Analyses of lipopolysaccharides, outer membrane proteins and DNA fingerprints reveal intraspecies diversity in Moraxella bovis isolated in Argentina

Intra-specific diversity within Moraxella bovis was investigated analysing DNA fingerprints, outer membrane proteins (OMP) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) profiles. Three collection strains and 57 isolates of M. bovis, collected during 3 years from cattle with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) symptoms, from diverse geographical locations of Argentina, were examined. The LPS and OMP profiles were studied through SDS–PAGE analysis and genotype was determined by PCR-DNA fingerprinting. Genotyping identified five DNA types while analysis of LPS and OMP profiles identified three rough LPS types and three OMP types among the 60 isolates of M. bovis including the three collection strains. None of the three methods employed to assess diversity was discriminating when used alone because the degree of heterogeneity in each group of surface structures was limited, but when data of each typing method were combined, 15 distinct subgroups were determined. This subgrouping was clearly able to differentiate isolates of the same genotype. These typing methods appear to be useful to assess different aspects of the disease such as the diversity within a population of M. bovis associated to epidemic conditions, track the causal agent in an outbreak of the disease, monitoring vaccination programs and studies on virulence.     

新疆石河子地区牛支原体的分离鉴定及药物敏感性分析

【目的】确定引起新疆石河子地区集约化牛场常发性肺炎的主要病原同时进行病原的体外药物敏感性分析。【方法】采集有典型咳嗽、流涕症状的牛鼻拭子10份和病死牛肺脏组织1份,用牛支原体特异性引物进行PCR检测,将检测为阳性的样本进行病原培养纯化,对纯化后的分离株菌落进行形态学观察、Dienes染色、生化试验及16S rRNA测序和进化分析,通过测定颜色变化单位(CCU)测定分离株生长曲线,并对分离株进行药物敏感性试验。【结果】PCR结果显示,10份鼻拭子中检测出7份牛支原体阳性样本,1份病死牛肺脏组织也检测为阳性;在涂有肺脏组织研磨液培养液的PPLO固体培养基上长出针尖状的菌落,纯化后分离株菌落形态为典型的煎蛋状;Dienes染色可见明显的深蓝色中心脐;生化试验结果显示,分离株不水解明胶、精氨酸、七叶苷,不发酵乳糖、葡萄糖和甘露醇,不分解尿素,可还原氯化三苯基四氮唑;16S rRNA测序结果显示,分离株与牛支原体国际标准株PG45相似性为99.7%,与国内牛支原体地方流行株XBY01、Ningxia-1、NM2012、Tibet-10的相似性最高,均为99.9%;生长曲线测定结果显示,分离株在培...     

Identification of an immunodominant 40 kDa merozoite antigen common to the Australian T and Dixie vaccine strains of Babesia bovis and the development of diagnostic tests specific for these strains

Antigenic differences among Australian vaccine and field strains of Babesia bovis were investigated in an attempt to identify strain specific antigens. Immunoblots revealed substantial differences between the current vaccine strains, designated T and Dixie, and previous vaccine strains and field isolates collected on properties where vaccination with the T or Dixie strains had failed to provide complete protection against tick-borne challenge. A major difference was an immunodominant 40 kDa antigen (T40) present in only the T and Dixie strains. The molecular weight and immunodominant nature of this antigen suggest that it may be the equivalent of the major merozoite surface antigen (MSA-1) described by others in North American strains of B. bovis. MSA-1 was shown to be conserved in north American isolates but not in an isolate from Israel or in the Australian S and L isolates. The work presented here suggests that merozoite surface antigen diversity exists among geographically different isolates of B. bovis within Australia.

