Identification of Yersinia enterocolitica in Minced Meat: A Comparative Analysis of API 20E,Yersinia Identification Kit and a 16S rRNA‐based PCR Method

The isolation and identification of Yersinia enterocolitica from minced meat on CIN agar medium is still one of the major problems in food microbiology because of the low selectivity of cefsulodin–irgasan–novobiocin (CIN) agar. A total of 198 minced meat samples were collected from commercial establishments (butcher shops and supermarkets) in seven German cities in order to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of three identification techniques suitable for the differentiation of Y. enterocolitica within the rich background flora on CIN agar plates. As expected isolation of Y. enterocolitica from minced meat on CIN agar medium after 72 h enrichment in peptone, sorbitol and bile salts (PSB) broth was difficult because all plates were abundantly covered with numerous ‘typical’Yersinia‐like colonies of bull's eye appearance as well as with atypical colonies. Based on the phenotype of the colonies it was possible to detect colonies showing Yersinia‐like growth on CIN agar in 52 samples (26%). For identification of Y. enterocolitica the API 20E system (bioMerieux, Nürtingen, Germany), the Yersinia identification kit (Merlin, Bornheim‐Hersel, Germany) and a 16S rRNA based PCR assay were compared. Only in one sample (0.5%) a Y. enterocolitica strain was detected by all methods. Of the three identification systems tested for routine laboratory diagnostics the API 20E system was found to be the most suitable tool to identify Y. enterocolitica colonies within the rich background flora from minced meat samples on CIN agar plates.     

Multiplex PCR method for differentiating highly pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica and low pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica,and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

A multiplex PCR method for rapid and sensitive diagnosis, differentiating three pathogenic Yersinia groups such as the highly pathogenic Y. enterocolitica, including serotype O8, low pathogenic Y. enterocolitica, and Y. pseudotuberculosis, was developed. Four primer pairs were chosen to detect the genes fyuA, ail, inv, and virF, responsible for the virulence in pathogenic Yersinia species. Under the multiplex PCR conditions, the unique band patterns for the highly pathogenic Y. enterocolitica, low pathogenic Y. enterocolitica, and Y. pseudotuberculosis were generated from Yersinia strains. The detection limit of this method was 10¹–10³ CFU per reaction tube. This multiplex PCR method could detect highly pathogenic Y. enterocolitica O8 from the wild rodent fecal samples that were culture-positive. Therefore, the new multiplex PCR method developed in this study is a useful tool for rapid and sensitive diagnosis, distinguishing three pathogenic Yersinia groups.     

Evaluation of the API 20E and Microbact 24E systems for the identification of Pseudomonas pseudomallei

One-hundred isolates of Pseudomonas pseudomallei were used to evaluate the API 20E and Microbact 24E rapid identification systems. The API 20E system identified 50% of the isolates using the revised 1979 Manual only, and 63% when referral was made to the computer centre. A higher identification rate (69 and 87%, respectively) was achieved with a longer incubation period of 96 h. The Microbact 24E system identified 84% of the isolates as P. pseudomallei using the revised 1983 Manual, and 100% when referral was made to the computer centre. The Microbact 24E system would appear to be a reliable system for the identification of P. pseudomallei.     

Diagnosis o Yersinia enterocolitica infections: a review on classical identification techniques and new molecular biological methods

Only three of the eleven species of the genus Yersinia are associated with disease. Y. pestis is the causative agent of plague, Y. pseudotuberculosis and several pathogenic bio/serovars of the species Y. enterocolitica cause yersiniosis. New Y. enterocolitica subspecies with diagnostic relevance have been proposed allowing the differentiation of European and American isolates. The ISO-standard (ISO 102739) summarizes the knowledge gained from enrichment and isolation of Y. enterocolitica from food and feed samples. The final biochemical identification must be carried out by classical tube testing, as commercially available test-systems are not sensitive and specific. For the assessment of the presumptive pathogenicity of a Y. enterocolitica isolate empiric virulence markers can be replaced by PCR assays targeting plasmoidal or chromosomal genes. Their evaluation in terms of routine diagnostic procedures is still missing. The definite identification of Y. enterocolitica isolates can also be achieved by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Immunoblot based on plasmoidal encoded Yersinia proteins enables the serological determination of animal and human infections. The development of simple, sensitive and specific rapid identification systems applicable for the direct and indirect diagnosis for veterinary use is a challenge for the future.     

