Bovine mycoplasmas: cultural and biochemical studies. I

A survey is given of presently known mycoplasmas of bovine source. Media and methods of cultivation are described. Cholesterol dependence, being the basis of division of Mycoplasmatales into Mycoplasmataceae and Acholeplasmataceae, was examined directly and also indirectly employing sensitivity tests to digitonin and sodium polyanethole sulphonate (SPS). All by now recognized species were found to be correctly classified in Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma, respectively. Of the unnamed “serogroups” 2 should be classified in the latter genus, while 6 serogroups were members of the genus Mycoplasma. Correlation was found between the digitonin test and the direct determination of cholesterol requirement, whereas this was not the case with the SPS test.     

Bovine mycoplasmas: cultural and biochemical studies. II

A number of biochemical and biological tests have been performed using reference strains of presently known mycoplasma species or sero-groups of bovine origin. The purpose of these investigations was partly to fulfil the requirements of “The Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Mycoplasmatares” in describing new species of mycoplasmas, and partly to select methods which might be of value in daily diagnostic work. Concerning the latter point, the following tests are recommended for strains belonging to the digitonin resistant genus Acholeplasma: catabolism of galactose, xylose, aesculin and arbutin. In the genus Mycoplasma, which is digitonin sensitive, 5 tests are of special value: catabolism of glucose and arginine, phosphatase activity, formation of “film and spots”, and serum digestion.     

Characterization and identification of caprine, genital mycoplasmas

A total of 55 mycoplasma strains, isolated from the vagina of goats, were examined. Three strains, being arginine positive and glucose negative, could not be finally classified. Five isolates were identified as Acholeplasma laidlawii. Fourty-seven strains were phosphatase positive, glucose and arginine negative. Nine of these formed “film and spots” on standard growth medium, and reduced tetrazolium aerobically. Serological examination identified 7 as M. agalactiae, while 2 were M. bovis. The remaining 38 isolates did not reduce tetrazolium aerobically, and did not produce “film and spots.” on standard growth medium. All these except one were identified as M. bovigenitalium by immunofluorescence. Their relationship to group 11 otf Al-Aubaidi is discussed.     

Widespread infection with hemotropic mycoplasmas in bats in Spain,including a hemoplasma closely related to “Candidatus Mycoplasma hemohominis”

Molecular analyses of blood samples revealed infection with hemoplasmas in 97% of 31 cave bats captured in three caves in North-Eastern Spain. The characterization of 1250 bp of the 16S rRNA gene in 29 of the positive bats identified two different groups of sequences. Twenty-two Schreibers’ bats (Miniopterus schreibersii) and one long-eared bat (Myotis capaccinii) shared one group, composed of seven closely related sequences. These sequences showed an identity of about 97% with “Candidatus Mycoplasma hemohominis” and the phylogenetic branch including bat and human sequences showed a 100% bootstrap value, supporting a close phylogenetic relationship between these hemoplasmas. The second group, representing a potentially novel species, was composed of a single sequence shared by six Schreibers’ bats that had 91% identity with the recently reported hemoplasma from little brown bats in North America. Large bat aggregations in roosting caves probably benefits intra and inter-species transmission explaining the high observed prevalence.     

Differential clustering of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC strains by PCR-REA of the bgl locus

In order to develop a specific tool differentiating the African field strains of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC from other potentially less virulent strains, including the vaccine strains, we have developed a PCR followed by a restriction enzyme analysis (PCR–REA). This approach also differentiates the African field strains from the Australian strains and the type strain PG1. The genomic marker detected by the PCR–REA is based on a single nucleotide change in the bgl gene that codes for 6-phospho-β-glucosidase (Bgl), an enzyme that is involved in sugar metabolism.     

