Comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene of Pasteurella multocida serogroup B isolates from different animal species

The phylogenetic relationships of five isolates of Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2 belonging to buffalo, cattle, pig, sheep and goat were investigated by comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene. The 1468bp fragment of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison showed that the isolates of cattle (PM75), pig (PM49) and sheep (PM82) shared 99.9% homology with the buffalo isolate (vaccine strain P52) whereas, the goat isolate (PM86) shared 99.8% homology with the vaccine strain. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these isolates were also found monophyletic with type B reference strain NCTC 10323 of P. multocida subsp. multocida. The present study indicated the close relationships of haemorrhagic septicaemia causing P. multocida serotype B:2 isolates of buffalo and cattle with other uncommon hosts (pig, sheep and goat).     

16S~23SrRNA基因序列在细菌鉴定中的应用

近些年围绕16S~23S rRNA基因间隔区发展起来的分子生物学技术为细菌多样性的研究开辟了新的途径,使得人们在细菌多样性的研究中得以摆脱传统分离培养的束缚,进而使分析方法得以长足拓展,并为指导实践提供可靠的理论依据,作者就16S~23S rRNA基因间隔区序列的特点、应用及发展前景作一简述。     

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Anaplasma in Southwestern China based on 16S rRNA sequence

To identify the species within the genus Anaplasma circulating among ruminants in the Southwest of China, we performed the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of two Anaplasma isolates from cattle and seven from goats. The two sequences obtained from cattle strains belonged to the A. marginale cluster, whereas the other seven sequences from caprine strains formed two Anaplasma spp. clusters, which diverged earlier than the clusters of A. marginale, A. centrale and A. ovis. These results indicate that there are at least two Anaplasma species circulating among ruminants in Southwestern China.     

aroA gene PCR-RFLP diversity patterns in Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus species

The Haemophilus parasuis aroA gene encodes 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase and participates in the aromatic amino acids and the folic acid universal metabolic pathway of bacteria. The application of aroA-based PCR-RFLP methodology yields a significant degree of diversity in H. parasuis and Actinobacillus species. PCR amplification of the aroA gene rendered a 1,067-bp fragment in all 15 H. parasuis serovars, and also in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1-12, Actinobacillus lignieresii, Actinobacillus equuli, Actinobacillus porcinus, Actinobacillus rossii, Actinobacillus suis, Actinobacillus ureae, Actinobacillus minor and Actinobacillus indolicus. Sau3AI and RsaI digestions of the aroA PCR products rendered seven different restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns: group I (H. parasuis serovars 1, 2, 4-6, and 8-15, A. porcinus and A. ureae), group II (H. parasuis serovars 3 and 7, and A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 4, 5, 9, 11 and 12), group III (A. lignieresii), group IV (A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 7), group V (A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 2, 3, 6 and 8, A. equuli, A. rossii, A. minor and A. indolicus), group VI (A. suis) and group VII (A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10). This is the first report describing the presence of aroA gene in H. parasuis, A. lignieresii, A. porcinus, A. rossii, A. suis, A. ureae, A. minor and A. indolicus and the data presented here demonstrates a significant degree of aroA genetic diversity in H. parasuis and species of the genus Actinobacillus.     

仔猪常见12种致病菌的23S rRNA基因序列分析

以107条从NCBI下载和测序的12种仔猪常见致病菌的23S rRNA基因序列为研究对象,运用DNASTAR软件进行系统发育分析.结果显示:以各种细菌的23S rRNA基因代表序列所进行的种间序列分析结果与伯杰氏细菌分类手册和http://www.wiki.cn/wiki/细菌分类表的分类结果一致,也与这12种菌的16S rRNA基因序列分类结果一致. 因此,在23S rRNA基因序列保守区设计通用引物,在其变异区设计各种细菌特异性探针,用PCR捕捉被检样品中未知细菌的23S rDNA片段并与种特异性23S rRNA基因探针进行杂交,有可能将未知细菌鉴定到种.     

