Evaluation of reproductive traits and ovarian and uterine morphology of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor,prolactin receptor,and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta genes

The purpose of this study was to analyze the morpho-functional features of the ovaries and uterus of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor (ESR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta (FSHβ) genes associated with reproductive traits. Healthy Large White sows were studied. The genotypic status of the ESR, PRLR, and FSHβ genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The structure of the ovaries and uterus was studied using quantitative assessment of organs and histological research.Sows with the ESR^BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the ESR^AA genotype in milk yield (by 0.3 kg) and in the number of piglets at birth (by 0.9 animals) and at weaning (by 0.7 animals). Sows with the ESR^AB genotype were midway between those with ESR^BB and ESR^AA genotypes in terms of these reproductive traits. Animals with the PRLR^AA genotype significantly exceeded those with the PRLR^BB genotype in the number of piglets born (P < 0.05); the differences in litter weight at birth were not significant. Compared to other genotypes, sows with genotypes ESR^BB (P < 0.05) and PRLR^{AA (AB)} (P < 0.05) had larger uteruses and more yellow bodies, tertiary follicles, and primordial follicles in their ovaries. Animals with the FSHβ^BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the FSHβ^AB genotype in the length of uterus by 21 cm (P < 0.05).     

Infection of specific-pathogen-free lambs with parainfluenza virus type 3, Pasteurella haemolytica and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae

Groups of specific-pathogen-free lambs were inoculated with combinations of parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI₃), Pasteurella haemolytica (P.h.) and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae ( (M.o.). Acute, necrotising bronchopneumonia developed in 8/9 lambs inoculated with PI₃ followed by P.h. whereas only 1/5 lambs inoculated with PI₃ followed by a combination of M.o. and P.h. developed a pneumonic lesion. When M.o. was inoculated 29 days before PI₃ and P.h., pneumonia developed in 3/4 lambs but M.o. was not reisolated from any of the lungs. Pneumonia was observed in 1/5 lambs inoculated with P.h. alone and in 1/5 inoculated with M.o. plus P.h. In addition, one lamb in the latter group died of acute septicaemic pasteurellosis. None of the lambs inoculated with M.o. alone, PI₃ alone or PI₃ followed by M.o. had any gross or microscopic evidence of pneumonia although the virus alone, or in combination, did produce minor pulmonary lesions.These data suggest that M.o. is not an important primary or secondary lung pathogen.     

Antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolates in cattle and house sparrows on two Czech dairy farms

Rectal smears of calves, cows and young bulls, as well as cloacal smears of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), from farms at the villages of Šumice and Troskotovice, Czech Republic, were examined for E. coli resistant to 12 antimicrobials. The resistant isolates were tested for antimicrobial-resistance genes and integrons. Totals of 40% (n = 183), 3% (n = 95), 0% (n = 33), and 9% (n = 54) of Escherichia coli isolates from calves, cows, young bulls and house sparrows, respectively, were antimicrobial resistant. The following genes were identified in cattle E. coli isolates: tetA, tetB (isolates resistant to tetracycline), bla_TEM (beta-lactams), strA, aadA (streptomycin), sul1, sul2 (sulphonamides), and cat, floR (chloramphenicol). Seven of 16 antimicrobial-resistant calf isolates from the Šumice farm possessed class 1 integrons with the aadA1 gene cassette integrated, 1 kb in size. On the Troskotovice farm, eight of 57 antimicrobial-resistant calf isolates possessed class 1 integrons. Integrons of 1.5 kb with the dhfr1- aadA1 gene cassette were found in four isolates, followed by a 1 kb integron with the aadA1 gene found in three isolates, and a 1.7 kb integron with the dhfr17-aadA5 gene cassette and the phenotype ASSuTSxtNaCipCCfG. The prevalence of resistant E. coli in calves compared to adult cattle was much higher and probably was influenced by oral antimicrobial usage in calves, feeding with milk and colostrum from treated cows, as well as mechanisms unrelated to antimicrobial drug selection. Although house sparrows lived together with the cattle and came into contact with cattle waste on the farm, they were not infected by resistant E. coli isolates with the same characteristics as those found in cattle.     

