Pathogenicity, genotyping and antibacterial susceptibility of the Listeria spp. recovered from stray dogs

Listeria monocytogenes from different sources: The serotyping, genotyping, virulotyping, and antibiotic susceptibilities of the recovered isolates

It was aimed at serotyping, genotyping, determining various virulence genes, and investigating antibiotic susceptibilities of Listeria monocytogenes isolates recovered from different sources in the current study. For this purpose, a total of 70 L. monocytogenes isolates including 22 chicken, 20 fish, 18 sheep, and 10 cattle origin were used. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed for serotyping and analysis of virulence genes of the isolates, and also Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC)-PCR was performed for the genotyping. In addition, it was determined the susceptibilities of the isolates against nine different antibiotics via the disk diffusion method. As a result of serotyping, the most detected serogroup in analyzed L. monocytogenes isolates was 1/2a-3a (44.3 %), and but the least detected serogroup 1/2b-3b-7 (11.4 %). ERIC-PCR results revealed a total of 18 different patterns. All isolates were positive for the presence of inlA, inlB, inlC, iap, prfA, actA, hly, plcA, plcB and mpl virulence genes tested. The prevalence of the actA gene in isolates was determined as 70 %. Antibiotic resistance was detected against six antibiotics, and high resistance to oxacillin (80 %) and ciprofloxacin (65.7 %) in the isolates. Furthermore, the rate of multi-drug resistance in L. monocytogenes isolates was 28.5 % (20/70). In conclusion, the present study showed that the sources may pose a potential health risk, according to obtained data on the virulence gene prevalence, serogroup distribution, high genetic heterogeneity, and antibiotic resistance profiles of L. monocytogenes isolates from different sources.

Association between Pet Ownership and Threatened Abortion in Pregnant Women: The China Birth Cohort Study

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the association between pet ownership and threatened abortion (TA) in pregnant Chinese women. Materials and Methods: We enrolled pregnant women from 18 provinces and autonomous regions across China between November 2017 and December 2020. Participants were grouped based on the presence or absence of pet ownership. Pet owners were further sub-grouped based on the presence or absence of close contact with their pets. Pet species included cats, dogs, and both. Generalised linear mixed models, with province as a random effect, were used to estimate the associations between pet ownership and TA. Results: Pet ownership, whether or not one had close contact with pets, was associated with greater odds of TA (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.40). Keeping pet cats (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.40), dogs (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.41), or both cats and dogs (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.68) during pregnancy were all risk factors for TA. We observed significant group differences (p for difference < 0.05) in pre-pregnancy body mass index, education levels, and annual household income. Conclusions: Cat or dog ownership during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of TA, especially among overweight, less educated, or lower-income participants.

Characterization and safety evaluation of two beneficial, enterocin-producing Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from kimchi, a Korean fermented cabbage

Enterococcus faecium ST20Kc and ST41Kc were isolated from kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented cabbage. Bacteriocins produced by both strains exhibited strong activity against Listeria monocytogenes and various Enterococcus spp., including 30 vancomycin-resistant enterococcal strains, but not against other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the evaluated test panel. The antimicrobials produced by the strains were found to be proteinaceous and stable even after exposure to varying pH, temperature, and chemicals used in the industry and laboratory processes. Antimicrobial activity of both strains was evaluated as bactericidal against exponentially growing cultures of L. monocytogenes ATCC® 15313™ and Enterococcus faecalis 200A. Based on tricine-SDS-PAGE, the molecular weights of the bacteriocins produced by the strains were between 4 and 6 kDa. Additionally, both strains were susceptible to antibiotics, including vancomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin, ampicillin, streptomycin, tylosin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and tetracycline. Adhesion genes, map, mub, and EF-Tu, were also detected in the genomes of both strains. With gastrointestinal stress induction, both strains showed high individual survival rates, and capability to reduce viable counts of L. monocytogenes ATCC® 15313™ and Enterococcus faecalis 200A in mixed cultures. Based on the metabolomics analysis, both strains were found to produce additional antimicrobial compounds, particularly, lactic acid, phenyllactic acid, and phenethylamine, which can be potentially involved in the antimicrobial interaction with pathogenic microorganisms.

