Identification and expression profile of multiple genes in Nile tilapia in response to formalin killed Streptococcus iniae vaccination

Twenty-eight expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were isolated from a Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) vaccinated vs non-vaccinated subtractive library at 12-h post injection of a formalin killed Streptococcus iniae ARS-98-60 vaccine. The 28 ESTs were classified in terms of their putative functions. Half of the ESTs identified were unknown proteins. Of the remaining half ESTs, 17% have putative functions in protein biosynthesis and 11% have putative functions in immunity, energy production, and signal transduction, respectively. Immunity-related ESTs identified included high density lipoprotein-binding protein vigilin, immunoglobulin heavy chain, and QM-like protein. Quantitative PCR revealed that one EST (cytochrome c oxidase subunit II) was highly upregulated (1825 ± 336 fold) in vaccinated fish compared to that in non-vaccinated fish. Of the remaining 27 ESTs, nine were significantly (P<0.05) upregulated (<20 fold) in vaccinated fish. The nine significantly upregulated genes included five unknown or hypothetical proteins and four known proteins (high density lipoprotein-binding protein vigilin, QM-like protein, ribosomal protein S13, and ribosomal protein L5). The upregulation of these genes induced by killed S. iniae vaccines suggest that they might play important role in Nile tilapia defense against S. iniae infection.     

Immunoproteomic analysis of the antibody response obtained in Nile tilapia following vaccination with a Streptococcus iniae vaccine

Streptococcus iniae is one of the most economically important Gram-positive pathogens in cultured fish species worldwide. The USDA-ARS Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit developed a modified (contains concentrated culture supernatant) S. iniae bacterin that has been demonstrated to be efficacious, and protection is mediated by specific anti-S. iniae antibodies. Although effective, the specific vaccine components important for efficacy are not known. In the present study, an immunoproteomic approach was utilized to identify whole-cell lysate proteins of S. iniae that stimulated specific antibody production in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) following vaccination. Groups of tilapia were vaccinated by intraperitoneal injection with the modified S. iniae bacterin or were mock-vaccinated, and at 30 d post-vaccination sera samples were obtained from individual fish. Vaccination of tilapia with the S. iniae vaccine stimulated significantly elevated specific antibody responses against proteins of the bacterium and passive immunization of tilapia with this serum demonstrated the antibodies were highly protective. Whole-cell lysate proteins of S. iniae were separated by 2D-PAGE and were probed with a pooled serum sample from vaccinated tilapia. A total of eleven unique immunogenic proteins were positively identified by mass spectrometry. Based on research conducted on homologous proteins in other Streptococcus spp., antibodies specific for three of the identified proteins, enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, are likely involved in protection from streptococcosis caused by S. iniae.     

Determination of florfenicol dose rate in feed for control of mortality in Nile tilapia infected with Streptococcus iniae

A dose titration study was conducted to determine the dosage of florfenicol (FFC) in feed to control Streptococcus iniae-associated mortality in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Six tanks were assigned to each of five treatments: (1) not challenged with S. iniae and fed unmedicated feed; (2) challenged with S. iniae by injection and fed unmedicated feed; (3) challenged with S. iniae and given FFC at 5 mg/kg of body weight (bw) in medicated feed; (4) challenged with S. iniae and given 10 mg FFC/kg bw; and (5) challenged with S. iniae and given 15 mg FFC/kg bw. Treatment was initiated the day after inoculation, and feed was administered for 10 d. Cumulative mortality was 0% in the unchallenged, untreated group; 35.8 +/- 4.4% (mean +/- SE) in the challenged, unmedicated group; 19.2 +/- 2.7% in the 5-mg/kg treated group, 12.5 +/- 3.8% in the 10-mg/kg group, and 2.5 +/- 1.1% in the 15-mg/kg group. The cumulative mortality was significantly less in each challenged, FFC-treated group than in the challenged, unmedicated controls (5 mg/ kg: P = 0.0156; 10 mg/kg: P = 0.0007; 15 mg/kg: P < 0.0001). The efficacy of the 10- and 15-mg/kg FFC dosages was studied in a separate dose confirmation study. Fish in all tanks were injected with S. iniae. At 4 h postinoculation, 10 tanks were assigned to each of three feed treatments: (1) unmedicated feed; (2) 10 mg FFC/kg bw; and (3) 15 mg FFC/kg bw. Cumulative mortality was 20.5 +/- 2.0% in the challenged, unmedicated group; 11.0 +/- 2.1% in the 10-mg/kg group; and 5.5 +/- 2.4% in the 15-mg/kg group. Mortality was significantly less in the medicated groups than in the challenged, unmedicated control group (10 mg/kg: P = 0.0270; 15 mg/kg: P = 0.0007). Fish in both studies were necropsied, cultured for bacteria, and examined for gross lesions. The minimum inhibitory concentration of FFC against S. iniae in both studies ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 microg/mL. Florfenicol was palatable, safe, and efficacious for control of Nile tilapia mortality due to S. iniae infection.     

