Antimicrobial Susceptibility and rRNA Gene Restriction Patterns among Staphylococcus intermedins from Healthy Dogs and from Dogs Suffering from Pyoderma or Otitis Externa

A total of 60 Staphylococcus intermedins strains from dogs were investigated by their sensitivity to various antibiotics (50 strains) and by their rRNA gene restriction patterns (ribotyping) (60 strains). Fifteen isolates were from healthy dogs, 9 with otitis externa, and 36 with pyoderma, including 10 strains from a previous study. Sixty per cent of the 50 strains tested for antibiotic susceptibility demonstrated resistance to penicillin, 24% to spiramycin, 20% to tetracycline, 16% to chloramphenicol, and 2% to fucidic acid. All isolates were susceptible to amoxycillin with clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, and sulphonamides with trimethoprim. There were no significant differences in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns observed among isolates from pyoderma, otitis externa or healthy dogs. Among the 60 strains studied by ribotyping, 10 different ribotypes were identified: 6 different ribotypes among isolates from otitis externa, 8 among isolates from pyoderma, and 5 among isolates from healthy dogs. One ribotype (profile C) was dominant among the isolates from healthy dogs while another ribotype (profile A) was dominant among strains from dogs suffering from pyoderma. This profile was not demonstrated in any of the strains from healthy dogs. From 5 different dogs suffering from pyoderma, 2 different clones were demonstrated based on their plasmid profile and antibiogram. In these dogs 1 of the clones always belonged to ribotype A. The results concerning strains of S. intermedins isolated from furunculosis suggest the existence of distinct subpopulations with different pathogenicity to dogs.     

鸡源鸭疫里默杆菌的分离鉴定及ompA基因遗传进化分析

从病死鸡肝脏中分离到8株革兰阴性多形杆菌,对8株分离株进行形态学和16SrDNA基因鉴定并分析ompA基因及其推导的蛋白序列遗传进化特征.16S rDNA进化分析显示,8株鸡源分离株与22株鸭疫里默杆菌(Rieme-rellaanatipestifer,RA)参考株形成一个大的进化分支,与RA模式菌株ATCC11845...     

Isolation and characterization of atypical Riemerella columbina strains from pigeons and their differentiation from Riemerella anatipestifer

Riemerella columbina (RC) and Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) belong to the genus Riemerella within the family Flavobacteriaceae. While RA is a well-described pathogen of waterfowl and other avian species, only little is known about RC. Previous work reporting the isolation of RC from internal organs of clinically diseased pigeons suggested a potential pathogenic role in this avian species. In this study we examined pharyngeal swabs collected from pigeons and found RC to be widely distributed also among healthy birds. Further characterization of 81 RC-isolates revealed several atypical strains, which differed from all previously described RC-isolates by the lack of aesculin-hydrolysis activity (17 isolates) or by expression of yellow or orange pigmentation (6 isolates). Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene supported the affiliation of these strains to the species RC. Aesculin-hydrolysis negative isolates were found to be biochemically indistinguishable from RA. We demonstrated that bacterial fingerprinting using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) analysis is useful for the identification and differentiation of RC and RA.     

湖北部分地区鸭疫里氏杆菌的分离鉴定

对湖北省部分地区鸭疫里氏杆菌(RA)进行分离鉴定.应用胰蛋白大豆琼脂(TSA)培养基的分离培养及染色试验、生化试验、PCR鉴定,得到86株RA.染色观察各地RA分离株的细菌形态一致,符合RA特征;生化试验显示86株RA的生理生化特征相似,基本符合RA特征;应用建立的PCR技术均可从这些菌株扩增到RA的特异性基因片段.通...     

鸭疫里默氏菌基因分型

在鸭疫里默氏菌 (RA)血清分型的基础上 ,以提取的 RA基因组 DNA为模板 ,进行 Rep- PCR扩增。根据扩增产物的琼脂糖凝胶电泳图谱 ,将分属于 8个血清型的 4 0株 RA区分为 12个不同的基因型 ,不同血清型 RA的图谱有明显差异 ,相同血清型 RA的图谱也存在差异。这些结果显示 ,RA基因组中重复的基因外的回文结构可用于区别相同血清型的不同分离株 ;Rep- PCR作为一种实用的分子生物学方法 ,在分子流行病学研究中可对 RA分离株进行基因定型     

