Rhodococcus equi (Prescottella equi) vaccines; the future of vaccine development

For decades researchers have been targeting prevention of Rhodococcus equi (Rhodococcus hoagui/Prescottella equi) by vaccination and the horse breeding industry has supported the ongoing efforts by researchers to develop a safe and cost effective vaccine to prevent disease in foals. Traditional vaccines including live, killed and attenuated (physical and chemical) vaccines have proved to be ineffective and more modern molecular‐based vaccines including the DNA plasmid, genetically attenuated and subunit vaccines have provided inadequate protection of foals. Newer, bacterial vector vaccines have recently shown promise for R. equi in the mouse model. This article describes the findings of key research in R. equi vaccine development and looks at alternative methods that may potentially be utilised.     

抗马链球菌马亚种组方加味优选及其体内抑菌作用研究

【目的】筛选可抑制马腺疫主要致病菌——马链球菌马亚种的最优中药组方,为临床马腺疫的防治提供参考。【方法】选用赤芍、大黄、山豆根等27种中药,首先通过体外抑菌试验(牛津杯法、最小抑菌浓度(MIC)、最小杀菌浓度(MBC)、联合药敏试验)结合L₈(2⁶)正交试验初步筛选抗马链球菌马亚种中药组方的最佳优选因素,再通过L₁₈(3⁶)正交试验进一步筛选基础组方最佳配比;最后在基础组方的基础上,根据中兽医方剂配伍理论,添加黄芪和当归2味补虚药,通过马腺疫小鼠模型体内抑菌试验筛选加味组方配比,结合组方保护率结果及组织脏器病理变化验证加味组方的体内抑菌作用。【结果】试验筛选出了马链球菌马亚种超敏和高敏的7味中药:浙贝母、赤芍、甘草、大黄、雪白睡莲、山豆根和苦参。大黄、雪白睡莲、山豆根、甘草、苦参和浙贝母的MIC分别为0.078、0.078、0.125、0.156、0.156和0.250 mg/mL。雪白睡莲、赤芍、山豆根、甘草、大黄、苦参和浙贝母的MBC分别为0.078、0.125、0.125、0.156、0.156、0.156和0.250 g/mL。根据各单味药物的MIC和两两联合后的MIC计算得出浙贝母与雪白睡莲联合药敏指数＞2,二者存在颉颃作用,故剔删浙贝母。通过2次正交试验得出基础组方最佳配比为:赤芍∶甘草∶大黄∶雪白睡莲∶山豆根∶苦参＝4∶2∶2∶4∶4∶1;结合加味组方体内抑菌试验可知,黄芪∶当归=1∶1、配伍浓度为0.5 g/mL时,保护率可达87.5%,且中药组方对马链球菌马亚种所致的小鼠肺脏炎性损伤修复良好。【结论】本试验成功优选出1种对马腺疫主要致病菌——马链球菌马亚种具有良好抑菌、组织保护作用的中药组方,配比为:赤芍∶甘草∶大黄∶雪白睡莲∶山豆根∶苦参∶黄芪当归(1∶1)=4∶2∶2∶4∶4∶1∶1。     

新疆地区3株驴源马链球菌马亚种新SeM基因型的鉴定与进化分析

从新疆地区某驴养殖场获得了3株驴腺疫链球菌分离株HTP133、HTP123和HTP232。为了解这3株驴腺疫链球菌的生物学特性和确定其分子分型,本研究对其进行了生化特性、药敏特性的检测,对16S rRNA进行序列对比分析,并利用PCR扩增SeM等位基因和测序鉴定其基因型。研究结果表明3株分离菌均为马链球菌马亚种。药敏试验结果显示,分离菌均对阿莫西林、氨苄西林和庆大霉素等18种药物敏感,对青霉素、头孢呋辛耐药。16S rRNA分析结果显示分离菌株归属于该菌16S rRNA进化群的Ⅰ群,且在V1-V5可变区有明显的序列特征,且与JQ726493株进化关系较近。SeM等位基因测定后鉴定了2个新SeM基因型,分别为SeM 210（HTP232）和SeM 211（HTP 133、HTP 123）,与SeM 136、SeM 138、SeM 142、SeM 146、SeM 149和SeM 144亲缘关系较近。本研究丰富了我国驴腺疫链球菌的流行和传播特征,提供了相关的分子生物学基础,为驴腺疫的防控提供理论依据。     

Molecular characterisation of 'strangles' outbreaks in the UK: the use of M-protein typing of Streptococcus equi ssp. equi

Reasons for performing study: Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed and important infectious disease of horses worldwide. Very little is known about the temporo‐spatial and molecular epidemiology of strangles. The disease is not notifiable in the UK and there are few published data on the geographical locations of outbreaks. Objective: To investigate whether typing of a surface protein (SeM) of Streptococcus equi ssp. equi (S. equi), the causative agent of strangles, is a useful epidemiological tool. Methods: The variable region of the SeM gene was amplified from 145 isolates of S. equi by PCR and sequenced. Different SeM gene alleles were assigned based on the SeM database, grouped into phylogenetic clusters using split decomposition analysis and plotted against the submitting veterinary practices. Results: In this study 21 S. equi SeM alleles were found, including 9 previously unidentified alleles and representing 4 phylogenetic groups. S. equi containing SeM alleles 9 and 7 were the most commonly isolated and there was a high number of low frequency alleles. The occurrence of an outbreak cluster in the north‐west of the UK is also reported. Conclusions: Strangles outbreaks can be differentiated on the basis of their SeM allele sequences. The data provide further evidence of SeM mutation leading to the emergence of novel, but related SeM alleles that are geographically linked. Sequencing of the SeM gene is a useful tool for the elucidation of strangles epidemiology at a regional and a national level. Potential relevance: This technique may allow differentiation or linkage of strangles outbreaks and as such may be an effective tool for local as well as national and international disease surveillance.     

