1
|
Soliman R, Yousef M, Gelil SA, Aboul-Ella H. Development of novel Streptococcus equi vaccines with an assessment of their immunizing potentials and protective efficacies. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:173. [PMID: 38702665 PMCID: PMC11067117 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04012-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Strangles is a highly contagious disease of the equine upper respiratory tract caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies. Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) was isolated, as local, hot, and field strains, from horses clinically suffering from respiratory distress. The isolated Streptococci were identified using bacteriological and molecular techniques. Four formulations of inactivated S. equi vaccines were developed and evaluated. The first formulation was prepared using the S. equi isolates, adjuvanted with MONTANIDE GEL adjuvant, while the second formulation was adjuvanted with MONTANIDE ISA-70 adjuvant. The other 2 formulations were inactivated combined vaccines prepared from both S. equi and S. zooepidemicus isolates. The 3rd formulation was the combined isolates adjuvanted with MONTANIDE GEL while the 4th formulation was the combined isolates adjuvanted with MONTANIDE ISA-70. The developed vaccines' physical properties, purity, sterility, safety, and potency were ensured. The immunizing efficacy was determined in isogenic BALB/c mice and white New Zealand rabbits using the passive hemagglutination test. Also, the antibodies' titer of the combined S. equi and S. zooepidemicus vaccine adjuvanted with MONTANIDE ISA-70 in foals was tracked using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protective efficacy of the developed vaccines was determined using a challenge test in both laboratory and field animal models, where a 75% protection rate was achieved. The combined vaccine proved to be more efficacious than the monovalent vaccine. Also, the MONTANIDE ISA-70 adjuvant provided significant protective efficacy than the MONTANIDE GEL. The current work is introducing a very promising mitigative and strategic controlling solution for strangles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafik Soliman
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Yousef
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sara Abdel Gelil
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hassan Aboul-Ella
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Su Y, Zhang Z, Wang L, Zhang B, Su L. Whole-Genome Sequencing and Phenotypic Analysis of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus Sequence Type 147 Isolated from China. Microorganisms 2024; 12:824. [PMID: 38674768 PMCID: PMC11051846 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is one of the important zoonotic and opportunistic pathogens. In recent years, there has been growing evidence that supports the potential role of S. zooepidemicus in severe diseases in horses and other animals, including humans. Furthermore, the clinical isolation and drug resistance rates of S. zooepidemicus have been increasing yearly, leading to interest in its in-depth genomic analysis. In order to deepen the understanding of the S. zooepidemicus characteristics and genomic features, we investigated the genomic islands, mobile genetic elements, virulence and resistance genes, and phenotype of S. zooepidemicus strain ZHZ 211 (ST147), isolated from an equine farm in China. We obtained a 2.18 Mb, high-quality chromosome and found eight genomic islands. According to a comparative genomic investigation with other reference strains, ZHZ 211 has more virulence factors, like an iron uptake system, adherence, exoenzymes, and antiphagocytosis. More interestingly, ZHZ 211 has acquired a mobile genetic element (MGE), prophage Ph01, which was found to be in the chromosome of this strain and included two hyaluronidase (hyl) genes, important virulence factors of the strain. Moreover, two transposons and two virulence (virD4) genes were found to be located in the same genome island of ZHZ 211. In vitro phenotypic results showed that ZHZ 211 grows faster and is resistant to clarithromycin, enrofloxacin, and sulfonamides. The higher biofilm-forming capabilities of ZHZ 211 may provide a competitive advantage for survival in its niche. The results expand our understanding of the genomic, pathogenicity, and resistance characterization of Streptococcus zooepidemicus and facilitate further exploration of its molecular pathogenic mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Su
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
| | - Zehua Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
| | - Baojiang Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
| | - Lingling Su
- Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830000, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moghaddam S, Lotfollahzadeh S, Salehi TZ, Hassanpour A, Manesh HT, Tamai IA. Molecular and sequencing study and identification of novel SeM-type in beta-hemolytic streptococci involving the upper respiratory tract in Iran. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:210. [PMID: 37848882 PMCID: PMC10580511 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03772-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beta-hemolytic streptococci involving the upper respiratory tract cause strangles and strangles-like diseases in horses and cause severe economic damage to the equestrian club each year. Therefore, careful epidemiological study of these bacteria, evaluation of phylogenetic connections and SeM-typing can be useful to determine the source and epidemiological characteristics of the disease outbreak. Isolates were analyzed using molecular and phylogenetic methods and to determine antibiotic resistance pattern in Iranian isolates. Molecular and phylogenetic methods were used to evaluate Iranian streptococcal isolates, and the similarity of the Iranian SeM-97 sequence with other alleles was assessed using the Neighbor-joining method with the Kimura 2 Parameter statistical model. The amino acid sequence of this gene was compared with the predicted SeM-3 reference amino acid sequence (FM204883) using MEGA 7 software. RESULTS One type of SeM was found among streptococcal isolates. This type (SeM-97) was reported for the first time and was a new SeM. The relationship between streptococcal isolates and age, sex, race, clinical signs and geographical area was investigated. A significant relationship was observed between streptococcal isolates with age variables and clinical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS In our study, a Streptococcus equi subsp. equi genotype was identified. The 97 allele of this gene has not been officially reported anywhere and is only registered in the Public databases for molecular typing and microbial genome diversity (PubMLST)-SeM database by Katy Webb. This was the first isolate reported and registered in the mentioned database. The isolate (Tabriz61) had the SeM-97 allele with clinical signs including mucopurulent discharge, abnormal sounds in lung hearing, warmth and enlargement or discharge and abscess of retropharyngeal lymph node and fever. This isolate was sensitive to penicillin, meropenem, ampicillin, cefotaxime, tetracycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin antibiotics and resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sina Moghaddam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samad Lotfollahzadeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Taghi Zahraei Salehi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Hassanpour