Survey on the Presence of Bacterial, Fungal and Helminthic Agents in Off-Leash Dog Parks Located in Urban Areas in Central-Italy

Simple Summary

Off-leash dog parks are designated, generally fenced, public spaces where dogs can move freely under the supervision of their owners. These areas, allowing animals to socialize and run free, play a fundamental role in dogs’ welfare. However, such environments may be a source of different pathogens, even zoonotic, excreted by the attending animals. The present study evaluated the occurrence of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens in off-leash dog parks located in Florence (central Italy). Yersinia spp., Listeria innocua, Toxocara canis eggs and Ancylostoma caninum/Uncinaria stenocephala eggs were found in canine feces. Keratinophilic geophilic fungi (mostly Microsporum gypseum/A. incurvatum, Microsporum canis in a single case) were recovered from soil. Trichosporon sp. and Geotrichum candidum were isolated from two water samples. The obtained results suggest that, despite the not negligible canine fecal contamination of selected areas (feces were found in 88.5% of the parks), attending dogs did not act as important carriers for the investigated pathogens, although examined off-leash dog parks may represent a risk for the spreading of some dermatophytoses to both pets and their owners. Thus, in a One-Health perspective, periodical examinations to detect the main bacteriological, parasitological and mycological pathogens in different samples collected in off-leash dog parks are recommended.

Abstract

Off-leash dog parks are designated public spaces where dogs can move freely, under their owners’ supervision. These areas, allowing animals to socialize and move freely, are fundamental for dogs’ welfare. However, different pathogens, even zoonotic, may be excreted by the attending animals and contaminate the environment. The aim of the present study was to verify the occurrence of bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens in off-leash dog parks located in Florence (central Italy). Between March and May 2019, 83 fecal samples, 43 soil samples and 23 water samples (from fountains and puddles) collected from 26 off-leash fenced areas were examined. Fecal samples scored positive for Yersinia spp. (n = 7), Listeria innocua (n = 4), Toxocara canis eggs (n = 2) and Ancylostoma caninum/Uncinaria stenocephala eggs (n = 1). Keratinophilic geophilic fungi (mostly Microsporum gypseum /A. incurvatum) were recovered from 43 soil samples belonging to 23 out of 26 parks, along with Microsporum canis in a single case. Prototheca spp. was never isolated from water samples, while Trichosporon sp. was cultured in two cases, alone and in association with Geotrichum candidum. These results show that dogs did not act as important carriers for the investigated bacterial and parasitic pathogens, although examined areas may represent a risk for the spreading of some dermatophytoses to both pets and their owners. Periodical examinations to assess the main bacteriological, parasitological and mycological pathogens in different samples collected in off-leash dog parks should be carried out in a One-Health perspective.

Systemic Listeria monocytogenes infection and concurrent pleural mesothelioma in a cat

Herein we describe a rare case of systemic Listeria monocytogenes infection with concurrent pleural mesothelioma in a stray cat that was found dead and submitted for autopsy. Gross pathology changes consisted of thoracic clear yellow fluid admixed with suspended fibrin strands; clear-to-tan, variably sized, <3 mm diameter pulmonary nodules; and enlargement of the submandibular, retropharyngeal, and prescapular lymph nodes. Histologic changes consisted of extensive areas of suppurative inflammation and necrosis with mineralization that partially effaced the pulmonary parenchyma and lymph nodes. Random, distinct necrotic foci were present throughout the hepatic parenchyma. Extending from the pleura, within perinecrotic alveolar spaces, and infiltrating the submandibular, retropharyngeal, and prescapular lymph nodes were dense sheets of neoplastic epithelioid cells with moderate pleomorphism and occasional karyomegaly and multinucleation. Neoplastic cells exhibited immunolabeling for pancytokeratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin, consistent with pleural mesothelioma. Aerobic bacterial culture of lung yielded heavy growth of L. monocytogenes. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for L. monocytogenes revealed clusters of bacteria in the lung, lymph node, and liver. Pathologic changes were consistent with systemic listeriosis, confirmed by bacterial culture and IHC, and concurrent pleural mesothelioma.