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Identification of conserved Mycoplasma agalactiae surface antigens by immunoproteomics. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2021; 236:110239. [PMID: 33845295 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Contagious agalactia represents one of the most relevant infectious diseases of dairy sheep, with Mycoplasma agalactiae being the primary etiological agent. The early, sensitive, and specific identification of infected animals, as well as the development of efficient prophylactic tools, remain challenging. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of M. agalactiae antigens focusing on those shared among different isolates. Leveraging on previous proteomic data obtained on individual strains, we adopted a strategy entailing sample pooling to optimize the identification of conserved proteins that induce an immune response. The liposoluble proteins from previously characterized field isolates and the type strain PG2T were enriched by Triton X-114 fractionation, pooled, analysed by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis, and subjected to western immunoblotting against sheep sera collected during natural infection with M. agalactiae. Immunodominant antigens were identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Time-Of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). This combined immunoproteomic approach confirmed the role of several known immunogens, including P80, P48, and P40, and most variable surface proteins (Vpmas), and unveiled novel immunodominant, conserved antigens, including MAG_1000, MAG_2220, MAG_1980, phnD, MAG_4740, and MAG_2430. Genomic context, functional prediction, subcellular localization, and invariable expression of these proteins in all isolates suggest their possible involvement in bacterial pathogenicity and metabolism. Moreover, most of the identified antigens elicit a host humoral response since the early stages of infection, persisting for at least 270 days. The immunodominant, conserved antigen panel identified in this work supports the development of effective vaccines and diagnostic tools with higher sensitivity and specificity in all the natural infection stages.
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Di Provvido A, Averaimo D, Zilli K, Marruchella G, Scacchia M. Mycoplasma pneumonia in small ruminants: A ten-year long retrospective survey. Small Rumin Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Cubeddu T, Cacciotto C, Pisanu S, Tedde V, Alberti A, Pittau M, Dore S, Cannas A, Uzzau S, Rocca S, Addis MF. Cathelicidin production and release by mammary epithelial cells during infectious mastitis. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2017; 189:66-70. [PMID: 28669389 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Cathelicidins are well-characterized antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are present in significant amounts in mastitic milk. Neutrophils are believed to be the main producers of these AMPs, while the role of mammary epithelial cells (MECs) in their production and release is still unclear. In this work, cathelicidin production patterns were investigated in mammary tissues of ewes infected by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, or Mycoplasma agalactiae, with a combined approach including immunohistochemistry, immune-colocalization, and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Our results confirm that MECs produce and release cathelicidins in response to different mastitis pathogens. As opposed to neutrophils, however, MECs do not seem to store the preformed protein precursor in their cytoplasm, but appear to synthesize and release it only upon exposure to the microorganisms. Cathelicidin production by MECs appears to occur before leukocyte influx in the milk, suggesting a role for these cells in the initial response of the mammary epithelium to microbial infection. Once in the milk, infiltrating neutrophils release massive amounts of cathelicidin by degranulation and production of neutrophil extracellular traps, acting as the main contributor for cathelicidin abundance in mastitic milk. Taken together, our results support the active contribution of MECs to cathelicidin production and release, and reinforce the value of cathelicidins as sensitive and pathogen-independent mastitis markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Cubeddu
- Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Carla Cacciotto
- Porto Conte Ricerche, SP 55 Porto Conte/Capo Caccia, Km 8.400, Loc. Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pisanu
- Porto Conte Ricerche, SP 55 Porto Conte/Capo Caccia, Km 8.400, Loc. Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, Italy
| | - Vittorio Tedde
- Porto Conte Ricerche, SP 55 Porto Conte/Capo Caccia, Km 8.400, Loc. Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, Italy
| | - Alberto Alberti
- Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Pittau
- Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Simone Dore
- C.Re.N.M.O.C., Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Mastopatie degli Ovini e dei Caprini - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Agnese Cannas
- C.Re.N.M.O.C., Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Mastopatie degli Ovini e dei Caprini - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Sergio Uzzau
- Porto Conte Ricerche, SP 55 Porto Conte/Capo Caccia, Km 8.400, Loc. Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, Italy; Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefano Rocca
- Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Filippa Addis
- Porto Conte Ricerche, SP 55 Porto Conte/Capo Caccia, Km 8.400, Loc. Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Alberti A, Addis MF, Chessa B, Cubeddu T, Profiti M, Rosati S, Ruiu A, Pittau M. Molecular and Antigenic Characterization of a Mycoplasma Bovis Strain Causing an Outbreak of Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis. J Vet Diagn Invest 2016; 18:41-51. [PMID: 16566256 DOI: 10.1177/104063870601800106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An unusually high incidence of infectious keratoconjunctivitis followed by pneumonia and arthritis was observed in beef calves of a managed herd. No Moraxella spp. or bacteria other than Mycoplasma spp. were obtained from conjunctival and nasal swabs. A strategy was designed for characterization of bovine mycoplasmas at species and strain level on the basis of a combination of molecular tools and the immunoblotting method. The strategy made it possible to rapidly assign the bacterium responsible for this outbreak to one of the phylogenetic clusters of bovine mycoplasmas delineated in this study and then to identify it as Mycoplasma bovis. The strain, designated Sar 1, showed a 100% 16S rDNA sequence identity with two European strains (120/81 and MC3386) isolated in Germany and Ireland, respectively, and hosts a vsp gene analog to the vspA, vsp422-4, and vsp422-8 genes of the M. bovis reference strain PG45T and of the field strain 422. The use of a cross-reactive rabbit serum developed against the Mycoplasma agalactiae immunodominant antigen P48 confirmed the molecular findings. The immunological response of calves against M. bovis was also investigated. This is the first report on the occurrence of M. bovis on the Island of Sardinia (Italy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Alberti