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Medical Science Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamid Tavanaei Manesh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iraj Ashrafi Tamai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Morris ERA, Schroeder ME, Ferro PJ, Waller AS, McGlennon AA, Bustos CP, Gressler LT, Wu J, Lawhon SD, Boyle AG, Lingsweiler S, Paul N, Dimitrov K, Swinford AK, Bordin AI, Cohen ND. Development of a novel real-time PCR multiplex assay for detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus. Vet Microbiol 2023; 284:109797. [PMID: 37290208 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Strangles is a contagious bacterial disease of horses caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (SEE) that occurs globally. Rapid and accurate identification of infected horses is essential for controlling strangles. Because of limitations of existing PCR assays for SEE, we sought to identify novel primers and probes that enable simultaneous detection and differentiation of infection with SEE and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ). Comparative genomics of U.S. strains of SEE and SEZ (n = 50 each) identified SE00768 from SEE and comB from SEZ as target genes. Primers and probes for real-time PCR (rtPCR) were designed for these genes and then aligned in silico with the genomes of strains of SEE (n = 725) and SEZ (n = 343). Additionally, the sensitivity and specificity relative to microbiologic culture were compared between 85 samples submitted to an accredited veterinary medical diagnostic laboratory. The respective primer and probe sets aligned with 99.7 % (723/725) isolates of SEE and 97.1 % (333/343) of SEZ. Of 85 diagnostic samples, 20 of 21 (95.2 %) SEE and 22 of 23 SEZ (95.6 %) culture-positive samples were positive by rtPCR for SEE and SEZ, respectively. Both SEE (n = 2) and SEZ (n = 3) were identified by rtPCR among 32 culture-negative samples. Results were rtPCR-positive for both SEE and SEZ in 21 of 44 (47.7 %) samples that were culture-positive for SEE or SEZ. The primers and probe sets reported here reliably detect SEE and SEZ from Europe and the U.S., and permit detection of concurrent infection with both subspecies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Ruth A Morris
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Megan E Schroeder
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Pamela J Ferro
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Andrew S Waller
- Intervacc AB, Hägersten, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Abigail A McGlennon
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Carla P Bustos
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Cátedra de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Leticia T Gressler
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Medicina Veterinária, Instituto Federal Farroupilha (IFFar), Frederico Westphalen, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Sara D Lawhon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ashley G Boyle
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA
| | - Sonia Lingsweiler
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Narayan Paul
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Kiril Dimitrov
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Amy K Swinford
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Angela I Bordin
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Noah D Cohen
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Effectiveness of Cleaning and Sanitation of Stable Environment and Riding Equipment Following Contamination With Streptococcus equi Subsp. equi. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 121:104204. [PMID: 36586522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) is transmitted via contact with infected horses or fomites such as equipment or surfaces of the stable environment. Effective cleaning and sanitation is essential to minimize risk of fomite-associated infections. This study assessed the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation of experimentally S. equi contaminated materials and equipment found in stables. Wood, concrete, plastic, leather halters, leather gloves and polyester webbing halters were inoculated with a 24-hour culture S. equi laboratory strain. In addition, selected materials were inoculated with a clinical strain of S. equi. Three days post inoculation all materials were sampled for retention of viable S. equi and a subset of each material was cleaned and sanitized. After an additional 2 days all treated and untreated materials were sampled for continued retention of viable S. equi. Separate subsets of contaminated polyester halter material were washed at 40°C with or without drying at 70°C, or washed at 60°C. After cleaning and sanitation, all samples except polyester halters were culture negative. Even before cleaning and sanitation leather appears to poorly support survival of S. equi. After washing at 40°C and tumble drying, 14 of 16 halters were culture positive, however culture negative when washed at 60°C. Routine cleaning and sanitation of fomites contaminated with S. equi was generally effective to eliminate viable bacteria. However, survival between materials and strains differed, with leather poorly permissive to S. equi survival even without cleaning, whereas polyester webbing halters retained viable S. equi even after washing at temperatures of 40°C.
Collapse
|
6
|
Shikina E, Kovalevsky R, Shirkovskaya A, Toukach P. Prospective bacterial and fungal sources of hyaluronic acid: A review. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6214-6236. [PMID: 36420162 PMCID: PMC9676211 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique biological and rheological properties make hyaluronic acid a sought-after material for medicine and cosmetology. Due to very high purity requirements for hyaluronic acid in medical applications, the profitability of streptococcal fermentation is reduced. Production of hyaluronic acid by recombinant systems is considered a promising alternative. Variations in combinations of expressed genes and fermentation conditions alter the yield and molecular weight of produced hyaluronic acid. This review is devoted to the current state of hyaluronic acid production by recombinant bacterial and fungal organisms.
