Isolation and identification of mycobacteria from captive reptiles

The occurrence of Mycobacterium species in clinically healthy pet reptiles was studied in Italy during the period 2004-2006. The feces samples of 223 animals were examined bacteriologically. Thirty-seven strains were isolated, in particular from 13/18 (72.2%) ophidians, 13/134 (9.7%) saurians and 11/71 (15.5%) chelonians. The isolates were classified, after HPLC analysis of bromophenacyl esters of cell wall mycolic acids, as Mycobacterium fortuitum (14 strains, 37.8%), Mycobacterium fortuitum-like (17, 45.9%), Mycobacterium peregrinum (4, 10.8%), and Mycobacterium chelonae (1, 2.7%). M. fortuitum was isolated from seven pythons, five saurians and two turtles; M. fortuitum-like from six saurians, six pythons and five turtles; M. peregrinum from four turtles; M. chelonae from one lizard. One isolate from an Iguana iguana could not be identified by HPLC analysis showing a previously unreported profile. Comparative 16S rDNA sequencing showed a low similarity with Mycobacterium triviale (97.2%) and Mycobacterium confluentis (97.1%). On the basis of such data the unidentified bacterium turned out to belong to a not yet described Mycobacterium species.     

猪非结核分枝杆菌的分离与鉴定

采集结核菌素变态反应阴性猪的颌下淋巴结共计550份,肠系膜淋巴结共计550份,运用实验室常规检查、分离培养基分离培养、生长特性试验、鉴别培养基试验、产色试验、生物化学方法和分子生物学方法,对集约化养殖的猪群中非结核分枝杆菌（NTM）开展分离与鉴定研究。最终得到阳性结果14份,阳性率1.27%,其中颌下淋巴结6份,阳性率1.09%,肠系膜淋巴结8份,阳性率1.45%。分离株鉴定结果：2株为胃分枝杆菌,3株为胞内分枝杆菌,3株为偶发分枝杆菌,2株为牛分枝杆菌,4株为浅黄分枝杆菌。根据所得数据可以得知,结核阴性猪中NTM的流行情况不容乐观,其存在必定会对猪养殖业造成负面影响,试验为NTM的预防和中国消除结核病计划提供了理论依据。     

Isolation of Corynebacterium renale from slaughtered cattle at the Zaria abattoir in Nigeria.

Forty urinary bladders were collected from apparently healthy cattle slaughtered at the Zaria abattoir. Twenty-four (60%) were from male animals and 16 (40%) from females. Urine samples were obtained and cultured for Corynebacterium renale. Four (16.7%) of the samples from males and 1 (6.3%) from females were positive. The difference in infection between the sexes was statistically significant (P less than 0.001).     

Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from the skin of slaughtered beef cattle

We attempted to isolate Listeria monocytogenes from skin, contents of large intestines and carcasses of cattle introduced to a slaughterhouse in order to identify source of contamination for this pathogen. Sixty skin samples, 60 samples of the contents of large intestines and 30 carcass samples were colleted in June, August and November 2003 for use in this study. Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes were isolated from 30 (50%) and 3 (5%) of the cattle skin samples, respectively. However, no Listeria spp., including L. monocytogenes, were isolated from intestinal contents or carcasses. Seven isolates were obtained, of which five and two strains were serotypes 1/2a and 1/2b, respectively. Genetic analysis suggested that there was persistent inhabitation of the pathogen around the area investigated in this study.     

Sarcocystis sp. from cattle slaughtered in Japan

Sarcocystis sp. was detected from cattle slaughtered in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The cysts were 3,400-4,400 x 198-238 microm in size and had the thick cyst wall which was 7 to 10 microm thick and provided with finger-like villar protrusions. The protrusions were 8-9.5 x 2-2.5 microm in size and had microtubules in the core.     

Species identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from humans and cattle of Chad

In Chad, during a study on tuberculosis in humans and cattle, 52 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) strains were isolated. By means of INNO-LiPA, PRA-hsp65 amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA, NTM species of 25/52 isolates were identified. M. fortuitum complex (8) was the most frequent species, followed by M. nonchromogenicum (4) and M. avium complex (4). PRA method could identify M. fortuitum 3rd variant among isolates derived from cattle specimens. This finding could confirm the existence of farcy in the Chadian cattle population as M. fortuitum 3rd variant and putitative pathogen M. farcinogenes can't be distinguished by the methods used in this study. Half of the NTM isolates could not be specified and we considered them as contaminants from the environment.     

