Diversity of Bartonella species detected in arthropod vectors from animals in Australia

A variety of Bartonella species were detected in two species of ticks and three species of fleas collected from marsupial hosts; brush-tailed bettong or woylie (Bettongia penicillata) and western barred bandicoots (Perameles bougainville) and from a rodent host; Rattus fuscipes in Western Australia. Bartonella species were detected using nested-PCR of the gltA gene and the 16S–23S ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), and species were characterized using DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA, gltA, rpoB, ftsZ genes and the ITS region. Bartonella rattaustraliani and B. coopersplainsensis were detected in Ixodes spp. ticks and fleas (Stephanocircus pectinipes) respectively collected from rodents. Two novel Bartonella species were detected from marsupials; Candidatus Bartonella woyliei n. sp. was detected in both fleas (Pygiopsylla hilli) and ticks (Ixodes australiensis) collected from woylies and Candidatus Bartonella bandicootii n. sp. was detected in fleas (Pygiopsylla tunneyi) collected from western barred bandicoots. Concatenated phylogenetic analysis of all 5 loci clarified the marsupial cluster of Bartonella species in Australia and confirmed the species status of these two Bartonella species in ticks and fleas from woylies and western barred bandicoots, which are classified as threatened species and are vulnerable to extinction.     

The occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum,Campylobacter and Salmonella in newborn dairy calves in the Manawatu region of New Zealand

AIM: To determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Campylobacter spp and Salmonella spp in faecal samples taken from newborn dairy calves on 24 dairy farms in the Manawatu region of New Zealand.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2002 calving season. Faecal samples were collected from 185 newborn calves from a convenience sample of 24 dairy farms. The samples were tested microscopically for the presence of C. parvum oocysts, and bacteriologically for the presence of Campylobacter spp and Salmonella spp.

RESULTS: Infections with C. parvum were identified in 33/156 (21.2%) calves from 10 farms. More than 10⁶ oocysts/g (OPG) faeces were detected in calves from four farms. Campylobacter spp were isolated from 58/161 (36%) calves from 18 farms; in particular, C. jejuni subsp jejuni was isolated from 11/161 (6.8%) calves from seven farms. Salmonellae were not detected.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the short and concentrated calving pattern and the long interval between calving seasons characterising most dairy farms in New Zealand, C. parvum is widespread among calves. Campylobacter spp, especially C. jejuni, rapidly colonise the intestinal tract of newborn calves.

RELEVANCE: This study provided an estimate of the ecological impact of newborn dairy calves with regard to the potentially zoonotic enteric pathogens most frequently isolated from human gastrointestinal infections in New Zealand.     

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus isolated from sheep abortions in New Zealand

AIMS: To genotype Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus isolates cultured from sheep abortions submitted to diagnostic laboratories in New Zealand during the year 2000 breeding season. To compare the types found nationally with those found in the Hawke' Bay region in 1999, and strains held in the New Zealand Reference Culture Collection, Medical Section (NZRM) from a study published in 1987.

METHODS: Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus isolates cultured by veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the year 2000 breeding season, from sheep abortions from throughout New Zealand, were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In addition, seven freeze-dried C. fetus subsp. fetus isolates (strain numbers 2939–2945) from the NZRM, representing restriction types a–g found amongst sheep abortion isolates in a study published in 1987, were typed using PFGE.

RESULTS: In total, 293 C. fetus subsp. fetus isolates from 200 farms were obtained from veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Twenty-two distinct PFGE profiles were identified amongst the isolates. PFGE type B1 was predominant in each region of New Zealand and was identified from 66% of farms overall. Of the C. fetus subsp. fetus restriction types a–g lodged with the NZRM, 3/7 had PFGE profiles indistinguishable from profiles found in the current study. The other four restriction types had PFGE profiles that were unique but similar to those found in the current study.