Collapse
|
7
|
Stewart HL, Engiles JB, Richardson DW, Levine DG. The clinical and histopathologic effects of potentiated chlorhexidine in the upper respiratory tract of horses. Vet Surg 2021; 50:1209-1217. [PMID: 33974283 DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the bactericidal and fungicidal properties of a 0.0005% chlorhexidine (CHD) solution potentiated with EDTA-Tris buffers (CHD-EDTA-Tris) and evaluate the safety of 0.0005% CHD-EDTA-Tris in the upper respiratory tract (URT) of normal horses. STUDY DESIGN Clinical, prospective study. ANIMALS Eight healthy, skeletally mature horses. METHODS In vitro-serial dilutions of CHD-EDTA-Tris and EDTA-Tris alone were evaluated for bactericidal and fungicidal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus equi subspecies ssp. equi, Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vivo-eight healthy horses were topically treated twice with 30 ml of 0.0005% CHD-EDTA-Tris. Mucosal samples from each location were evaluated for the presence of inflammation or pathologic lesions. RESULTS Solutions containing CHD were superior in fungal and bacterial killing to those without. In vitro-a 0.005% CHD-EDTA-Tris was 100% effective against all bacterial and fungal species evaluated, while a 0.0005% CHD-EDTA-Tris was less efficacious against A. fumigatus and S. equi ssp. equi. In vivo-a 0.0005% CHD-EDTA-Tris did not cause any clinical, gross, or histologic abnormalities when topically applied to the equine URT. CONCLUSIONS A 0.0005% CHD-EDTA-Tris was highly effective for killing of common bacterial and fungal isolates in the equine upper respiratory tract. Short-term topical treatment of the equine URT with dilute CHD did not cause gross or histological inflammation in the tissue. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE A 0.0005% CHD solution with EDTA-Tris should be considered for treatment of clinically relevant inflammatory or infectious conditions or in the URT of the horse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly L Stewart
- Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Julie B Engiles
- Department of Pathobiology, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dean W Richardson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jerele S, Davis E, Mapes S, Pusterla N, Navas González FJ, Iglesias Pastrana C, Abdelfattah EM, McLean A. Survey of Serum Amyloid A and Bacterial and Viral Frequency Using qPCR Levels in Recently Captured Feral Donkeys from Death Valley National Park (California). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061086. [PMID: 32585994 PMCID: PMC7341296 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Feral donkey removal from state land has raised concerns in terms of disease transmission between equine species. Disease outbreaks may occur as a result of the relocation of animals to new environments. Virus and bacteria DNA load and serum amyloid A derived from the pathogenic processes that they involve were measured in recently captured donkeys. Blood and nasal swabs were collected from 85 donkeys (Death Valley National Park, Shoshone, California); 24 were retested after 30/60 days in the Scenic (Arizona) long-term holding facility co-mingled with feral donkeys from Arizona and Utah. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) was performed to detect viral and bacterial genomic material (equine influenza A [EIV], equine rhinitis A and B viruses, AHV-2, AHV-3, AHV-5 and EHV-1, EHV-4, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and zooepidemicus,). Significant relations between behavior, body condition score, nasal discharge, and coughing were found in donkeys for which AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus DNA was detected. Higher SAA concentrations were found in foals. AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus DNA concentrations significantly differed between sampling moments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, donkeys do not appear to be a substantial risk for disease transmission to horses but could be if they carried strangles or other processes in which AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus were involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Jerele
- International Animal Welfare Training Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.J.); (E.D.)
| | - Eric Davis
- International Animal Welfare Training Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.J.); (E.D.)
| | - Samantha Mapes
- Equine Viral Disease Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Equine Viral Disease Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Francisco Javier Navas González
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.J.N.G.); (A.M.); Tel.: +34-651-679-262 (F.J.N.G.); +1706-296-8743 (A.M.)