奇异变形杆菌分离株23S rRNA序列分析

通过PCR反应扩增7株鸡奇异变形杆菌和1株兔奇异变形杆菌的23SrRNA基因片段(1045bp),经克隆测序,用DNA Star分析软件将所获得的序列与GenBank中收录的奇异变形杆菌、普通变形杆菌以及其他相近属的23S rRNA基因序列进行同源性比较,并由此构建奇异变形杆菌系统进化发生树。结果表示,本实验室保存的7株鸡奇异变形杆菌核苷酸序列与GenBank中收录的奇异变形杆菌核苷酸序列同源性为99.4%～99.8%,与兔奇异变形杆菌核苷酸序列同源性为98.8%～99.3%,与普通变形杆菌的核苷酸序列同源性为95.4%～96.2%,而与其他相近属同源性只有92.9%～93.4%。结果表明,23S rRNA基因序列分析可以作为鉴定奇异变形杆菌的一种快速、简便的方法。     

应用23S rRNA对禽波氏杆菌分离株的进化分析

通过PCR扩增分离保存的8株禽波氏杆菌、3株兔支气管败血波氏杆菌及1株猪支气管败血波氏杆菌菌株的23S rRNA基因的片段(710bp),分别克隆到载体pMD18-T后测序。利用BLAST工具进行同源性搜索;用DNAStar分析软件进行同源核苷酸序列的多重比较分析并构建禽波氏杆菌菌株的系统生物进化树。结果显示,8株禽波氏杆菌核苷酸序列之间同源性为99.2%～99.7%,与GenBank中收录的NC_010645株禽波氏杆菌核苷酸序列同源性为92.4%～92.5%,与兔支气管败血波氏杆菌和猪支气管败血波氏杆菌的核苷酸序列同源性均为98.5%～99.2%。国内分离的禽波氏杆菌菌株和支气管败血波氏杆菌菌株均与国外分离菌株在遗传基因上有一定的差异。结果表明,23S rRNA序列分析可以作为鉴定禽波氏杆菌的一种快速简便的方法。     

A two-step species-specific 16S rRNA PCR assay for the detection of Taylorella equigenitalis in horses

: A two-step PCR assay was developed for the molecular detection of Taylorella equigenitalis, a Gram-negative genital bacterial pathogen in horses. Two specific oligonucleotide primers (TE16SrRNABCHf [25mer] and TE16SrRNABCHr [29mer]) were designed from multiple alignments of the 16S rRNA gene loci of several closely related taxa, including T. asinigenitalis. Subsequent enhanced surveillance of 250 Thoroughbred animals failed to detect the presence of this organism directly from clinical swabs taken from the genital tract of mares and stallions. Such a molecular approach offers a sensitive and specific alternative to conventional culture techniques, and has the potential to lead to improved diagnosis and subsequent management of horses involved in breeding programmes.     

肺炎克雷伯氏菌强毒株的分离鉴定及16-23SrRNAITS序列分析

为确诊疑似仔猪肺炎克雷伯氏菌(K.pneumonia)感染,并研究其病原的致病性、耐药性、16-23SrRNA ITS系统进化特征,本研究从云南因肺炎、腹泻而大量死亡的仔猪中分离到1株革兰氏阴性短粗杆菌,命名为KP14013,对其进行生化鉴定、16SrRNA鉴定,研究其对小白鼠和仔猪的致病性,并对其16-23SrRNA ITS基因进行测序和遗传进化分析。结果显示,KP14013分离株生化特征与肺炎克雷伯氏菌相符,其16SrRNA与GenBank中23株肺炎克雷伯氏菌代表株之间的同源性均为99%,将KP14013鉴定为肺炎克雷伯氏菌。KP14013对小白鼠半数致死量(LD50)为3×101.8 CFU,腹腔注射3×108 CFU可使仔猪100%致死。16-23SrRNA ITS系统进化关系结果表明,KP14013与GenBank中收录的15株肺炎克雷伯氏菌形成进化树的一个分支,属于同一个亚群,它们之间的核苷酸同源性为98.4%~99.2%。本研究证实了肺炎克雷伯氏菌是该起仔猪腹泻大量死亡的病原;KP14013分离株为毒力极强菌株,具有多重耐药性,其16-23SrRNA ITS与GenBank中收录的肺炎克雷伯氏菌代表株之间核苷酸存在差异,可用于肺炎克雷伯氏菌菌株间的鉴别。     

云南鸭疫里默氏杆菌外膜蛋白A 及16S rRNA序列分析

为了探讨鸭疫里默氏杆菌(Riemerella anatipestifer, RA)云南流行株的外膜蛋白A (OmpA)的基因序列差异及其与16S rRNA序列的相关性,PCR扩增18株云南流行株鸭疫里默氏杆菌OmpA基因及16S rRNA核苷酸序列,分别构建其系统进化树,分析其系统进化关系。结果表明,18株鸭疫里默氏杆菌OmpA基因分为2个群,其同源性分别为86%~99.2%和92.6%~100%。18株鸭疫里默氏杆菌16S rRNA基因同属1个群,同源性高达96.1%~100%。 RA-1、RA-2、RA-11和RA-39 4株分离株的OmpA基因位于进化树的同一个亚群,其16S rRNA基因也位于进化树的同一亚群,两者呈现出明显的相关关系,其他14株分离株的OmpA基因系统进化树与16S rRNA基因系统进化树无明显的相关关系。     

