Persistence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in chickens after treatment with enrofloxacin without development of resistance

The ability of the avian pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum to persist despite fluoroquinolone treatment was investigated in chickens. Groups of specific pathogen free chickens were experimentally infected with M. gallisepticum and treated with enrofloxacin at increasing concentrations up to the therapeutic dose. When M. gallisepticum could no longer be re-isolated from chickens, birds were stressed by inoculation of infectious bronchitis virus or avian pneumovirus. Although M. gallisepticum could not be cultured from tracheal swabs collected on several consecutive sampling days after the end of the enrofloxacin treatments, the infection was not eradicated. Viral infections reactivated the mycoplasma infection. Mycoplasmas were isolated from tracheal rings cultured for several days, suggesting that M. gallisepticum persisted in the trachea despite the enrofloxacin treatment. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of enrofloxacin for most of the re-isolated mycoplasmas was the same as that of the strain with which the birds were inoculated. Furthermore, no mutation could be detected in the fluoroquinolone target genes. These results suggest that M. gallisepticum can persist in chickens without development of resistance despite several treatments with enrofloxacin.     

Effects of sialidase knockout and complementation on virulence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Reannotation of the pathogenic Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain R(low) genome identified the hypothetical gene MGA_0329 as a homolog of the sialidase gene MS53_0199 of Mycoplasma synoviae strain MS53. Potent sialidase activity was subsequently quantitated in several M. gallisepticum strains. Because sialidase activity levels correlate significantly with differing M. synoviae strain virulence, we hypothesized this enzyme may also influence the virulence of M. gallisepticum. MGA_0329 was disrupted in strain R(low) to create mutants 6, 358 and P1C5, which resulted in the loss of sialidase activity in all three mutants. Chickens infected with the knockout mutants had significantly less severe (P<0.05) tracheal lesions and tracheal mucosal thickening than chickens infected with equal doses of strain R(low). Significantly fewer (P<0.05) CCU especially of strains 6 and P1C5 were recovered at necropsy. Mini-Tn4001tet plasmid pTF20 carrying a wild-type copy of MGA_0329 with its native promoter was used to complement the genetic lesion in strain P1C5. Three clones derived from P1C5, each having one copy of MGA_0329 stably transposed into a different site in its genome, expressed sialidase restored to wild-type activity levels (1.58×10(-8)U/CFU). Complementation of P1C5 with MGA_0329 did not restore it to wild-type levels of virulence, indicating that the contribution of sialidase to M. gallisepticum virulence is not straightforward.     

Experimental evidence of indirect transmission of Mycoplasma synoviae

The aim of the study was to analyse experimental transmission of Mycoplasma synoviae, an avian pathogen. Three experiments using specific pathogen-free day-old chicks placed in isolators were conducted. In the first experiment, the birds were introduced in an isolator previously contaminated with a M. synoviae broth culture. After 34 days, these birds were eliminated and, for the second trial, the chicks were introduced in the same isolator without disinfecting. In the third assay, the chicks were placed in an isolator containing a mixture of food, feathers and dust collected less than an hour earlier from a M. synoviae infected laying hen flock. In the second and third experiments in order to exacerbate the M. synoviae infection, the birds were inoculated with infectious bronchitis (IB) virus. The presence of M. synoviae in the environment and in tracheal swabs was monitored by culture, a multiplex PCR (mPCR) detecting M. synoviae and Mycoplasma 16S rDNA and a multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR) detecting the M. synoviae mRNA coding for a membrane protein and Mycoplasma 16S rRNA. In in vitro experimental conditions, M. synoviae mRNA and 16S rRNA were detected up to 20 min and 23 h respectively after mycoplasma death. In the first assay, the first infected bird was detected on the 13th day. In the second trial, culturable M. synoviae or viable M. synoviae were detected in the isolator for 3 or 4 to 5 days respectively after depopulation of the birds of the first assay whereas the first culture positive tracheal swabs were detected on the 33rd day, after IB inoculation. In the third experiment, the first infected birds were detected on the 54th day. Thus, the different assays showed that M. synoviae contaminated material (dust, feathers and food) can infect chicks, sometimes after remarkably long silent periods.     