The impact of direct-maternal genetic correlations on international beef cattle evaluations for Limousin weaning weight

In beef cattle maternally influenced traits, estimates of direct-maternal genetic correlations (r_dm) are usually reported to be negative. In international evaluations, r_dm can differ both within countries (r_{dm_WC}) and between countries (r_{dm_BC}). The r_{dm_BC} are difficult to estimate and are assumed to be zero in the current model for international beef cattle evaluations (Interbeef). Our objective was to investigate re-ranking of international estimated breeding values (IEBVs) in international beef cattle evaluations between models that either used estimated values for r_dm or assumed them to be 0. Age-adjusted weaning weights and pedigree data were available for Limousin beef cattle from ten European countries. International EBVs were obtained using a multi-trait animal model with countries modeled as different traits. We compared IEBVs from a model that uses estimated r_{dm_BC} (ranging between −0.14 and +0.14) and r_{dm_WC} (between −0.33 and +0.40) with IEBVs obtained either from the current model that assumes r_{dm_BC} to be 0, or from an alternative model that assumes both r_{dm_BC} and r_{dm_WC} to be 0. Direct and maternal IEBVs were compared across those three scenarios for different groups of animals. The ratio of population accuracies from the linear regression method was used to further investigate the impact of r_dm on international evaluations, for both the whole set of animals in the evaluation and the domestic ones. Ignoring r_{dm_BC}, i.e., replacing estimated values with 0, resulted in no (rank correlations > 0.99) or limited (between 0.98 and 0.99) re-ranking for direct and maternal IEBVs, respectively. Both r_{dm_BC} and r_{dm_WC} had less impact on direct IEBVs than on maternal IEBVs. Re-ranking of maternal IEBVs decreased with increasing reliability. Ignoring r_{dm_BC} resulted in no re-ranking for sires with IEBVs that might be exchanged across countries and limited re-ranking for the top 100 sires. Using estimated r_{dm_BC} values instead of considering them to be 0 resulted in null to limited increases in population accuracy. Ignoring both r_{dm_BC} and r_{dm_WC} resulted in considerable re-ranking of animals’ IEBVs in all groups of animals evaluated. This study showed the limited impact of the current practice of ignoring r_{dm_BC} in international evaluations for Limousin weaning weight, most likely because the estimated r_{dm_BC} was close to 0. We expect that these conclusions can be extended to other traits that have reported r_dm values in the range of r_{dm_WC} values for weaning weight in Limousin.     

Vibrios as causal agents of zoonoses

Vibrios are Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria that are widespread in the coastal and estuarine environments. Some species, e.g. Vibrio anguillarum and V. tapetis, comprise serious pathogens of aquatic vertebrates or invertebrates. Other groups, including Grimontia (=Vibrio) hollisae, Photobacterium (=Vibrio) damselae subsp. damselae, V. alginolyticus, V. harveyi (=V. carchariae), V. cholerae, V. fluvialis, V. furnissii, V. metschnikovii, V. mimicus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus, may cause disease in both aquatic animals and humans. The human outbreaks, although low in number, typically involve wound infections and gastro-intestinal disease often with watery diarrhoea. In a minority of cases, for example V. vulnificus, there is good evidence to actually associate human infections with diseased animals. In other cases, the link is certainly feasible but hard evidence is mostly lacking.     

Occurrence of Mycobacterium spp. and other pathogens in lymph nodes of slaughtered swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa)

Mycobacterium spp. and other pathogens were investigated in 258 swine lymph nodes (129 with and 129 without apparent lesions), and 120 lymph nodes (60 with and 60 without lesions) from wild boars (Sus scrofa). A total of lymph nodes from swine and wild boars were collected of different animals. Submaxillar and mesenteric lymph nodes were submitted to microbiological examination and colonies suggestive of Mycobacterium spp. (alcohol-acid bacilli) were submitted to PCR Restriction Assay (PRA). In swine with lymphadenitis, Mycobacterium spp. (24.1%) and Rhodococcus equi (13.2%) were the most prevalent microorganisms, while in lymph nodes without lesions were identified a complex of microorganisms, including of environmental mycobacteria. In wild boars with lymphadenitis, ß-haemolytic Streptococcus (10.0%), Mycobacterium spp (8.4%) and R. equi (6.6%) were the most frequent. Among mycobacterias were identified predominantly Mycobacterium avium subspecies type 1 (48.3%) and M. avium subspecies type 2 (16.1%), followed by Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium szulgai,Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium simiae, Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum and Mycobacterium intracellulare type 2.     

