The occurrence of O-antigens of Escheria coli strains in calves suffering from diarrhea in the Eastern Bohemian Region

Coli infections in calves belong to the most serious diseases occurring in the early post-natal period and causing considerable losses to large cattle stocks. The calves affected by diarrhoea were studied as to the serological typification of E. coli. The total number of the calves examined was 1182. The examination yielded 2112 isolated strains. Twelve antisera made it possible to identify 569 strains, i. e. 26.94 %. O-antigens were found to occur with the following descending frequency: 015, 0139, 0117, 0141, 08, 0149, 09, 0101, 02, 0147, 078, and 0115. Although it is obvious that enteropathogenic strains of E. coli were not responsible for all cases of diarrhoea in the examined calves, the total set of animals was large enough to show which O-antigens could be involved in the diarrhoea in the calves kept on large cattle farms in the East Bohemian region.     

Mastitis in lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Afar Region, north-eastern Ethiopia.

Quarter milk samples (n = 543) from 152 traditionally managed lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Afar Region, north-eastern Ethiopia were examined to determine the prevalence of camel mastitis and identify its bacterial causes. Out of 152 camels examined, 19 (12.5%) were diagnosed as clinical mastitis cases based on clinical signs and bacteriological examinations. Of the 257 California Mastitis Test (CMT) positive quarter milk samples 162 (63.0%) yielded pathogenic bacteria. A positive correlation was observed between CMT positive results and presence of major pathogens in camel milk samples. The main mastitis pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, and other species of streptococci, Pasteurella haemolytica and E. coli. Results of the present study suggest that mastitis in Afar camels is prevalent, Gram-positive cocci are the major isolates from camel milk samples and the CMT can be used as a screening test for the detection of mastitis in camels.     

Do camels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camelus dromedarius</Emphasis>) play an epidemiological role in the spread of Shiga Toxin producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> (STEC) infection?

In the present work, faecal and serum samples from 400 camels were investigated for the presence of Shiga Toxin producing E.coli (STEC) and Anti-Shiga Toxin (Anti-Stx) antibodies, respectively. The used samples were obtained from adult male camels of five east African countries (Egypt, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya and Sudan) between the years 2002-2004. One E.coli isolate per camel was randomly selected to be cultured on Gassner, Chromocult and sorbit agar for the detection of O157:H7 strains. In the same time, a Stx-specific PCR screening was performed for the isolates using the shiga toxin specific primers Mk1-Mk2. Vero cells were also used for shiga toxin neutralization assay. None of the investigated isolates reacted positively with the Stx-specific primers. Also, none of the studied sera could neutralize the Stx on tissue culture. The obtained results indicate that camels do not play any significant epidemiological role in STEC infection and transmission. The possible reasons for the absence of STEC in the investigated samples are discussed in brief.     

Some Endotoxin-induced Clinical and Biochemical Changes in Plasma of Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Intravenous administration of endotoxin, prepared from E. coli serotype O55:B5, at a dose of 0.1 microg/kg body weight to calves and adult camels induced fever and increased haematocrit, triiodothyronine and cortisol values. The endotoxin-treated animals showed significantly decreased (p < 0.05) total protein, urea, glucose and creatinine. A significant increase was seen in the activity of aspartate aminotransaminase and creatine kinase. These results demonstrate high sensitivity of camels to endotoxin.     

Serological, enterotoxin-producing and biochemical properties of Escherichia coli isolated from piglets with neonatal diarrhea in Norway

Altogether 235 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from jejunal content of piglets with neonatal diarrhea were examined for serological, enterotoxin-producing and certain biochemical properties. Of 198 strains examined, 84 (42 %) belonged to O-group 149, while 14 (7 %) strains belonged to each of the O-group s 8 and 64. Seventy strains (30%) could not be grouped with the sera used. The remaining strains were distributed among the following O-groups with only a few strains in each group: 2,6,9,32,45,98 and 141. Eighty out of 84 E. coli strains of O-group 149 possessed the K88 antigen and produced heat labile enterotoxin (LT). Besides, LT production was demonstrated in 3 out of 14 strains of E. coli 08. K88 antigen was demonstrated in only 1 strain not belonging to O-group 149. Among strains of E. coli 064 12 out of 14 were K99 positive. This antigen was not demonstrated in E. coli strains of other O-groups. A close relationship was demonstrated between strains of E. coli 0149 possessing the K88 antigen and the ability to ferment both raffinose and adonitol. This ability was only detected in 2 other strains of E. coli not belonging to O-group 149.     

Antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli strains isolated from chickens with colisepticaemia in Morocco

Sixty-two strains of Escherichia coli were isolated in 58 farms from broiler chickens showing respiratory signs and lesions characteristic of avian colibacillosis. Serological examination of these strains showed that the types 078, 01 and 02 (for the somatic antigen) and K1 (for the capsular antigen) were the most frequently found. Newcastle disease virus was also isolated in two cases. All the strains of E. coli isolated were sensitive to colistin, flumequine and gentamicin. A few strains were resistant to neomycin, nalidixic acid and trimethoprim. The frequency of strains resistant to nitrofurans, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin and ampicillin was intermediate. Most strains were resistant to tetracycline. Multiple resistance was common.     

Failure of oral E. coli O83 lipopolysaccharide to influence intestinal morphology and cell proliferation in rats: short communication

It is known that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in significant quantities. However, the question remained whether oral LPS modified the structure or function of the gut. In the present experiment Escherichia coli 083 LPS was administered to growing rats in repeated oral doses of 400 mg/kg body weight (b. w.), every 8 h. After three days of treatment, morphometric and histochemical examinations of the small intestine did not show significant differences between treated and control rats. It is concluded that repeated oral administration of high doses of E. coli 083 LPS had no demonstrable effect on intestinal structure and cell proliferation in a rat model.     

致病性嗜水气单胞菌气溶素基因的克隆与高效表达

根据 Gen Bank中致病性嗜水气单胞菌气溶素 (Aer)基因的序列设计引物 ,以国内嗜水气单胞菌分离株为模板 ,扩增出 Aer基因的全长序列。经 T载体克隆和序列测定 ,证实克隆了国内分离株的不含信号肽的 Aer全长基因。将该基因以正确的读码框架与表达载体 p ET2 8b连接 ,经 IPTG诱导、SDS- PAGE检测 ,外源基因获得高效表达。诱导 4 h的培养物中 ,融合蛋白的表达占菌体总蛋白含量的 4 8.5 7%。 Western-印迹结果显示 ,利用纯化包涵体制备的兔抗血清可以很好地识别嗜水气单胞菌产生的天然毒素 ,而且天然毒素制备的抗体也能识别纯化的重组毒素     

Serotyping and virulence genes detection in Escherichia coli isolated from fertile and infertile eggs, dead-in-shell embryos, and chickens with yolk sac infection

Escherichia coli is a common avian pathogen mainly associated with extraintestinal infections such as yolk sac infection (YSI). The aim of this study was to determine the serotypes and the presence of some virulence genes of E. coli strains isolated from different samples in a vertically integrated poultry operation in Mexico. Two hundred sixty-seven E. coli isolates from different samples were serotyped using rabbit serum against the 175 somatic (O) and 56 flagellar (H) antigens of the typing schema. Virulence genes were determined by colony blot hybridization, using DNA probes for st, eae, agg1, agg2, bfp, lt, cdt, slt, and ipaH diarrhea-associated virulence factors. The serogroup of 85% of the strains was determined; O19 (12%), 084 (9%), 08 (6%), and 078 (5%) were the most common. Using the complete antigenic formula (O and H), O19:NM (n = 31) was the serotype most frequently isolated from dead-in-shell embryos and in broilers that had died on the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh days after hatch. One hundred ten strains (41.2%) hybridized with one or more of the used probes. Of these, ipaH (72%), eae (30%), and cdt (27%) were the most common. Considering the origin of the respective isolates, 40% of the broiler farm strains were positive for at least one probe. Results show that some avian E. coli strains isolated in Mexico are included in avian pathogenic E. coli serotypes not previously reported, suggesting that they could be specific for this geographic area. The wide distribution of the ipaH gene among nonmotile strains suggests that this invasiveness trait could be important in YSI pathogenesis. On the other hand, some other genes could contribute to E. coli virulence during YSI.     

The prevalence of Salmonella infections in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the United Arab Emirates.

One hundred and eighty-seven salmonella strains were isolated from 4006 samples collected from camels in the United Arab Emirates between 1987 and 1991. One hundred and sixty-five (4.3%) strains were isolated from 3801 faecal and 22 from 205 organ samples of 62 autopsied camels. In total, 28 different serotypes were identified with S. saintpaul being the most frequent (69), followed by S. frintrop (31) and S. hindmarsh (15). Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from only two faecal specimens. All salmonellas isolated from faecal samples originated from carrier camels, and those isolated from organs were secondary findings. The camels from which salmonella organisms were found died from diseases other than salmonellosis. Most of the S. saintpaul isolates originated from one herd suffering from Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxaemia which suggests that salmonella infections may predispose camels to clostridial enterotoxaemias.     