Sequence heterogeneity in the 18S rRNA gene within Theileria equi and Babesia caballi from horses in South Africa

A molecular epidemiological survey of the protozoal parasites that cause equine piroplasmosis was conducted using samples collected from horses and zebra from different geographical locations in South Africa. A total of 488 samples were tested for the presence of Theileria equi and/or Babesia caballi using the reverse line blot hybridization assay. Ten percent of the samples hybridized to the Theileria/Babesia genus-specific probe and not to the B. caballi or T. equi species-specific probes, suggesting the presence of a novel species or genotype. The small subunit of rRNA gene (18S; ∼1600 bp) was amplified and sequenced from 33 of these 488 samples. Sequences were compared with published sequences from the public sequence databases. Twelve distinct T. equi and six B. caballi 18S rRNA sequences were identified. Alignments demonstrated extensive sequence variation in the V4 hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene within T. equi. Sequence variation was also found in B. caballi 18S rRNA genes, although there was less variation than observed for T. equi. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences revealed three T. equi clades and two B. caballi clades in South Africa. The extent of sequence heterogeneity detected within T. equi and B. caballi 18S rRNA genes was unexpected since concerted evolution is thought to maintain homogeneity within repeated gene families, including rRNA genes, in eukaryotes. The findings reported here show that careful examination of variants of the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi and B. caballi is required prior to the development of molecular diagnostic tests to detect these parasites in horses. Species-specific probes must be in designed in regions of the gene that are both conserved within and unique to each species.     

3种禽源支原体替米考星耐药株的体外诱导及23SrRNA基因V域碱基突变分析

作者拟探讨禽源支原体对替米考星耐药的分子机制.体外诱导得到鸡毒支原体(R株、PG31株和S6株)、鸡滑液支原体、衣阿华支原体的替米考星耐药株;PCR扩增原始敏感株和诱导耐药株的23S rRNA基因V域,测序分析耐药相关碱基突变情况.结果鸡毒支原体R株、PG31株、S6株、鸡滑液支原体、衣阿华支原体分别通过9代、8代、6代、14代、9代诱导获得替米考星耐药(≥128 μg·mL-1)株;3种禽源支原体替米考星诱导耐药株均对大环内酯类药物表现交叉耐药,23S rRNA基因发生A2503T突变的诱导耐药株对截短侧耳素类、氯霉素类药物的敏感性明显降低.诱导获得的替米考星耐药鸡毒支原体R株发生了A2058G和A2503T突变,PG31株发生了A2058G和A2059G突变,S6株发生了A2058G和A2503T突变;而诱导获得的替米考星耐药鸡滑液支原体发生了G2162A突变,衣阿华支原体发生了A2059C突变.本研究表明鸡毒支原体和衣阿华支原体在体外较易经替米考星诱导产生耐药性,而鸡滑液支原体相对较难.菌株23S rRNA基因V域2 058、2 059、2 503位点的碱基突变与替米考星耐药表型有密切关系.     

In vitro susceptibilities of Leptospira spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi isolates to amoxicillin, tilmicosin, and enrofloxacin

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted with 6 different spirochetal strains (4 strains of Leptospira spp. and 2 strains of Borrelia burgdorferi) against 3 antimicrobial agents, commonly used in equine and bovine practice. The ranges of MIC and MBC of amoxicillin against Leptospira spp. were 0.05-6.25 µg/ml and 6.25-25.0 µg/ml, respectively. And the ranges of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of amoxicillin against B. burgdorferi were 0.05-0.39 µg/ml and 0.20-0.78 µg/ml, respectively. The ranges of MIC and MBC of enrofloxacin against Leptospira spp. were 0.05-0.39 µg/ml and 0.05-0.39 µg/ml, respectively. Two strains of B. burgdorferi were resistant to enrofloxacin at the highest concentration tested for MBC (≥100 µg/ml). Therefore, the potential role of tilmicosin in the treatment of leptospirosis and borreliosis should be further evaluated in animal models to understand whether the in vivo studies will confirm in vitro results. All spirochetal isolates were inhibited (MIC) and were killed (MBC) by tilmicosin at concentrations below the limit of testing (≤0.01 µg/ml).     