CONCLUSIONS: PFGE type B1 was predominant amongst the C. fetus subsp. fetus isolates cultured from sheep abortions in each region of New Zealand in the year 2000, as was found in Hawke' Bay in 1999. The similarity between PFGE profiles of C. fetus subsp. fetus sheep abortion isolates from 1987 and 2000, and the relative prevalence of the PFGE groups, suggests that there has been no major genotypic shift in the population of C. fetus subsp. fetus implicated in sheep abortion in New Zealand during this time.     

Bartonellae in animals and vectors in New Caledonia

Bartonellae are gram-negative facultative intracellular alpha-proteobacteria from the family Bartonellaceae. The natural history of bartonellae consists of a reservoir/host, which is a vertebrate with chronic intravascular infection with sustained bacteremia, and a vector (usually an arthropod) that transfers the bacteria from the reservoir to a susceptible yet uninfected host. In order to reveal the sources and reservoirs of Bartonella infection in animals and vectors in New Caledonia, we collected the blood samples of 64 dogs, 8 cats, 30 bovines, 25 horses and 29 wild deer Cervus timorensis russa and 308 associated blood-sucking parasites (14 keds Hippobosca equina, 258 ticks (22 Rhipicephalus microplus, 235 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 1 Haemaphysalis longicornis), 12 fleas Ctenocephalides felis and 24 dog lice Trichodectes canis). We isolated ten strains of Bartonella: four Bartonella henselae from cats and six Bartonella chomelii from cattle. The strains were characterized by sequencing of five genes (16S, ITS, rpoB, gltA and ftsZ). The six strains isolated from cattle were close to the reference strain of B. chomelii and were, probably, imported from France with cattle of Limousin race. PCR showed that 35% of keds collected from deer and 31% of deer were infected by B. aff. schoenbuchensis; all other samples were negative. Our data confirmed that in New Caledonia, as in other regions of the world, cats are the major reservoirs of B. henselae. We also confirmed that Hippoboscidae flies may serve as the vectors of ruminant-associated bartonellae.     

Expression of Cyclins and Cyclin‐Dependent Kinase Inhibitors in Granulosa Cells from Bovine Ovary

The regulation of granulosa cell proliferation is complex, and it is essential for normal follicular development in mammals. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of cyclins and their inhibitors in the granulosa cells of follicles at different developmental stages. Follicles were classified into three groups: oestrogen‐inactive dominant follicles (EIDs), oestrogen‐active dominant follicles (EADs) and pre‐ovulatory follicles (POs). The expression of CCND2 (cyclin D2) mRNA was significantly higher in granulosa cells from EADs and POs than in those from EIDs. The expression of CCND3 (cyclin D3) mRNA was significantly higher in granulosa cells from EADs than in those from other follicles. CCND1 (cyclin D1), CCNE1 (cyclin E1) and CCNE2 (cyclin E2) mRNA expression did not differ among the different follicular stages. The expression of CDKN1A (p21^cip1) and CDKN1B (p27^kip1) mRNA was significantly higher in granulosa cells from EIDs and POs, respectively, than in those from other follicles. Expression of CDKN2D (p19^INK4d) mRNA did not differ among the different follicular stages. Taken together, our study suggested that cyclins and their inhibitors are associated with granulosa cell proliferation at specific follicular developmental stages.     

Microflora in traditional starter cultures for fermented milk, hurunge, from Inner Mongolia, China

Microflora were investigated in traditional starter cultures for fermented milk, hurunge, which are used for fermented dairy products by nomadic families in the Inner Mongolia Autonomic Region, China. The acid‐forming bacteria and yeast counts ranged from 1.8 × 10⁵ to 5.3 × 10⁸ c.f.u./g and from 6.1 × 10⁵ to 3.2 × 10⁶ c.f.u./g, respectively. Sixty‐six strains of lactic acid bacteria and 30 strains of yeasts were isolated and identified from three hurunge samples collected from the nomadic families. Lactococcus raffinolactis was the most predominant lactococci isolated from these samples. The other lactococci were Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris. Two major lactobacilli strains, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei, were identified. In addition, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus acetotolerans, which grew in 11% acetic acid culture medium, and Lactobacillus homohiochii, which grew in the culture medium containing 16% ethanol, were also identified. The isolated yeast strains were identified as Candida kefyr, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces marxianus var. lactis, Candida krusei and Candida valida.     