贵州鸭疫里默氏杆菌的分离鉴定及耐药性分析

从贵州省临床疑似鸭传染性浆膜炎发病鸭鹅中分离病原菌,经细菌分离培养、细菌形态、培养特征及生化试验,初步鉴定出疑似鸭疫里默氏杆菌(Riemerella anatipestifer,RA)20株,经PCR和动物接种试验,其中9株鉴定为RA。对不同地区分离到的这9株菌进行血清型鉴定和15种常规抗菌药物的药敏试验。结果发现,9株RA中4株为血清2型,其余5株暂未鉴定出血清型;9株分离株中,对吡哌酸、链霉素、卡那霉素和红霉素等耐药的菌株比例为80%以上,对先锋霉素高度敏感的菌株比例较高。结果表明,本次分离的RA菌株生化试验鉴定结果与其他地区存在一定差异,不同地区分离到的RA对不同抗菌药的敏感程度存在较大差异性。本研究结果为该地区鸭传染性浆膜炎的药物防制提供了很好的理论依据。     

Characteristics of Lacha and Rasa Aragonesa lambs slaughtered at three live weights

A study was made of differences in the quality of meat from Lacha (L) and Rasa Aragonesa (RA) lambs slaughtered at 12, 24, or 36 kg live weight. Lambs from both breeds were weaned at 25 to 57 d, approximately 11.5 to 18.5 kg live weight, and fed concentrate and barley straw until slaughter at 24 and 36 kg live weight. Hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, conformation, color, firmness, and thickness of backfat and color of rectus abdominis muscle were recorded on the carcass. Final pH (pHu), instrumental color (L*, a*, b*), myoglobin concentration, chemical composition, and water-holding capacity (WHC) of the longissimus muscle, shear force of the biceps femoris muscle, and iodine values and fatty acid composition of the i.m. and s.c. fat depots were determined. The percentage of fat in the longissimus muscle increased with live weight, and values for RA lambs were higher than those for L lambs. The WHC of meat from RA lambs was lower at 24 kg than at 12 or 36 kg slaughter weight. Live weight and breed had no effect on the shear force of the biceps femoris muscle. There was an increase in myoglobin concentration in the longissimus muscle with increased live weight in both breeds. The fatty acid content of s.c. and i.m. fat, which was not affected by breed, declined with the increase in slaughter weight. The polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the s.c. fat depot increased, whereas that of the i.m. fat depot decreased, with the increase in slaughter weight in both breeds. Subcutaneous fat had a higher content of heptadecanoic acid (17:0) than i.m. fat, and this increased with the increase in slaughter weight. In both depots, there was an increase in oleic acid (18:1) at 12 kg in RA lambs and at 24 kg in L lambs. In the s.c. fat depot, there was a progressive increase in linoleic acid (18:2) content with the increase in live weight in both breeds. There was a higher degree of unsaturation in the s.c. fat of RA lambs than in that of L lambs, which was reflected in the iodine value.     

Wild Animal Mycobacterial Isolates: Characterization by Cellular Fatty Acid Composition and Polar Lipid Patterns

Thirteen strains of mycobacteria isolated from deer and various species of wild birds were analysed by gas chromatography (GG) for cellular fatty acids and by thin-layer chromatography (TLG) for polar lipids. These strains were compared to reference strains of Mycobacterium avium, M. para tuberculosis and M. mal-moense. All the examined strains exhibited a generally similar fatty acid pattern characterized by relatively large amounts of hexadenca-noate (16:0), octadecenoate (18:1), octadecanoate (18:0) and 10-me-thyl-octadecanoate (tuberculostearic acid, 10-Me-18:0). Several additional acids were also generally present but in smaller amounts. By means of small but distinct differences in fatty acid composition, the wild animal isolates could be distinguished from both M. paratuber-culosis and M. malmoense but not from M. avium.The TLG polar lipid patterns on the other hand separated the wild animal isolates into 2 distinct groups of complex and simple polar lipid composition which corresponded to the morphologically smooth and rough types, respectively. The complex patterns of the smooth strains were comparable to those of the M. avium serovars whereas both the rough wild animal isolates and all the M. paratuber-culosis strains showed a simple pattern of polar lipids.Both fatty acid profiles and TLG polar lipid patterns support allocation of the wild animal isolates to the MAIS complex. Moreover, the 2 chemical techniques, particularly the GC procedure, are very useful for a more rapid and precise identification of the slow-growing wild animal mycobacterial isolates which have hitherto been characterized on basis of vague criteria.     