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale e Clinica Medica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
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Tatay-Dualde J, Sánchez A, Prats-van der Ham M, Gómez-Martín A, Paterna A, Corrales JC, de la Fe C, Contreras A, Amores J. Sensitivity of two methods to detect Mycoplasma agalactiae in goat milk. Ir Vet J 2015; 68:21. [PMID: 26351565 PMCID: PMC4562104 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-015-0049-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laboratory diagnostic techniques able to detect Mycoplasma agalactiae are essential in contagious agalactia in dairy goats. This study was designed: 1) to determine the detection limits of PCR and culture in goat milk samples, 2) to examine the effects of experimental conditions including the DNA extraction method, PCR technique and storage conditions (fresh versus frozen stored milk samples) on these methods and 3), to establish agreement between PCR and culture techniques using milk samples from goats with mastitis in commercial dairy herds. The study was conducted both on artificially inoculated and field samples. RESULTS Our findings indicate that culture is able to detect M. agalactiae in goat milk at lower concentrations than PCR. Qualitative detection of M.agalactiae by culture and PCR was not affected by sample freezing, though the DNA extraction method used significantly affected the results of the different PCR protocols. When clinical samples were used, both techniques showed good agreement. CONCLUSIONS The results from this study indicate that both culture and PCR are able to detect M. agalactiae in clinical goat mastitis samples. However, in bulk tank milk samples with presumably lower M. agalactiae concentrations, culture is recommended within the first 24 h of sample collection due to its lower limit of detection. To improve the diagnostic sensitivity of PCR in milk samples, there is a need to increase the efficiency of extracting DNA from milk samples using protocols including a previous step of enzymatic digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tatay-Dualde
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - A Sánchez
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - M Prats-van der Ham
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - A Gómez-Martín
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - A Paterna
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - J C Corrales
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - C de la Fe
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - A Contreras
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - J Amores
- Research Group on Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
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Sanna G, Lecca V, Foddai A, Tola S. Development of a specific immunomagnetic capture-PCR for rapid detection of viable Mycoplasma agalactiae in sheep milk samples. J Appl Microbiol 2014; 117:1585-91. [PMID: 25272958 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To develop an immunomagnetic capture (IMC) to detect viable Mycoplasma agalactiae in routine ovine milk samples. METHODS AND RESULTS Polyclonal antibodies against two M. agalactiae membrane surface proteins (P80 and P55) were covalently conjugated to magnetic beads (MBs) to form MB-Ab80 and MB-Ab55. Mycoplasma agalactiae cells were captured by a specific antigen-antibody reaction and magnetic separation. Immunomagnetic capture (IMC) was used to isolate and concentrate M. agalactiae in serial decimal dilutions and in artificially contaminated milk to facilitate subsequent detection by PCR. A 375-bp fragment of M. agalactiae was amplified using a pair of M. agalactiae-specific primers in PCR. The limit of detection of IMC-PCR method ranged from 10 to 10(2) CCU ml(-1) when mycoplasmas were resuspended in PBS and from 10(2) to 10(3) CCU ml(-1) when mycoplasmas were resuspended in uncontaminated ovine milk. This study also describes the application of IMC-PCR method to test for M. agalactiae in 516 milk samples collected from sheep with suspected contagious agalactia. Its performance was evaluated relative to culture. CONCLUSIONS This report has demonstrated for the first time, the effective use of rapid and reliable IMC combined with PCR assay for the detection of viable M. agalactiae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The method IMC-PCR provides an alternative to conventional microbiological detection, method and it could be applied to quick detection of M. agalactiae in routine sheep milk samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Sanna
- Istituto ZooprofilatticoSperimentale della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Sassari, Italy
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Kumar A, Rahal A, Chakraborty S, Verma AK, Dhama K. Mycoplasma agalactiae, an Etiological Agent of Contagious Agalactia in Small Ruminants: A Review. Vet Med Int 2014; 2014:286752. [PMID: 25097796 PMCID: PMC4109668 DOI: 10.1155/2014/286752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma agalactiae is one of the causal agents of classical contagious agalactia (CA), a serious, economically important but neglected enzootic disease of small ruminants. It occurs in many parts of the world and most notably in the Mediterranean Basin. Following the infection common complications are septicaemia, mastitis, arthritis, pleurisy, pneumonia, and keratoconjunctivitis. Primary or tentative diagnosis of the organism is based upon clinical signs. Various serological tests, namely, growth precipitation, immunofluorescence, complement fixation test, haemagglutination inhibition, agglutination, immunodiffusion, enzyme immunoassays, immunoelectrophoresis, blotting techniques, and others, are available. Molecular tools seem to be much more sensitive, specific, and faster and help to differentiate various strains. The real-time PCR, multiplex PCR, quantitative PCR, PCR-RFLP, MLST, and gene probes, complementary to segments of chromosomal DNA or 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), have strengthened the diagnosis of M. agalactiae. Both live attenuated and adjuvant (alum precipitated or saponified) inactivated vaccines are available with greater use of inactivated ones due to lack of side effects. The present review discusses the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical signs of contagious agalactia in small ruminants along with trends and advances in its diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, prevention, and control strategies that will help in countering this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidhyalaya Evum Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, India