Dermatophytes isolated from domestic and feral animals

In work over a period of 8 years, dermatophytes were recovered from 12 animal species in the North Island of New Zealand. A total of 552 dermatophytes were isolated and belonged to the Microsporum (6 species) and Trichophyton (6 species) genera.

Some unusual isolations are reported: Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes were recovered from calves; Microsporum distortum from a dog, which was the first known isolation from an animal in the North Island; four horses, from the same stable, yielded Microsporum equinum which has not previously been recorded in this country; Trichophyton erinacei was recovered from lesions on a cat which is the first report of the dermatophyte from an animal other than the dog, hedgehog or man; Trichophyton equinum var. autotrophicum was a rare isolation from a dog.

Species affinity was demonstrated with the dermatophytes M. canis; M. nanum; M. equinum; T. equinum; and T. verrucosum. These zoophilic species appear to be passed between individuals of the same species, with occasional infection in man and other animal species. T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes had a wider distribution, being isolated from dogs, cats, guinea-pigs and rats. The infection in rats was subclinical.

The geophilic species M. cookei, T. ajelloiand and T. terrestre were recorded but not regarded as being pathogenic. M. gypseum was significant in cases involving dogs, horses and a cat, as arthrospores were seen invading the affected hairs.     

Survey of Salmonid Pathogens in Ocean-Caught Fishes in British Columbia,Canada

Abstract

A survey of wild fishes captured around marine net-pen salmon farms and from open waters for certain salmonid pathogens was conducted in the coastal waters of British Columbia. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus was detected in Pacific herring Clupea pallasi, shiner perch Cymatogaster aggregata, and threespine sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus. Infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus was detected in one Pacific herring (collected well away from the farms) and in tube-snouts Aulorhynchus flavidus and shiner perch collected from a farm experiencing an IHN outbreak. Renibacterium salmoninarum was observed in moribund Pacific hakes Merluccius productus collected from within a net-pen and was also detected in several ocean-caught salmon. Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida (typical strain) was isolated from a juvenile chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, whereas the atypical strain of this organism was isolated from a lingcod Ophiodon elongatus. Loma salmonae (Microsporea) was observed in chinook salmon, chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta, coho salmon O. kisutch, sockeye salmon O. nerka, and pink salmon O. gorbuscha, all of which were captured well away from net-pens. Loma spp. (Microsporea) were observed in the gills of shiner perch, lingcod, Pacific tomcod Microgadus proximus, Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus, walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma, and sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria; all but the first species represent new hosts for Loma. Epitheliocystis, caused by a chlamydia-like organism, was detected in the gills of chinook salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, lingcod, Pacific cod, Pacific hakes, Pacific tomcod, walleye pollock, sablefish, shiner perch, Dover soles Microstomus pacificus, Pacific sanddabs Citharichthys sordidus, and various species of rockfish Sebastes spp., most of which represent new host records for this infection.     

Hepatozoon canis infecting dogs in the State of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil

From May 2007 to March 2008, blood samples were collected from 92 healthy dogs living in 21 households (17 farms in rural area, and 4 homes in urban area) in 6 counties of the State of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. In addition, ticks were collected from these dogs. A mean of 4.4 ± 3.0 dogs (range: 1–12) were sampled per household; 78 and 14 dogs were from rural and urban areas, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) designed to amplify fragments of the 18S rDNA gene of Babesia spp or Hepatozoon spp revealed amplicons of the expected size in 20 (21.7%) dogs for Babesia, and 54 (58.7%) dogs for Hepatozoon. All Babesia-positive dogs were also Hepatozoon-positive. Among the 21 households, 15 (71.4%) from 3 counties had at least one PCR-positive dog, including 13 farms (rural area) and 2 homes (urban area). A total of 40 PCR products from the Hepatozoon-PCR, and 19 products from the Babesia-PCR were submitted to DNA sequencing. All generated sequences from Hepatozoon-PCR were identical to each other, and to corresponding 18S rDNA sequences of H. canis in GenBank. Surprisingly, all generated sequences from the Babesia PCR were also identical to corresponding 18S rDNA sequences of H. canis in GenBank. Dogs from 10 rural and 2 urban households were found infested by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. Immature of Amblyomma cajennense ticks were found in dogs from only 4 rural households (also infested by R. sanguineus). All but one household with R. sanguineus-infested dogs had at least one Hepatozoon-infected dog. Statistical analysis showed that the presence of ticks (i.e. R. sanguineus) infesting dogs in the households was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with at least one PCR-positive dog. There was no significant association (P > 0.05) between PCR-positive dogs and urban or rural households. Canine hepatozoonosis caused by H. canis is a high frequent infection in Espírito Santo, Brazil, where it is possibly vectored by R. sanguineus. Since all infected dogs were found apparently healthy, the pathogenicity of H. canis for dogs in Espírito Santo is yet to be elucidated.     

Phenotypic characterisation of Australian sheep and cattle isolates of Mannheimia haemolytica, Mannheimia granulomatis and Mannheimia varigena

Objective To perform a comprehensive phenotypic characterisation of 35 isolates of bacteria previously identified as haemolytic Pasteurella‐Actinobacillus and obtained from cattle and sheep. Design The 35 isolates that had been obtained from Australian animals, 30 from cattle and five from sheep, were compared with reference strains of the five recognised species of the genus Mannheimia ‐ M haemolytica, M glucosida, M granulomatis, M ruminalis and M varigena. Results Thirty‐four of the isolates could be confidently assigned to three species of the genus Mannheimia. Twenty‐nine were M haemolytica, with 25 being isolated from cattle and four from sheep. All but three of the bovine M haemolytica were isolated from pneumonic lungs. Of the three remaining bovine M haemolytica isolates, one was obtained in pure culture from a bovine milk sample and the other two as part of a mixed flora associated with a middle ear infection of a calf suffering mucosal disease. Of the four ovine M haemolytica isolates, two were isolated in pure culture from milk and two, also in pure culture, from pneumonic lungs. Three bovine isolates were identified as M granulomatis ‐ one from a tongue abscess, one from a jaw abscess and one from a lung showing suppurative bronchopneumonia. Two bovine isolates were identified as M varigena‐ one coming from an udder and the other from a spleen. The available diagnostic records provided no information on whether these isolates were associated with a disease process. The remaining isolate was obtained from an ovine tongue abscess and could not be assigned to a recognised species within the genus Mannheimia. Conclusion The study represents the first time that M haemolytica, M granulomatis and M varigena have been recognised as being present in cattle and sheep in Australia. Veterinary laboratories that encounter Pasteurella‐Actinobacillus‐like organisms from cattle and sheep should attempt as complete a characterisation as possible to help improve our knowledge of the disease potential of these organsims.     

Small Subunit rRNA Gene Comparisons of Four Actinosporean Species to Establish a Polymerase Chain Reaction Test for the Causative Agent of Proliferative Gill Disease in Channel Catfish