Monospecific antiserum to T40 was used to develop an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test specific for T and Dixie strain parasites, and a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for antibody to the T and Dixie strains. In cases of babesiosis in recently vaccinated cattle, the IFA test will be a useful tool for determining whether clinical symptoms are due to a severe vaccine reaction or to a concurrent tick-borne infection. In a preliminary assessment of potential of the ELISA for the serological identification of vaccinated cattle using a total of 160 sera, the test clearly differentiated between animals vaccinated with the T or Dixie strains and non-vaccinated animals, and was not affected by presence of antibodies to other B. bovis strains.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit to detect Babesia bovis antibodies in cattle

The sensitivity and specificity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies; to Babesia bovis was evaluated in 1000 sera from Holstein heifers. Five hundred of them were from cattle naturally or experimentally infected with B. bovis and 500 from uninfected heifers born and raised in a region free of the vector of cattle babesiosis. Additionally, the ELISA was evaluated and compared with an indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test in 374 heifers inoculated with different kinds of B. bovis antigens in four trials. The cross-reaction was also evaluated in 50 heifers infected with Babesia bigemina and 50 heifers infected with Anaplasma marginale. The mean percentage positivity of negative sera in relation to the ELISA strong positive sera was 8%. The seropositive/seronegative cutoff point was set as twice the mean percentage positivity of negative cattle sera ( = 16%). The sensitivity of the ELISA was 98% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 96–99%. The specificity was 95% (CI 93–97%). The agreement was 97% and the kappa value was 0.93. The predictive values of positive and negative results were 95% and 98% respectively. ELISA showed a similar sensitivity to that of the IFA test to detect antibodies to different B. bovis antigens. Its sensitivity ranged from 97.1% to 100% (CI 89–100%), while the sensitivity of the IFA test ranged from 92.8% to 100% (CI 83–100%). ELISA cross-reacted in 8% and 6% of the sera carrying B. bigemina and A. marginale antibodies, respectively, while the IFA showed 4% cross-reaction in each situation. The ELISA evaluated has the advantages of a proper sensitivity, objectivity and capacity to be adapted to test large number of samples in a short period of time. The results indicate that the ELISA is a suitable replacement for the IFA test to detect B. bovis antibodies in cattle sera, especially in epidemiological studies.     

Molecular fingerprinting confirms extensive cow-to-cow intra-herd transmission of a single Mycobacterium bovis strain

In this study we have characterized M. bovis isolates from a herd of cattle in Uvalde, Texas in which 52 of the 193 animals selected at random in 1994 from a herd of 331 were caudal fold skin-test positive. Thirty-two of 52 skin-test positive cattle had gross lesions at slaughter, and isolations of M. bovis were made from 29 animals. The herd was comprised of Red Devon cattle purchased between 1978 and 1980 (n = 26) and breeding bulls (n = 3) introduced at later times, and all were tuberculosis test negative at the time of purchase. Other animals were natural additions (offspring) of these cattle. One additional animal, a Holstein present on the ranch at the time of purchase in 1976, was retained to nurse orphaned and weak calves. Using several molecular fingerprinting techniques we have verified a clonal relationship among the M. bovis isolates consistent with infection originating with a single strain. The molecular fingerprint patterns demonstrate the stability of the profiles despite persistence and spread of the organism within the herd for two decades and confirms their use in epidemiological tracing.     

甘肃榆中县奶牛球虫病流行病学调查与虫种鉴定

奶牛球虫病呈世界性分布,中国部分省市也有报道,但是甘肃省至今尚未有关于奶牛球虫病的相关调查。甘肃省榆中县是甘肃省奶牛主产区之一,为了解甘肃省榆中县奶牛球虫感染情况,对当地6个规模化奶牛养殖场1岁以内荷斯坦奶牛犊牛球虫感染情况进行了调查。试验采用显微镜下观察的方法检测了该地区的234份奶牛粪便样品,并对球虫阳性粪便进行重铬酸钾法孵化来鉴定球虫种类。结果发现,犊牛球虫总感染率达到46.15%,其中1~3月龄犊牛平均感染率为52.43%,4~6月龄犊牛平均感染率为37.50%,7~12月龄犊牛平均感染率为43.37%。经虫种鉴定,共发现7种艾美尔属球虫和1种等孢属球虫,7种艾美尔属球虫分别是牛艾美尔球虫(Eimeria bovis)、奥博艾美尔球虫(Eimeria auburnensis)、邱氏艾美尔球虫(Eimeria zuernii)、阿拉巴艾美尔球虫(Eimeria alabamensis)、亚球形艾美尔球虫(Eimeria subspherica)、椭圆艾美尔球虫(Eimeria ellipsoidalli)、加拿大艾美尔球虫(Eimeria canadensis),其中牛艾美尔球虫、奥博艾美尔球虫、邱氏艾美尔球虫为优势种。本次调查结果表明,甘肃省榆中县奶牛球虫感染情况严重,应引起相关部门重视。     