| | - Anu Rahal
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Sandip Chakraborty
- Animal Resources Development Department, Pt. Nehru Complex, Agartala 799006, India
| | - Amit Kumar Verma
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidhyalaya Evum Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
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Amores J, Sánchez A, Gómez-Martín Á, Corrales JC, Contreras A, de la Fe C. Surveillance of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri in dairy goat herds. Small Rumin Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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10
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Addis MF, Pisanu S, Ghisaura S, Pagnozzi D, Marogna G, Tanca A, Biosa G, Cacciotto C, Alberti A, Pittau M, Roggio T, Uzzau S. Proteomics and pathway analyses of the milk fat globule in sheep naturally infected by Mycoplasma agalactiae provide indications of the in vivo response of the mammary epithelium to bacterial infection. Infect Immun 2011; 79:3833-45. [PMID: 21690237 PMCID: PMC3165467 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00040-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Milk fat globules (MFGs) are vesicles released in milk as fat droplets surrounded by the endoplasmic reticulum and apical cell membranes. During formation and apocrine secretion by lactocytes, various amounts of cytoplasmic crescents remain trapped within the released vesicle, making MFGs a natural sampling mechanism of the lactating cell contents. With the aim of investigating the events occurring in the mammary epithelium during bacterial infection, the MFG proteome was characterized by two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE), SDS-PAGE followed by shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GeLC-MS/MS), label-free quantification by the normalized spectral abundance factor (NSAF) approach, Western blotting, and pathway analysis, using sheep naturally infected by Mycoplasma agalactiae. A number of protein classes were found to increase in MFGs upon infection, including proteins involved in inflammation and host defense, cortical cytoskeleton proteins, heat shock proteins, and proteins related to oxidative stress. Conversely, a strikingly lower abundance was observed for proteins devoted to MFG metabolism and secretion. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing proteomic changes occurring in MFGs during sheep infectious mastitis. The results presented here offer new insights into the in vivo response of mammary epithelial cells to bacterial infection and open the way to the discovery of protein biomarkers for monitoring clinical and subclinical mastitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Filippa Addis
- Porto Conte Ricerche Srl, S.P. 55 Porto Conte/Capo Caccia Km 8.400, Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero SS, Italy.
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Cacciotto C, Addis MF, Pagnozzi D, Chessa B, Coradduzza E, Carcangiu L, Uzzau S, Alberti A, Pittau M. The liposoluble proteome of Mycoplasma agalactiae: an insight into the minimal protein complement of a bacterial membrane. BMC Microbiol 2010; 10:225. [PMID: 20738845 PMCID: PMC2941501 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 08/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mycoplasmas are the simplest bacteria capable of autonomous replication. Their evolution proceeded from gram-positive bacteria, with the loss of many biosynthetic pathways and of the cell wall. In this work, the liposoluble protein complement of Mycoplasma agalactiae, a minimal bacterial pathogen causing mastitis, polyarthritis, keratoconjunctivitis, and abortion in small ruminants, was subjected to systematic characterization in order to gain insights into its membrane proteome composition. RESULTS The selective enrichment for M. agalactiae PG2T liposoluble proteins was accomplished by means of Triton X-114 fractionation. Liposoluble proteins were subjected to 2-D PAGE-MS, leading to the identification of 40 unique proteins and to the generation of a reference 2D map of the M. agalactiae liposoluble proteome. Liposoluble proteins from the type strain PG2 and two field isolates were then compared by means of 2D DIGE, revealing reproducible differences in protein expression among isolates. An in-depth analysis was then performed by GeLC-MS/MS in order to achieve a higher coverage of the liposoluble proteome. Using this approach, a total of 194 unique proteins were identified, corresponding to 26% of all M. agalactiae PG2T genes. A gene ontology analysis and classification for localization and function was also carried out on all protein identifications. Interestingly, the 11.5% of expressed membrane proteins derived from putative horizontal gene transfer events. CONCLUSIONS This study led to the in-depth systematic characterization of the M. agalactiae liposoluble protein component, providing useful insights into its membrane organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cacciotto
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Filippa Addis
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Porto Conte Ricerche Srl, Tramariglio, Alghero (SS), Italy
| | | | - Bernardo Chessa
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Coradduzza
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Laura Carcangiu
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Sergio Uzzau
- Porto Conte Ricerche Srl, Tramariglio, Alghero (SS), Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alberto Alberti
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Pittau