罗非鱼源无乳链球菌的分离鉴定及药敏试验

从广东省佛山市2个水产养殖场患病罗非鱼中分离到2株细菌,分别编号为T4SH和G6C,经形态学、培养特性观察、生化鉴定和16S rDNA基因序列分析证实为无乳链球菌。2株分离菌株均为革兰阳性菌,呈β溶血;16S rDNA基因序列与无乳链球菌同源性达99%以上。2株菌均对青霉素类、头孢类、林可胺类、大环内酯类、四环素类、氯霉素类抗生素敏感,对氨基糖苷类不敏感;而对磺胺类、喹诺酮类的敏感性存在差异。     

Laboratory efficacy of florfenicol against Streptococcus iniae infection in sunshine bass

An experimental feeding trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of florfenicol (FFC) in controlling Streptococcus iniae infection in sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops x male striped bass M. saxatilis). Five dosage levels of FFC in medicated feed were administered daily: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 mg of active ingredient/kg of fish body weight. Treatment was started within 22-24 h postchallenge by waterborne exposure to virulent S. iniae. The FFC medication was continued for 10 consecutive days, followed by a 25-d posttreatment observation. At the conclusion of the experiment, FFC treatment significantly increased the survival of S. iniae-challenged sunshine bass from 4.2% in the nonmedicated (positive control) group to 69.2% in the 5-mg/kg dosage group, 86.7% in the 10-mg/kg group, and 94.2% in the 15- and 30-mg/kg groups. Survival was significantly higher in the 15- and 30-mg/kg treatment groups than in the 5-mg/kg treatment group; differences among the 10-mg/kg and higher dosage groups were not significant. Survival curve analysis using a log-rank test indicated no significant difference between curves for the 10- and 15-mg/kg groups but a significant difference between curves for the 5- and 10-mg/kg groups. At the end of the experiment, no carriers were detected in any challenged group receiving an FFC-medicated diet, but the bacterium was recovered from the nonmedicated challenged survivors of the infection. The results of the experiment suggest that the optimum therapeutic daily dose of FFC is between 10 and 15 mg/kg body weight for 10 d.     

CpG ODN对鸡新城疫LaSota活疫苗的免疫增强效应

将3种不同的未甲基化CpGODN分别与新城疫LaSota活疫苗混合后，经滴鼻和点眼免疫鸡，通过检测鸡血清中HI抗体、外周血T淋巴细胞增殖活性、诱导巨噬细胞分泌NO含量，以及刺激外周血淋巴细胞表达IFN-γ、IL-6与IL-1β mRNA量，分析各CpGODN对新城疫LaSota活疫苗免疫效果的影响。结果表明，经2次免疫后，含GTCGTT核心基序的CpG ODN1组，鸡血清平均HI抗体效价最高达8．2log2、淋巴细胞刺激指数达9．836、NO分泌量达35．833μmol／L，分别比疫苗单独免疫组高出2个滴度（P〈0．05）、4．4（P〈0．01）、27．6μmol／L（P〈0．01）；含GACGTT核心基序的CpG ODN2组增强作用不明显．与疫苗单独免疫组无差异；而CpGODN3的免疫刺激活性由于受其侧翼序列的影响，作用明显减弱甚至丧失。对细胞因子的影响，CpGODN3组IFN-γ mRNA表达量稍高于CpG ODN1组，而其余细胞因子均以CpG ODN1组表达水平最高（P〈0．05）。由此证明CpG ODN1能显著增强鸡对新城疫LaSota活疫苗的体液和细胞免疫反应，可以作为高效的免疫增强剂。     