Characterization of a point mutation in the parC gene of Mycoplasma bovirhinis associated with fluoroquinolone resistance

Quinolone-resistant (QR) mutants of Mycoplasma bovirhinis strain PG43 (type strain) were generated by stepwise selection in increasing concentrations of enrofloxacin (ENR). An alteration was found in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of the parC gene coding for the ParC subunit of topoisomerase IV from these mutants, but not in the gyrA, gyrB, and parE gene coding for the GyrA and GyrB subunits of DNA gyrase and the ParE subunit of topoisomerase IV. Similarly, such an alteration in QRDR of parC was found in the field isolates of M. bovirhinis, which possessed various levels of QR. The substitution of leucine (Leu) by serine (Ser) at position 80 of QRDR of ParC was observed in both QR-mutants and QR-isolates. This is the first report of QR based on a point mutation of the parC gene in M. bovirhinis.     

Specific detection and typing of Mycoplasma synoviae strains in poultry with PCR and DNA sequence analysis targeting the hemagglutinin encoding gene vlhA

Mycoplasma synoviae is a major pathogen of chickens and turkeys, causing economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. In this study, we validated and applied polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis on the N-terminal end of the hemagglutinin encoding gene vlhA as an alternative for the detection and initial typing of field strains of M. synoviae in commercial poultry. PCR primers were tested against isolates of M. synoviae from various sources along with other avian mycoplasma and other bacterial species. The vlhA gene-targeted PCR assay was highly specific in the identification of M. synoviae, with a detection limit of 4.7 x 10(2) color changing units/ml. DNA sequence analysis of amplified products was also conducted to validate the potential for typing M. synoviae strains using the N-terminal region of the vlhA gene. To evaluate the test, we applied the PCR assay to tracheal swabs collected from chickens challenged with M. synoviae strain K1968 and compared the results to the serologic detection. The PCR assay was also evaluated directly on tracheal samples collected from commercial layers. Overall, this vlhA gene-targeted PCR is a useful tool for detection and initial typing of M. synoviae and can be applied in the preliminary identification of M. synoviae isolates directly from clinical samples.     

鸡滑液囊支原体的分离鉴定及病理组织学观察

为了解宁夏及其周边不同地区蛋鸡场中的鸡滑液囊支原体的种类及其致病力,采用改良Frey氏鸡滑液囊支原体培养基,从疑似感染鸡滑液囊支原体的不同蛋鸡群中分离出病原株,设计鸡滑液囊支原体vlhA基因特异性引物,对分离到的病原进行基因序列扩增并测序,使用MEGA6.0软件中的邻接法(Neighbor-joining,NJ)构建分离株系统发育树并进行遗传进化分析,采用从临床症状最明显的鸡体分离的菌株进行动物感染试验,制作石蜡切片,HE染色,病理组织学观察。结果表明,所分离到的病原菌均为鸡滑液囊支原体,部分菌株之间极其相似;鸡滑液囊支原体不仅可以使鸡只关节肿胀、生长缓慢,也可引起鸡只的肝脏轻微肿大,肝细胞部分坏死、间质增生;脾脏结缔组织增生,出血。     

Detection of Mycoplasma synoviae in clinically normal pheasants

Mycoplasma synoviae was isolated from the tracheas of seven clinically normal pheasants found in the vicinity of a chicken farm infected with M synoviae, but not from 120 pheasants and partridges with respiratory disease. When specimens were examined by the polymerase chain reaction only two additional pheasants infected with M synoviae were identified, one healthy and one diseased.     