牛非结核分枝杆菌分离与鉴定

本试验对从吉林省不同区域的7个城市采集的503份牛颌下淋巴结样品和497份牛肠系膜淋巴结样品进行非结核分枝杆菌的流行情况的调查,样品均采自结核(副结核)变态反应阴性牛只,调查中得到阳性样品25份,阳性率2.5%,其中颌下淋巴结阳性率1.59%,肠系膜淋巴结阳性率3.42%,成功分离扩增培养出14株非结核分枝杆菌,并进行了分类鉴别,得到母牛分枝杆菌1株,龟分枝杆菌脓肿亚种2株,苏加分枝杆菌2株,偶发分枝杆菌1株,蟾蜍分枝杆菌6株,胞内分枝杆菌2株.调查结果表明:非结核分枝杆菌单独感染的情况不容乐观,应加强对非结核分枝杆菌的检验检疫工作.     

Isolation and identification of mycobacteria in New World primates maintained in captivity

The presence of several Mycobacterium species was determined in 68 New World monkeys kept captive in the Cali Zoo. One hundred and thirty-three gastric lavage and blood samples were evaluated for mycobacterial presence by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining, culture and PCR amplification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mtp40 species-specific gene. Mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) were identified by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Different species of mycobacteria were detected in 65% of the primate population studied by Alpha Antigen PCR. Eleven percent were positive for Mtp40 PCR amplification, being diagnosed as having M. tuberculosis, and acid-fast bacilli were observed in 23% by ZN staining. MOTT were isolated from samples taken from 37 primates by culturing; according to the RFLP analysis, three strains were classified as belonging to the MAISS complex (Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-scrofulaceum-simiae) and eight more, isolated from soil inside the cages, were categorized as environmental contaminants. Mycobacterium spp. were detected in 13 different New World primate species showing that PCR amplification of the Mtp40 gene is a better tool than culture for M. tuberculosis detection in captive animals and that RFLP is a useful technique for MOTT identification.     

Microbiological differences between cull cattle slaughtered at an abattoir and cull cattle slaughtered on farms

Tissue samples from 27 casualty adult dairy cattle slaughtered on farms and 32 'normal' cull dairy cattle were analysed microbiologically for total viable counts (tvc), Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli o157, Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter species. Overall the counts of Enterobacteriaceae and tvc were higher in the animals slaughtered on farms, particularly in the spleen. One 'normal' animal yielded E coli O157, and one yielded Campylobacter jejuni, and eight of the cattle slaughtered on farms yielded C jejuni and five yielded S enterica.     

Isolation and identification of bovine Brucella isolates from Pakistan by biochemical tests and PCR

Brucellosis is endemic in bovines in Pakistan. The Brucella species and biovars involved, however, are unknown. The objectives of the present study were to isolate and characterize brucellae from seropositive milk samples, aborted fetuses, and vaginal swabs of cattle and buffaloes which had recently aborted. The seropositive milk samples, aborted fetuses, and vaginal swabs of cattle and buffaloes were collected from the Potohar Plateau, Pakistan. Isolation of brucellae was done on modified Farrell’s serum dextrose agar. Isolates were characterized by conventional biotyping methods, while molecular typing was done by genus (B4/B5) and species-specific (Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella ovis, and Brucella suis) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 30 isolates were recovered from milk (n?=?5), aborted fetuses (n?=?13), and vaginal swabs (n?=?12). Most isolates were from cattle (56.7 %). All of them were identified as B. abortus biovar 1 based on conventional biotyping methods and genus and species-specific PCR. This preliminary study provides the first report on the prevalence of B. abortus biovar 1 in cattle and buffaloes in Pakistan.     

奶牛瘤胃中小韦荣球菌的分离鉴定

采取健康奶牛瘤胃液,用小韦荣球菌特异性培养基从瘤胃液中初步分离小韦荣球菌,再用微量生化反应管和16S rDNA技术对分离菌株的生化特性和遗传特性进行鉴定,结合形态学观察结果判定所分离到的菌株为小韦荣球菌。