Specific identification of Gallibacterium by a PCR using primers targeting the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes

Gallibacterium was recently established as a new genus including organisms previously reported as Pasteurella anatis, [Actinobacillus] salpingitidis and avian Pasteurella haemolytica-like organisms. The aim of the present study was to develop a PCR method allowing unambiguous identification of Gallibacterium. PCR primers positioned in the 16S rRNA (1133fgal) and 23S rRNA (114r) genes were defined and their specificity was subsequently tested on 122 strains. Twenty-five of the strains represented all of the presently available 15 phenotypic variants of Gallibacterium from different geographical locations, 22 other strains represented other poultry associated bacterial species or bacteria which could pose a differential diagnostic problem including members of the families Pasteurellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Flavobacteriaceae, and finally 75 Gallibacterium field strains isolated from Mexican chicken egg-layers. Specific amplicons were generated in all 100 Gallibacterium strains tested, whereas none of the non-Gallibacterium strains tested positive. Correct identification was confirmed by hybridization with the Gallibacterium specific probe GAN850. Two internal amplification control strategies were successfully incorporated into the PCR assay, one based on amplification of the house-keeping gene rpoB (sharing target DNA) and another based on addition of trout DNA (foreign target DNA) and amplification with beta-actin specific primers. In conclusion, the described PCR assay enables specific identification of Gallibacterium and will thus stand as a strong alternative to the present diagnostic methods.     

The usefulness of the API 20 E classification system in the identification of Actinobacillus actinomycetem comitans, Actinobacillus seminis and Pasteurella haemolytica

The prepuces of lambs aged 6--8 months and semen of 2 adult rams were found to be infected with gram negative, non-motile, non-haemolytic, pleomorphic bacilli. These organisms were compared with those of known strains of actinobacillus actinomycetem comitans. Actinobacillus seminis and Pasteurella haemolytica, using the API 20 E classification system. Applying the principles of numerical taxonomy, the majority of suspected strains of A. seminis could be classified as A. actinomycetem comitans and 3 examples as Histophilus ovis. Although some of the suspected strains of A. seminis could be classified as P. haemolytica, obvious differences between the genera Actinobacillus and Pasteurella were evident.     

Antagonistic effect of chosen lactic acid bacteria strains on Yersinia enterocolitica species in model set-ups,meat and fermented sausages

The present study was aimed at determining the influence of 15 strains of lactic acid bacteria on the growth of 8 Yersinia enterocolitica strains in model set-ups, and in meat and ageing fermented sausages. The investigations were performed within the framework of three alternate stages which differed in respect to the products studied, the number of Lactobacillus sp. strains and, partly, methodological approach. The ratio between lactic acid bacteria and Yersinia enterocolitica strains studied was, depending on the variant of experiment, 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1, respectively. The study also considered water activity (aw) and pH of the products investigated. The results suggest that all the lactic acid bacteria strains used within the framework of the model set-ups had antagonistic effect on all the Salmonella sp. strains. However, this ability was not observed with respect to of tested lactic acid bacteria strains in meat and fermented sausage. This ability was possessed by one of the strains investigated--Lactobacillus helveticus T 78. The temperature and time of the incubation of sausages, but not aw and pH, were found to have a distinct influence on the antagonistic interaction between the bacteria tested.     

Competitive exclusion of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 by Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A,serotype O:6,30 in tissue culture and in pigs

AIMS: To study the adhesion properties of a biotype 4, serotype O:3 (human pathogenic) strain of Yersinia enterocolitica and to determine if adhesion in vitro and colonisation in vivo can be prevented by competition with a biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 (non-pathogenic) strain. To study interaction between Y. enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 and cultured epithelial cells using the synthetic tripeptide arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD).