| | - Carlos Iglesias Pastrana
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Essam Mahmoud Abdelfattah
- Department of Animal Hygiene, and Veterinary Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Qalubiya Governorate 13511, Egypt;
| | - Amy McLean
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence: (F.J.N.G.); (A.M.); Tel.: +34-651-679-262 (F.J.N.G.); +1706-296-8743 (A.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen X, Resende-De-Macedo N, Sitthicharoenchai P, Sahin O, Burrough E, Clavijo M, Derscheid R, Schwartz K, Lantz K, Robbe-Austerman S, Main R, Li G. Genetic characterization of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus associated with high swine mortality in the United States. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2797-2808. [PMID: 32460392 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
High mortality events due to Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus) in swine have not previously been reported in the United States. In September and October 2019, outbreaks with swine mortality up to 50% due to S. zooepidemicus septicaemia were reported in Ohio and Tennessee. Genomic epidemiological analysis revealed that the eight outbreak isolates were clustered together with ATCC 35246, a Chinese strain caused outbreaks with high mortality, also closely related to three isolates from human cases from Virginia, but significantly different from an outbreak-unrelated swine isolate from Arizona and most isolates from other animal species. Comparative genomic analysis on two outbreak isolates and another outbreak-unrelated isolate identified several genomic islands and virulence genes specifically in the outbreak isolates only, which are likely associated with the high mortality observed in the swine population. These findings have implications for understanding, tracking and possibly preventing diseases caused by S. zooepidemicus in swine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuhua Chen
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Nubia Resende-De-Macedo
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Panchan Sitthicharoenchai
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Orhan Sahin
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Eric Burrough
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Maria Clavijo
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Rachel Derscheid
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Kent Schwartz
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Kristina Lantz
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Rodger Main
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Ganwu Li
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Santos VL, Silva LG, Martini CL, Anjos IHV, Maia MM, Genteluci GL, Sant'Anna V, Ferreira AMA, Couceiro JNSS, Figueiredo AMS, Ferreira-Carvalho BT. Low lineage diversity and increased virulence of group C Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. J Med Microbiol 2020; 69:576-586. [PMID: 32125264 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. In some species, the population structure of pathogenic bacteria is clonal. However, the mechanisms that determine the predominance and persistence of specific bacterial lineages of group C Streptococcus remain poorly understood. In Brazil, a previous study revealed the predominance of two main lineages of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE).Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the virulence and fitness advantages that might explain the predominance of these SDSE lineages for a long period of time.Methodology. emm typing was determined by DNA sequencing. Adhesion and invasion tests were performed using human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-). Biofilm formation was tested on glass surfaces and the presence of virulence genes was assessed by PCR. Additionally, virulence was studied using Caenorhabditis elegans models and competitive fitness was analysed in murine models.Results. The predominant lineages A and B were mostly typed as emm stC839 and stC6979, respectively. Notably, these lineages exhibited a superior ability to adhere and invade airway cells. Furthermore, the dominant lineages were more prone to induce aversive olfactory learning and more likely to kill C. elegans. In the competitive fitness assays, they also showed increased adaptability. Consistent with the increased virulence observed in the ex vivo and in vivo models, the predominant lineages A and B showed a higher number of virulence-associated genes and a superior ability to accumulate biofilm.Conclusion. These results suggest strongly that this predominance did not occur randomly but rather was due to adaptive mechanisms that culminated in increased colonization and other bacterial properties that might confer increased bacteria-host adaptability to cause disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Lima Santos
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ligia Guedes Silva
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Caroline Lopes Martini
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isis Hazelman V Anjos
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Masello Maia
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabrielle L Genteluci
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Viviane Sant'Anna
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria A Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José Nelson S S Couceiro
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Agnes Marie Sá Figueiredo
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Preziuso S, Moriconi M, Cuteri V. Genetic diversity of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolated from horses. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 65:7-13. [PMID: 31300129 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is an opportunistic and zoonotic pathogen of horses. In this study, genetic intraspecies variability of SEZ obtained mainly from respiratory and genital samples of horses was investigated by analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) and of the 16S rRNA gene. 16S-23S ISR rRNA type A1 was predominant, although a high rate of multiple products (30.5%) was obtained. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene detected three genogroups (I, II and III). 16S rRNA variable regions V1 and V2 are the most important regions for evaluating SEZ intraspecies variability, but at least V1-V5 regions should be considered to avoid mistakes. Analysis of all 16S rRNA sequences available in databases assigned human SEZ to groups I and III but not to group II. These results show a high genetic variability in SEZ collected from different specimens of horses from various regions of Italy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Preziuso
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, MC, Italy.
| | - Martina Moriconi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, MC, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cuteri
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, MC, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Aboul Hosn M, Alsop S, Sharp WJ, Pascarella L. An unusual case of a ruptured mycotic aortic aneurysm. Chirurgia (Bucur) 2019. [DOI: 10.23736/s0394-9508.18.04798-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
13
|
Mani RJ, Thachil AJ, Ramachandran A. Discrimination of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. J Vet Diagn Invest 2017; 29:622-627. [PMID: 28460559 DOI: 10.1177/1040638717702687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate and timely identification of infectious etiologies is of great significance in veterinary microbiology, especially for critical diseases such as strangles, a highly contagious disease of horses caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. We evaluated a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) platform for use in species- and subspecies-level identification of S. equi isolates from horses and compared it with an automated biochemical system. We used 25 clinical isolates each of S. equi subsp. equi and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. Using the MALDI-TOF MS platform, it was possible to correctly identify all 50 isolates to the species level. Unique mass peaks were identified in the bacterial peptide mass spectra generated by MALDI-TOF MS, which can be used for accurate subspecies-level identification of S. equi. Mass peaks (mass/charge, m/ z) 6,751.9 ± 1.4 (mean ± standard deviation) and 5,958.1 ± 1.3 were found to be unique to S. equi subsp. equi and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, respectively. The automated biochemical system correctly identified 47 of 50 of the isolates to the species level as S. equi, whereas at the subspecies level, 24 of 25 S. equi subsp. equi isolates and 22 of 25 S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolates were correctly identified. Our results indicate that MALDI-TOF MS can be used for accurate species- and subspecies-level identification of S. equi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rinosh J Mani