Laboratory Efficacy of Amoxicillin for the Control of Streptococcus iniae Infection in Blue Tilapia

Abstract

Experimental feeding trials were performed to evaluate the efficacy of amoxicillin (AMX) in controlling Streptococcus iniae infection in blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus. The doses of AMX active ingredient tested were 0, 5, 10, 30, and 80 mg/kg of fish body weight (BW) per day. Administration of medicated feed started within 22–24 h postchallenge by waterborne exposure to S. iniae (after skin scraping) and continued for 12 consecutive days, followed by a 17-d posttreatment observation. Oral administration of AMX-medicated feed for 12 d at a daily rate of 10, 30, and 80 mg/kg BW significantly increased the survival of S. iniae?infected tilapia from 3.8% in the challenged, nonmedicated positive control to 45, 75, and 93.8%, respectively. The survival rate was significantly higher in the 80-mg treatment (93.75%) than the 10-mg treatment (45%) but did not differ significantly between the 10-mg (45%) and 30-mg (75%) treatments. At the conclusion of the experiment, no carriers were detected in any challenged group receiving AMX-medicated diet, whereas the bacterium was recovered from the nonmedicated, challenged survivors of the infection.     

七种常用渔药及组合对罗非鱼致病性海豚链球菌的体外抗菌试验

探讨了7种常用抗菌渔药对罗非鱼致病性海豚链球菌的体内外抗菌作用。采用二倍稀释法测定了7种渔药对致病菌的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）和最低杀菌浓度（MBC）;在初筛基础上以MIC为单位,1×MIC、5×MIC、10×MIC和20×MIC下平板抑菌圈直径为参数,分别比较所筛选5种药物抗菌效果并优化最佳参数;利用优化的最佳参数比较5种药物单独用药与联合用药对海豚链球菌的抑菌效果;并通过拌饵投喂给药方式对罗非鱼进行5种药物治疗性给药试验。结果表明,抗菌先锋对海豚链球菌的MIC和MBC最小,分别为6.4、12.8μg/mL,其次是伯乐立康,均为12.8μg/mL;而鱼康和肠炎烂鳃灵即使在1638.4μg/mL下也无抗菌效果。5倍MIC下抑菌圈直径为本试验筛选抗菌药物的最佳参数。5 MIC时,海豚链球菌对伯乐立康和抗菌先锋敏感,对菌必清、菌毒康和海鱼安中度敏感。菌毒康与海鱼安的联合抗菌效果最佳。鱼体内抗菌试验结果表明,抗菌先锋和伯乐立康的治疗有效率超过75%,达到了理想的治疗效果,是防治罗非鱼海豚链球菌病的首选药物。     

暹罗鳄外周血白细胞提取物抗海豚链球菌感染的效果

通过细胞破碎和沉淀的方法从暹罗鳄(Crocodylus siamensis)外周血白细胞中获得提取物,并将此提取物以3种不同的方式注射小鼠,测定其在小鼠体内抗御海豚链球菌感染的效果。实验结果表明,若用海豚链球菌以腹腔注射感染小鼠,小鼠表现出明显病理症状,然后用不同浓度(2.2×103、2.2×102、2.2×101μg/ml)的提取物以腹腔注射小鼠,可使小鼠分别获得77.8％、55.6％、44.4％的相对保护率;若将海豚链球菌与不同浓度(2.2×103、2.2×102、2.2×101μg/ml)的提取物在体外等体积混合,然后将混合物以腹腔注射小鼠,可使小鼠分别获得55.6％、88.9％、77.8％的相对保护率;若将海豚链球菌以肌肉注射小鼠左腿,同时以不同浓度(2.2×103、2.2×102、2.2×101μg/ml)的提取物以肌肉注射小鼠右腿,可使小鼠分别获得77.8％、66.7％、44.4％的相对保护率。本实验的结论是：暹罗鳄外周血白细胞内存在一种或数种高效的抗菌物质,在小鼠体内能有效的防御由某些细菌导致的感染。     