抗丝状支原体丝状亚种单克隆抗体的制备及初步应用

旨在制备抗丝状支原体丝状亚种(Mmm)的特异性单克隆抗体(MAb),为牛传染性胸膜肺炎(CBPP)病原诊断的免疫学方法提供特异性抗体。本研究利用生物信息学技术分析了Mmm国内分离株Ben-1不同传代株的全基因组序列,选取M0071蛋白作为研究对象。将原核表达的可溶性重组蛋白M0071(rM0071)作为免疫原免疫BALB/c小鼠,通过有限稀释法和间接ELISA方法筛选得到能稳定分泌抗rM0071蛋白的单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株。进一步制备单抗腹水并纯化,利用Western blot方法对该单抗进行特异性鉴定,同时测定其抗体效价和抗体亚类。随后利用间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)评价该单抗对细胞感染Mmm的检测能力。结果表明成功获得1株单克隆细胞株3C4A1,将其分泌抗体命名为MAb 3C4A1。特异性结果表明,MAb 3C4A1能与Mmm的分离株和标准株发生特异性反应,而不与山羊支原体山羊肺炎亚种、丝状支原体山羊亚种、牛鼻支原体、无乳支原体、牛支原体、leachii支原体和牛A型巴氏杆菌等发生反应。抗体亚类鉴定MAb 3C4A1属于IgG1亚类、轻链为κ链。经间接ELISA测定其抗体效价为1∶256 000。IFA试验结果表明,MAb 3C4A1仅与感染EBL细胞的Mmm发生绿色荧光反应,而与牛鼻支原体、无乳支原体、牛支原体感染的细胞不发生荧光反应,特异性良好。本研究制备的MAb 3C4A1具有良好的特异性和免疫反应性,可作为CBPP病原免疫学诊断的工具,为进一步研制CBPP病原鉴别诊断试剂盒提供了基础材料。     

Heterogeneity of Mycoplasma dispar.

Seventy bovine mycoplasma strains recovered from cases of calf pneumonia, and all displaying the cultural characteristics of Mycoplasma dispar, were compared to the type strain of this species by the disc growth inhibition test, the metabolism inhibition test and indirect epi-immunofluorescence test applied to colonies on agar. Sixty-seven strains were found to be identical with M. dispar. The remaining three strains formed a distinct serogroup partially separate from the type strain of M. dispar, but the difference from the type strain was not considered great enough to warrant the establishment of a subspecies.     

丝状支原体山羊亚种最佳培养基的筛选

在不同条件下对丝状支原体山羊亚种进行培养,通过PPLO精氨酸培养基、牛心汤培养基、MEM-KM2培养基以及不同种类动物血清和同一动物不同浓度血清,从生长滴度、生长速度、培养基来源、造价各个方面的比较试验,结果显示,加100 mL/L马血清的MEM-KM2培养基更适合于丝状支原体山羊亚种的培养,它的生长滴度可达109,所需时间只为5 d,并且配置方便,价格合理。这一结果为丝状支原体山羊亚种抗原的大批量生产奠定了良好的基础。     

Molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, the aetiological agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), is considered the most pathogenic of the Mycoplasma species. Its virulence is probably the result of a coordinated action of various components of an antigenically and functionally dynamic surface architecture. The different virulence attributes allow the pathogen to evade the host's immune defence, adhere tightly to the host cell surface, persist and disseminate in the host causing mycoplasmaemia, efficiently import energetically valuable nutrients present in the environment, and release and simultaneously translocate toxic metabolic pathway products to the host cell where they cause cytotoxic effects that are known to induce inflammatory processes and disease. This strategy enables the mycoplasma to exploit the minimal genetic information in its small genome, not only to fulfil the basic functions for its replication but also to damage host cells in intimate proximity thereby acquiring the necessary bio-molecules, such as amino acids and nucleic acid precursors, for its own biosynthesis and survival.     

牛支原体、无乳支原体和丝状支原体丝状亚种小克隆三重PCR检测方法的建立及初步应用

本研究旨在建立一种可一次性区分牛支原体、丝状支原体丝状亚种小克隆和无乳支原体的三重PCR诊断方法,为临床诊断和流行病学调查提供可靠检测技术.根据GenBank发表的上述3种病原的基因组序列保守区域设计3对特异性引物建立三重PCR方法;确定其检测敏感性,以猪支原体、鸡支原体、无乳支原体和丝状支原体丝状亚种小克隆基因作模板检验其特异性;同时和病原分离鉴定结果对比其准确性.结果表明在优化体系和条件下能够同时得到扩增长度为448、549、375 bp 3条特异性片段,未扩增出猪、鸡支原体模板特异性片段;其敏感性(可检测到的最小模板DNA含量)为0.8 ng·μL-1;36份临床样品检测结果显示,三重PCR检测结果与分离培养鉴定方法一致,均能鉴定出牛支原体阳性病料.本研究建立的三重PCR诊断方法能够一次性鉴别3种支原体,具有高敏感性、特异性和准确性,可用于临床诊断和流行病学调查.     