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK (Mani, Ramachandran).,Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (Thachil)
| | - Anil J Thachil
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK (Mani, Ramachandran).,Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (Thachil)
| | - Akhilesh Ramachandran
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK (Mani, Ramachandran).,Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (Thachil)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Javed R, Taku AK, Gangil R, Sharma RK. Molecular characterization of virulence genes of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in equines. Vet World 2016; 9:875-81. [PMID: 27651677 PMCID: PMC5021838 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.875-881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The aim was to determine the occurrence of streptococci in equines in Jammu (R. S. Pura, Katra), characterization of Streptococci equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus with respect to their virulence traits and to determine antibiotic sensitivity pattern of virulent Streptococcus isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 96 samples were collected from both clinically affected animals (exhibiting signs of respiratory tract disease) and apparently healthy animals and were sent to laboratory. The organisms were isolated on Columbia nalidixic acid agar containing 5% sheep blood as well as on sheep blood agar and confirmed by cultural characteristics and biochemical tests. Molecular detection of Streptococcus was done directly from cultures using sodA and seM gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiogram was performed against five antibiotics such as amoxicillin, penicillin G, streptomycin, rifampicin, and methicillin. RESULTS During this study, a total 40 streptococcal isolates were obtained out of which 2 isolates were of S. equi subsp. equi, 12 isolates were from S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. In the PCR-based detection, we revealed amplicons of 235 bp and 679 bp for confirmation of sodA and seM gene, respectively. In antibiogram, two isolates of S. equi subsp. equi were found resistant to penicillin G, and all other isolates were found sensitive to amoxicillin and streptomycin. CONCLUSION The majority of streptococcal infections was due to S. equi subsp. Zooepidemicus, and thus was recognized as a potential pathogen of diseases of equines besides S. equi subsp. equi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Javed
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - A K Taku
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Rakhi Gangil
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - R K Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus dysgalactiae strains isolated from horses are a genetically distinct population within the Streptococcus dysgalactiae taxon. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31736. [PMID: 27530432 PMCID: PMC4987641 DOI: 10.1038/srep31736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic role of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus dysgalactiae in the equine host is increasingly recognized. A collection of 108 Lancefield group C (n = 96) or L (n = 12) horse isolates recovered in the United States and in three European countries presented multilocus sequence typing (MLST) alleles, sequence types and emm types (only 56% of the isolates could be emm typed) that were, with few exceptions, distinct from those previously found in human Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. Characterization of a subset of horse isolates by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that most equine isolates could also be differentiated from S. dysgalactiae strains from other animal species, supporting the existence of a horse specific genomovar. Draft genome information confirms the distinctiveness of the horse genomovar and indicates the presence of potentially horse-specific virulence factors. While this genomovar represents most of the isolates recovered from horses, a smaller MLST and MLSA defined sub-population seems to be able to cause infections in horses, other animals and humans, indicating that transmission between hosts of strains belonging to this group may occur.
Collapse
|
16
|
Neamat-Allah ANF, Damaty HME. Strangles in Arabian horses in Egypt: Clinical, epidemiological, hematological, and biochemical aspects. Vet World 2016; 9:820-6. [PMID: 27651668 PMCID: PMC5021829 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.820-826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Respiratory tract infections are considered the major problem of equine worldwide. Strangles is an infectious and highly contagious respiratory bacterial disease of equine caused by Streptococcus equi. This study is aimed to evaluate some clinical and epidemiological investigation associated with strangles and to study the hematological and biochemical changes in 20 Arabian horse naturally infected with S. equi during the disease and after 10 days from treatment by procaine penicillin with benzathine penicillin. Materials and Methods: A total of 490 Arabian horses have been examined, 120 (24.5%) have been clinically diagnosed as strangles. Under complete aseptic conditions, nasal swabs and pus samples from those were collected for bacterial culture. 20 horses from the positive infected with S. equi have been treated by 6 mg/kg b.wt procaine penicillin with 4.5 mg/kg b.wt benzathine penicillin deep intramuscular injection/twice dose/4 days interval. Results: 102 horses (20.8%) were found positive for S. equi. Horses with age group under 1 year were the most prone to strangles (32.25%) followed by horses of the age group from 1 to 2 years (20%) and finally of the age group over 2-4 years (11.89%). Hematological parameters revealed anemia in the infected horses, while leucogram revealed a significant increase in the total leucocytic, granulocytic and monocytic counts without a significant change in the lymphocytic count. Biochemical parameters revealed a significant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase, total proteins, globulins, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and potassium. In other side, hypoalbuminemia and hyponatremia have been reported, whereas alanine aminotransferase activity and creatinine level showed non-significant changes. Respiratory acidosis has been exhibited in the infected horses. Treatment of horses by procaine penicillin with benzathine penicillin revealed improvement of these parameters toward the healthy horses. Conclusion: S. equi easily spreads from infected to susceptible horses through contaminated water and other fomites. Therefore, good biosecurity is very important if the welfare and economic costs of an outbreak are to be reduced. The presence of respiratory acidosis with increased of cTnI could indicate pneumonia secondary to strangles with risk of heart involvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed N F Neamat-Allah
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Alzeraa Street Postal Code 44511, Zagazig City, Sharkia Province, Egypt
| | - Hend M El Damaty
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Alzeraa Street Postal Code 44511, Zagazig City, Sharkia Province, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cordoni G, Williams A, Durham A, Florio D, Zanoni RG, La Ragione RM. Rapid diagnosis of strangles (Streptococcus equi subspecies equi) using PCR. Res Vet Sci 2015; 102:162-6. [PMID: 26412537 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Strangles is one of the most common equine infectious diseases with serious health, welfare and socio-economic impact. However, the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi can be challenging and persistently infected carriers are common. Furthermore, the use of classical microbiology can result in an underestimation of the prevalence of the disease. The difficulties associated with the slow diagnosis of Strangles can result in rapid spread of the disease. Therefore, rapid and economical diagnostic tests are urgently required. Here, two multiplex assays, were developed and validated for the detection of S. equi and S. equi subspecies zooepidemicus, the most common differential diagnosis. Using 59 S. equi and 59 S. zooepidemicus strains collected from various geographical areas, the PCR tests demonstrated a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 98%. Furthermore, the assay can be performed directly from clinical swabs. Thus, the assays designed here provide a rapid, reliable and economical solution for the diagnosis of Strangles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guido Cordoni
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7TE, UK.