In vitro susceptibilities to fluoroquinolones in current and archived Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae isolates from meat-type turkeys

Monitoring of susceptibility to antibiotics in field isolates of pathogenic avian mycoplasmas is important for appropriate choice of treatment. Our study compared in vitro susceptibility to enrofloxacin and difloxacin in recent (2005-2006) isolates of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae from meat-type turkey flocks with archived (1997-2003) isolates and reference strains. Comparison of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values determined by microtest, agar dilution and commercial Etest showed good agreement, but underscored the need for standardized methods for testing. Notably, while the commercial Etest was convenient and accurate for determining MICs for enrofloxacin in the range 0.002-0.094mug/ml, the endpoint of inhibition for M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae strains with MIC values >/=1.0mug/ml could not be determined. A decrease in susceptibility to both fluoroquinolones was detected in archived strains but to a greater degree in recent isolates, most of which had MICs above the NCCLS susceptibility breakpoint for these antibiotics (相似文献   

The humoral immune response of chickens to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae studied by immunoblotting

The humoral immune response over time of White Leghorn chickens experimentally infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum or M. synoviae by an aerosol inoculation or a contact exposure were compared by immunoblotting. The response of chickens infected with M. gallisepticum were similar with respect to proteins recognized and intensity of response, regardless of mode of infection. On the other hand, chickens infected by aerosolization of M. synoviae responded to more proteins and with greater intensity than did M. synoviae contact-exposed birds. Chickens infected with M. gallisepticum responded with antibodies to over 20 proteins, while chickens infected with M. synoviae responded with antibodies to 12 proteins. Field sera from chickens naturally infected on commercial poultry farms with M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae were analyzed by immunoblotting and were found to react with a number of mycoplasma proteins. However, no correlation was seen when comparing intensity of immunoblot staining and hemagglutination-inhibition titer of the field sera. The experimental antisera were used to identify species-specific proteins of M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae. Six immunogenic species-specific proteins of M. gallisepticum with relative molecular masses of 82 (p82), 65-63 (p64), 56 (p56), 35 (p35), 26 (p26), and 24 (p24) kilodaltons (kDa) were identified. Two species-specific proteins of M. synoviae with relative molecular masses of 53 (p53) and 22 (p22) kDa were identified. Additionally, a highly immunogenic 41 (p41) kDa protein of M. synoviae was identified. Species-specific proteins identified in these mycoplasmas and the 41 kDa protein of M. synoviae were purified by preparative SDS-PAGE in amounts sufficient for further characterization and for use in serodiagnostic tests.     

In vitro development of resistance to enrofloxacin,erythromycin, tylosin,tiamulin and oxytetracycline in Mycoplasma gallisepticum,Mycoplasma iowae and Mycoplasma synoviae

The in vitro emergence of resistance to enrofloxacin, erythromycin, tylosin, tiamulin, and oxytetracycline in three avian Mycoplasma species, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma iowae was studied. Mutants were selected stepwise and their MICs were determined after 10 passages in subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotic. High-level resistance to erythromycin and tylosin developed within 2-6 passages in the three Mycoplasma species. Resistance to enrofloxacin developed more gradually. No resistance to tiamulin or oxytetracycline could be evidenced in M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae after 10 passages whereas, resistant mutants were obtained with M. iowae. Cross-sensitivity tests performed on mutants demonstrated that mycoplasmas made resistant to tylosin were also resistant to erythromycin, whereas mutants made resistant to erythromycin were not always resistant to tylosin. Some M. iowae tiamulin-resistant mutants were also resistant to both macrolide antibiotics. Enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline did not induce any cross-resistance to the other antibiotics tested. These results show that Mycoplasma resistance to macrolides can be quickly selected in vitro, and thus, providing that similar results could be obtained under field conditions, that development of resistance to these antibiotics in vivo might also be a relatively frequent event.     

Effectiveness of two fluoroquinolones for the treatment of chronic respiratory disease outbreak in broilers

1. Chronic respiratory disease (CRD) caused by Mycoplasma synoviae in association with Escherichia coli is the disease most frequently encountered in poultry in Mexico. 2. Differences of antimycoplasmal activity, pharmacokinetics and cost among fluoroquinolones were the impetus for this clinical evaluation of efficacy of enrofloxacin and norfloxacin-nicotinate in broilers with CRD. 3. A total of 99,600 broilers, naturally infected with M. synoviae and E. coli , were treated with enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg/d for 3 d) (n = 49,800) or norfloxacin-nicotinate (20 mg/kg/d for 3 d) (n = 49,800). 4. Based on survivor analysis, there were no significant differences of efficacy of the 2 drugs. Survivor probabilities were above 0.99. 5. These results indicate that enrofloxacin and norfloxacin-nicotinate are efficacious for treatment of CRD. Questions remaining to be answered by other studies include: public health concern about the use of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of CRD; clinical superiority of one of these drugs on the basis of an attribute other than antimicrobial activity, such as cost:benefit ratio or ability to prevent bacterial resistance. 6. Clinical efficacy is not a relevant variable in assessing whether norfloxacin-nicotinate or enrofloxacin should be used for the treatment of CRD associated with E. coli in broilers.     

