Characterization of culture supernatant proteins from Brucella abortus and its protection effects against murine brucellosis

In this study, we characterized the secreted proteins of Brucella abortus into the enriched media under the bacterial laboratory growth condition and investigated the pathogenic importance of culture supernatant (CS) proteins to B. abortus infection. CS proteins from stationary phase were concentrated and analyzed using 2D electrophoresis. In MALDI TOF/TOF analysis, more than 27 proteins including CuZn SOD, Dps, Tat, OMPs, Adh, LivF, Tuf, SucC, GroEL and DnaK were identified. Cytotoxic effects of CS proteins were found to increase in a dose-dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells. Upon B. abortus challenge into phagocytes, however, CS proteins pre-treated cells exhibited lower bacterial uptake and intracellular replication compared to untreated cells. Immunization with CS proteins induced a strong humoral and cell mediated immune responses and exhibited significant higher degree of protection against virulence of B. abortus infection compared to mice immunized with Brucella broth protein (BBP). Taken together, these results indicate that B. abortus secreted a number of soluble immunogenic proteins under laboratory culture condition, which can promote antibody production resulted in enhancing host defense against to subsequently bacterial infection. Moreover, further analysis of CS proteins may help to understand the pathogenic mechanism of B. abortus infection and host–pathogen interaction.     

A new Brucella canis species-specific PCR assay for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted from animals to humans, and the development of a rapid, accurate, and widely available identification method is essential for diagnosing this disease. In this study, we developed a new Brucella canis species-specific (BcSS) PCR assay and evaluated its specificity and sensitivity. A specific PCR primer set was designed based on the BCAN_B0548-0549 region in chromosome II of B. canis. The PCR detection for B. canis included amplification of a 300-bp product that is, not found on other Brucella species or, genetically or serologically related bacteria. The detection limit of BcSS-PCR assay was 6 pg/μl by DNA dilution, or 3 × 10³ colony-forming units (CFU) in the buffy coats separated from whole blood experimentally inoculated with B. canis. Using the buffy coat in this PCR assay resulted in approximately 100-times higher sensitivity for B. canis as compared to detect directly from whole blood. This is the first report of a species-specific PCR assay to detect B. canis, and the new assay will provide a valuable tool for the diagnosis of B. canis infection.     

Effects of vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia on the intake,performance, feeding behavior,blood parameters,and immune responses of dairy heifers calves

The aim of this study was to identify possible effects of different vaccination strategies (concomitantly or not) against brucellosis and clostridia on intake, performance, feeding behavior, blood parameters, and immune responses of dairy heifers calves. Fifty heifers calves were enrolled [38 Gyr (Zebu, Bos taurus indicus) and 12 5/8 Holstein Gyr]. At 120 d of age, animals were randomly distributed among 3 groups: B (n = 18), vaccinated against brucellosis; C (n = 14), vaccinated against clostridia and CB (n = 18), vaccinated concomitantly for both. Rectal and thermographic temperatures were evaluated on days 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7,10, 14, and 28 relatives to the vaccination day. Feed and water intake, body weight (BW), and feeding behavior were monitored daily by an electronic feeding system. Blood was sampled on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, relative to the vaccination day for determination of glucose and -hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations. Blood sampled on day 0 (prevaccination) and on days 28 and 42 were used to evaluate the immune response against Brucella abortus and clostridia. There was an increase in rectal temperature between the first and the third day postvaccination in the 3 groups. The thermography revealed an increase of local temperature for 7 d on groups B and CB. Group C had increased local temperature for a longer period, lasting for up to 14 d. Dry mater intake was reduced for groups B and CB, but no alteration was observed for group C. No alterations regarding initial BW, final BW, average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency were observed. No differences were observed for the 3 vaccination groups for blood parameters throughout the evaluation period. The concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia led to lower neutralizing antibody titers against epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens and botulinum toxin type C of C. botulinum (C > CB > B). When cellular proliferation assay and serological tests to B. abortus were evaluated, no differences were observed between groups B and CB. The present results indicate that the concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia has no relevant impact on the intake, performance, and feeding behavior of dairy calves. However, the concomitant vaccination of vaccines against these 2 pathogens impacts animal immunity against clostridial infections.     