| | - Adele Williams
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7TE, UK
| | - Andy Durham
- The Liphook Equine Hospital, Forest Mere, Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7JG, UK
| | - Daniela Florio
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Renato Giulio Zanoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto M La Ragione
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7TE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Acke E, Midwinter AC, Lawrence K, Gordon SJG, Moore S, Rasiah I, Steward K, French N, Waller A. Prevalence of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus in a sample of healthy dogs, cats and horses. N Z Vet J 2015; 63:265-71. [PMID: 25695401 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2015.1016133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To estimate the prevalence of β-haemolytic Lancefield group C streptococci in healthy dogs, cats and horses; to determine if frequent contact with horses was associated with isolation of these species from dogs and cats; and to characterise recovered S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolates by multilocus sequence typing. METHODS Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 197 dogs and 72 cats, and nasopharyngeal swabs from 93 horses. Sampling was carried out at the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, on sheep and beef farms or on premises where horses were present. All animals were healthy and were categorised as Urban dogs and cats (minimal contact with horses or farm livestock), Farm dogs (minimal contact with horses) and Stable dogs and cats (frequent contact with horses). Swabs were cultured for β-haemolytic Streptococcus spp. and Lancefield group C streptococcal subspecies were confirmed by phenotypic and molecular techniques. RESULTS Of the 197 dogs sampled, 21 (10.7 (95% CI= 4.0-25.4)%) tested positive for S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and 4 (2.0 (95% CI=0.7-5.5)%) tested positive for S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. All these isolates, except for one S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis isolate in an Urban dog, were from Stable dogs. S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis was isolated from one Stable cat. Of the 93 horses, 22 (23.7 (95% CI=12.3-40.6)%) and 6 (6.5 (95% CI=2.8-14.1)%) had confirmed S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolation respectively. Isolation of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis from dogs was associated with frequent contact with horses (OR=9.8 (95% CI=2.6-72.8)). Three different multilocus sequence type profiles of S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus that have not been previously reported in dogs were recovered. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Subclinical infection or colonisation by S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus and S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis occurs in dogs and further research on inter-species transmission and the pathogenic potential of these Lancefield group C streptococci is needed. Complete speciation of β-haemolytic streptococci should be recommended in clinical cases and the possible exposure to horses and their environment should be considered in epidemiological investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Acke
- a Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
PCR based differentiation between Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis strains isolated from humans and horses. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; 37:169-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
20
|
Pelkonen S, Lindahl SB, Suomala P, Karhukorpi J, Vuorinen S, Koivula I, Väisänen T, Pentikäinen J, Autio T, Tuuminen T. Transmission of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus infection from horses to humans. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 19:1041-8. [PMID: 23777752 PMCID: PMC3713971 DOI: 10.3201/eid1907.121365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is a zoonotic pathogen for persons in contact with horses. In horses, S. zooepidemicus is an opportunistic pathogen, but human infections associated with S. zooepidemicus are often severe. Within 6 months in 2011, 3 unrelated cases of severe, disseminated S. zooepidemicus infection occurred in men working with horses in eastern Finland. To clarify the pathogen’s epidemiology, we describe the clinical features of the infection in 3 patients and compare the S. zooepidemicus isolates from the human cases with S. zooepidemicus isolates from horses. The isolates were analyzed by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing, and sequencing of the szP gene. Molecular typing methods showed that human and equine isolates were identical or closely related. These results emphasize that S. zooepidemicus transmitted from horses can lead to severe infections in humans. As leisure and professional equine sports continue to grow, this infection should be recognized as an emerging zoonosis.
Collapse
|
21
|
Mir IA, Kumar B, Taku A, Faridi F, Bhat MA, Baba NA, Maqbool T. Bacteriological and Molecular Detection of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in Equines of Northern India. J Equine Sci 2013; 24:53-5. [PMID: 24834002 PMCID: PMC4013984 DOI: 10.1294/jes.24.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Present study was undertaken to study the prevalence of β-haemolytic streptococci in
equine of northern temperate region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. One hundred and forty one
samples were collected in duplicate from nasopharyngeal tract of diseased (53) and
apparently healthy equine (88) for isolation and direct PCR. A total of 77 isolates of
streptococci were recovered from 141 samples with an overall prevalence rate of 54.60%.