Fatty acid profiles in relation to triglyceride level in the liver of dairy cows

To elucidate possible relationships between triglyceride (TG) levels and fatty acid composition in bovine liver, hepatic TG and seven individual fatty acids were measured in 23 Holstein dairy cows, of them 6 are healthy. Liver TG level was greater than 3 % in 12 cows which were ruled fatty liver. Palmitic and oleic acid proportions were significantly higher in fatty liver cows than in the healthy cows, while stearic acid was lower in fatty liver cows. With increased liver TG, stearic acid proportions decreased dramatically. Results indicate that hepatic lipidosis markedly alters the proportions of the various fatty acids in the liver of dairy cows.     

鸭新城疫病毒分离株抗原表位和遗传演化分析

从规模化养殖场鸭群气管和泄殖腔试子分离到新城疫病毒(NDV)27株,用2株针对NDV HN单抗进行抗原表位分析,并选择4个分离株进行F基因高变区(374bp)和HN基因全长序列分析。抗原表位分析结果显示,27个鸭分离株均能与其中一株单抗C3-B7反应,而与另外一株单抗1E5反应为阴性。F基因(374bp)序列分析结果显示,4个鸭分离株均属于NDV ClassⅠ分支,分离株之间核苷酸同源性为99.2%～100%;分离株与NDV ClassⅡ毒株遗传距离为0.9%～9.9%,与NDV ClassⅠ毒株遗传距离为38.5%～41.7%。根据核苷酸序列推导的氨基酸序列表明,4个鸭NDV分离株F蛋白裂解位点氨基酸模式为:112-EROERL-117。HN基因序列分析结果显示,4个鸭NDV分离株HN基因全长1851bp,编码585个氨基酸;同源性比较发现4个鸭NDV分离株之间核苷酸同源性为99.7%～99.8%,与NDV ClassⅡ毒株核苷酸同源性为68.4%～70.5%,与NDV ClassⅠ毒株核苷酸同源性为95.8%～98.0%。本研究结果显示,鸭分离毒均属于NDV ClassⅠ弱毒,在抗原表位和基因序列上与广泛应用的NDV弱毒疫苗株(LaSota)不同,这些毒株的来源有待进一步深入研究。     

Changes in plasma lipid and glucose levels during the onset of fatty liver and kidney syndrome in chics

Plasma glucose, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels were measured during the onset of fatty liver and kidney syndrome in chicks. Intial studies indicated that behavioural and clinical changes characteristically associated with the syndrome were observed only during the 24 h preceding death. A more detailed examination of the blood changes was made on fasted birds. Typically, affected birds could be distinguished from healthy fasted birds by a hypoglycaemia which developed within 2.5 h of the removal of food, and a slightly higher and more sustained elevation of free fatty acid levels. Triglyceride values were not generally different from those found in normal birds. Although moderate to large amounts of lipid were occasionally observed in the kidneys of healthy fasted birds, only in affected birds was significant lipid infiltration of the kidneys associated with a similar level of lipid infiltration of the liver. In extreme cases death from fatty liver and kidney syndrome could occur within 4 h of the removal of food.     

贵州省三穗县鸭疫里默氏杆菌的分离鉴定、毒力基因检测及耐药性分析

为了解贵州省三穗县鸭疫里默氏杆菌（Riemerella anatipestifer，RA）的流行血清型、毒力和耐药情况，本试验从贵州省三穗县6个规模养鸭场临床疑似RA感染的病鸭体内分离出6株分离菌，对病原菌进行分离鉴定、毒力基因检测和耐药性分析。细菌分离鉴定结果显示，分离菌在巧克力琼脂培养基上长出表面光滑、圆形半透明的滴状菌落；革兰氏染色呈阴性短小杆菌，瑞氏染色呈两极浓染；分离菌均不具运动性，尿素、触酶和氧化酶试验均为阳性，符合RA生化特性，将6株分离菌分别命名为SS-RA1~SS-RA6；6株分离菌的16S rRNA基因序列与NCBI上RA参考菌株的基因序列相似性≥98%，说明6株分离菌均是RA；SS-RA1~SS-RA4为血清2型且含有8种毒力基因（OmpA、CAMP、wza、AS87_04050、Fur、SIP、TbdR1和luxE基因），SS-RA5和SS-RA6为血清11型，缺失AS87_04050基因，仅含有上述其余7种毒力基因；动物回归试验结果显示，攻毒组雏鸭均全部死亡，对照组雏鸭未表现明显临床症状，表明6株分离菌对雏鸭均有致病力；药敏试验结果显示，6株分离菌仅对羧苄西林、哌拉西林、头孢他啶、头孢氨苄、头孢曲松、头孢拉定和头孢哌酮7种抗菌药物敏感，对其他13种抗菌药物均表现不同程度的耐药，对氨基糖苷类和大环内酯类抗菌药物的耐药率为100%。本试验成功分离得到6株RA，为贵州省三穗县鸭疫里默氏杆菌病的疫苗选择和药物防治提供理论依据。     