Characterization of Mannheimia haemolytica isolated from feedlot cattle that were healthy or treated for bovine respiratory disease

Mannheimia haemolytica is the principal bacterial pathogen associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). As an opportunistic pathogen, M. haemolytica is also frequently isolated from the respiratory tract of healthy cattle. This study examined the characteristics of M. haemolytica collected using deep nasal swabs from healthy cattle (n = 49) and cattle diagnosed with BRD (n = 41). Isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), serotyped, and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen isolates for virulence [leukotoxin C (lktC), putative adhesin (ahs), outer-membrane lipoprotein (gs60), O-sialoglycoprotease (gcp), transferring-binding protein B (tbpB) and UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-2-epimerase (nmaA)] and antimicrobial resistance [tet(H), bla_ROB-1, erm(X), erm(42), msr(E)-mph(E) and aphA-1] genes. Isolates were genetically diverse but in three instances, M. haemolytica with the same pulsotype, resistance phenotype, and genotype were collected from cattle with BRD. This occurred once between cattle located in two different feedlots, once between cattle in the same feedlot, but in different pens, and once among cattle from the same feedlot in the same pen. Isolates from healthy cattle were primarily serotype 2 (75.5%) while those from individuals with BRD were serotype 1 (70.7%) or 6 (19.5%). Resistance to at least one antibiotic occurred more frequently (P < 0.001) in M. haemolytica collected from cattle with BRD (37%) compared with those that were healthy (2%). Overall, tetracycline resistance (18%) was the most prevalent resistant phenotype. All tetracycline-resistant M. haemolytica encoded tet(H). Ampicillin resistance (6%) and neomycin resistance (15%) were detected and corresponded to the presence of the bla_ROB-1 and aphA-1 genes, respectively. Tilmicosin resistance (6%) was also detected, but the resistance genes responsible were not identified. The virulence genes lktC, ahs, gs60, and gcp were present in all isolates examined, while tbpB and nmaA were only detected in serotype 1 and serotype 6 isolates indicating they may be potential targets for serotype-specific identification or vaccine development. These results provide the first reported evidence of transmission and spread of antimicrobial-resistant M. haemolytica that have contributed to bovine respiratory disease in western Canadian feedlots.     

Identification of Babesia species infecting dogs using reverse line blot hybridization for six canine piroplasms,and evaluation of co-infection by other vector-borne pathogens

Canine infection by vector-borne hemoparasites is frequent in tropical and sub-tropical areas where exposure to hematophageous ectoparasites is intensive. A reverse line blot (RLB) assay was designed to improve the simultaneous detection of all named canine piroplasm species combined with other vector-borne pathogens of dogs including Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis and Leishmania infantum common in the Mediterranean basin. Blood samples of 110 dogs from Spain (n = 21), Portugal (n = 14) and Israel (n = 75) were analyzed. The study evaluated 2 groups of dogs, 49 dogs with piroplasm infection detected by blood smear microscopy from Portugal, Spain and Israel, and 61 dogs surveyed from rural areas in Israel, for which infection status with vector-borne pathogens was unknown. Among the dogs previously diagnosed with piroplasmosis, infection with Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli, Babesia gibsoni and Theileria annae was detected in the Iberian dogs while only B. vogeli was found in Israeli dogs. These differences are attributed to the absence of tick vectors for some piroplasm species such as Dermacentor reticulatus in Israel. Eleven (79%) of the Babesia-positive dogs from Portugal were co-infected with other pathogens including L. infantum, H. canis and E. canis. Eight of 61 (13%) rural Israeli dogs were co-infected with two or more pathogens including B. vogeli, L. infantum, E. canis, and H. canis. Triple infections were demonstrated in 2 dogs. The RLB detection limit for Babesia was 50-fold lower than that of PCR. This study presents a RLB to simultaneously detect and separate the major vector-borne dog pathogens in southern Europe and the Middle East.     