Out of these 77 isolates, 52 were from diseased and 25 from apparently healthy animals. Of
the 77 isolates, 4 were identified as Streptococcus equi subsp.
equi, 56 as S. equi subsp.
zooepidemicus and 17 as S. dysgalactiae subsp.
equisimilis. Thus the overall prevalence of S. equi subsp.
equi, S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus
and S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis was 2.83, 39.71
and 12.05% respectively. The sensitivity of the PCR for the detection of S.
equi species was found higher when attempted from direct swab samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irfan Ahmad Mir
- Division of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu 181102, India
| | - Bablu Kumar
- Division of Biological Products, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh 243122, India
| | - Anil Taku
- Division of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu 181102, India
| | - Farah Faridi
- Division of Veterinary Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner 334001, India
| | - Mohd Altaf Bhat
- Division of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu 181102, India
| | - Naseer Ahmad Baba
- Division of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu 181102, India
| | - Tahir Maqbool
- Division of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Srinagar 190001, India
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mir IA, Kumar B, Taku A, Wani N, Faridi FN, Dar SA, Gazal S, Badroo GA, Zargar AA, Iqbal A. The study of aerobic bacterial flora of the upper respiratory tract of equines from Jammu and Kashmir region of India. Vet World 2013. [DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2013.623-627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
|
23
|
Lindahl S, Båverud V, Egenvall A, Aspán A, Pringle J. Comparison of sampling sites and laboratory diagnostic tests for S. equi subsp. equi in horses from confirmed strangles outbreaks. J Vet Intern Med 2013; 27:542-7. [PMID: 23527817 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strangles is a contagious equine-specific disease caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. Unfortunately, detection of S. equi can fail in up to 40% of horses with strangles. Whereas recent molecular biologic methods and sampling techniques have improved recovery of S. equi optimal sampling methods and laboratory analyses remain ill-defined. OBJECTIVES To determine the yield of S. equi from horses with acute strangles in confirmed outbreaks by field-sampling methods subjected to culture and biochemical identification, and real-time PCR directly and after culture. ANIMALS Fifty-seven horses of varying breeds and ages from 8 strangles outbreaks. METHODS Prospective study. Culture with biochemical identification and real-time PCR directly, and from culture, were performed on nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, and nasopharyngeal lavages. RESULTS Real-time PCR directly from samples identified the highest number of infected horses, with 45/57 nasal swabs, 41/57 nasopharyngeal swabs, and 48/57 nasopharyngeal lavages S. equi positive. Biochemical identification (highest positives 22/57) was inferior to real-time PCR for S. equi recovery regardless of sampling method. Real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal lavage directly and after culture yielded 52/57 positives whereas direct real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal lavage combined with either nasopharyngeal swabs or nasal swabs yielded 53/57 positives. Three horses were negative on all samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Nasopharyngeal lavage analyzed by a combination of real-time PCR directly and after culture or, alternatively, real-time PCR directly on a nasopharyngeal lavage and a nasal/nasopharyngeal swab can identify S. equi in over 90% of acute strangles cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Lindahl
- Section of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Cafarchia C, Paradies R, Figueredo LA, Padalino B, Greco MF, Greco G, Otranto D. A Case of Equine Aspergillosis: A Novel Sampling Procedure for Diagnosis. J Equine Vet Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
25
|
Erol E, Locke SJ, Donahoe JK, Mackin MA, Carter CN. Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. from horses: a retrospective study (2000-2010). J Vet Diagn Invest 2012; 24:142-7. [PMID: 22362945 DOI: 10.1177/1040638711434138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this retrospective study was to have a comprehensive picture of the β-hemolytic streptococci of horses including tissue/organ distributions and susceptibility patterns against specific antimicrobials between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010. A total of 2,497 β-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 2,391 cases, of which Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus was the most frequent isolate (72.0%). Other species isolated were Streptococcus dysgalactia subsp. equisimilis (21.3%), Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (5.8%), and unidentified β-hemolytic streptococci (0.9%). As expected, S. equi was mostly isolated from lymph node abscesses and the respiratory tract in foals and adult horses. Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and S. equisimilis were mostly isolated from placenta, fetal tissues, and genital tract of horses; S. zooepidemicus and S. equisimilis were also recovered in significant numbers from a number of other organs including lung, liver, brain, kidney, and joints, indicating a much broader tissue tropism than S. equi. In addition, more than 1 Streptococcus spp. was recovered in 106 cases, indicating the co-existence of these bacteria in some horses. This data also suggested that S. equisimilis is a major bacterial agent of horses, contrary to present knowledge. Based on Kirby-Bauer antimicrobial susceptibility data, streptococci were found to be generally susceptible to cephalothin, erythromycin, nitrofurantoin, penicillin, and ticarcillin and clavulanate. Resistance to antimicrobials has not developed over the years, except for gentamicin and tetracycline against S. equisimilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erdal Erol
- University of Kentucky, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, PO Box 14125, Lexington, KY 40512-4125, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Preziuso S, Cuteri V. A Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Direct Detection and Differentiation of β-Hemolytic Streptococci in Clinical Samples from Horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2011.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
27
|