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Castro-Alonso A, De la Fe C, Espinosa de los Monteros A, Rodríguez F, Andrada M, Poveda JB, Herráez P. Chronological and immunohistochemical characterization of the mammary immunoinflammatory response in experimental caprine contagious agalactia. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2010; 136:43-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2010.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2009] [Revised: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 02/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Buonavoglia D, Greco G, Corrente M, Greco MF, D’Abramo M, Latronico F, Fasanella A, Decaro N. Long-term immunogenicity and protection against Mycoplasma agalactiae induced by an oil adjuvant vaccine in sheep. Res Vet Sci 2010; 88:16-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2009.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2008] [Revised: 06/25/2009] [Accepted: 07/15/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Amores J, Corrales JC, Martín AG, Sánchez A, Contreras A, de la Fe C. Comparison of culture and PCR to detect Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri in ear swabs taken from goats. Vet Microbiol 2009; 140:105-8. [PMID: 19619962 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2009] [Revised: 06/18/2009] [Accepted: 06/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the validity of PCR for the direct detection of Mycoplasma (M.) agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc), as the two species most frequently causing contagious agalactia (CA) in goats. The PCR method was compared with the traditional culture technique to determine which method was most efficient at identifying all auricular carriers present in herds. The samples analyzed were 307 ear swabs taken from goats reared in a CA endemic area. We assessed the validity of each technique to detect each species and agreement between both methods. For each species, the result was taken as true-positive when at least one of the two tests was positive. Of the swabs tested, 246 were scored positive by PCR (235 and 11 for Mmc and M. agalactiae, respectively) and 117 showed a positive culture result (113 for Mmc and 4 for M. agalactiae). 133 of the PCR-positive samples (124 and 9 for Mmc and M. agalactiae, respectively) yielded negative culture results and 4 culture-positive samples tested negative using PCR (2 for each species). Sensitivity and negative predictive values for PCR were 84.62 and 99.32 (for M. agalactiae) and 99.16 and 97.22% (for Mmc) respectively, and for culture were 30.77 and 97.03 (for M. agalactiae) and 47.08 and 36.08% (for Mmc), respectively. PCR proved to be a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of mycoplasmas in the external ear of asymptomatic carriers. Tools such as this are needed to adopt efficient control measures against CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Amores
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, Murcia, 30100, Spain
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Fitzmaurice J, Sewell M, King CM, McDougall S, McDonald WL, O'Keefe JS. A real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae. N Z Vet J 2009; 56:233-6. [PMID: 18836504 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2008.36839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
AIM To develop a real-time PCR for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae, using PCR primers targeting the ma-mp81 gene. METHODS A group of 15 M. agalactiae isolates, 21 other Mycoplasma spp. isolates and 21 other bacterial isolates was used in evaluation of the assay. RESULTS All M. agalactiae isolates were detected by the assay and none of the non-target isolates was amplified. The analytical detection limit of the assay was 10 fg of purified genomic DNA and 104 cfu/ml milk inoculated with M. agalactiae. When applied to goat-milk samples collected from three herds free of M. agalactiae infection, the assay had a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS The assay would be useful in a diagnostic laboratory, providing specific, sensitive and rapid detection of M. agalactiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fitzmaurice
- Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
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Mycoplasma agalactiae p40 Gene, a novel marker for diagnosis of contagious agalactia in sheep by real-time PCR: assessment of analytical performance and in-house validation using naturally contaminated milk samples. J Clin Microbiol 2008; 47:445-50. [PMID: 19020058 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01442-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the capacity of the Mycoplasma agalactiae p40 gene as a diagnostic marker for contagious agalactia in sheep by quantitative real-time PCR. The p40 gene encodes an immunodominant adhesin that plays a key role in cytoadhesion of M. agalactiae. The assay was 100% specific, with an analytical sensitivity of 1 genome equivalent (GE), a quantification that is highly linear (R(2) > 0.992) and efficient (PCR efficiency, >0.992) over a 6-log dynamic range, down to 10 GE. We evaluated the capacity of the assay to detect Mycoplasma agalactiae in 797 milk samples (373 raw sheep milk samples from refrigerated tanks of different farms and 424 milk samples from individual sheep of a flock positive for M. agalactiae). In parallel, we also tested the samples by using microbiological isolation coupled with microscopy identification and by a PCR method recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health. While our assay was able to detect 57 (15.28%) positive samples of the 373 milk samples from different farms, identification by microbiological isolation coupled with microscopy detected only 36 (9.65%) samples, and the conventional PCR detected 31 (8.31%) samples. These findings showed that our assay based on the p40 gene is more specific and sensitive for the detection of M. agalactiae in actual natural samples and, thus, can be a promising alternative tool for diagnosis and epidemiological studies of M. agalactiae infection.
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Effects on goat milk quality of the presence of Mycoplasma spp. in herds without symptoms of contagious agalactia. J DAIRY RES 2008; 76:20-3. [DOI: 10.1017/s002202990800366x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to assess the possible effects of mycoplasmas on the quality of milk produced by goat herds in a contagious agalactia (CA) endemic area with absence of classical symptoms. Several factors related to milk quality (percentages of fat, total protein, lactose and total solids, standard plate counts (SPC) and presence of Staphylococcus aureus) were compared in mycoplasma-infected and non-infected herds. To define the CA status of 26 herds on the island of Lanzarote (Spain), where CA is endemic, 570 individual milk samples and 266 bulk tank milk (BTM) samples were microbiologically analysed for the presence of Mycoplasma spp. A herd was considered infected by mycoplasmas when at least a sample (individual or BTM) was positive. BTM samples were also used to determine milk quality parameters. Mycoplasma infection was confirmed in 13 herds. A total of 31, 10 and 11 strains of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC (MmmLC), Mp. agalactiae and Mp. capricolum subsp. capricolum were isolated. No significant differences were observed between the least square means of the variables fat, total protein, lactose and total solids or SPC recorded for the infected v. non-infected herds. The Staph. aureus status of a herd was also found to be independent of the presence of Mycoplasma spp. Our findings indicate that neither the presence of mycoplasmas in a goat herd with absence of classical symptoms seem to compromise the quality of the BTM.