METHODS: The human intestinal epithelial (HEp-2) cell line was used for in vitro studies. Inocula of Y. enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 radiolabelled using tritium were incubated with HEp-2 cells and RGD tripeptide, or with Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 sequentially or concurrently, then washed and lysed, and radioactivity measured to determine the effect of RGD on adhesion, and competitive exclusion of pathogenic by non-pathogenic bacteria. For in vivo studies, two groups of 5-week-old piglets (n=5/group) were sequentially inoculated orally with 5x10⁹ colony forming units (cfu) of either a non-pathogenic biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 strain of Y. enterocolitica followed by a pathogenic biotype 4, serotype O:3 strain, or vice versa. Pigs were monitored for carriage of strains using bacterial culture and a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS: The RGD tripeptide significantly inhibited adherence of the pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strain to cultured epithelial cells, suggesting that adhesion involved the RGD tripeptide sequence. The non-pathogenic biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 strain of Y. enterocolitica prevented adhesion of the pathogenic strain to cells in vitro when allowed to adhere first. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was consistently isolated from rectal swabs from 80-100% of pigs on all sampling occasions but not from oral swabs after 14 days in pigs first inoculated with the non- pathogenic strain or at 26 days in pigs first inoculated with the pathogenic strain.

CONCLUSIONS: A non-pathogenic strain of Y. enterocolitica reduced adhesion of a human pathogenic strain in vitro but not in vivo.     

Competitive exclusion of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 by Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 in tissue culture and in pigs

AIMS: To study the adhesion properties of a biotype 4, serotype O:3 (human pathogenic) strain of Yersinia enterocolitica and to determine if adhesion in vitro and colonisation in vivo can be prevented by competition with a biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 (non-pathogenic) strain. To study interaction between Y. enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 and cultured epithelial cells using the synthetic tripeptide arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD). METHODS: The human intestinal epithelial (HEp-2) cell line was used for in vitro studies. Inocula of Y. enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 radiolabelled using tritium were incubated with HEp-2 cells and RGD tripeptide, or with Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 sequentially or concurrently, then washed and lysed, and radioactivity measured to determine the effect of RGD on adhesion, and competitive exclusion of pathogenic by non-pathogenic bacteria. For in vivo studies, two groups of 5-week-old piglets (n=5/group) were sequentially inoculated orally with 5 x 10(9) colony forming units (cfu) of either a non-pathogenic biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 strain of Y. enterocolitica followed by a pathogenic biotype 4, serotype O:3 strain, or vice versa. Pigs were monitored for carriage of strains using bacterial culture and a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The RGD tripeptide significantly inhibited adherence of the pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strain to cultured epithelial cells, suggesting that adhesion involved the RGD tripeptide sequence. The non-pathogenic biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 strain of Y. enterocolitica prevented adhesion of the pathogenic strain to cells in vitro when allowed to adhere first. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was consistently isolated from rectal swabs from 80-100% of pigs on all sampling occasions but not from oral swabs after 14 days in pigs first inoculated with the non-pathogenic strain or at 26 days in pigs first inoculated with the pathogenic strain. CONCLUSIONS: A non-pathogenic strain of Y. enterocolitica reduced adhesion of a human pathogenic strain in vitro but not in vivo.     

Evaluation of API 20E System and Encise Enterotube for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae of animal origin.

The API 20E System and the Encise Enterotube were evaluated for the identification of the Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical specimens of animal origin at a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Compared to conventional tubed media, the API 20E System identified 235 of 240 isolates (97.9%) correctly. The Encise Enterotube correctly identified 229 of the 240 isolates (95.4%). Thus, both these identification systems could be used to replace conventional methods for identifying members of this family isolated from animal origin.     