Fusobacterium necrophorum,and not Dichelobacter nodosus,is associated with equine hoof thrush

The aim of this study was to determine which of the two species, Fusobacterium necrophorum or Dichelobacter nodosus, are associated with hoof thrush in horses. Fourteen hoof samples, collected from eight horses with thrush and 14 samples collected from eight horses with healthy hooves, were examined for the presence of F. necrophorum, Fusobacterium equinum and D. nodosus. Only isolates with phenotypic characteristics representing Fusobacterium could be cultured. Total DNA extracted from the 28 hoof samples was amplified by using DNA primers designed from gene lktA, present in F. necrophorum subsp. necrophorum, F. necrophorum subsp. funduliforme and F. equinum, and gene fimA, present in D. nodosus. The lktA gene was amplified from five of the 14 infected hoof samples and from one hoof sample without thrush. The DNA sequence of the amplified ltkA gene was identical to the lktA gene of the type strain of F. necrophorum (GenBank accession number AF312861). The isolates were phenotypically differentiated from F. equinum. No DNA was amplified using the fimA primer set, suggesting that F. necrophorum, and not D. nodosus, is associated with equine hoof thrush. Hoof thrush in horses is thus caused by F. necrophorum in the absence D. nodosus. This is different from footrot in sheep, goats, cattle and pigs, which is caused by the synergistic action of F. necrophorum and D. nodosus.     

Molecular detection of Theileria and Babesia infections in cattle

This study was carried out to determine the presence and distribution of tick-borne haemoprotozoan parasites (Theileria and Babesia) in apparently healthy cattle in the East Black Sea Region of Turkey. A total of 389 blood samples were collected from the animals of various ages in six provinces in the region. Prevalence of infection was determined by reverse line blot (RLB) assay. The hypervariable V4 region of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified with a set of primers for members of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Amplified PCR products were hybridized onto a membrane to which generic- and species-specific oligonucleotide probes were covalently linked. RLB hybridization identified infection in 16.19% of the samples. Blood smears were also examined microscopically for Theileria and/or Babesia spp. and 5.14% were positive. All samples shown to be positive by microscopy also tested positive with RLB assay. Two Theileria (T. annulata and T. buffeli/orientalis) and three Babesia (B. bigemina, B. major and Babesia sp.) species or genotypes were identified in the region. Babesia sp. genotype shared 99% similarity with the previously reported sequences of Babesia sp. Kashi 1, Babesia sp. Kashi 2 and Babesia sp. Kayseri 1. The most frequently found species was T. buffeli/orientalis, present in 11.56% of the samples. T. annulata was identified in five samples (1.28%). Babesia infections were less frequently detected: B. bigemina was found in three samples (0.77%), B. major in two samples (0.51%) and Babesia sp. in five samples (1.28%). A single animal infected with T. buffeli/orientalis was also infected with B. bigemina.     

Distribution of the putative virulence factor encoding gene sheta in Staphylococcus hyicus strains of various origins

In the present study, Staphylococcus (S.) hyicus strains isolated in Russia (n = 23) and Germany (n = 17) were investigated for the prevalence of the previously described genes sheta and shetb. Sheta was detected in 16 S. hyicus strains. Sheta-positive strains were mainly found among strains isolated from exudative epidermitis, and frequently together with the exfoliative toxin-encoding genes exhD and exhC. Partial sequencing of sheta in a single S. hyicus strain revealed an almost complete match with the sheta sequence obtained from GenBank. None of the S. hyicus strains displayed a positive reaction with the shetb-specific oligonucleotide primer used in the present study. According to the present results, the exotoxin encoding gene sheta seems to be distributed among S. hyicus strains in Russia and Germany. The toxigenic potential of this exotoxin, which does not have the classical structure of a staphylococcal exfoliative toxin, remains to be elucidated.     

Experimental immunization of calves against Anaplasma marginale infection: observations on the use of living A. centrale and A. marginale

Groups of Bos indicus cross calves aged 6 months were immunized with Anaplasma centrale or A. marginale. All animals were challenged with 10¹⁰A. marginale 7 months later. Groups immunized with A. marginale were refractory to challenge, whereas only a portion of the animals vaccinated with A. centrale were immune. Following immunization, animals that had experienced a good primary antibody response as measured by a complement fixation test, a marked reduction in packed cell volume, and a high parasitaemia, resisted a subsequent challenge with A. marginale. Resistance was characterised by a weak secondary antibody response and the absence of A. marginale in blood films     