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Antunes NT, Tavío MM, Assunção P, Rosales RS, Poveda C, de la Fé C, Gil MC, Poveda JB. In vitro susceptibilities of field isolates of Mycoplasma agalactiae. Vet J 2008; 177:436-8. [PMID: 17604191 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2007] [Revised: 05/03/2007] [Accepted: 05/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In order to determine how widespread antibiotic resistance has become to standard treatments, the in vitro susceptibilities of 28 Mycoplasma agalactiae Spanish field isolates to 16 antimicrobial agents were determined using a broth microdilution method. The most effective antimicrobials based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)(90) values were fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and macrolides. Two strains were tetracycline resistant. Streptomycin, erythromycin and nalidixic acid resistance was observed in all strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- N T Antunes
- Unidad de Epidemiologi a y Medicina Preventiva, Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal (IUSA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arucas, Spain.
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Lorusso A, Decaro N, Greco G, Corrente M, Fasanella A, Buonavoglia D. A real-time PCR assay for detection and quantification of Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA. J Appl Microbiol 2008; 103:918-23. [PMID: 17897194 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2007.03324.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to develop a rapid, sensitive, specific tool for detection and quantification of Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA in sheep milk samples. METHODS AND RESULTS A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the membrane-protein 81 gene of M. agalactiae was developed. The assay specifically detected M. agalactiae DNA without cross-amplification of other mycoplasmas and common pathogens of small ruminants. The method was reproducible and highly sensitive, providing precise quantification of M. agalactiae DNA over a range of nine orders of magnitude. Compared with an established PCR assay, the real-time PCR was one-log more sensitive, detecting as few as 10(1) DNA copies per 10 microl of plasmid template and 6.5x10(0) colour changing units of reference strain Ba/2. CONCLUSIONS The real-time PCR assay is a reliable method for the detection and quantification of M. agalactiae DNA in sheep milk samples. The assay is more sensitive than gel-based PCR protocols and provides quantification of the M. agalactiae DNA contained in milk samples. The assay is also quicker than traditional culture methods (2-3 h compared with at least 1 week). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The established real-time PCR assay will help study the patterns of shedding of M. agalactiae in milk, aiding pathogenesis and vaccine efficacy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lorusso
- Department of Animal Health and Well-being, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bari, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
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Fitzmaurice J, Sewell M, Manso-Silván L, Thiaucourt F, McDonald WL, O'Keefe JS. Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of members of theMycoplasma mycoidescluster. N Z Vet J 2008; 56:40-7. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2008.36803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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de la Fe C, Assunção P, Saavedra P, Tola S, Poveda C, Poveda JB. Field trial of two dual vaccines against Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (large colony type) in goats. Vaccine 2007; 25:2340-5. [PMID: 17239497 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2006] [Revised: 08/02/2006] [Accepted: 11/23/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Two vaccines against Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (LC type) were developed using inactivated strains selected in previous characterization studies. The vaccines differed in terms of the adjuvants used: aluminium hydroxide (vaccine A) or aluminium hydroxide plus purified saponin (vaccine B). These vaccines were tested on 60 pregnant goats and 60 seronegative kids that were challenged by placing in a herd with a history of caprine contagious agalactia (CCA). Our findings indicate the effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing the appearance of new clinical signs such as mastitis, abortion, pneumonia and polyarthritis in CCA affected herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian de la Fe
- Unidad de Epidemiología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas, Trasmontaña s/n, 35416 Arucas, Spain.
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De la Fe C, Gutiérrez A, Poveda JB, Assunção P, Ramírez AS, Fabelo F. First isolation of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum, one of the causal agents of caprine contagious agalactia, on the island of Lanzarote (Spain). Vet J 2007; 173:440-2. [PMID: 16324858 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
During an unusually long period of bad weather, several outbreaks of caprine contagious agalactia (CCA) were reported in a number of flocks on the island of Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain). Clinical and subclinical mastitis in lactating goats and some cases of arthritis and pneumonia in kids were observed in the affected flocks. Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum was isolated as the main causal agent of the outbreaks, associated with M. mycoides subsp. mycoides "large colony type" (Mmm LC) in two flocks. This is the first report of an isolation of M. capricolum subsp. capricolum on the island of Lanzarote. The finding is of epidemiological importance and could complicate plans to control the disease. The significance of this mycoplasma species in association with CCA must now be studied in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- C De la Fe
- Excmo. Cabildo Insular de Lanzarote, Granja Agrícola Experimental Carretera de Tahíche a San Bartolomé, km 1, 35500 Arrecife de Lanzarote, Spain.