Identification and expression profiles of multiple genes in Nile tilapia in response to bacterial infections

To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to bacterial infection, suppression subtractive cDNA hybridization technique was used to identify upregulated genes in the posterior kidney of Nile tilapia at 6h post infection with Aeromonas hydrophila. A total of 31 unique expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified from 192 clones of the subtractive cDNA library. Quantitative PCR revealed that nine of the 31 ESTs were significantly (p<0.05) upregulated in Nile tilapia at 6h post infection with A. hydrophila at an injection dose of 10(5)CFU per fish (≈ 20% mortality). Of the nine upregulated genes, four were also significantly (p<0.05) induced in Nile tilapia at 6h post infection with A. hydrophila at an injection dose of 10(6)CFU per fish (≈ 60% mortality). Of the four genes induced by A. hydrophila at both injection doses, three were also significantly (p<0.05) upregulated in Nile tilapia at 6h post infection with Streptococcus iniae at doses of 10(6) and at 10(5)CFU per fish (≈ 70% and ≈ 30% mortality, respectively). The three genes induced by both bacteria included EST 2A05 (similar to adenylate kinase domain containing protein 1), EST 2G11 (unknown protein, shared similarity with Salmo salar IgH locus B genomic sequence with e value of 0.02), and EST 2H04 (unknown protein). Significant upregulation of these genes in Nile tilapia following bacterial infections suggested that they might play important roles in host response to infections of A. hydrophila and S. iniae.     

Prevalence of Streptococcus iniae in tilapia, hybrid striped bass, and channel catfish on commercial fish farms in the United States

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Streptococcus iniae in tilapia (Oreochromis spp), hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops X M saxatilis), and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) on commercial fish farms in the United States. ANIMALS: 1,543 fish (970 tilapia, 415 hybrid striped bass, and 158 channel catfish). PROCEDURES: The dry-swab technique was used for collection of specimens for streptococcal isolation. Specimens were shipped by overnight delivery and processed by use of standard bacteriologic techniques. RESULTS: Streptococcus iniae was not isolated from market-size channel catfish. Prevalence in tilapia and hybrid striped bass was 37 of 970 (3.81%) and 30 of 415 (7.23%), respectively. Prevalence by farm ranged from 0.0 to 27.4% for tilapia and 0.0 to 21.6% for hybrid striped bass. In tilapia, prevalence was lowest in market-size and nursery fish (4 of 239 [1.67%] and 3 of 339 [0.88%], respectively), with an increase in prevalence for fish in the grow-out stage (30 of 337 [7.96%]). For hybrid striped bass, prevalence was lowest in nursery and market-size fish (3 of 96 [3.12%] and 1 of 47 [2.12%], respectively) and highest in fish in the grow-out stage (26 of 272 [9.56%]). Prevalence in market-size tilapia and hybrid striped bass was 5 of 286 (1.75%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study do not support the contention that S iniae is a serious public health threat associated with commercially raised fish; rather, it represents a limited risk for older or immunocompromised people who incur puncture wounds while handling and preparing fish.     

Strain-associated virulence factors of Streptococcus iniae in hybrid-striped bass

Streptococcus iniae is a major fish pathogen producing invasive infections that result in economic losses in aquaculture. Development of in vitro models of S. iniae virulence may provide insight to the pathogenesis of infection in vivo. Three S. iniae strains (K288, 94-426, and 29178) were tested for virulence in a hybrid-striped bass (HSB) model using intraperitoneal injection. S. iniae strains K288 and 94-426 caused high levels of mortality in HSB (lethal dose 2x10(5)CFU) while strain 29178 was avirulent even upon IP challenge with 1000-fold higher inocula. In vitro assays were developed to test for the presence of characteristics previously associated with virulence in other species of pathogenic Streptococcus in animals and humans. In vitro differences relevant to virulence were not detected for beta-hemolysin activity, sensitivity to antimicrobial peptides, or adherence and invasion of epithelial cell layers. However, in whole-blood killing assays, the pathogenic strains were resistant to blood clearance, while 29178 was cleared (P<0.001) and more sensitive to complement (P<0.001). The avirulent strain 29178 was most efficiently phagocytosed and was most susceptible to intracellular killing (P<0.01) by the carp leukocyte cell line (CLC). When exposed to reactive oxygen species, strain 29178 was most susceptible. When the oxidative burst of CLC cells was inhibited, intracellular survival of 29178 was rescued fivefold, while no significant enhancement in survival of K288 or 94-426 was detected. Our results indicate that resistance to phagocytosis, oxidative killing, and associated phagocytic clearance is a significant factor in S. iniae virulence.     