Epidemiologic Survey and Species Determination of Coccidia Infection in Dairy Cattle in Yuzhong,Gansu Province

This investigation aimed to examine coccidia infection in diary cattle in Yuzhong,Gansu province.An investigation was carried out on the Holstein calves less than one year old in six large-scale dairy farms.A total of 234 fecal samples were examined,and oocysts were identified to the species level on the basis of morphological features after positive samples were mixed thoroughly with 2.5% potassium dichromate solution.The results showed that the prevalence rate of coccidia in Holstein calves reached 46.15%.The average prevalence rate of the calves under 3 months old was 52.43%,the 4 to 6 months old calves was 37.50% and the 7 to 12 months old calves was 43.37%.Seven species of Eimeria coccidians and one species Isospora sp.including Eimeria bovis,Eimeria auburnensis,Eimeria zuernii,Eimeria alabamensis,Eimeria subspherica,Eimeria ellipsoidalli,Eimeria canadensisi,were identified in the investigation,and Eimeria bovis,Eimeria auburnensis,Eimeria zuernii were the dominant species.In conclusion,the prevalence rate of coccidiosis in dairy cattles in Yuzhong,Gansu province was high.Therefore,appropriate strategies and measures should be taken to control coccidiosis prevalence in dairy cows in this region.     

Evaluation of an ELISA for detection of antibodies to Babesia bovis in cattle in Australia and Zimbabwe

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to Babesia bovis was evaluated in comparison with the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in Australia and Zimbabwe. Positive and negative threshold values for the ELISA were set using sera from cattle of known infection status. Sensitivity and specificity estimates for the ELISA based on 158 positive sera from cattle experimentally infected with Australian isolates of B. bovis and 318 negative sera collected from B. bovis-free herds in Australia were 100% and 99.4%, respectively. The specificity of the assay in Africa, based on 328 sera from B. bovis-free herds in Kenya and South Africa, was 99.7%. The ELISA was compared with the IFAT using sequential sera from 16 calves experiencing primary B. bovis infections, and a total of 777 field sera collected from B. bovis-endemic herds in Australia and Zimbabwe. In primary infections, the ELISA and IFAT detected antibodies at or about the same time. With sera from endemic herds, the performance of the ELISA was at least comparable with that of the IFAT. Two hundred and fourteen of 221 sera that were negative by IFAT, were negative by ELISA, and 428 of 439 sera that were clearly positive by IFAT were positive by ELISA. Of 117 sera that gave equivocal (suspect or weak positive) results in the IFAT, 20 were positive by ELISA, 7 were suspect and 90 were negative. We conclude that the ELISA will be useful for epidemiological studies on B. bovis in Australia and Zimbabwe, and probably elsewhere.     

Mapping of IS6110 insertion sites in Mycobacterium bovis isolates in relation to adaptation from the animal to human host

The physiological role and impact of IS6110 insertions on the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is not well understood. Insertion of IS6110 in coding regions can cause loss of gene activity, while homologous recombination between two copies of IS6110 can result in the deletion of genes or in rearrangement of genomic regions involved. In addition to these genomic changes, IS6110 can also activate flanking genes through acting as a mobile promoter.