The serological response of cattle immunized with Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 or O:16 to Yersinia and Brucella abortus antigens in enzyme immunoassays

Sera from calves immunized with Yersinia enterocolitica serotypes O:9 or O:16 were tested by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preparations from Brucella abortus or Y. enterocolitica O:9 or O:16 for their antibody content of the IgG1 or IgG2 subclasses. High IgG1 responses were present with the three antigens in both groups although some individual variations between animals were noted. The IgG2 responses were modest and in some cases not above background 'noise'. Thus IgG2 antibody was not measurable in sera from serotype O:9 injected calves when using serotype O:16 LPS or in serotype O:16 injected calves when using B. abortus or serotype O:9 LPSs. A competitive ELISA using B. abortus O-polysaccharide and a monoclonal antibody to B. abortus LPS (initially designed to differentiate the antibody responses of cattle naturally infected with B. abortus from those vaccinated with strain 19) was used on sera from both groups of calves. Using this test, no antibody was detected in the group immunized with serotype O:16 and except for one animal in the serotype O:9 immunized group, only low levels of antibody were transiently in evidence. One animal in this group responded with quite high levels of competing antibody which, however, declined towards the end of the test period. The competitive ELISA may prove a useful serological tool for differentiating vaccinal and field infection titers to B. abortus and also to eliminate cross-reactions observed with Y. enterocolitica serotypes.     

Development of a PCR test for the identification of Staphylococcus intermedius based on the 16S rDNA sequence

The development of a PCR assay based on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) sequence was carried out for the identification of Staphylococcus intermedius. Sixty-six strains of S. intermedius, 70 of Staphylococcus aureus and 2 of Staphylococcus hyicus were examined for the assay. The 16S rDNA, of which the PCR target fragment makes up 901 bp corresponding to the sequence data of the gene, was detected in all strains of S. intermedius, but it was not detected in any strains of either S. aureus or S. hyicus. These results suggest that the PCR allows a simple and precise identification of S. intermedius.     

Identification of Bartonella strains isolated from wild and domestic ruminants by a single-step PCR analysis of the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region

Of the 20 species or subspecies of Bartonella currently known, 7 cause various diseases in humans with many being zoonotic. However, some Bartonella species appear only to cause asymptomatic bacteraemia in their hosts. In ruminants, three Bartonella species (B. bovis, B. capreoli and B. schoenbuchensis) have recently been described. However, limited or no information has yet been published concerning their mode of transmission and their possible pathogenicity for domestic cattle. The phylogenetic relationship of these species with other bacteria of the Bartonella genus has only been recently investigated. It is therefore necessary to develop appropriate tools that will easily allow identification of these ruminant strains for epidemiological and clinical studies. A single-step PCR assay, based on the amplification of a fragment of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (ITS), was evaluated for identification of Bartonella isolated from domestic cattle and from free-ranging or captive cervids. For each Bartonella species tested, the PCR assay led to a product that was unique either for its length or its sequence. All ruminant isolates tested could be easily differentiated among themselves and from the other Bartonella species. Furthermore, sequence analysis of the PCR products revealed a close relationship between all ruminant Bartonella strains. Therefore, ITS PCR testing appears to be a convenient tool for a quick diagnosis of ruminant Bartonella species.     

家养野猪副猪嗜血杆菌的分离鉴定及16S rRNA序列分析

对江西省某家养野猪场临诊疑似副猪嗜血杆菌（Haemophilusparasuis,Hps）感染的病例进行细菌分离鉴定,PCR扩增分离菌株的16SrRNA并进行测序分析,并对分离菌进行细菌形态、生化鉴定和PCR鉴定及序列比对分析。结果显示,获得1株家养野猪源Hps分离株（命名为HPJXYZ01）,该分离株与国内外参考菌株序列之闻的同源性为93．1％～99．2％,与本实验室江西省家猪源分离株的同源性为84％～92．1％。结果表明,江西省家养野猪中存在Hps感染,分离株与国内外家猪源Hps间的16SrRNA序列差异不大,Hps16SrRNA核苷酸序列比较稳定,其进化不存在明显的地域相关性。     