Characterization of Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) evansi from dromedary camels in Kuwait by isoenzyme electrophoresis

Blood from 115 camels in Kuwait was examined for blood parasites. Two camels of a local herd (1.7%) were found to be infected with Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) evansi and three camels (2.6%) with microfilarial nematodes. The Trypanosoma stocks isolated from these two camels were screened for isoenzyme patterns of 10 enzymes using thin-layer starch-gel electrophoresis. The results revealed that these two stocks were identical to camel stocks of T. evansi from certain countries in Africa, as well as to two stocks isolated from dogs in Kuwait. This is the first record of Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) evansi isolates and microfilariae from camels in Kuwait.     

PREWEANING MORTALITY IN THE PIG

During a survey of preweaning mortality 538 piglets which died between birth and weaning were autopsied. The results of laboratory examinations permitted a division of the findings into a number of syndromes which were considered to be associated with the immediate cause of death. The non-infectious conditions such as trauma, starvation and suffocation were the most common. Seventy-eight piglets were included in the trauma group because of depressed cranial bone fractures or visceral rupture leading to haemorrhage into the serous cavities. An absence of alimentary tract contents was detected in each of the 92 cases of starvation, fatty metamorphosis of the liver was found in 28 while the hepatocyte cytoplasm of the remainder stained uniformally. Cyanosis and visceral congestion and haemorrhage were the main features observed in the 159 deaths ascribed to suffocation. Bacterial septicaemias and infections with enterotoxic strains of E. coli were the most prevalent infectious conditions. E. coli and beta haemolytic streptococci were the most common causes of septicaemia, being isolated from 36 and 25 cases, respectively. The post-mortem findings in these cases were non-specific except for fibrinous polyserositis which was observed in 11 of the carcasses from which E. coli was recovered. Twenty-six piglets yielded E. coli in heavy pure culture from the upper small intestine and the most common serogroup involved was 08. Encephalomyocarditis virus infection was associated with the deaths of 19 piglets. Pathologically, it was characterised by myocardial degeneration and a variable influx of mononuclear inflammatory cells. No significant lesions were found in 41 piglets.     

The studies on the aetiology of diarrhoea in neonatal calves and determination of virulence gene markers of Escherichia coli strains by multiplex PCR

The purpose of this study was to determine aetiological agents of diarrhoea in neonatal calves and to investigate virulence gene markers of Escherichia coli strains isolated from calves by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty-two diarrhoeic calves and 18 healthy calves were used as subjects. Faeces were taken from the rectums of all the calves and were subjected to bacterial culture. Antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli K99 in faeces of all the calves. A multiplex PCR was used to characterize E. coli strains in all the calves. Escherichia coli was isolated from 37 faeces samples, Enterococcus ssp. was isolated from 22 faeces samples and Salmonella was isolated from one faeces sample in diarrhoeic calves. Furthermore, only E. coli was isolated from all 18 faeces samples of healthy calves. Of the 37 E. coli isolated from diarrhoeic calves, K99 (18.9%), F41 (18.9%), heat-stable enterotoxin a (STa) (18.9%), Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1; 13.5%) and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2; 5.4%) and intimin (8.1%) genes were identified by multiplex PCR. Of the 18 E. coli isolated from healthy calves, K99 (16.6%) and intimin (55.5%) genes were identified by PCR. A total of 15 rotavirus, 11 coronavirus and 11 E. coli K99 were detected in diarrhoeic calves by the antigen ELISA. As a result, this study shows that rotavirus, coronavirus, E. coli and Enterococcus ssp. were determined to play a role in the aetiology of diarrhoea in the neonatal calves. K99, F41, STa, Stx1 and Stx2 were found as the most common virulence gene markers of E. coli strains isolated from calves with diarrhoea. Multiplex PCR may be useful for characterization of E. coli isolated from calves.     

Predisposing factors in enterotoxemias of camels (Camelus dromedarius) caused by Clostridium perfringens type A.

C. perfringens type A was isolated from different organs and intestines from breeding and racing camels which died from peracute and acute enterotoxemias in two separate outbreaks. Pathological changes in the digestive tract were mild in breeding camels, and severe in racing camels. A polyvalent clostridial antiserum of bovine origin given intravenously had a life-saving effect on breeding camels, but not on racing camels. In the two outbreaks, fifty percent of the breeding camels were suffering from an acute Trypanosoma evansi infection, and 25% of the racing camels had developed a salmonellosis. It is suggested that both infections played an important role as predisposing factors for the outbreak of C. perfringens enterotoxemias.     