In order to determine the possible role of IS6110 transposition in the adaptation to humans, we selected Mycobacterium bovis isolates from endogenous reactivation cases in elderly people in The Netherlands. The human isolates contained higher number of IS6110 copies in comparison to the bovine M. bovis strains. These additional integration sites of IS6110 were sequenced and analyzed. From 12 of such IS6110 insertion sites, 6 loci were located in the intergenic regions, and 6 other occurred within coding regions. IS6110 was inserted in a position where it might serve as a promoter in two cases. We conclude that IS6110 transpositions in M. bovis may be a driving force in the adaptation from the animal to the human host.     

Serological reactivity to Mycobacterium bovis protein antigens in cattle.

The serological response to 12 purified Mycobacterium bovis antigens were examined in an ELISA assay. These antigens included the majority of M. bovis protein antigens described to date and in most cases they were very similar to the M. tuberculosis antigens of the same molecular mass.

The purified antigens were tested against sera from M. bovis infected cattle, M. bovis culture-negative cattle from infected herds and animals infected with related microorganisms, mainly other mycobacterial species. All the antigens gave strong reactions with at least some sera from the M. bovis infected group and showed cross-reactivity with some of the sera from the other two groups. The antigen with the highest specificity reacted strongly with only 60% of the M. bovis infected sera. Antigens that reacted with most or all of the M. bovis infected sera also gave the highest cross-reactivity with sera from the other two groups. These results indicate that a serological test based on any one or a combination of these antigens, without removal of the cross-reacting epitopes, would be unsatisfactory.     

Development and Application of FQ-PCR Assay for Detecting Mycobacterium bovis

To develop a detection method for rapid diagnosis of dairy cow tuberculosis, evaluation of the raw milk contamination status and tracing the route of transmission, specific primers of Mycobacterium bovis were designed to develop the FQ-PCR assay and the reaction conditions were optimized.Standard curve of the FQ-PCR test was developed and its properties were evaluated.The results showed that the developed FQ-PCR test could be used to detect the Mycobacterium bovis.The best primer concentration and annealing temperature were 400 nmol/L and 52 ℃, respectively.Properties evaluation showed that the method had good specificity, sensitivity, repeatability and clinical application.The test results indicated this method could be used to qualitatively and quantitatively detect Mycobacterium bovis.It would be an important technology for diagnosis and decontamination of dairy cow tuberculosis and safety assessment of raw milk.     

Molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from South America

One hundred seventy-eight isolates of Mycobacterium bovis were subjected to DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, using the direct repeat element (DR) and the polymorphic GC-rich repeat sequence (PGRS) as probes. By combining the patterns generated by the two repeat DNA elements, 93 different patterns were observed. One hundred-one isolates were grouped in clusters, which include 25 different clusters. One pattern was the most frequently observed, clustering 18.5% of isolates. It was only found in the Center and northeast regions of Argentina and in one isolate from Paraguay. The isolates from Brazil analyzed here presented exclusive patterns (only found in a particular region). The number of exclusive patterns was high in all Argentine regions: northeast 78%, center 81%, and Buenos Aires 81%.     

牛结核分枝杆菌实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立及应用

为建立可应用于快速检测奶牛结核病、评估鲜乳污染状况、追溯传播途径的试验方法,本研究根据牛结核分枝杆菌基因组设计合成特异性引物,建立实时荧光定量PCR方法,并对反应条件进行优化,构建标准曲线,评价该方法的性能。结果显示,本研究所建立的实时荧光定量PCR方法能有效检测牛结核分枝杆菌目的基因,其最佳引物浓度为400 nmol/L,最佳退火温度为52 ℃。所构建的标准曲线相关性好,可用于样本的定量检测。该方法的性能评价显示,其最小检出模板浓度为80.24 ng/L,且该方法具有较好的特异性、可重复性,可对鲜乳样本进行检测。试验结果表明,本研究所建方法可用于牛结核分枝杆菌的定性和定量检测,这为奶牛结核病的诊断与净化及鲜乳食品安全评估提供重要技术。     