The effects of F strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, and the dual infection in commercial layer hens over a 44-week laying cycle when challenged before beginning of lay. II. Egg size distribution.

In each of two trials, 160 commercial pullets were separated into four treatments with four replicates of 10 chickens in each treatment. Forty pullets were designated as controls and received no inoculation; 40 pullets received F strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (FMG); an additional 40 pullets received Mycoplasma synoviae (MS); and the final 40 pullets were inoculated with both FMG and MS (dual). All inoculations occurred at 10 wk of age. Eggs from all treatments were collected daily, Monday-Thursday, and individually weighed. No significant difference was observed among the treatments for percentages of jumbo, extra-large, medium, small, peewee, or undergrade eggs. As a percentage of eggs laid for the 4 days of each week over the 44-wk laying cycle of each trial, the FMG hens laid significantly fewer large size eggs (43.2%) as compared with either controls (51.17%) or dual-infected hens (49.95%). No significant difference was found in percentage of large eggs laid by FMG hens when compared with MS hens.     

Serological monitoring on layer farms with specific pathogen-free chickens

To monitor the existence of avian pathogens in laying chicken flocks, specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were introduced into two layer farms and reared with laying hens for 12 months. SPF chickens were bled several times after their introduction and examined for their sero-conversion to avian pathogens. As a result, antibodies to eight or ten kinds of pathogens were detected in SPF chickens on each farm. Antibodies to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), avian nephritis virus, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae were detected early within the first month. Antibody titer to IBV suggested that the laying chickens were infected with IBV repeatedly during the experiment on both farms. However, antibodies to infectious bursal disease virus and 6 pathogens were not detected.     

Recombinant DNA probes for Mycoplasma synoviae

A genomic library was prepared from Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) strain WVU 1853 cloned in plasmid vector pUC8 and transformed in Escherichia coli host JM83. In dot blot assays, four transformed E. coli clones hybridized with 32P-labeled chromosomal DNA of MS but not with 32P-labeled chromosomal DNA of M. gallisepticum (MG) strain S6. In Southern hybridization, each of the CsCl-purified recombinant plasmid clones was shown to contain two MS DNA fragments between 1.0 to 2.3 kbp in length. 32P-Labeled probes prepared from each of the four recombinant plasmids hybridized in dot blot assays with MS strain WVU 1853 and nine MS field isolates but not with MG strains S6, K810, F2F10, four MG field isolates, and 15 other species of avian mycoplasmas.     

Comparison of the efficacy of enrofloxacin, imidocarb, and oxytetracycline for clearance of persistent Anaplasma marginale infections in cattle

This study compared enrofloxacin and imidocarb dipropionate treatments with an oxytetracycline regimen proposed by the World Organization for Animal Health for elimination of persistent Anaplasma marginale infections in cattle. The effect of therapy on competitive ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reactivity was also assessed. Twelve A. marginale-infected carrier calves were randomly assigned to groups receiving either enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg IV q24h for 5 days), imidocarb (5 mg/kg IM twice, 7 days apart), or oxytetracycline (22 mg/kg IV q24h for 5 days). One calf infected with an Oklahoma isolate in the imidocarb group and one infected with a Virginia isolate in the oxytetracycline group failed to infect a splenectomized calf following blood subinoculation. Both became competitive ELISA negative by 44 days after treatment, but the imidocarb-treated calf remained PCR positive. None of the tested treatments reliably eliminated persistent A. marginale infections in all cattle. Furthermore, PCR was not a reliable means of determining the success of chemosterilization in calves.     