Seroprevalence,associated risk factors analysis and first molecular characterization of chlamydia abortus among Egyptian sheep

Chlamydia abortus is one of the most common abortive agents worldwide in sheep. Few studies have been reported C. abortus infection among sheep in Egypt but the available data is scarce. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of C. abortus among sheep, the associated risk factors and its molecular characterization. The present study was conducted on 675 sheep in six Governorates at Northern Egypt. Data analysis confirmed the presence of antibodies against C. abortus in 93 out of 675 sheep. The logistic regression model was fitted to identify the associated risk factors with C. abortus infection. The results revealed that C. abortus increased significantly in ewes (OR = 4.04, 95 %CI: 1.44−11.28) during autumn season (OR = 3.6, 95 %CI: 1.64–8.28), in ewes with a history of abortion (OR = 1.4, 95 %CI: 0.87–2.50) and in farm where no lambing pen (OR = 2.2, 95 %CI: 1.30–3.94) or abscence of post abortion measures (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.23-3.12). In addition, age, flock size and exchange of breeding ram had no significant effect on prevalence of chlamydiosis. Also, PCR assay was confirmed presence of C. abortus as accusative pathogen in aborted ewe and the genetic characterization of Egyptian C. abortus strain revealed 100 % identity with another strain from Iraq. A control program should be applied to reduce economic losses and risk of human infection.     

Brucellosis associated with stillbirth in a bottlenose dolphin in Australia

A captive adult female bottlenose dolphin presented with stillbirth. The placenta appeared oedematous. No other gross lesions were evident in the placenta or the stillborn calf. Histopathology revealed mild multifocal placentitis and foetal encephalitis. Brucella sp. was isolated from lung, liver, spleen and kidney. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated this organism to be most similar to Brucella ceti sequence type (ST) 27. Brucella sp. DNA was detected in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placenta and brain by real-time PCR using primers targeting the IS711 gene. Immunohistochemical staining revealed Brucella sp. antigen in placental inflammation. This is the first report of isolation of Brucella sp. from a marine mammal in the Southern Hemisphere and the first report of marine Brucella-associated disease in Australia.     

Molecular detection of important abortion-causing microorganisms in preputial swab of breeding bucks using PCR-based assays

Infectious diseases and aetiological agents related to female reproductive systems were extensively covered compared to its male counterpart. There needs a proper study to bridge this gap, where microflora and infectious agents of both male and female reproductive are mutually intelligible. With this study, we aimed to evaluate the microbial contamination of the preputial cavity and also screened for abortion-causing agents which are zoonotic as well. In goats, such types of abortions are caused by Brucella melitensis, Chlamydophila, Campylobacter and Coxiella etc. One of the major sources of contamination of semen is the preputial cavity, which is exposed to the external environment leading to spread of infection into the female via semen straws or by natural service. In the current study, good quality bucks (n = 32, Barbari = 12, Jamunapari = 10, Jakhrana = 10) which were routinely used for semen collection were screened for their preputial swabs, for the presence of the above pathogens. For detection of Brucella melitensis, OMP31 based TaqMan® probe real-time PCR assay was used, and for Chlamydia, 16srRNA gene based SYBR® green real-time PCR assay was employed for detection of Chlamydophila abortus. While for Campylobacter spp. and Coxiella burnetii, 16srRNA gene based conventional PCR and Trans-PCR were used, respectively. In the current study, of the screened preputial swabs, none of them showed positive for Brucella and Coxiella, but of the screened 32 samples 17 showed positive for Chlamydia (53.13%) and two (6.25%) showed positive for Campylobacter spp. The current study emphasizes on the farms and laboratories which were regularly involved in screening of brucellosis also often overlook the other potential non-brucella pathogens, causing abortions eventually incurring severe economic losses to the goat keepers.     