鸡奇异变形杆菌的分离鉴定和16S rRNA基因序列测定与系统进化分析

从山东泰安一鸡场发病雏鸡眼中分离到1株致病菌(编号为QY),通过细菌形态学等常规鉴定符合奇异变形杆菌(Proteus mirabilis)特性。用奇异变形杆菌阳性血清诊断结果呈阳性,人工感染证明该菌株是造成该鸡场雏鸡大批发病死亡的致病菌。药敏试验结果显示对头孢类、恩诺沙星等高度敏感,而对青霉素和复合磺胺等不敏感。以细菌16SrRNA基因通用引物进行PCR扩增,得到QY的16SrRNA基因序列,长约1 453bp(GenBank,登录号为GU477712)。将该序列与GenBank中序列进行Blast比对,发现与其匹配度最高的均是奇异变形杆菌各株系的16SrRNA序列,均高达98%以上。运用DNAStar软件与其中10株奇异变形杆菌分离株构建系统进化树,结果表明,分离株(QY菌株)与10个代表菌株的同源性均为98.9%～99.9%,其中与AB272366同源性最高为99.9%。从分子水平证明该菌是奇异变形杆菌并分析了其遗传进化规律,为鸡奇异变形杆菌的鉴定及其引起的疾病的诊断与治疗提供了参考。     

两种山羊瘤胃纤维分解菌16S rDNA序列的体外扩增和鉴定

从山羊瘤胃内容物中提取瘤胃细菌总DNA,以瘤胃中两种主要纤维分解菌为目的菌种,分别依据其16S rDNA序列设计引物,利用PCR技术对其16S rDNA 进行体外扩增,对扩增产物测序后进行同源性分析.结果表明:以提取的瘤胃细菌总DNA为模板,采用PCR技术可成功地从山羊瘤胃内容物中扩增出黄色瘤胃球菌和产琥珀酸丝状杆菌16S rDNA的特异性片段;测序后与GenBank中的序列进行比对,表明黄色瘤胃球菌与原序列(AF104841)的同源性达到99.4%,产琥珀酸丝状杆菌与原序列(AJ505937)的同源性达到94.6%.     

7种鸭源细菌的分离与16S rDNA测序鉴定

从病死鸭的脏器中无菌分离细菌.根据培养特性、菌落形态、革兰染色和生化特性,鉴定出7种细菌分离株.以分离株的基因组DNA为模板,用16S rDNA试剂盒扩增其DNA片段,测序后NCBI网站进行BLAST搜索比对,鉴定出细菌种类,分别为鼠伤寒沙门菌、大肠杆菌、鸭疫里默氏杆菌、铜绿假单胞杆菌、施氏假单胞菌、浅绿气球菌和麦氏棒杆菌.前3种为鸭的常见分离菌,其余的较为少见.因此在鸭病控制过程中应注意可能存在一些不常见细菌的混合感染.     

副猪嗜血杆菌的分离鉴定及16S rRNA序列分析

从云南某规模化养猪场病猪肺脏分离到1株革兰氏阴性小杆菌,经细菌生化鉴定、PCR鉴定和16S rRNA序列比对鉴定为副猪嗜血杆菌。抗生素药物敏感试验结果表明,分离菌株对四环素、红霉素、氯霉素、头孢噻吩高敏;对庆大霉素、氧氟沙星、诺氟沙星中敏;对磺胺甲唑耐药。16S rRNA分析结果表明,该分离株与GenBank中的Hps参考株AB078973(基因登录号)同源性为100%,将分离菌株鉴定为副猪嗜血杆菌。16S rRNA遗传进化关系表明,分离株与副猪嗜血杆菌3株血清5型参考株AB078972、AB078973、AB078974的16S rRNA序列位于一个分支上,遗传进化关系最近,它们之间的核苷酸同源性在99.0%~99.4%之间,初步鉴定为血清5型副猪嗜血杆菌,致病性试验结果表明,分离菌株对小白鼠有强致病性,命名为YN-1株。     

The prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica 0:3 in Finnish pigs and pork

One hundred and forty seven samples of pig faeces collected from 14 herds located in different parts of Finland were examined for Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4 serotype 0:3. Twenty six (17.7%) animals and 5 herds (35.7%) were positive. The tonsils of 350 animals from 35 herds with high condemnation figures at meat inspection and the tonsils of 131 animals from 13 herds with low condemnation figures collected from 2 abattoirs in southwest Finland were also examined. The prevalence raes of Y.e. in animals were 38.3% and 31.3% and in herds 74.3% and 61.5%, respectively. The prevalence of Y.e. in herds with the high and low partial condemnation percentages did not differ significantly. No isolation of Y.e. was made from 104 samples of pork and minced pork collected from retail markets in Helsinki and from exporting slaughterhouses.