Diagnosis of Helicobacter spp. infection in canine stomach

A total of 75 biopsied samples of cardia, fundus, body, and pyloric antrum from necropsied dogs that were submitted to the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University from April 2003 to June 2004 were investigated. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in canine stomach by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in comparison to histochemistry versus immunohistochemistry (IHC), and to correlate these diagnostic methods with the clinical significance in infected dogs. Histopathological results revealed 60.0% (45/75) of samples to be positive, and consisted of mild gastritis in 64.44% (29/45), moderate gastritis in 11.11% (5/45), and severe gastritis in 24.44% (11/45). The proportion showing no histopathological lesions was 40.0% (30/75). Helicobacter spp. were localized to the luminal crypt in 18.67% (14/75), gastric pit in 22.67% (17/75), gastric gland in 21.33% (16/75), and gastric epithelium in 8% (6/75). The percentages of positive samples of Helicobacter spp. diagnosed by hematoxylin and eosin stain (H&E), Warthin Starry stain (WSS), IHC with rabbit polyclonal anti-H. pylori antibody, and PCR were 17.3% (13/75), 46.7% (35/75), 30.7% (23/75), and 10.7% (8/75), respectively. No significant differences weree observed in histopathological changes in portions of the stomach (p>0.05). The diagnosis of Helicobacter spp. by PCR in comparison to that by WSS and IHC was not significantly different (p>0.05). There were no relationships between pathological studies using H&E, WSS, and IHC, and especially between PCR and clinical signs of Helicobacter spp. infections in canine stomachs (p>0.05). The present study revealed significantly different levels of correlation for Helicobacter spp. detection between H&E and WSS (p<0.001). Results indicate that the method of choice for diagnosis of Helicobacter spp. infection in canine stomach is dependent on the purpose of study and appropriate specimen collection.     

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of canine pyoderma isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius for biofilm formation

Biofilm-forming ability is increasingly being recognized as an important virulence factor in several Staphylococcus species. This study evaluated the biofilm-forming ability of sixty canine derived clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius, using three phenotypic methods, microtiter plate test (MtP), Congo red agar method (CRA) and tube adherence test, and the presence and impact of biofilm-associated genes (icaA and icaD). The results showed that icaA and icaD genes were detected concomitantly in 55 (91.7%) of 60 isolates. A majority (88.3%) of the strains screened had matching results by the tube adherence test, MtP and PCR analysis. Better agreement (95%) was found between the PCR-based analysis and the CRA. Results of the icaA and icaD gene PCRs showed good agreement with CRA results, with a kappa of 0.7. Comparing the phenotypic methods, the statistical analysis showed that the agreement among the phenotypical tests using categorical data was generally good. Considering two classes (biofilm producer and biofilm non-producer), the percentage of matching results between the CRA method and the tube adherence test and between the CRA method and the MtP was 93.3%. A concordance of 100% was revealed between the MtP and the tube adherence test. The results indicate a high prevalence of the ica genes within S. pseudintermedius isolates, and their presence is associated with in vitro formation of a biofilm. A combination of phenotypic and genotypic tests is recommended for investigating biofilm formation in S. pseudintermedius.     

A review of African horse sickness and its implications for Ireland

ABSTRACT: African horse sickness is an economically highly important non-contagious but infectious Orbivirus disease that is transmitted by various species of Culicoides midges. The equids most severely affected by the virus are horses, ponies, and European donkeys; mules are somewhat less susceptible, and African donkeys and zebra are refractory to the devastating consequences of infection. In recent years, Bluetongue virus, an Orbivirus similar to African horse sickness, which also utilises Culicoides spp. as its vector, has drastically increased its range into previously unaffected regions in northern Europe, utilising indigenous vector species, and causing widespread economic damage to the agricultural sector. Considering these events, the current review outlines the history of African horse sickness, including information concerning virus structure, transmission, viraemia, overwintering ability, and the potential implications that an outbreak would have for Ireland. While the current risk for the introduction of African horse sickness to Ireland is considered at worst 'very low', it is important to note that prior to the 2006 outbreak of Bluetongue in northern Europe, both diseases were considered to be of equal risk to the United Kingdom ('medium-risk'). It is therefore likely that any outbreak of this disease would have serious socio-economic consequences for Ireland due to the high density of vulnerable equids and the prevalence of Culicoides species, potentially capable of vectoring the virus.     