Genotyping of Streptococcus agalactiae strains isolated from fish,human and cattle and their virulence potential in Nile tilapia

Streptococcus agalactiae (Lancefield group B; GBS) is a pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis in fish, mastitis in cows, and neonatal sepsis in humans. The objective of this study was to characterize S. agalactiae isolated from fish (n = 27), cows (n = 9), and humans (n = 10) using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and to investigate the virulence of the identified strains in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The PFGE types were determined by dendogram analyses and the in vivo virulence was evaluated by experimental infection (using i.p. and immersion routes) of Nile tilapia. Among the fish strains, 5 different PFGE patterns were observed and 21 strains showed the same genetic pattern. In some farms two or three profiles occurred simultaneously. The bovine and human strains exhibited high genetic diversity and few relationships were established among S. agalactiae strains from the three host origins analyzed. Eight S. agalactiae strains from fish caused high mortality of Nile tilapia. Three bovine strains infected Nile tilapia (by i.p. route) and two of those strains caused clinical signs of meningoencephalitis. All human strains (n = 5) infected Nile tilapia (by i.p. route) and meningoencephalitis was induced by one strain (by both i.p. and immersion routes). In conclusion, the analyzed strains from the three natural hosts did not show genetic relatedness, yet some of the bovine and human strains were able to infect fish and cause meningoencephalitis. We suggest that genetic linkage is not a prerequisite for S. agalactiae to cross the host-specific barrier.     

七种常用渔药及组合对罗非鱼致病性海豚链球菌的抗菌试验

探讨了7种常用抗菌渔药对罗非鱼致病性海豚链球菌的体内外抗菌作用.采用二倍稀释法测定了7种渔药对致病菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(MBC);在初筛基础上以MIC为单位,1×MIC、5×MIC、10×MIC和20×MIC下平板抑菌圈直径为参数,分别比较所筛选5种药物抗菌效果并优化最佳参数;利用优化的最佳参数比较5种药物单独用药与联合用药对海豚链球菌的抑菌效果;并通过拌饵投喂给药方式对罗非鱼进行5种药物治疗性给药试验.结果表明,抗菌先锋对海豚链球菌的MIC和MBC最小,分别为6.4、12.8μg/mL,其次是伯乐立康,均为12.8μg/mL;而鱼康和肠炎烂鳃灵即使在1638.4μg/mL下也无抗菌效果.5倍MIC下抑菌圈直径为本试验筛选抗菌药物的最佳参数.5MIC时,海豚链球菌对伯乐立康和抗菌先锋敏感,对菌必清、菌毒康和海鱼安中度敏感.菌毒康与海鱼安的联合抗菌效果最佳.鱼体内抗菌试验结果表明,抗菌先锋和伯乐立康的治疗有效率超过75%,达到了理想的治疗效果,是防治罗非鱼海豚链球菌病的首选药物.     

猪链球菌的分离鉴定及对常用抗菌药物的耐药性

本试验对某猪场采集的猪鼻腔棉拭子进行猪链球菌的分离纯化及鉴定,采用琼脂扩散法和微量稀释法对鉴定出的猪链球菌进行药敏试验,以美国临床检验标准委员会(NCCLS)的抑菌圈直径和临界浓度做为判断标准。试验结果表明,通过培养特性、染色特点、形态观察、生化试验及PCR鉴定,分离到10株猪链球菌。10株猪链球菌对青霉素G(PEN)、阿莫西林(AMO)的耐药率最低,为0%,对头孢西丁(FOX)、红霉素(ERY)、氧氟沙星(OF)、磺胺甲口恶唑(SMZ)则表现出明显的耐药性,耐药率均达100%,对头孢唑啉(CEZ)、头孢噻呋(CEF)的耐药率在20%～60%之间。     