金银花、连翘及其药对对马链球菌马亚种耐药基因和毒力基因的影响

【目的】 研究金银花、连翘及金银花-连翘药对(金银花-连翘1∶1)对北疆地区携带fneB毒力基因的马链球菌马亚种(Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, SEE)耐药基因和毒力基因的影响。【方法】 首先对1 g/mL的金银花、连翘及金银花-连翘药对(金银花-连翘1∶1)水提物进行中药配比浓度梯度试验, 然后与携带fneB毒力基因的L1菌株、lytA+fneB+ply毒力基因的D1菌株和qnrA+bla_TEM+fneB基因的Y1菌株3种SEE菌株共培养, 检测中药对SEE菌株耐药基因bla_TEM、qnrA及毒力基因ply、fneB的影响; 将192只SPF级昆明小鼠均分为16组: 空白对照组(生理盐水)、金银花组、连翘组、金银花-连翘1∶1组、阴性对照组(Y1、L1和D1菌株组)及3种菌株分别与金银花、连翘和金银花-连翘1∶1共培养组, 各组药物或菌液经腹腔注射0.5 mL进行小鼠体内抑菌试验, 检测药物对小鼠的致病性和fneB毒力基因的影响。【结果】 中药最适配比浓度为中药水提物∶THB培养基∶待测菌液(D_{600 nm}值均为0.6)为1 000 μL∶500 μL∶20 μL; 与中药水提取物共培养的3株SEE菌株均未检出耐药基因和毒力基因, 且菌株形态结构均未发生改变。小鼠致病性试验结果显示, 阴性对照组的小鼠成活率分别为16.7%、8.3%和0;而L1+连翘、L1+金银花共培养组小鼠存活率分别为83.3%、75.0%, 金银花-连翘1∶1药对与3株SEE菌株共培养组小鼠成活率分别为41.7%、16.7%、50.0%;小鼠病理解剖结果显示, 除接种SEE菌株的小鼠肝脏肿大淤血、边缘钝圆外, 其余各组肝脏均正常。小鼠体内fneB毒力基因检测结果显示, Y1+金银花、Y1+连翘、Y1+金银花-连翘1∶1、L1+金银花、L1+金银花-连翘1∶1、D1+金银花、D1+连翘、D1+金银花-连翘组均携带fneB毒力基因, L1+连翘组未检出fneB毒力基因, 表明小鼠体内SEE菌株有重新获得fneB毒力基因的能力, 出现菌种反毒复壮, 其机制有待进一步研究。【结论】 金银花、连翘及金银花-连翘药对能够减弱SEE菌株的毒力基因和耐药基因, 从而对马腺疫疾病的防治具有指导意义, 为减抗、替抗提供理论支撑。     

马腺疫链球菌fneB基因LAMP检测方法的建立及应用

为了建立快速简便的fneB-LAMP检测法用于马腺疫病原马链球菌马亚种(S.equi)的检测,本试验采用恒温水浴进行LAMP扩增,建立可视化fneB-LAMP检测方法.结果显示:对大肠埃希菌、无乳链球菌、金黄色葡萄球、蜡状芽孢杆菌和克雷伯杆菌5种菌与标准S.equi菌株检测,只能够检测出标准阳性菌株;对新疆昭苏县3个马...     

Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in an adult horse

A 20‐year‐old, Thoroughbred mare in the fifth month of gestation was examined for weight loss, pyrexia and lethargy. Physical examination, ultrasonography and radiography revealed a severe abscessing pneumonia and a dead fetus. The mare did not respond to symptomatic treatment and died suddenly. Necropsy revealed multifocal pulmonary abscessation. Rhodococcus equi was isolated from the lungs, liver and kidneys. Specific immune function of the mare and presence of the virulence associated protein A (VapA) of the R. equi isolated was not determined. It is likely that immunosuppression is required for systemic R. equi infections in adult horses; however, it is unknown if VapA is necessary to produce disease in adult horses.     

Sequelae and complications of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi infections in the horse

Streptococcus equi ssp. equi infection in the horse, or strangles, commonly results in abscessation of the submandibular, submaxillary or retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Although this classical presentation of strangles is associated with a low mortality rate, complications and sequlae may worsen the prognosis and increase mortality rates. This article reviews sequelae and complictions of S. equi ssp. equi infection in the horse, including guttural pouch empyema, bastard strangles and immune mediated diseases such as purpura haemorrhagica, myopathies and myocarditis.     