Flea species infesting dogs in Florida and Bartonella spp. prevalence rates

Several Bartonella spp. associated with fleas can induce a variety of clinical syndromes in both dogs and humans. However, few studies have investigated the prevalence of Bartonella in the blood of dogs and their fleas. The objectives of this study were to determine the genera of fleas infesting shelter dogs in Florida, the prevalence of Bartonella spp. within the fleas, and the prevalence of Bartonella spp. within the blood of healthy dogs from which the fleas were collected. Fleas, serum, and EDTA-anti-coagulated whole blood were collected from 80 healthy dogs, and total DNA was extracted for PCR amplification of Bartonella spp. The genera of fleas infesting 43 of the dogs were determined phenotypically. PCR amplicons from blood and flea pools were sequenced to confirm the Bartonella species. Amplicons for which sequencing revealed homology to Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii (Bvb) underwent specific genotyping by targeting the 16S–23S intergenic spacer region.A total of 220 fleas were collected from 80 dogs and pooled by genus (43 dogs) and flea species. Bartonella spp. DNA was amplified from 14 of 80 dog blood samples (17.5%) and from 9 of 80 pooled fleas (11.3%). B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii DNA was amplified from nine dogs and five of the flea pools. Bartonella rochalimae (Br) DNA was amplified from six dogs and two flea pools. One of 14 dogs was co-infected with Bvb and Br. The dog was infested with Pulex spp. fleas containing Br DNA and a single Ctenocephalides felis flea. Of the Bvb bacteremic dogs, five and four were infected with genotypes II and I, respectively. Of the Bvb PCR positive flea pools, three were Bvb genotype II and two were Bvb genotype I.Amplification of Bvb DNA from Pulex spp. collected from domestic dogs, suggests that Pulex fleas may be a vector for dogs and a source for zoonotic transfer of this pathogen from dogs to people. The findings of this study provide evidence to support the hypothesis that flea-infested dogs may be a reservoir host for Bvb and Br and that ectoparasite control is an important component of shelter intake protocols.     

Associations of natural variation in the CD163 and other candidate genes on host response of nursery pigs to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection

Pigs with complete resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus (PRRSV) have been produced by genetically knocking out the CD163 gene that encodes a receptor of the PRRSV for entry into macrophages. The objectives of this study were to evaluate associations of naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD163 gene and in three other candidate genes (CD169, RGS16, and TRAF1) with host response to PRRSV-only infection and to PRRS vaccination and PRRSV/porcine circovirus 2b (PCV2b) coinfection. SNPs in the CD163 gene were not included on SNP genotyping panels that were used for previous genome-wide association analyses of these data. An additional objective was to identify the potential genetic interaction of variants at these four candidate genes with a mutation in the GBP5 gene that was previously identified to be associated with host response to PRRSV infection. Finally, the association of SNPs with expression level of the nearby gene was tested. Several SNPs in the CD163, CD169, and RGS16 genes were significantly associated with host response under PRRSV-only and/or PRRSV/PCV2b coinfection. The effects of all SNPs that were significant in the PRRSV-only infection trials depend on genetic background. The effects of some SNPs in the CD163, CD169, and RGS16 genes depend on genotype at the putative causative mutation in the GBP5 gene, which indicates a potential biological interaction of these genes with GBP5. In addition, genome-wide association results for the PRRSV-only infection trials revealed that SNPs located in the CDK5RAP2 or MEGF9 genes, near the TRAF1 gene, had suggestive effects on PRRS viral load, which indicates that these SNPs might contribute to PRRSV neuropathogenesis. In conclusion, natural genetic variants in the CD163, CD169, and RGS16 genes are associated with resistance to PRRSV and/or PCV2b infection and appear to interact with the resistance quantitative trait locus in the GBP5 gene. The identified SNPs can be used to select for increased natural resistance to PRRSV and/or PRRSV-PCV2b coinfection.     

Syphacia (Syphacia) maxomyos sp. n. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) from Maxomys spp. (Rodentia: Muridae) from Sulawesi and Sumatra,Indonesia

The present report describes Syphacia (Syphacia) maxomyos sp. n. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) from two species of spiny rats, Maxomys musschenbroekii from Sulawesi and M. whiteheadi from Sumatra. It is characterized by a cephalic plate extending laterally with dorsoventral constriction and stumpy eggs with an operculum rim reaching pole. It is readily distinguishable by the former feature from all of hitherto known representatives of this genus in Indonesia, but it resembles parasites in Murini and Hydromyni rodents in continental Asia and Sahul. This is the first Syphacia species distributed in both the Sunda Shelf and Sulawesi with the exception of Syphacia muris, a cosmopolitan pinworm found in rodents of the of genus Rattus. It is surmised that S. maxomyos is specific to Maxomys and that it was introduced to Sulawesi by dispersal of some Maxomys from the Sunda Shelf.     

