和有机酸积累特征分析

本研究利用GC-MS对3个柠檬品种和2个贵州地方特色宽皮柑橘(牛肉红朱橘和朱红橘)果肉中可溶性糖和有机酸含量进行了检测。研究结果表明,共检测到蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖、木糖等10种可溶性糖,以及柠檬酸、苹果酸、奎宁酸、草酸等10种有机酸。柠檬、牛肉红朱橘、朱红橘可溶性糖和有机酸组分类似,差异主要在含量上。可溶性糖含量分析结果表明,果实中主要可溶性糖为蔗糖、果糖和葡萄糖,3种主要的可溶性糖在牛肉红朱橘和朱红橘中的平均含量均显著高于柠檬,分别是柠檬的4.51倍、2.18倍和1.68倍。有机酸含量分析结果表明,柠檬有机酸含量远高于牛肉红朱橘和朱红橘,3个柠檬柠檬酸和奎宁酸的平均含量分别是2个宽皮柑橘的12.18倍和10.05倍。以上分析结果表明,可溶性糖和有机酸含量反映了柑橘品种的种质特征,且与果实风味和口感一致。     

牛支原体新疆株的分离鉴定

为调查新疆规模化奶牛场病牛死亡原因并确定病原,本研究无菌采集7份肺炎病死牛病变肺组织样,通过牛支原体液体培养基和固体培养基分离到1株支原体,采用形态学观察和生化试验鉴定该分离株,采用支原体特异性引物和牛支原体16S rRNA通用引物扩增基因序列并测序,使用DNAStar软件将分离菌株测序结果与GenBank中的标准株序列进行同源性比对,采用Mega 6.0软件中的邻接法(Neighbor-Joining,NJ)依据16S rRNA序列构建分离株系统进化树。结果显示,分离株菌落呈典型的"煎蛋样",菌落中心凹陷深入培养基,周边菲薄而透明,经Dienes染液染色后,菌落中心呈深蓝色。该分离株不分解葡萄糖、尿素、不水解精氨酸,血细胞吸附试验和溶血试验均呈阴性,氯化三苯基四氮唑还原反应呈阳性,产生膜和斑。PCR反应扩增出大小为1 911 bp的牛支原体特异性目的片段;分离株16S rRNA基因序列与牛支原体标准株PG45的序列同源性为99.8%,与牛支原体地方株(Mb NM2012、Mb HB0801、Mb Hubei-1、Mb Ningxia-1、Mb CQ-W70和Mb 08M)的同源性为99.3%～99.7%。系统进化树显示,分离株16S rRNA基因与Mb Ningxia-1株和Mb 08M株亲缘关系较近,处于同一分支。本研究结果证实了引起病牛死亡的病原为牛支原体,为新疆牛支原体病的防治提供了科学依据。     

Influence of dietary lysine concentration on the oxidation of an indicator amino acid by growing boars

The influence of dietary lysine concentration on the oxidation of 14C-phenylalanine by growing boars was determined. Forty-five crossbred boars (30 to 40 kg) were fed a ground corn diet fortified with crystalline L-lysine to provide .28, .50, .85, 1.00, 1.25 and 1.54% total lysine. All other essential amino acids were supplemented to provide 135% of NRC (1979) recommendations. Release of 14CO2 from L-[1-14C]-phenylalanine was measured for 1 h following a meal of the experimental diet, which contained 20 mu Ci 14C-phenylalanine. Increasing dietary lysine concentration from .28 to .85% decreased 14CO2 production. Regression analysis of the data using a two-phase linear regression crossover model indicated that phenylalanine oxidation was minimized at a dietary lysine concentration of .65%. It was concluded that a concentration of .65% lysine minimized the oxidation of amino acids and provided them as possible substrates for protein deposition. The oxidation of an indicator amino acid can, therefore, be used to determine the effect of dietary lysine concentration on the partition of amino acids between metabolic fuels and body protein.     

Isolation and immunological detection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in sheep with atypical pneumonia, and lack of a role for Mycoplasma arginini

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae NCTC 10151(T) and four new isolates from UK sheep flocks were compared. Only glucose and pyruvate were used as energy sources by the five strains: glucose was the best energy source for the type strain, pyruvate supported better growth of the new strains. Whole cell protein patterns and antigenic profiles showed high similarity between all five strains. The new isolates fell into two groups in ELISA tests. Serum samples from 30 pneumonic sheep were assessed for M. ovipneumoniae infection and Mycoplasma arginini co-infection. Fourteen (out of 30) serum samples were positive for M. ovipneumoniae both by ELISA and immunoblotting. Twelve antigenic proteins of M. ovipneumoniae were detected in infected serum samples: the antigen patterns were unique, with between one and at least seven occurring in any one sample. All serum samples were designated as negative for M. arginini antibodies by both ELISA and immunoblotting.     

Isolation of Mycoplasma capricolum-like strains from chickens

Members of the genus Mycoplasma infect a wide range of hosts, but individual Mycoplasma species tend to exhibit a considerable degree of host specificity. We characterized Mycoplasma strain 700, isolated from a kidney of a layer hen in Spain and Mycoplasma strains ULB-A and ULB-B, isolated from the air sac and from the bile of stunted broiler chickens in Slovenia. The serologic examination showed that these three strains are antigenically unrelated to all of the recognized Mycoplasma species of avian origin, but closely related to the ruminant mycoplasma Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capricolum (M. capricolum). The comparison of their 16S rRNA gene sequences with the sequence of M. capricolum (California kid) revealed 99.66% sequence identity for the strain 700 and 99.59% identity for strains ULB-A and ULB-B. Moreover, the predicted DnaK sequences of the M. capricolum-like strains, isolated from chickens, were identical to DnaK sequences of M. capricolum. Comparison of their dnaK gene sequences with M. capricolum showed 99.64% sequence identity for strain 700 and 99.27% identity for strains ULB-A and ULB-B. In the flock from which M. capricolum-like strains ULB-A and ULB-B were isolated, the majority of chickens (83% of the chickens examined) raised antibodies reacting with M. capricolum antigens. Notably, the infection of chickens with M. capricolum-like strains represents an unusual exception to the range of Mycoplasma species host specificity.     

A Serologic Variant of Mycoplasma Hyorhinis Recovered from the Conjunctiva of Swine

In an examination of conjunctival samples from 40 piglets for mycoplasmas, 17 isolates were obtained. Eight could be identified as Mycoplasma hyorhinis, three as Mycoplasma flocculare, and one as Acholenlasma sp. Five strains were not readily identifiable, but together with two previously recovered strains they were found to represent a distinct serogroup. All seven strains were glucose and phosphatase positive. Incubation in a CO₂-enriched atmosphere led to enhancement of the growth on solid medium. The serogroup was serologically related to M. hyorhinis, but not to a number of other glucose fermenting species of mycoplasma, and it may therefore be regarded as a new subspecies of M. hyorhinis.     

Glycoconjugate heterogeneity among five strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Five strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) were examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis for the presence of carbohydrate-containing components. Staining with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) demonstrated carbohydrate components in three of the five strains studied. The PAS-reactive bands counterstained for protein, indicating a possible glycoprotein nature. Western blot analysis using three biotinylated lectin probes demonstrated the presence of additional glycoconjugates in the blot profiles of each MG strain. The carbohydrate specificity of lectin binding was demonstrated by competition experiments using specific sugars. Differences in the number, electrophoretic mobility and the morphology of PAS and lectin reactive bands were reproducible among separate preparations of each MG strain. These findings indicate substantial phenotypic diversity among the five MG strains in their ability to produce or acquire glycoconjugates.