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Fusco M, Corona L, Onni T, Marras E, Longheu C, Idini G, Tola S. Development of a sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on recombinant antigens for rapid detection of antibodies against Mycoplasma agalactiae in sheep. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2007; 14:420-5. [PMID: 17287317 PMCID: PMC1865618 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00439-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We developed a new recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (rELISA) for serodiagnosis of contagious agalactia (CA), a disease caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae in sheep and goats. The assay is based on two M. agalactiae surface proteins, namely, P80 and P55. Identification of these immunodominant and common antigens was accomplished by examining the antibody response elicited in sheep during experimental infection and comparing it to the protein expression profiles of 75 M. agalactiae field strains. Our rELISA was tested with 343 sera, collected from sheep with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of CA (n = 223) and from healthy animals (n = 120). All sera had previously been tested by Western blotting (WB) for reactivity against M. agalactiae. In addition, our rELISA was compared with a commercial routine ELISA based on inactivated antigens (CHEKiT). Among the 223 samples that were WB positive for M. agalactiae, 209 (93.7%) tested positive for rP80-P55 with our ELISA, whereas only 164 (73.8%) tested positive with the CHEKiT ELISA. Among the 120 samples tested that were WB negative for M. agalactiae, 96.7% were confirmed as negative with our rELISA, while only 75.8% were confirmed as negative with the CHEKiT ELISA. A comparison of the results with receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that the differences observed between our rELISA and the CHEKiT ELISA are statistically significant. The use of recombinant peptides instead of inactivated antigens could significantly improve the discrimination of positive and negative animals, bringing significant advantages in controlling the import/export of live animals and helping in eradication of this economically detrimental disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna G. Pegreffi, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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de la Fe C, Assunção P, Rosales RS, Antunes T, Poveda JB. Characterisation of protein and antigen variability among Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (LC) and Mycoplasma agalactiae field strains by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Vet J 2006; 171:532-8. [PMID: 16624721 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/10/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (LC) (Mmm LC) and Mycoplasma agalactiae are the most important mycoplasma species involved in the contagious agalactia syndrome. A total of 25 field strains from Spain and the two type strains were analysed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Two polyclonal antisera (PAbs) raised against a pool of strains of each mycoplasma species were used. The results revealed a high degree of protein variability among the field strains. The type strain of Mmm LC appeared to be representative of the field strains of this species, whereas this was not the case with the M. agalactiae type strain. Whereas M. agalactiae is known to possess a gene family regulating surface antigen diversity, there is a need to study the mechanisms used byMmm LC to generate antigenic variability in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- C de la Fe
- Unit of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas, Trasmontaña s/n. 35416 Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
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De la Fe C, Assunção P, Antunes T, Rosales RS, Poveda JB. Microbiological survey for Mycoplasma spp. in a contagious agalactia endemic area. Vet J 2005; 170:257-9. [PMID: 15964226 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we report a microbiological survey for Mycoplasma spp. undertaken between 2001 and 2002 in 28 goat herds in Gran Canaria, Spain, an area where contagious agalactia is endemic. All herds were randomly selected and represented approximately 15.5% of the total goat population of the island. A variable number of milk, articular and auricular swab samples were collected from each flock and cultured in specific mycoplasma culture media. There was a total of 38.5% positive flocks from which 37 mycoplasma isolates were obtained. In contrast with previous data obtained in Spain, our results showed that the large colony variant of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm LC) was the most commonly isolated agent associated with contagious agalactia. This species was isolated from 90% of the positive herds and accounted for 54.1% of all isolations. M. agalactiae was isolated from 40% of the positive herds (27% of all isolations) and in six herds M. arginini was isolated (18.7% of all isolations). No M. capricolum or M. putrefaciens strains were isolated. Mycoplasmas were isolated from 21 milk samples, 15 ear canals swabs and one articular sample. The association of several species was reported in several herds. These results are at variance with previous serological studies, which indicated a higher disease prevalence, and suggest that it could be necessary to use detection techniques such PCR to confirm the existence of contagious agalactia in goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- C De la Fe
- Unit of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas, Trasmontaña s/n. 35416 Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
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Foddai A, Idini G, Fusco M, Rosa N, de la Fe C, Zinellu S, Corona L, Tola S. Rapid differential diagnosis of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis based on a multiplex-PCR and a PCR-RFLP. Mol Cell Probes 2005; 19:207-12. [PMID: 15797822 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2004.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2004] [Revised: 10/27/2004] [Accepted: 11/24/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The membrane-protein 81 gene (mb-mp81) of Mycoplasma bovis was cloned, sequenced and compared to membrane-protein 81 gene (ma-mp81) of Mycoplasma agalactiae. After alignment of both sequences, specific primers pairs were designed from variable or unchanging nucleotide segments. In this study, we describe the development and optimization of a multiplex-PCR (MPCR) for the rapid detection of M. agalactiae and M. bovis strains. In addition, a simple and rapid PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay, using the restriction enzymes AluI, DraI, RsaI and XbaI, is described to distinguish between both species. The results suggest that MPCR and PCR-RFLP assays could be used as an alternative method in routine diagnosis for rapid and specific simultaneous detection of M. agalactiae and M. bovis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Foddai
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna G.Pegreffi, Via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Bashiruddin JB, Frey J, Königsson MH, Johansson KE, Hotzel H, Diller R, de Santis P, Botelho A, Ayling RD, Nicholas RAJ, Thiaucourt F, Sachse K. Evaluation of PCR systems for the identification and differentiation of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis: a collaborative trial. Vet J 2005; 169:268-75. [PMID: 15727920 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Diagnostic differentiation between the ruminant pathogens Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis is known to be problematic when only conventional serological and biochemical tests are used. The main reason for this is that both agents share a considerable number of related proteins and common epitopes. DNA-based detection methods offer advantages in terms of specificity and sensitivity. However, there is an urgent need to compare currently used PCR assays because they target different genomic regions and, therefore, may perform differently. In the present work, five laboratories, which use PCR routinely, evaluated the specificity of four different PCR systems for M. agalactiae and three systems for M. bovis on a total of 41 strains of the two Mycoplasma species including six previously unidentified strains. As the vast majority of PCR examinations (97.1% of all tests) correctly identified the strains the specificity of all seven detection systems appears to be high. In four cases, incorrect identification by conventional diagnostic methods was rectified by PCR. Isolates from non-typical hosts, i.e. three M. bovis strains from small ruminants and two M. agalactiae strains from cattle, were characterised by sequencing the 16S and part of the 23S ribosomal RNA genes.