FTA纸片中保存的马巴贝虫DNA的PCR检测

应用PCR分别检测了保存在FTA纸片中和-20℃保存的37份马抗凝血液样本中的马巴贝虫DNA。结果显示，FTA纸片和马抗凝血液的马巴贝虫DNA检出率均为75．7％（28／37）。证实FTA纸片中的血液样本可以用于PCR检测，而且结果可靠、节省时间。便于送检和保存，有利于疾病的诊断和流行病学调查。     

Medical management of Rhodococcus equi infections: A clinical epidemiology perspective

Rhodococcus equi infections cause severe pulmonary disease in foals, affecting animal welfare and increasing production costs in horse-breeding farms. Extra-pulmonary disorders (EPD) are relatively common and can occur independently of pulmonary disease; foals with EPD have a more guarded prognosis. The accompanying paper by Shaw et al. (2021) reports the successful diagnosis and medical treatment of a large abdominal abscess caused by R. equi infection. The authors report on the benefits of using gallium maltolate, a semimetal compound with antimicrobial activity, in combination with traditional R. equi infection antimicrobial treatment (combination of a macrolide and rifampicin). Experimental studies are needed to understand further the benefits of this combined therapy, to evaluate the synergistic effects and if it improves the concentration of antimicrobial drugs into infected tissues. The publication of this case report in Equine Veterinary Education is of clinical importance to equine practitioners when diagnosing and treating R. equi infected foals with or without EPD.     

马泰勒虫不同PCR检测方法的比较

为寻求一种快速、有效的马泰勒虫PCR检测方法，用Bec-UF2、Equi-R；EMA-1F、EMA-1R两对引物对56份马血液样本中马泰勒虫的核蛋白体基因和表面蛋白基因进行了常规PCR方法检测，用EMA-5、EMA-6；EMA-7、EMA-8两对引物对56份马血液样本中马泰勒虫的表面蛋白基因进行了PCR和套式PCR方法检测。结果显示，以Bec-UF2、Equi-R为引物的PCR方法的阳性检出率为57．1％（32／56），以EMA-5、EMA-6；EMA-7、EMA-8为引物的套式PCR方法的阳性检出率为51．8％（29／56），以EMA-1F、EMA-1R为引物的PCR方法的阳性检出率为17．9％（10／56）。结果表明，以Bec-UF2、Equi-R为引物的常规PCR方法为检测马泰勒虫的最佳方法。     

青海省乌兰县马小巴贝西亚原虫病的ELISA诊断

用重组的截短的马焦虫(Babesia equi)裂殖子表面抗原2(GST-EMA-2t),作为ELISA诊断抗原,对来自青海省乌兰县的116份马血清进行抗B.equi抗体的检测,共检出15份抗B.equi阳性血清,阳性率为12.93%。结果初步说明我省乌兰县的马群中存在B.equi的感染。     

TLRs介导的信号通路在马链球菌感染RAW264.7细胞中的作用

为探究Toll样受体(TLRs)介导的信号通路在马链球菌马亚种(S.equi)感染小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7中的作用,收集S.equi感染后不同时间点的RAW264.7细胞,提取总RNA并反转录成cDNA,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测细胞Toll样受体1、2、6(TLR1、TLR2、TLR6)、接头蛋白骨髓分化蛋白88(MyD88)及细胞因子IL-1、IL-6、IL-10、IL-12、TNF-αmRNA的表达情况。结果显示,S.equi感染RAW264.7细胞后6h时,TLR1、TLR2、TLR6与MyD88mRNA水平均较对照组没有显著差异(P>0.05);感染后12h时,TLR1、TLR2和TLR6mRNA表达量未出现明显上升(P>0.05),而MyD88mRNA水平极显著升高(P<0.01);感染后24h时,TLR1、TLR2和TLR6mRNA表达水平出现极显著升高(P<0.01),MyD88mRNA表达没有显著变化(P>0.05),且IL-10和IL-12mRNA水平与对照组相比极显著升高(P<0.01),IL-1、IL-6和TNF-αmRNA水平均极显著下降(P<0.01)。结果表明,TLRs介导的信号通路参与S.equi感染RAW264.7细胞的免疫应答反应。     

马巴贝西虫EMA-1基因的克隆与表达

通过聚合酶链式反应扩增出体外培养的马巴西虫USDA株基因EMA-1，将该片段连接到克隆质粒载体pUC19的BamHI酶切位点上，并对其序列进行测定。结果表明该基因长度为836bp，编码的表面蛋白由272个氨基酸残基组成，与佛罗里达（Florida)株的EMA-1的氨基酸序列有95%左右的同源性，再将EMA-1基因片段插入到表达质粒载体pGE-MEX-2的BamHI位点上，并导入大肠杆菌JM109（DE3）中，经SDSPAGE分析和Western blot检测的结果表明，马巴贝西虫USDA株基因EMA-1，在大肠杆菌内获得表达，融合蛋白的分子量为65kDa。将其免疫给小鼠可产生特异性的抗马巴贝西虫抗体，且同驽巴贝西虫无交叉反应。