Phenotypic characterization of mastitic Prototheca spp. isolates

Bovine mastitis associated with Prototheca is considered a rare pathology, but is increasing in prevalence all over the world and therefore becoming more relevant to the dairy industry. The biochemical characterization of 47 Prototheca isolates retrieved from mastitic milk was performed in this study using API 20C Aux and two BBL Crystal Kits, followed by an analysis with InforBio software. The usage of this methodology, allowed the identification of discriminative phenotypic characteristics for the strains tested. The differential-character-finding algorithm used by this software permitted the identification of new phenotypic characteristics to discriminate between Prototheca zopfii, P. blaschkeae and P. wickerhamii, such as, citrate, phosphorycholine and arabinoside. The main objective of this study was to determine new phenotypic characteristics that allowed a better characterization of Prototheca spp. Usage of recent bioinformatic tools improved the analyses of several features that are important for a better characterization of Prototheca spp.     

Prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter species in Swedish dogs and characterization of C. jejuni isolates

Background

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter species in Swedish dogs, to identify the species of the Campylobacter isolates and to genotype the C. jejuni isolates. Young and healthy dogs were targeted and the sampling was performed at 11 veterinary clinics throughout Sweden from October 2011 to October 2012. Faecal swab samples were collected and sent to the laboratory at the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) for isolation of Campylobacter, speciation and genotyping.

Results

Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 67 of the 180 sampled dogs which yields an overall prevalence of 37%. The most prevalent species of Campylobacter among the participating dogs was C. upsaliensis with 52 of the 67 identified isolates. A lower prevalence was observed for C. jejuni with seven identified isolates and one isolate was identified as C. helveticus. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was carried out on the seven C. jejuni isolates and all sequence types that were found are also commonly found in humans. The dogs were divided into three age groups; 1) under 12 months, 2) 12 to 23 months and 3) 24 months and older. The highest prevalence was found in the two younger age groups. Dogs shedding C. jejuni were between 3–12 months of age while dogs shedding C. upsaliensis were found in all ages.

Conclusions

The present investigation finds that Campylobacter spp. known to cause campylobacteriosis in humans are present in Swedish dogs. The results suggest an age predisposition where dogs under 2 years of age are more likely to shed Campylobacter spp. than older dogs. The most commonly isolated species was C. upsaliensis followed by C. jejuni, which was only detected in dogs up to 12 months of age. All C. jejuni isolates identified in the present study were of the same MLST types that have previously been described both in humans and in animals. The awareness of the Campylobacter risk of healthy young dogs may be an important way to reduce the transmission from dogs to infants, young children and immunocompromised adults.     

Molecular identification of Arcanobacterium bialowiezense and Arcanobacterium bonasi based on 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region sequences

In the present study, the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) of Arcanobacterium (A.) bialowiezense DSM 17162, A. bonasi DSM 17163, A. bernardiae DSM 9152, A. haemolyticum DSM 20595, A. hippocoleae DSM 15539, A. phocae DSM 10002, A. pluranimalium DSM 13483 and A. pyogenes DSM 20630 was amplified, sequenced and compared with the corresponding 16S rRNA gene sequences yielding comparable phylogenetic relationships. The ISR sequence of A. bialowiezense and A. bonasi allowed the design of species-specific oligonucleotide primers which could successfully be used for PCR-mediated identification of previously characterized A. bialowiezense and A. bonasi isolated from infections of the European bison. The presented molecular identification might help to improve a future diagnosis of both newly described bacterial pathogens.     

A multiplex real-time PCR for differential detection and quantification of Salmonella spp., Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Enteritidis in meats

Salmonella (S.) Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis are the major causative agents of food-borne illnesses worldwide. Currently, a rapid detection system using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been applied for other food-borne pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. A multiplex real-time PCR was developed for the simultaneous detection of Salmonella spp., especially S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis, in beef and pork. For the specific and sensitive multiplex real-time PCR, three representative primers and probes were designed based on sequence data from Genbank. Among the three DNA extraction methods (boiling, alkaline lysis, and QIAamp DNA Mini Kit), the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit was the most sensitive in this study. The optimized multiplex real-time PCR was applied to artificially inoculated beef or pork. The detection sensitivity of the multiplex real-time PCR was increased. The specificity of the multiplex real-time PCR assay, using 128 pure-cultured bacteria including 110 Salmonella isolates and 18 non-Salmonella isolates, was 100%, 100% and 99.1% for Salmonella spp., S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis, respectively. The sensitivity was 100%, 100% and 91.7% for Salmonella spp., S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis, respectively. The multiplex real-time PCR assay developed in this study could detect up to 0.54 ± 0.09 and 0.65 ± 0.07 log₁₀ CFU/ml for S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis for beef, 1.45 ± 0.21 and 1.65 ± 0.07 log₁₀ CFU/ml for S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis for pork, respectively, with all conditions optimized. Our results indicated that the multiplex real-time PCR assay developed in this study could sensitively detect Salmonella spp. and specifically differentiate S. Typhimurium from S. Enteritidis in meats.