Isolation and Pathogenicity of Streptococcus iniae in Cultured Red Hybrid Tilapia in Malaysia

Abstract

This study describes the isolation and pathogenicity of Streptococcus iniae in cultured red hybrid tilapia (Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus × Mozambique Tilapia O. mossambicus) in Malaysia. The isolated gram-positive S. iniae appeared punctiform, transparently white, catalase and oxidase negative and produced complete β-hemolysis on blood agar, while a PCR assay resulted in the amplification of the 16 S rRNA gene and lactate oxidase encoded genes. The isolate was sensitive to tetracycline, vancomycin, and bacitracin but was resistant to streptomycin, ampicillin, penicillin, and erythromycin. Pathogenicity trials conducted in local red hybrid tilapia (mean ± SE = 20.00 ± 0.45 g) showed 90.0, 96.7, and 100.0% mortality within 14 d postinfection following intraperitoneal exposure to 10⁴, 10⁶, and 10⁸ CFU/mL of the pathogen, respectively. The clinical signs included erratic swimming, lethargy, and inappetance at 6 h postinfection, while mortality was recorded at less than 24 h postinfection in all infected groups. The LD_{50-336 h} of S. iniae against the red hybrid tilapia was 10² CFU/mL. The post mortem examinations revealed congested livers, kidneys, and spleens of the infected fish. This is the first report of S. iniae experimental infection in cultured red hybrid tilapia in Malaysia.

Received January 20, 2017; accepted July 16, 2017 Published online October 11, 2017     

1株抗猪链球菌细菌素产生菌的筛选与鉴定

本试验从健康未断奶的仔猪粪便中分离出一株对猪链球菌有较好抑制作用的菌株1～6,排除有机酸、过氧化氢、菌体细胞等的干扰后仍有抑菌活性;用蛋白酶K处理后, 其抑菌活性消失;进一步硫酸铵沉淀、透析处理后, 其抑菌活性显著增强, 因此确定该抑菌活性物质为蛋白类物质, 进而确定菌株1～6为细菌素产生菌.通过个体及菌落形态、生理生化试验、16S rRNA基因序列同源性比较, 结果证明1~6菌株为屎肠球菌.     

In vitro enhancement by CpG ODN of phagocytic activity of rainbow trout head kidney phagocytes against fish pathogen Vibrio ordalii, but not against polystyrene particles

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) head kidney phagocytes precultured with a synthetic cytidine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) displayed significantly higher phagocytic activity against Vibrio ordalii than phagocytes precultured with non-CpG ODN. However, head kidney phagocytes precultured with CpG ODN did not show enhanced phagocytic activity against polystyrene particles.     

Efficacy of tiamulin against experimentally induced Streptococcus suis type-2 infection in swine

Eighteen 4-week-old pigs were used in a study to evaluate tiamulin in drinking water for control of experimentally induced Streptococcus suis type-2 infection. Pigs in groups A and B (n = 6 pigs/group) were aerosolized with a logarithmic-growth phase culture of S suis type 2, whereas pigs in group C (n = 6 pigs) served as noninfected and nonmedicated controls. After exposure to S suis, pigs in group B were given 180 mg of tiamulin/L of drinking water for 5 days. Pigs in group B consumed more feed (P = 0.009) and gained body weight faster (P = 0.02) than did pigs in group A. Pigs in group A had higher rectal temperature (P = 0.05) for up to 7 days after S suis exposure, higher clinical sign scores (P = 0.008), higher serum cortisol concentration on days 7 and 14, higher gross lesion scores (P = 0.03), and higher microscopic lesion scores (P = 0.01) than did pigs in groups B and C. Gross and microscopic lesions in pigs of groups A and B included meningitis, pneumonia, pleuritis, pericarditis, peritonitis, and synovitis of variable severity. Streptococcus suis type 2 was recovered from tissue specimens of 2 group-A pigs and 1 group-B pig. Data indicated that tiamulin administered via drinking water significantly reduced the effects of S suis type-2 infection.