Antibody response of horses to Mycoplasma mycoides subsp capri.

In horses given whole cultures or cells of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp capri (by subcutaneous and intravenous injections), antibody responses were measured by serologic procedures. During an immunization period of 22 weeks, horses produced an antiserum that was used to identify M mycoides subsp capri by agglutination, complement-fixation, and fluorescent antibody (FA) tests, but not by the growth-inhibition test. Horses that were injected with whole cultures of M mycoides subsp capri responded better than horses that were injected with only cells, ie, antibodies were detectable sooner by agar gel diffusion and FA tests and the serums displayed more bands of precipitation. The FA reagent was stable during lyophilization and storage at 5 C for 60 days.     

山羊传染性胸膜肺炎支原体和绵羊肺炎支原体对抗菌药物敏感性的研究

测定了环丙沙星、氧氟沙星、单诺沙星、红霉素、罗红霉素、泰乐菌素、泰妙菌素、四环素等8种药物对羊肺炎支原体两个标准株Y-98和Y-goat的体外抑菌浓度以及红霉素与氧氟沙星、泰乐菌素对Y-goat和四环素与氧氟沙星、泰乐菌素对Y-98的联合药敏作用.结果表明,这8种抗菌药物对Y-goat和Y-98的MIC(μg/mL)分别为:环丙沙星0.223、0.002 23,氧氟沙星0.281、0.014 0,单诺沙星0.136、0.014 0,红霉素0.021 8、无效,罗红霉素0.032 7、无效,泰乐菌素0.042 2、0.039 0,泰妙菌素0.021 7、0.052 0,四环素0.195、0.052 0.红霉素与氧氟沙星的联合药敏指数为1,是相加作用;红霉素与泰乐菌素对Y-goat的联合药敏指数为1.5,是无关作用;四环素与氧氟沙星、泰乐菌素对Y-98的联合药敏试验指数均为0.375,是协同作用.     

Antigen heterogeneity among Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC isolates: discrimination of major surface proteins

The protein and antigen profiles of 60 isolates, strains and the type strain PG1 of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC were compared by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis. Analysis using contagious bovine pleuropneumonia antisera and hyperimmune rabbit sera against several representative strains revealed some differences in protein profiles and variability in antigens among strains from different geographic regions. The most common antigenic bands had the molecular masses of 110, 95, 80, 69, 62, 60, 48, 44, 39 and 38 kDa. There were differences among European strains, where a larger group coming from Italy lacked the p98 antigen, thus, with one exception, distinguishing the Italian strains from Portuguese, French and Spanish strains. African, Australian and PG1 strains showed heterogenic profiles, with quantitative differences and in a few strains some antigenic bands were absent. The group constituting African, Australian and PG1 strains was characterised by the presence of 71.5/70 kDa antigens, which were not detected in European strains. Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC membrane proteins were characterised by Triton X-114 partitioning and p110, p98, p95, p62/60 and p48 were identified as immunogenic antigens. The simultaneous presence of these five antigens was common to all the sera examined and, therefore, indicates the diagnostic potential of immunoblotting. Most immunodominant antigens are surface-exposed proteins as determined by the trypsin treatment.     

In vitro susceptibilities of field isolates of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large colony type to 15 antimicrobials

In vitro susceptibilities of 16 Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large colony type field isolates to 15 antimicrobial agents were determined using a broth microdilution method. The most effective antimicrobials were fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and macrolides, with MIC values under 2 microg/ml. Resistance to nalidixic acid, gentamicin, streptomycin and spectinomycin was observed.     