Genetic typing of bovine viral diarrhoea virus isolates from India

Thirteen BVDV isolates collected in four geographic regions of India between 2000 and 2002 were typed in 5'-UTR. To confirm results of genetic typing, selected viruses were also analysed in the N(pro) region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all Indian BVDV isolates belong to BVDV-1b (Osloss-like group). Despite a long distance between the farms from which the viruses were isolated there was no correlation between the origin of viral isolates and their position in a phylogenetic tree. Higher genetic similarity of Indian BVDV isolates was observed most probably due to the uncontrolled movement of cattle as well as the uncontrolled use of semen from bulls for breeding of local and farm cattle in different states of India.     

Clinical and serological evidence of bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis in St. Lucia

One hundred fifty-nine Holstein calves were imported into St. Lucia from the U.S.A. An outbreak of babesiosis occurred 17 days post-arrival, and an outbreak of anaplasmosis occurred 5 months after importation. Sera obtained 3, 6 and 12 months post-importation revealed a high prevalence of IFA titres to Babesia bovis and B. bigemina 3 months after arrival and an increase in titres to Anaplasma marginale 6 months after arrival. Sera obtained arrives from native cattle from several places on the island indicated infection rates of 80, 65 and 64% with A. marginale, B. bigemina and B. bovis, respectively. The rapid card test only indicated a 25% prevalence of infection of native cattle by A. marginale. This low prevalence was probably due to deterioration of serological activity during shipment.     

宁夏地区牛支原体药物敏感性分析

[目的]提高牛支原体病治疗效果。[方法]应用微量肉汤稀释法对宁夏地区分离鉴定的74株牛支原体进行药物敏感性分析。[结果]恩诺沙星的MIC分布范围最小,MIC₅₀与MIC₉₀最小,其次是大观霉素、庆大霉素和卡那霉素;试验菌株对大观霉素的耐药率最低（12%）,其次为恩诺沙星（22%）,对庆大霉素和卡那霉素的耐药率最高且相同（36%）;肺分离株耐药性最强,关节液分离株次之,乳汁分离株最弱。[结论]恩诺沙星对牛支原体的体外抑菌效果最好,但易产生耐药性,应注意用药剂量和时长;肺分离株耐药性最强可能与呼吸道感染牛支原体的概率大且频繁使用抗生素有关。     

Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398 obtained from humans and animals on dairy farms

In this study MRSA isolates from dairy farms were investigated for their genetic relationships and antimicrobial susceptibility. In total, 125 MRSA isolates from 26 dairy farms were studied, including isolates from milk samples (n=46), dairy cattle (n=24), calves (n=6), dust samples from pig (n=16) and veal calf sheds (n=1), dogs (n=2), a horse, a sheep and humans (n=28). CC398-specific PCRs, spa typing, SCCmec typing and ApaI macrorestriction analysis were conducted. Susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution. All 125 isolates belonged to CC398. Eight spa types (t011, t108, t034, t567, t1184, t1451, t2287 and t3934) were detected. SCCmec elements of types IV (n=48) and V (n=67) were identified with 10 isolates being non-typeable. Six main macrorestriction patterns - with up to 23 sub-patterns - and twelve resistance patterns were identified. Sixty-eight isolates showed a multiresistance phenotype. Farm-by-farm analysis revealed different scenarios: in some farms, the MRSA CC398 isolates from dairy cattle, humans, pig sheds and/or sheep were indistinguishable suggesting an interspecies exchange of the same MRSA CC398 subtype. In other farms, several MRSA CC398 subtypes were detected in different host species/sources with occasionally even more than one MRSA CC398 subtype from the same host species/source. These latter results may suggest that either different MRSA subtypes associated with humans or animals have been imported into the respective farm or that one MRSA CC398 strain has undergone diversification, reflected by more or less expanded changes in PFGE patterns, spa type or resistance pattern, during colonization of different hosts on the same farm.     