The efficacy of valnemulin (Econor) in the control of disease caused by experimental infection of calves with Mycoplasma bovis

Mycoplasma bovis infection was experimentally induced in groups of six young calves. A further group was uninfected and served as a control. Ten days after infection, medication with either enrofloxacin (Baytril, Bayer) or valnemulin (Econor, Novartis) was instituted via the milk replacer for a further 10 days, after which all calves were killed. Infection resulted in depression, pyrexia, inappetance and prominent respiratory signs. Arthritis occurred in two animals and two (unmedicated) animals died. At post-mortem examination extensive lesions were present in the lungs and M. bovis was re-isolated from infected unmedicated calves' lungs. Medication with either enrofloxacin or valnemulin resulted in a rapid diminution of clinical signs, restoration of appetite and reversal of weight loss. Isolation of Pasteurella multocida from the calves' lungs was suppressed by both medicaments. Valnemulin resulted in a more rapid reduction of clinical scores and eliminated M. bovis from the lungs more effectively than enrofloxacin.     

Cell-mediated and humoral immune response of chickens to Mycoplasma synoviae.

The leukocyte migration-inhibition test was employed to demonstrate the presence of cell-mediated immunity and to ascertain its relation to immunoglobulin production in Mycoplasma synoviae infection in chickens. With peripheral leukocytes and a preparation of M. synoviae used as antigen, good discrimination was obtained between naturally or experimentally infected birds and uninfected control birds. Only the infected groups showed significant inhibition. Positive migration inhibition values developed in the second week of infection, often before the appearance of hemagglutination-inhibition titers, and continued to accompany the production of immunoglobulins with some degree of correlation for at least 6 or 12 months.     

Production of Salmonella enteritidis-contaminated eggs by experimentally infected hens

Laying hens of three different ages were experimentally infected with a strain of Salmonella enteritidis by either oral inoculation or contact transmission. Total egg production was depressed in exposed hens of all three age groups. Persistent intestinal shedding was observed in a small number of hens. Eggs with contents contaminated by S. enteritidis were produced by exposed hens at a high frequency, but only during a fairly short period of time that extended through approximately 1 week postinoculation for older hens and through 2 weeks for younger hens. S. enteritidis was recovered from whole yolks and albumen of these eggs at similar frequencies, but not from the content of yolks. Eggs with contaminated shells were also produced, but at a lower frequency. Contaminated eggs were produced by orally inoculated and contact-exposed hens at similar frequencies. S. enteritidis was not isolated from the contents of eggs laid by hens infected with other S. enteritidis strains.     

Monitoring Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae infection in breeder chickens after treatment with enrofloxacin.

Three experimental strains of breeder chickens were accidentally exposed to Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), presumably from a newly introduced group of leghorn-type pullets. The experimental strains subsequently became infected and were diagnosed positive for MG and MS by the serum plate agglutination (SPA) test and confirmed by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of tracheal swabs. Treatment with 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin via drinking water for 14 days was elected. Before and after initiation of treatment, MG and MS were monitored for changes by SPA, HI, PCR, and culture, with sampling intervals ranging from 1 wk to 7 wk. MG and MS SPA, HI, PCR, and culture were performed at each sampling period, with the exception of weeks 1.0 and 6.5. Week 1.0 included SPA and His for MG and MS. Week 6.5 included PCR and culture for MG and MS. The MG and MS SPA results were positive throughout the 29-wk trial period. MG HI titers declined until the last sampling, whereas the MS HI titers did not decline significantly. PCR for MG yielded only one positive result, which occurred before treatment. MS PCR remained positive throughout the trial period. MG was never isolated from any sample; however, one MS organism was isolated during treatment. The treatment regimen was effective for MG on the basis of PCR results. Treatment with enrofloxacin did not eliminate SPA reactions during the 29-wk trial period. MG HI titers remained in the suspicious range throughout the remainder of the trial period. Four weeks after the treatment ended, MG HIs were reduced by approximately 40%, with MS HIs remaining high throughout the 29-wk period. PCR appeared to be a sensitive and specific test on the basis of correlation with HIs. On the basis of the isolation of MS during treatment and continued subsequent PCR positive reactions, the treatment for MS with enrofloxacin was not as efficacious as for MG.