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Corrales JC, Sánchez A, Luengo C, Poveda JB, Contreras A. Effect of Clinical Contagious Agalactia on the Bulk Tank Milk Somatic Cell Count in Murciano-Granadina Goat Herds. J Dairy Sci 2004; 87:3165-71. [PMID: 15377594 DOI: 10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(04)73451-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
From 19 herds of Murciano-Granadina goats, weekly bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) were performed from October to April, and suspicious milk (n = 182), synovial fluid, and ocular swabs (n = 15) from diseased goats were processed for mycoplasma isolation and identification. Also BTSCC from 65 herds were determined (n = 2693). A mixed model procedure was used to establish the effect of the herd and the lactation month on the BTSCC. Monthly rolling values were calculated for each herd using data collected over the preceding 3 complete months, and 4 different BTSCC thresholds were considered: 1,750,000, 1,500,000, 1,000,000, and 750,000 cells/mL. The mean log BTSCC for the 7-mo study period was 5.89 +/- 0.28 for herds without mycoplasma detection from clinical cases, 5.91 +/- 0.31 for mycoplasma-infected herds without clinical contagious agalactia (CA), and 6.47 +/- 0.32 for the herd with clinical CA. The posthoc tests revealed that only the herd that suffered a clinical CA outbreak showed counts that were significantly higher. No significant differences were found for BTSCC between herds not showing clinical episodes of CA, regardless of whether the mycoplasma had been isolated or not. The 1,750,000-cells/mL threshold would only be surpassed by a few herds with serious mastitis problems (clinical outbreak of CA for example). Seventy percent of the goat herds studied were in compliance with the proposed European Union legal limit of 1,500,000 cells/mL for goat milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Corrales
- Epidemiología y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
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Carta F, Crobu S, Turrini F. Characterization of sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-separated M. agalactiae membrane antigens by mass spectrometry. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (CHICHESTER, ENGLAND) 2004; 10:413-419. [PMID: 15187300 DOI: 10.1255/ejms.621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Mycoplasma membrane proteins are generally designated according to their apparent molecular weight measured by SDS-PAGE. Several results about mycoplasma membrane antigens are conflicting because some doubts are emerging about the accuracy of the method utilised to identify the antigens. Aim of this work, was to characterise proteins separated after sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)-mass spectrometry to allow an uncontroversial designation of the antigens. Fifteen proteins with molecular weights ranging from 15,000 to 80,000 Da had been excised from gel and their whole molecular weight and proteolytic pattern had been determined using MALDI-TOF. The peptide pattern obtained using trypsin digestion allowed us to identify LipA, P48, P59, P80 and P40. Some other proteins showed analogies to proteins of Mycoplasma genitalium or Mycoplasma pneumoniae the only Mycoplasmas completely sequenced. There wasn't a close correspondence between the SDS-PAGE apparent molecular weight (generally used to name the proteins), the gene derived calculated mass and the molecular weight of whole proteins measured by MALDI-TOF. Only micro sequence data obtained by MS/MS allowed us to identify LipC, described as one of the most important Mycoplasma agalactiae antigens. This protein was found in correspondence with the 50 kDa region, instead of the 25 kDa region, confirming a phenomenon that we previously described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Carta
- Porto Conte Ricerche, S P Porto Conte-Capo Caccia, 07041 Alghero (SS), Italy.
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Santona A, Carta F, Fraghí P, Turrini F. Mapping antigenic sites of an immunodominant surface lipoprotein of Mycoplasma agalactiae, AvgC, with the use of synthetic peptides. Infect Immun 2002; 70:171-6. [PMID: 11748179 PMCID: PMC127643 DOI: 10.1128/iai.70.1.171-176.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2001] [Revised: 09/06/2001] [Accepted: 10/11/2001] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As a first step toward the design of an epitope vaccine to prevent contagious agalactia, the strongly immunogenic 55-kDa protein of Mycoplasma agalactiae was studied and found to correspond to the AvgC protein encoded by the avgC gene. The avg genes of M. agalactiae, which encode four variable surface lipoproteins, display a significant homology to the vsp (variable membrane surface lipoproteins) genes of the bovine pathogen Mycoplasma bovis at their promoter region as well as their N-terminus-encoding regions. Some members of the Vsp family are known to be involved in cytoadhesion to host cells. In order to localize immunogenic peptides in the AvgC antigen, the protein sequence was submitted to epitope prediction analysis, and five sets of overlapping peptides, corresponding to five selected regions, were synthesized by Spot synthesis. Reactive peptides were selected by immunobinding assay with sera from infected sheep. The three most immunogenic epitopes were shown to be surface exposed by immunoprecipitation assays, and one of these was specifically recognized by all tested sera. Our study indicates that selected epitopes of the AvgC lipoprotein may be used to develop a peptide-based vaccine which is effective against M. agalactiae infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Santona
- Porto Conte Ricerche, 07041 Alghero (SS) Dipartimento di Genetica, Sezione di Biochimica, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
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Abstract
Mycoplasmas have complex mechanisms of antigenic variation that allow them to evade the immune system. These organisms cause a variety of clinical syndromes that can have a significant economic effect on small ruminant production. The syndromes range from acute septicemia and death to chronic infection resulting in decreased production. Recent research findings have shed light on the means by which these organisms evade the host immune response and cause or contribute to the development of disease in the host. This article provides a review of the pathogenesis, clinical signs, and treatment options for common disease syndromes involving Mycoplasma spp. in small ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Ruffin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn University, Alabama, USA.