Characterisation of protein and antigen variability among Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (LC) and Mycoplasma agalactiae field strains by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (LC) (Mmm LC) and Mycoplasma agalactiae are the most important mycoplasma species involved in the contagious agalactia syndrome. A total of 25 field strains from Spain and the two type strains were analysed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Two polyclonal antisera (PAbs) raised against a pool of strains of each mycoplasma species were used. The results revealed a high degree of protein variability among the field strains. The type strain of Mmm LC appeared to be representative of the field strains of this species, whereas this was not the case with the M. agalactiae type strain. Whereas M. agalactiae is known to possess a gene family regulating surface antigen diversity, there is a need to study the mechanisms used byMmm LC to generate antigenic variability in more detail.     

Analysis of cellular responses to Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony biotype associated with control of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

A better understanding of protective immune memory against contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is needed in order to facilitate the development of safer vaccines based on selected components of the pathogen. For this purpose, cells collected from lymph nodes draining the lungs of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony biotype (MmmSC)-infected cattle were stimulated with the pathogen in vitro and evaluated concurrently for proliferation (CFSE based method), expression of activation, memory markers and cytokine production. Direct evidence is presented for a major contribution of CD4+ T cells to the vigorous proliferative and T1 biased cytokine recall responses observed in cattle that have recovered from infection but not in animals developing the acute form of the disease. Two different phenotypes of MmmSC-specific memory CD4 were observed based on CD62L expression and proliferative capacities. Furthermore, recall proliferation of B cells also occurred but was strictly dependent on the presence of CD4. The information provided in this study will facilitate the search for MmmSC antigens that have potential for the development of subunit vaccines against CBPP.     

Immunosuppressive effect of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax on the secondary immune response of cattle to Mycoplasma mycoides subsp mycoides.

Trypanosoma congolense and T vivax infections in cattle were shown to have a suppressive effect on the secondary humoral immune response to M mycoides. The trypanosome infections caused an involution of the thymus. The secondary response was biphasic in nature and was unrelated to infection with trypanosomes.     

The in vitro effect of six antimicrobials against Mycoplasma putrefaciens, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum isolated from sheep and goats in jordan

Respiratory disease in sheep and goats is a major problem in Jordan and is often associated with Mycoplasma species. Without effective vaccines, control is mainly by chemotherapy, but the uncontrolled use of antimicrobials has led to concerns about the potential development of antimicrobial resistance. The in vitro effect of chloramphenicol, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, tylosin, erythromycin and oxytetracycline was determined against 32 isolates of Mycoplasma species-M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC (6), M. capricolum subsp. capricolum (8) and M. putrefaciens (18), all isolated from either nasal swabs or milk, from sheep and goats in different regions of Jordan. The antimicrobial susceptibility showed some Mycoplasma species-specific differences, with M. capricolum subsp. capricolum being more susceptible to tylosin and erythromycin. Chloramphenicol and florfenicol were the least effective for all three Mycoplasma species. No trends or significant differences in antimicrobial susceptibilities were observed between sheep and goat isolates, between milk or nasal swab isolates, or between isolates from different regions of Jordan. Some isolates of M. capricolum subsp. capricolum and M. putrefaciens showed higher MIC levels with oxytetracycline, as did two isolates of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC with tylosin, possibly indicating signs of development of antimicrobial resistance.     

A multiplex PCR to identify porcine mycoplasmas present in broth cultures

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyorhinis and Mycoplasma flocculare can be present in the lungs of pigs at the same time. These three mycoplasma species all require similar growth conditions and can be recovered from clinical samples using the same media. We have developed a multiplex PCR as a helpful tool for rapid differentiation of these three species in the course of isolation. Based on the 16S ribosomal DNA sequences, three different forward primers and a single reverse primer were selected. Each forward primer was compared to available mycoplasma sequences, showing the primers to be specific. The three amplification products observed of 1129 bp (M. hyorhinis), 1000 bp (M. hyopneumoniae) and 754 bp (M. flocculare) were clearly distinguishable on a 1% agarose gel. In addition, no cross-reaction with Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, another porcine mycoplasma, was noted. This multiplex PCR using the proposed set of primers is the first reported assay that allows the simultaneous identification of the different Mycoplasma species isolated from the lungs of pigs.