犊牛支原体肺炎继发牛A型多杀性巴氏杆菌感染的诊治

某奶牛场犊牛相继发生肺炎和关节炎,为确诊该牛场犊牛群发病的原因并提出防控方案,本试验剖检新生犊牛并采集病料,分别开展牛支原体及其他病原菌的分离培养、PCR鉴定及药敏分析;进行牛病毒性腹泻病毒、牛口蹄疫病毒和牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒PCR检测;制作犊牛肺脏组织病理切片并进行观察和评估。从犊牛肺脏组织分离到牛支原体和牛A型多杀性巴氏杆菌;牛病毒性腹泻病毒、牛口蹄疫病毒和牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒检测均为阴性;肺脏组织病理切片可见肺泡结构破坏、出血及大量炎性细胞浸润;药敏试验结果显示,牛支原体和牛A型多杀性巴氏杆菌分别对泰乐菌素和头孢唑啉敏感,但对青霉素、庆大霉素、林可霉素和氨苄西林均呈现耐药。该犊牛群确诊为牛支原体肺炎继发牛A型多杀性巴氏杆菌感染,采用泰乐菌素联合头孢唑啉肌肉注射,配合对症治疗和规范管理,有效控制了该场犊牛疾病。     

Long-term study of incidence and financial loss due to cattle babesiosis in an Argentinian dairy farm

The incidence and direct financial loss caused by babesiosis were evaluated in 121 Holstein Friesian female cattle that formed eight cohorts (1981–1988) of a dairy farm located approximately 24° 55′S 65° 29′W in Salta, Argentina. Female calves born in 1986 and 1987 (n=32) were vaccinated with a live Babesia vaccine at six months of age.

No cases of babesiosis occurred in the vaccinated cattle. The incidence of babesiosis in the six non-vaccinated cohorts was 23.6% (21/89). Eighteen of the cases were the result of Babesia bovis, one to Babesia bigemina and two to a mixed infection. Two cattle died of B. bovis infection in spite of drug treatment (diaminazene, 3.5 mg kg⁻¹). No disease occurred in cattle younger than seven months or older than 24 months. The number of cases according to age of cattle was: 7–9 months, 5; 10–12 months, 6; 13–24 months, 10.

Financial loss for the six cohorts that suffered clinical cases amounted to US $ 1624.6 (prices in October 1990)—62% were the result of physical losses and 38% to costs of control. A benefit-cost analysis of vaccination was carried out assuming that 95% of the mortality and morbidity losses of the six non-vaccinated cohorts was prevented after a single inculation of a live vaccine (cost of a dose plus administration was US $ 4.2. The benefit-cost ratio was 4:1 for each US dollar expended.     

Prevalence and characteristics of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from cattle in Korea between 2010 and 2011

A total of 156 Shiga-like toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were isolated from fecal samples of Korean native (100/568, 18%) and Holstein dairy cattle (56/524, 11%) in Korea between September 2010 and July 2011. Fifty-two STEC isolates (33%) harbored both of shiga toxin1 (stx1) and shiga toxin2 (stx2) genes encoding enterohemolysin (EhxA) and autoagglutinating adhesion (Saa) were detected by PCR in 83 (53%) and 65 (42%) isolates, respectively. By serotyping, six STEC from native cattle and four STEC from dairy cattle were identified as O-serotypes (O26, O111, O104, and O157) that can cause human disease. Multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns highlighted the genetic diversity of the STEC strains and difference between strains collected during different years. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that the multidrug resistance rate increased from 12% in 2010 to 42% in 2011. Differences between isolates collected in 2010 and 2011 may have resulted from seasonal variations or large-scale slaughtering in Korea performed to control a foot and mouth disease outbreak that occurred in early 2011. However, continuous epidemiologic studies will be needed to understand mechanisms. More public health efforts are required to minimize STEC infection transmitted via dairy products and the prevalence of these bacteria in dairy cattle.