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Greco G, Corrente M, Martella V, Pratelli A, Buonavoglia D. A multiplex-PCR for the diagnosis of contagious agalactia of sheep and goats. Mol Cell Probes 2001; 15:21-5. [PMID: 11162077 DOI: 10.1006/mcpr.2000.0337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) assay was optimized for the simultaneous detection of several species of small ruminant mycoplasmas. Two sets of oligonucleotide primers specific for Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma) and Mycoplasma "mycoides" cluster (M.m. cluster) were used in the test. The m-PCR was able to amplify a 375-bp fragment of Ma chromosomal DNA and a 257-260-bp fragment of M.m. cluster chromosomal DNA. Four reference strains (M. agalactiae, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC, M. capricolum subsp. capricolum, M. mycoides subsp. capri) and 56 samples (44 milk samples, two nasal swabs, six ocular swabs, three vaginal swabs and one sample of fibrinous exudate from carpal joint), from sheep and goats with clinical signs of contagious agalactia (CA), were examined. The m-PCR confirmed the identification of reference strains and allowed to identify, of the 43 positive samples examined, 35 Ma strains, 12 M. "mycoides" cluster strains; in four samples both Ma and mycoplasmas of M. "mycoides" cluster were revealed. The m-PCR was able to detect 1 pg of mycoplasma DNA. The specificity and sensitivity of the m-PCR suggest its use for the "routine" diagnosis of CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Greco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Health and Animal Welfare, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Subramaniam S, Bergonier D, Poumarat F, Capaul S, Schlatter Y, Nicolet J, Frey J. Species identification of Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma agalactiae based on the uvrC genes by PCR. Mol Cell Probes 1998; 12:161-9. [PMID: 9664578 DOI: 10.1006/mcpr.1998.0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The DNA repair genes uvrC from Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma agalactiae type strains were cloned and their nucleotide sequences were established. These sequences were used to design polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer pairs for M. bovis and M. agalactiae. Each primer pair amplified a 1-6 kb fragment of the uvrC gene in the respective species. The specificity of the primer pairs for the two species was demonstrated through the lack of cross-amplifications in heterologous PCR reactions and in reactions using DNA from other mycoplasma species. Subsequent restriction enzyme analysis of the amplified uvrC gene segments from type and field strains of M. bovis and M. agalactiae showed that the uvrC genes are well conserved in both species but differ significantly between the two species. The diagnostic PCR assay enabled unambiguous identification of M. bovis and M. agalactiae strains isolated from geographically diverse places, even in cases where 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was unable to discriminate between the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Subramaniam
- Institute for Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Berne, Switzerland
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Tola S, Manunta D, Cocco M, Turrini F, Rocchigiani AM, Idini G, Angioi A, Leori G. Characterization of membrane surface proteins of Mycoplasma agalactiae during natural infection. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1997; 154:355-62. [PMID: 9311134 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1997.tb12667.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We have analyzed antigenic variation of seven M. agalactiae wild strains using different sera from naturally infected sheep. Only 30 day sera recognized all surface proteins and inhibited the growth of mycoplasmas. Furthermore, we have observed that two strongly immunogenic proteins: 55 and 35 kDa were digested using 500 micrograms/ml of trypsin. These two bands are immunoprecipitated together with four other proteins but only the 35 kDa protein is recognized by eluted antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperbnentale della Sardegna G Pegreffi, Sassari, Italy
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Tola S, Angioi A, Rocchigiani AM, Idini G, Manunta D, Galleri G, Leori G. Detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae in sheep milk samples by polymerase chain reaction. Vet Microbiol 1997; 54:17-22. [PMID: 9050167 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(96)01269-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We developed a simple and rapid method for DNA extraction from sheep milk to use for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis of Mycoplasma agalactiae. We tested 357 samples from 21 newly infected flocks (group 1) and 87 samples from 8 flocks infected in the past (group 2). PCR results were compared with those of conventional culture. By PCR we detected 175 positives in group 1, while by culture we detected only 153. Milk samples from group 2 were negative, both by PCR assay and by culture. Our PCR is much faster than culture and reduces the time required for diagnosis from several days to 5 h. The method could be used for the routine diagnosis of contagious agalactia caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna G. Pegreffi, Sassari, Italy
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Tola S, Idini G, Manunta D, Casciano I, Rocchigiani AM, Angioi A, Leori G. Comparison of Mycoplasma agalactiae isolates by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1996; 143:259-65. [PMID: 8837480 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1996.tb08490.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We have analyzed 81 isolates of Mycoplasma agalactiae from four different regions of Italy between 1990 and 1995 in order to identify antigenic differences through SDS-PAGE and Western blotting and chromosomal DNA restriction endonuclease cleavage pattern differences. Antigenic variability in M. agalactiae isolates was investigated analyzing hydrophobic membrane protein fractions by immunoblotting using pooled sheep antiserum from naturally infected sheep. Large restriction fragments obtained cleaving genomic DNAs with SmaI, NruI, SalI, XhoI, BssHII and KpnI were analyzed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Genetic analysis indicates that isolates are all similar without intraspecific differences. This homogeneity was confirmed by immunoblotting: 80 and 50 kDa antigens are present in all strains analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna G. Pegreffi, Sassari, Italy
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