Casagrande Proietti P, Bietta A, Coppola G, Felicetti M, Cook R, Coletti M, Marenzoni M, Passamonti F. Isolation and characterization of β-haemolytic-Streptococci from endometritis in mares. Vet Microbiol 2011; 152:126-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Revised: 04/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
28
|
Suzuki H, Lefébure T, Hubisz MJ, Pavinski Bitar P, Lang P, Siepel A, Stanhope MJ. Comparative genomic analysis of the Streptococcus dysgalactiae species group: gene content, molecular adaptation, and promoter evolution. Genome Biol Evol 2011; 3:168-85. [PMID: 21282711 PMCID: PMC3056289 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evr006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparative genomics of closely related bacterial species with different pathogenesis and host preference can provide a means of identifying the specifics of adaptive differences. Streptococcus dysgalactiae (SD) is comprised of two subspecies: S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis is both a human commensal organism and a human pathogen, and S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae is strictly an animal pathogen. Here, we present complete genome sequences for both taxa, with analyses involving other species of Streptococcus but focusing on adaptation in the SD species group. We found little evidence for enrichment in biochemical categories of genes carried by each SD strain, however, differences in the virulence gene repertoire were apparent. Some of the differences could be ascribed to prophage and integrative conjugative elements. We identified approximately 9% of the nonrecombinant core genome to be under positive selection, some of which involved known virulence factors in other bacteria. Analyses of proteomes by pooling data across genes, by biochemical category, clade, or branch, provided evidence for increased rates of evolution in several gene categories, as well as external branches of the tree. Promoters were primarily evolving under purifying selection but with certain categories of genes evolving faster. Many of these fast-evolving categories were the same as those associated with rapid evolution in proteins. Overall, these results suggest that adaptation to changing environments and new hosts in the SD species group has involved the acquisition of key virulence genes along with selection of orthologous protein-coding loci and operon promoters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haruo Suzuki
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Preziuso S, Laus F, Tejeda AR, Valente C, Cuteri V. Detection of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in equine nasopharyngeal swabs by PCR. J Vet Sci 2010; 11:67-72. [PMID: 20195067 PMCID: PMC2833432 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2010.11.1.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus (S.) dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis is responsible for severe diseases in humans, including primary bacteraemia, pneumonia, endocarditis, and toxic shock syndrome. Infection in some animal species can also occur, although a few studies have looked into cross-species infectivity. In horses, S. equisimilis is generally considered infrequent or opportunistic, but has recently been isolated from cases of strangles-like disease. Rapid and sensitive diagnostic techniques could enable epidemiological studies and effective investigation of outbreaks involving these bacteria. In this study, PCR protocols previously described in cattle and in humans to detect the species S. dysgalactiae and the subspecies equisimilis were evaluated to detect specific sequences in equine samples. For this purpose, 99 monolateral nasal swabs were collected from horses from stud farms with a history of S. equisimilis infection and were tested blindly by bacteriological isolation and by single and duplex PCR. DNA for PCR was extracted both from the colonies grown on agar media and from enrichment broth aliquots after incubation with nasal swab samples. S. equisimilis was identified by bacteriological isolation in 23 out of 99 swab samples, and PCR assays on these colonies were fully concordant with bacteriological identification (kappa statistic = 1.00). In addition, PCR of the enrichment broth aliquots confirmed the bacteriological results and detected S. equisimilis in 6 samples more than the bacteriological examination (kappa statistic = 0.84). The PCR protocols appeared to be reliable for the rapid identification of S. equisimilis in equine nasal swab samples, and could be useful for microbiological diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Preziuso
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 93/95, Matelica, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Takahashi T, Ubukata K, Watanabe H. Invasive infection caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis: characteristics of strains and clinical features. J Infect Chemother 2010; 17:1-10. [PMID: 20607346 DOI: 10.1007/s10156-010-0084-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Among clinically isolated β-hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus pyogenes and S. agalactiae were considered the main pathogens in humans until recently. In 1996, S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) was proposed as a novel taxon among human-derived streptococcal isolates. SDSE has Lancefield group C or G antigens, exhibits strong β-hemolysis, and exerts streptokinase activity upon human plasminogen and proteolytic activity upon human fibrin. Similarly to group A streptococci, SDSE possesses virulence factors including M protein, streptolysin O, streptolysin S, streptokinase, hyaluronidase, C5a peptidase, and others. SDSE may exist among the normal flora of the skin, oropharynx, and gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. In the twenty-first century, invasive SDSE infection (i.e., cellulitis, urosepsis, and pneumonia) leading to various disseminated diseases is being diagnosed increasingly in Japan, elsewhere in Asia, in Europe, and in America. Particularly, among elderly patients, these invasive diseases are encountered increasingly in Japanese hospital emergency departments. Analysis of the part of the emm gene encoding the amino acid sequence at the N-terminal end of the M protein is used to determine the molecular epidemiology of SDSE. The distribution of emm types from patients with invasive or noninvasive infections differs between surveillance results from different countries. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of phenotypes and virulence factors in SDSE strains; the review also focuses on emerging SDSE infectious disease and future vaccination research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Takahashi
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|