Distribution of IS629 and stx genotypes among enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 isolates in Yamaguchi Prefecture,Japan, 2004–2013

Patterns of insertion sequence (IS)629, norV genotype, and Shiga toxin (Stx) genotype distribution were investigated amongst 203 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 isolates collected in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, between 2004 and 2013. A total of 114 IS629 patterns were identified; these were divided into eight IS groups (A–H). Ninety isolates carried an intact norV gene, whereas 113 isolates carried a norV with a 204-bp deletion. Other than one isolate from IS group G, all isolates with an intact norV belonged to groups A–F, whereas isolates with a mutant norV belonged to IS groups G and H. Seven stx genotypes were identified, and of those, stx1a/stx2a was predominant (n=105), followed by stx2c (n=32) and stx2a (n=27). The stx1a/stx2a genotype was associated with the mutant norV isolates, whereas isolates with an intact norV had the stx2c genotype. Therefore, certain combinations of IS type and stx genotype appear to be more frequent among O157 clades which may be useful for detection of predominant subtypes in the interest of public health.     

Babesia spp. in European wild ruminant species: parasite diversity and risk factors for infection

Babesia are tick-borne parasites that are increasingly considered as a threat to animal and public health. We aimed to assess the role of European free-ranging wild ruminants as maintenance mammalian hosts for Babesia species and to determine risk factors for infection. EDTA blood was collected from 222 roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus), 231 red deer (Cervus e. elaphus), 267 Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and 264 Alpine ibex (Capra i. ibex) from all over Switzerland and analysed by PCR with pan-Babesia primers targeting the 18S rRNA gene, primers specific for B. capreoli and Babesia sp. EU1, and by sequencing. Babesia species, including B. divergens, B. capreoli, Babesia sp. EU1, Babesia sp. CH1 and B. motasi, were detected in 10.7% of all samples. Five individuals were co-infected with two Babesia species. Infection with specific Babesia varied widely between host species. Cervidae were significantly more infected with Babesia spp. than Caprinae. Babesia capreoli and Babesia sp. EU1 were mostly found in roe deer (prevalences 17.1% and 7.7%, respectively) and B. divergens and Babesia sp. CH1 only in red deer. Factors significantly associated with infection were low altitude and young age. Identification of Babesia sp. CH1 in red deer, co-infection with multiple Babesia species and infection of wild Caprinae with B. motasi and Babesia sp. EU1 are novel findings. We propose wild Caprinae as spillover or accidental hosts for Babesia species but wild Cervidae as mammalian reservoir hosts for B. capreoli, possibly Babesia sp. EU1 and Babesia sp. CH1, whereas their role regarding B. divergens is more elusive.     

Mitogenic Equine Isolates of Streptococcus zooepidemicus From North America Host Superantigen Genes Similar to Those Hosted in Europe

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (Sz) is an important opportunist pathogen of the equine respiratory and reproductive tracts. It is highly variable with respect to sequence type and virulence factors including SzP and SzM. Recent studies in the UK have shown that many Sz strains host genes for mitogenic superantigens including szeF, szeN, szeP, seeI, seeL, and seeM. The aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of mitogenicity in equine Sz in North America and establish whether mitogenicity is more likely to be associated with isolates from a specific site of infection. Twenty-six percent (23/90) of strains randomly selected from over 600 Sz isolated in the United States from 1969 to 1994 were mitogenic for equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. All but five of these mitogenic Sz encoded one or more of the superantigen genes szeF, szeN, szeP, seeI, seeL, and seeM. Homologues of seeH in S. equi were not detected in any Sz strain. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the presence of seeI, szeF, szeN, or szeP in 91% (10/11) of isolates from lymph node abscesses confirming earlier reports of a significant association of superantigens with lymph node abscessation in the UK. In contrast, only 24% (4/17) of Sz isolates from the reproductive tract were mitogenic and/or hosted seeL, seeM, szeF, szeP, or szeN.