Influence of time on the genetic heterogeneity of Spanish porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus isolates

The aim of the present study was to establish the degree of diversity of porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV) isolates that circulate in the same geographical area in different years. Nucleotide sequences of open reading frame (ORF) 5 were determined for 28 Spanish field PRRSV isolates from different years and three European-type modified live virus vaccines. Sequences were aligned using Clustal W software and a phylogenetic tree constructed using the neighbour joining method. The results of pairwise homology comparisons of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of these PRRSV isolates indicate a tendency for heterogeneity to increase with time. The study of the phylogenetic tree revealed that Spanish PRRSV isolates constitute two well-defined clades and a group of unrelated sequences. The observed heterogeneity does not appear to be due to temporal evolution exclusively. Early and recent isolates group themselves into different clusters independently of the time of isolation, indicating the co-circulation of different variants and the maintenance of variants of the original isolates in the field.     

Erythrocyte and plasma fatty acid patterns in dogs with atopic dermatitis and healthy dogs in the same household

Recent studies have indicated that dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) may have a disorder of fatty acid metabolism: possibly low or absent activity of delta6-desaturase or delta5-desaturase, or both. To clarify this possibility, we examined the erythrocyte and plasma fatty acid patterns of 8 dogs with CAD and their 8 healthy housemates. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed according to the criteria proposed by Willemse; other causes of dermatitis were excluded clinically and by appropriate tests. Erythrocyte ghosts were prepared from blood samples. Membrane lipids were extracted and separated by thin-layer chromatography. From plasma and lipid fractions, fatty acid content was determined by gas chromatography. In erythrocytes, but not in plasma, we observed significant differences in the fatty acid pattern that suggested a reduction in the n6 fatty acid products of the delta6- and delta5-desaturases in dogs with atopic dermatitis when compared with healthy housemates.     

Effects of dietary flaxseed oil supplementation on equine plasma fatty acid concentrations and whole blood platelet aggregation

An 18-week feeding trial was performed to investigate the effects of an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid-enriched ration on plasma fatty acid concentrations and platelet aggregation in healthy horses. Flaxseed oil served as the source of the n-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Twelve horses were fed dietary maintenance requirements using a complete pelleted ration (80%) and timothy grass hay (20%) for a 2-week acclimation period before being randomly assigned either to a treatment (group 1) or control (group 2) group. Group 2 horses (n = 6) were fed the diet described in the acclimation period, whereas group I horses (n = 6) were fed a 10% flaxseed oil-enriched complete pellet (80%) and grass hay (20%). Biological samples and physical measurements were collected at one point during the acclimation period (week 0) and every 4 weeks thereafter (weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16). Body weight, CBC (including platelet count), plasma fibrinogen. electrolyte (Na, K, and Cl) concentrations, and biochemical profile enzyme activities (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and creatine kinase) did not change markedly with diet. Platelet aggregation was not altered by the supplementation of flaxseed oil in these healthy horses, although increases in plasma cis-polyunsaturated 18-carbon fatty acids C18:3; n-3 (ALA) and C18:2; n-6 (linoleic acid), biologically active C20:5; n-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evident. There were no marked decreases in C20:4; n-6 (arachidonic acid [AA]) or increases in C22:6; n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]), signifying that flaxseed oil may have had a high percentage of omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids as well as n-3 fatty acids, and this relatively high n-6: n-3 fatty acid ratio may have affected the biochemical effect of n-3 fatty acids. In healthy horses supplemented with flaxseed oil, platelet aggregation was not altered, which may have been due to the limited biologic effect in healthy subjects or the inability of flaxseed oil to induce the necessary biochemical effect of replacing n-6 fatty acids with n-3 types.     

Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of coagulase positive staphylococci isolated from healthy dogs and dogs suffering from otitis externa

A total of 67 strains of coagulase positive staphylococci isolated from healthy dogs and dogs suffering from otitis externa were studied. Twenty-two isolates were from healthy dogs (five from hound dogs and 17 from companion dogs) and 45 from dogs suffering otitis externa (14 from hound dogs and 31 from companion dogs). Presumptive identification was attempted using the following tests: production of acetoin, anaerobic utilization of mannitol, acid production from mannitol, presence of beta-galactosidase, and growth on P agar supplemented with different concentrations of acriflavine. Susceptibility of staphylococci to 16 antibiotics was determined. Most effective antibiotics were imipenem, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, gentamicin and marbofloxacin. Penicillin, ampicillin and polymyxin B showed the lowest activity. There were no significant differences in antimicrobial susceptibility among isolates from healthy dogs and dogs suffering from otitis externa.     

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis recovered from the faeces of clinically healthy deer

Extract

Sir:— A recent paper by Henderson and Hemmingsen(1) reported the recovery of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis from the faeces of 5 of 3810 (0.13%) clinically healthy deer in a national survey conducted on 122 farms. The isolates were obtained from animals on four (3.27%) different farms. The authors concluded on the basis of these results and unpublished data that Y. pseudotuberculosis was only rarely recovered from faeces of healthy deer.     

First report of Yersinia ruckeri biotype 2 in the USA

A polyphasic characterization of atypical isolates of Yersinia ruckeri (causative agent of enteric redmouth disease in trout) obtained from hatchery-reared brown trout Salmo trutta in South Carolina was performed. The Y. ruckeri isolates were biochemically and genetically distinct from reference cultures, including the type strain, but were unequivocally ascribed to the species Y. ruckeri, based on API 20E, VITEK, fatty acid methyl ester profiles, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. These isolates were nonmotile and unable to hydrolyze Tween 20/80 and were therefore classified as Y. ruckeri biotype 2. Genetic fingerprint typing of the isolates via enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (amplified by polymerase chain reaction) and fragment length polymorphism showed biotype 2 as a homogeneous group distinguishable from other Y. ruckeri isolates. This is the first report of Y. ruckeri biotype 2 in the USA.     

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and resistance genes in faecal Escherichia coli isolates recovered from healthy pets

Faecal samples of healthy dogs (n=39) and cats (n=36) obtained in Northern Portugal were seeded on Levine agar plates, and two Escherichia coli isolates per sample were recovered (78 of dogs and 66 of cats). The susceptibility to 16 antimicrobial agents was tested in this series of 144 E. coli isolates. Almost 20% of them showed tetracycline resistance and 12 and 15% presented ampicillin or streptomycin resistance, respectively. The percentage of resistance to the other antimicrobial agents was in all cases below 4%, and no resistant isolates were detected for ceftazidime, imipenem, cefoxitin or amikacin. Two isolates (from one dog) showed cefotaxime-resistance and harboured both the CTX-M-1 and OXA-30 beta-lactamases. A bla(TEM) gene was detected in 12 of 17 ampicillin-resistant isolates, the aac(3)-II gene in the three gentamicin-resistant isolates, aadA in 7 of 22 streptomycin-resistant isolates, and tet(A) and/or tet(B) gene in all 28 tetracycline-resistant isolates. The gene encoding class 1 integrase was detected in six E. coli isolates, including the four trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant isolates and those two harbouring CTX-M-1 and OXA-30 beta-lactamases; different gene cassette arrangements were identified: dfrA1+aadA1 (two isolates), dfrA12+orfF+aadA2 (two isolates) and bla(OXA30)+aadA1 (two isolates). One amino acid change in GyrA protein (Ser83Leu or Asp87Tyr) was detected in four nalidixic acid-resistant and ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates and two amino acid changes in GyrA (Ser83Leu+Asp87Asn) and one in ParC (Ser80Ile) were identified in one nalidixic acid- and ciprofloxacin-resistant isolate. Faecal E. coli isolates of healthy pets could be a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes.     

血清9型鸭疫里默氏杆菌在华南地区的分离鉴定

本研究于2009年7月～2010年4月针对广东、广西、福建等养鸭密集地区进行鸭疫里默氏杆菌(RA)流行病学调查,并分离到5个RA分离株。经形态特征、生化特性和血清学鉴定表明,5个分离株与血清9型RA相似。对16S rRNA部分基因进行序列测定,并与GenBank中登录的菌株16S rRNA基因序列进行比对及系统进化分析显示:该5株分离株与报道的RA H-1785、H-2199、H-2565和P-2123的16S rRNA序列相似性较高,同源性达99.1%～99.7%,进一步证实这5个分离株为血清9型RA。