Abstract

Proliferative gill disease (PGD) causes high morbidity and mortality in cultured channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. The presence of the myxozoan Aurantiactinomyxon ictaluri (class Actinosporea) is strongly associated with PGD. This parasite, shed as an actinospore from the aquatic oligochaete Dero digitata, infects channel catfish by an undetermined route. Several other actinosporeans have been identified that are shed from D. digitata isolated from catfish ponds, including those designated A. mississippiensis, Helioactinomyxon sp., and the actinospore stage of Henneguya exilis. By the use of multiple sequence alignment of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes of A. ictaluri, A. mississippiensis, and H. exilis, we identified two variable regions. The largest variable region was PCR amplified, sequenced from the Helioactinomyxon sp., and used in addition to the other three sequences in multiple-sequence alignment comparison to develop PCR primers specific for A. ictaluri. This PCR specific for A. ictaluri produced 104-base-pair products from a plasmid clone containing the SSU rRNA gene of A. ictaluri, spore DNA of A. ictaluri, and DNA prepared from channel catfish gill and D. digitata infected with A. ictaluri. The PCR assay was able to detect as few as 100 copies of the cloned gene. There was no detectable product from the genomic DNA of H. exilis, A. mississippiensis, or Helioactinomyxon sp., specific pathogen-free channel catfish gill, and noninfected D. digitata. The PCR assay will be useful as a diagnostic tool for PGD in channel catfish and will aid in the elucidation of the life cycle of A. ictaluri.     

Detection and identification of food‐borne pathogens of the genera Campylobacter,Arcobacter and Helicobacter by multiplex PCR in poultry and poultry products

The objective of this study was to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect and differentiate food‐borne pathogens of the three genera Campylobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter in a single step procedure. One common reverse primer and three genus‐specific forward primers were designed by hybridizing to the 16S rRNA of selected reference strains. Besides the species with significance as food‐borne pathogens isolated from poultry meat –Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Arcobacter butzleri and Helicobacter pullorum– several other members of these genera were tested to determine the specificity of the designed multiplex PCR. In total, 20 ATCC and NCTC reference strains of Campyobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter were used to evaluate the PCR. Specific amplificates were obtained from all thermophilic species of Campylobacter as well as from species of Arcobacter and Helicobacter. No amplification product was obtained from the non‐thermophilic Campylobacter, C. hyointestinalis and C. fetus. Furthermore, a total of 43 field strains of the three genera isolated from poultry, pigs, cattle and humans were investigated using this PCR. To confirm the classification of 10 H. pullorum strains the 16S rRNAs were sequenced. The developed PCR is a helpful diagnostic tool to detect and differentiate Campylobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter isolated from poultry and poultry products.     

In vitro antimycoplasmal activity of six Jordanian medicinal plants against three Mycoplasma species

The in vitro effect of six Jordanian traditional medicine plant methanolic extracts were tested against 32 isolates of Mycoplasma species; Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC (6), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (8) and M. putrefaciens (18), all isolated from either nasal swabs or milk, from sheep and goats in different regions in Jordan. All Mycoplasma species showed susceptibility to Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia arborescens with MIC ranges from 3.125–12.5 mg/ml. Allium sativum and Punica grantum showed limited activity against some Mycoplasma isolates. Olea europea and Citrullus colocynthis showed no in vitro activity against any of the Mycoplasma species tested. Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia arborescens may therefore be useful for the treatment of mycoplasma infections. The authors are British Civil Servants and as such their work is subject to British Crown Copyright. This means the exclusive copyright for the article cannot be transferred.     

Department of Animal Production and Rangeland Management,Awassa College of Agriculture,P.O. Box 5, Awassa,Sidamo, Ethiopia

Samples were collected from clinically infected carthorses in Awassa. Fungus species affecting the carthorses were identified. Eight genera of fungal groups were isolated from swabs and skin scrapes taken from symptomatic horses. These included Aspergillus spp., Histoplasma spp., Penicillinum spp., Microsporum spp., Trichophyton spp., yeast cells of Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp. and Geotrichum spp. The most frequent isolates were from the genera Aspergillus (48 %), Penicillium (39.2 %) and Trichophyton (31.6 %). Clinical findings are reported, the economic, zoonotic and pathogenetic importance of fungi causing dermatomycoses is discussed, and further studies are recommended.     