宁夏部分地区腹泻羔羊源大肠埃希菌的分离鉴定与药敏试验

为掌握宁夏地区羔羊腹泻源大肠埃希菌的耐药性,采集腹泻羔羊肛拭子90份,开展大肠埃希菌的分离鉴定及药敏试验。结果分离到78株大肠埃希菌,对头孢类、氨基糖苷类、喹诺酮类、氟苯尼考、青霉素类、四环素等抗菌药物有较高的敏感性,对万古霉素、复方新诺明、克林霉素耐药(耐药率78.21%~94.87%)。结果表明,宁夏地区羔羊腹泻源大肠埃希菌对抗菌药物保持较高的敏感率,耐药现象并不严重。     

Bacterial infertility in camels (Camelus dromedarius): isolation of Campylobacter fetus

This study constitutes the first reported isolation of C. fetus subsp. venerealis from cervical swabs in breeding camels. 9 of 30 camels which were barren for a long period were found to be positive for C. fetus. The methods of isolation are described. Additionally, cervical flora of 30 camels were examined. 9 different bacterial species were isolated of which Staphylococcus aureus was most frequently found. All samples were negative for Trichomonas sp. and Streptococcus zooepidemicus.     

鸡源大肠杆菌的耐药性监测及生物学特性研究

从山东省诸城地区6个集约化养鸡场采集50只病死鸡病料,从中分离鉴定得到32株大肠杆菌,对其进行了12种常规药敏试验,发现分离的菌株有不同程度的耐药性。对14株优势血清型菌株进行了质粒DNA提取分析,然后用Hind Ⅲ限制性内切酶对质粒进行了酶切。结果表明,质粒的得率为100%,来源相同的菌株具有相同或相似的质粒图谱,也就是说它们有共同的起源;来源不同的菌株的质粒图谱一般不同,即有不同的起源。将血清型和质粒图谱比较,结果发现,同一血清型可以有不同的质粒图谱,不同血清型可以有相似的质粒图谱,血清型与质粒图谱没有直接的联系。     

重庆一例猪源及鸡源大肠杆菌的分离鉴定和药敏试验

为了解重庆市北碚区龙凤桥镇养殖场中大肠杆菌对抗菌药物的敏感性,笔者在该镇某猪场及某鸡场采集了5份猪粪及10份鸡粪,从中分离出大肠杆菌,随后进行药物敏感性检测。结果显示:在15份粪便中分离到了15株大肠杆菌,包括5株猪源性大肠杆菌和10株鸡源性大肠杆菌;药物敏感性试验表明,这15株大肠杆菌的耐药率很高,2/3的菌株对超过23种抗菌药物有耐药性。     

A survey of camel (Camelus dromedarius) diseases in Jordan.

Information on incidences of camel (Camelus dromedarius) diseases in Jordan is scarce. In this survey, 369 live and 156 slaughtered camels were examined in four Jordanian geographic regions and the proportion of diseased camels was calculated. Intestinal parasite ova were detected in 98% of camels; one or more species of external parasites were found on the skin of all camels; 33% had nasal myiasis; and hydatid cysts were identified in 44% of the slaughtered animals. Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei var. cameli) and trypanasomiasis, two diseases of economic importance, were also diagnosed in 83% and 33% of the 32 and 257 examined camels, respectively. Rabies virus was detected in eight camels by use of fluorescent antibody examination of brain tissues. Foreign-body accumulation within the first and second stomach compartments was the predominant gastrointestinal disease of slaughtered adult camels (22%). Ten percent of slaughtered camels had bacterial pneumonia, with Pasteurella hemolytica most often isolated (56% of pneumonic lungs). Further investigation into the relationship between parasite burden and health in camels is required to assess the significance of the high prevalence of parasites.     

仔猪黄痢病原分离株药敏试验和不同给药方法疗效比较研究

为科学评价河南省仔猪黄痢大肠杆菌地方分离株的耐药性和不同给药方法对仔猪黄痢疗效的影响,本研究首先自河南省25个临床发病猪场病猪体内分离鉴定仔猪黄痢大肠杆菌;通过小白鼠致病力试验以检测大肠杆菌分离株的毒力;采用20种抗菌药物对分离株进行药敏试验以筛选对仔猪黄痢大肠杆菌最敏感的药物;选取敏感药物分别采用口腔灌服、肌肉注射和腹腔注射3种给药方法对临床上仔猪黄痢发病猪进行治疗效果比较试验以确定最佳给药方法。结果自河南省25个发生仔猪黄痢的猪场的病猪体内共分离鉴定出25株大肠杆菌。25株大肠杆菌分离株对小白鼠的致病率为100%;对临床上常用的20种抗菌药物都有耐药现象,但耐药率高低不同(4%～100%);20种抗菌药物中诺氟沙星、氧氟沙星、新霉素和利福平等4种药物的敏感率较高,高敏率分别为92%、88%、88%和80%。3种不同的给药方法对仔猪黄痢病例的治疗效果不同,其中通过口腔灌服和腹腔注射的给药方法对仔猪黄痢的治愈率(分别为92.3%、95.0%)显著高于肌肉注射给药方法(58.8%);腹腔注射组治愈率稍高于口腔灌服组,但二者差异不显著。本研究为临床上仔猪黄痢的防制提供了科学依据。