布鲁氏菌胞内存活机制与巨噬细胞极化关系研究进展

布鲁氏菌（Brucella）是一种兼性胞内寄生致病菌,虽无典型的毒力因子却有很强的致病力,且常导致慢性持续感染。布鲁氏菌病被列入世界上严重的人兽共患病之一,直接对畜牧业造成重大经济损失,严重威胁人类健康和公共卫生安全。布鲁氏菌感染的靶细胞主要是巨噬细胞,其发展了更高的策略逃逸宿主免疫细胞的杀伤,甚至在细胞内大量繁殖,削弱巨噬细胞的功能,使巨噬细胞的杀伤作用和抗原递呈功能部分丧失,从而能在宿主细胞内长期持续性感染。文章围绕布鲁氏菌胞内存活机制进行探讨,分析了不同极化类型的巨噬细胞在布鲁氏菌感染过程中的调控作用,以及相关炎症通路对机体炎症发展的作用;揭示了布鲁氏菌胞内生存不仅可适应持续感染期间不同的免疫微环境,也可适应感染期间靶细胞营养物质利用率的差异;证实了在慢性感染的过程中免疫逃避和与宿主细胞代谢的相互作用起关键作用;解释了NF-κB通路是调节M1/M2型巨噬细胞亚型平衡状态的关键因素。布鲁氏菌在宿主细胞中持续感染是国内外学者所面临的巨大难题,其免疫逃逸机制和致病机制仍需进一步研究。     

3株非典型羊源布鲁菌的基因分型研究

[目的]探讨采用基因分型方法对非典型布鲁菌鉴定的实用性,为非典型菌株的鉴别提供参考。[方法]采用常规鉴定方法和VITEK 2.0全自动细菌鉴定分析系统对菌株进行初步鉴定,利用AMOS-PCR进行种型鉴定,应用多位点可变数目串联重复序列分析方法(MLVA)确定菌株的基因型。[结果]常规鉴定结果显示试验菌株为疑似布鲁菌;VITEK 2.0全自动细菌鉴定系统显示3株试验菌株均为布鲁菌;AMOS-PCR扩增表明试验菌株均为羊种菌,MLVA聚类分析表明试验菌株与羊种2型布鲁菌紧密地聚为一类,属东地中海基因型,并在Panel 2B中发现了新的基因型(4-4-3-7-5),命名为CN2B-45。[结论]MLVA基因分型方法对非典型布鲁菌具有极高的分辨力,是非典型布鲁菌分型鉴别的最佳策略。     

The Fluorescent Characterization and Analysis of Two Brucella Attenuated Vaccine Infecting Mouse Macrophagocyte

The experiment was conducted to discuss the difference of binding time of green fluorescent protein B.melitensis M5 (GFP-M5) and B.abortus S19 (GFP-S19) infecting the mouse macrophagocyte (RAW264.7),lysosome,endoplasmic reticulum and golgi body in the initial stage and compare the binding rate of GFP-M5,GFP-S19 with organelle in different timeline,respectively,by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and flow cytometry.The result showed that GFP-M5 and GFP-S19 were successfully constructed.The intracellular survival ability of Brucella M5,Brucella S19,GFP-M5 and GFP-S19 were not obvisouly affected after infecting RAW264.7.GFP-M5 and GFP-S19 could enter the macrophagocyte in 30 mins,and in 2 h the Brucella could reach lysosome,endoplasmic reticulum and golgi body.In addition,the binding time for two attenuated vaccine did not show differences in 1,2,3 and 4 h.The content of GFP⁺ cell produced by RAW264.7 infected by GFP-M5 and GFP-S19 did not show significant differences (P>0.05).Therefore,the two strains did not have significant differences in the invasion ability in the initial stage of infecting host cell.     

NO/ADMA在布鲁菌侵染小鼠机体过程中的响应特征

本试验旨在研究布鲁菌侵染小鼠过程中一氧化氮(NO)的作用,以及NO和非对称性二甲基精氨酸(ADMA)在此过程的相互作用关系。以布鲁菌标准疫苗株M5侵染小鼠,首先用小鼠的血清进行虎红平板凝集(RBPT)和试管凝集试验(SAT),再用Griess试剂法和ELISA法测定对照组和侵染组不同组织和血清中的NO和ADMA含量,对小鼠肝脏和脾脏的各个侵染时间段进行CFU计数观察。结果显示,用布鲁菌M5侵染小鼠后,RBPT和SAT在14d时检测到有阳性反应。侵染组和空白对照组NO总含量上变化不大,但侵染组血清中的NO含量随时间出现下降,而肝脾中NO含量随时间出现上升,其他各组织NO含量波动不明显。而ADMA的总趋势与NO相反。CFU计数结果显示,小鼠肝脾内布鲁菌的数量在14d时一直处于增长状态,28d时布鲁菌的数量下降,表明布鲁菌的分裂繁殖和机体NO的含量存在一定的关系。