Prevalence of Bartonella species,Rickettsia felis,haemoplasmas and the Ehrlichia group in the blood of cats and fleas in eastern Australia

Objectives To define the prevalence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia felis, Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (Mhm) and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (Mtc) in cats and their fleas in eastern Australia. Design and procedure Conventional PCR assays that detect Bartonella spp., M. haemofelis, Mhm, Mtc, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Neorickettsia spp. were performed on DNA extracted from blood and fleas collected from 111 cats. Cat sera were assayed by ELISA for IgG of Bartonella spp. Results DNA of M. haemofelis, Mtc and Mhm was amplified from 1 (0.9%), 1 (0.9%) and 17 cats (15.3%), respectively. Only DNA of Mhm was amplified from the 62 of 111 pooled flea samples (flea sets; 55.9%). Overall, the prevalence rates for Bartonella spp. DNA in the cats and the flea sets was 16.2% (18 cats) and 28.8% (32 flea sets), respectively. Bartonella spp. IgG was detected in 42 cats (37.8%), of which 11 (26.2%) were positive for Bartonella spp. DNA in their blood. R. felis DNA was amplified from 22 flea sets (19.8%), but not from cats. Overall, DNA of one or more of the organisms was amplified from 27% (30) of cats and 67.6% (75) of the flea sets. Conclusions This is the first Australian study to determine the prevalence of R. felis and B. clarridgeiae in both fleas and the cats from which they were collected. Flea-associated infectious agents are common in cats and fleas in eastern Australia and support the recommendation that stringent flea control be maintained on cats.     

Description and taxonomic discussion of eimerian coccidia from African and Levantine geckoes

new genera are proposed to accomodate new and previously described species of eimerian coccidia from reptiles which undergo endogenous development either in the bile epithelium — Cholo?imoria n. gen., or in the microvillous zone of the intestinal epithelium — Acroeimeria n. gen. Endogenous development is described from 3 species, all from geckoes: C. turcicus (syn. Eimeria turcicus Upton, McAllister and Freed, 1988) from Hemidactylus turcicus in Israel; C. pachydactyli n. sp. from Pachydactylus capensis in South Africa and A. lineri (syn. Eimeria linen McAllister, Upton and Freed, 1988) from H. turcicus, Israel and H. mabouia, South Africa. Biliary epithelial cells infected by Chole?imeria become hypertrophic and are displaced to the surface of the epithelial layer. Oocysts are cyllndroid to oval, lack a stieda body and sporulate in the gall bladder. The developing endogenous stages of Acroeimeria, enclosed in the microvillous border of the host cell, expand into the intestinal lumen. Oocysts are oval-spherical, lack a stieda body and sporulation is exogenous.     

The investigation of probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Mongolian dairy products

The aims of this study were to investigate the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from traditional Mongolian dairy products, and to estimate the probiotic potential of the isolated strains. We collected 66 samples of the traditional Mongolian dairy products tarag (n = 45), airag (n = 7), aaruul (n = 8), byasulag (n = 1) and eezgii (n = 5), from which 543 LAB strains were isolated and identified based on 16S ribosomal DNA sequence. The predominant species of those products were Lactobacillus (L.) delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, L. helveticus, L. fermentum, L. delbrueckii ssp. lactis and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis. However, we could not detect any LAB strains from eezgii. All LAB isolates were screened for tolerance to low pH and to bile acid, gas production from glucose, and adherence to Caco‐2 cells. In vitro, we found 10 strains possess probiotic properties, and almost identified them as L. plantarum or L. paracasei subspecies, based on 16S ribosomal DNA and carbohydrate fermentation pattern. These strains were differentiated from each other individually by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Additionally, it was notable that 6/10 strains were isolated from camel milk tarag from the Dornogovi province.     

Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) and C. magnus from the nasal lining of free-ranging quokkas (Setonix brachyurus)

Cryptococcus species are environmental yeasts, with a worldwide distribution and remarkable environmental adaptation. Although many species do not cause disease, C. neoformans and C. gattii are causative agents of cryptococcosis, a life threatening infection and a significant public health problem worldwide. Infection especially affects immunocompromised animals and humans. In wildlife, cryptococcosis appears to be more prevalent in captive populations. The objective of this study was to assess whether apparently healthy quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) harbor Cryptococcus spp. Using cultural and molecular methods, we studied yeasts isolated from nasal swabs collected from 130 free-ranging quokkas on Rottnest Island (RI, n = 97) and the mainland (n = 33) of Western Australia. Unspeciated Cryptococcus spp. (from four quokkas), C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) (two quokkas) and C. magnus (one quokka) were isolated from the nasal lining of apparently healthy quokkas from RI. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was isolated from animals captured in a human-populated area on RI. There was no significant effect of the presence of Cryptococcus on the results of haematology, blood chemistry, peripheral blood cell morphology or clinical examination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented isolation of C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) and C. magnus in a free-ranging macropod in Western Australia. The public health implications of this finding should be further explored.     

Culture results from milk samples submitted to veterinary diagnostic laboratories from August 2003 to December 2006 in New Zealand

Abstract

AIMS: To determine the pattern of isolation of major mastitis-causing organisms isolated from milk samples submitted to five veterinary diagnostic laboratories in New Zealand.

METHODS: The culture results of 25,288 milk samples that were collected from dairy cows throughout New Zealand from August 2003 to December 2006 and submitted to a group of veterinary diagnostic laboratories were assembled, reviewed and summarised. Logistic regression was used to analyse the effect of year, region (i.e. North vs South Island), and season on the probability of isolating the two most common organisms.

RESULTS: The most commonly isolated mastitis causing organisms from all samples were: Streptococcus uberis (23.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (23.5%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS; 7.2%), Strep. dysgalactiae (6.2%), Bacillus spp. (4.0%), and coliforms (3.7%). The percentage of samples with isolates of Strep. uberis or Staph. aureus was affected by island, year and season (p<0.001). For most of the year, except in late winter and early spring when Strep. uberis was much more common, the percentage of isolates of Strep. uberis and Staph. aureus were not apparently different despite the former being an environmental pathogen and the other a contagious one.

CONCLUSION: The pattern of isolation of major mastitis-causing organisms, as determined from culture of milk samples submitted to diagnostic laboratories in New Zealand, has changed significantly over the last 40 years, with a substantial increase in the percentage of isolates that are Strep. uberis and a decrease in isolates of Strep. agalactiae. There is a clear seasonal pattern to the isolation of both Strep. uberis and Staph. aureus, particularly the former.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Knowledge of the aetiological agents causing bovine mastitis on a farm is of value in determining the choice of treatment. This dataset shows that, although there is seasonal pattern to the isolation of mastitis-causing organisms in New Zealand, both Strep. uberis and Staph. aureus are isolated throughout the year, so bacteriology is of value in determining aetiology even in late winter/early spring.     

Campylobacter Cross‐Contamination of Chicken Products at an Abattoir

Consumption of raw or undercooked poultry products contaminated with Campylobacter has been identified as a risk factor for human campylobacteriosis. We determined whether slaughtering of Campylobacter‐positive flocks was associated with contamination of chicken products derived from Campylobacter‐negative flocks slaughtered at the same abattoir. The presence of Campylobacter was investigated in 22 broiler farms 1 week prior to slaughter and in one abattoir on nine separate slaughter days. A total of 600 bulk packed chicken products were tested, with 198 (33.0%) of the products found to be Campylobacter positive. Of the 350 chicken products originating from Campylobacter‐positive flocks, 180 (51.1%) were contaminated with the bacteria. In contrast, only 18 (7.2%) of 250 chicken products derived from Campylobacter‐negative flocks were contaminated. In 14 of these 18 products, the Campylobacter isolates were identical to isolates obtained from the flock slaughtered immediately prior to the Campylobacter‐negative flock. Notably, on 4/6 slaughter days, Campylobacter‐negative flocks were slaughtered prior to the positive flocks, and Campylobacter was absent from all chicken products originating from the negative flocks. These results suggest that implementation of logistic slaughter (where Campylobacter‐negative flocks are slaughter first) significantly decreases the prevalence of Campylobacter‐positive chicken products.