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Gani M, Mohd-Ridwan AR, Sitam FT, Kamarudin Z, Selamat SS, Awang NMZ, Karuppannan KV, Md-Zain BM. Habitat shapes the gut microbiome diversity of Malayan tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) as revealed through metabarcoding 16S rRNA profiling. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:111. [PMID: 38416247 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The gut microbiome refers to the microorganism community living within the digestive tract. The environment plays a crucial role in shaping the gut microbiome composition of animals. The gut microbiome influences the health and behavior of animals, including the critically endangered Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni). However, the gut microbiome composition of Malayan tigers, especially those living in their natural habitats, remains poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we used next-generation sequencing DNA metabarcoding techniques to analyze the gut microbiome of wild Malayan tigers using fecal samples collected from their natural habitats and in captivity. Our aim was to determine the gut microbiota composition of the Malayan tiger, considering the different types of habitat environments. The results revealed a diverse microbial community within the gut microbiome of Malayan tigers. The prominent phyla that were observed included Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Fusobacteriota and Bacteroidota. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in gut microbiome composition of Malayan tigers that inhabited oil palm plantations, in villages and protected areas. Diversity analysis also revealed significant difference in the gut microbiome between wild and captive Malayan tigers. However, the distinctions of gut microbiome between wild and captive alpha diversity did not yield significant differences. The differences in microbiome diversity resulted from the interplay of dietary intake and environmental factors. This information will facilitate the establishment of focused conservation approaches and enhance our understanding of the effect of microbiome composition on Malayan tiger health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millawati Gani
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- National Wildlife Forensic Laboratory (NWFL), Ex-Situ Conservation Division, Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras, 56100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Abd Rahman Mohd-Ridwan
- Centre for Pre-University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Frankie Thomas Sitam
- National Wildlife Forensic Laboratory (NWFL), Ex-Situ Conservation Division, Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras, 56100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zubaidah Kamarudin
- National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC), Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), 35600, Sungkai, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Siti Suzana Selamat
- National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC), Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), 35600, Sungkai, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Nik Mohd Zamani Awang
- National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC), Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), 35600, Sungkai, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Kayal Vizi Karuppannan
- National Wildlife Forensic Laboratory (NWFL), Ex-Situ Conservation Division, Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras, 56100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Badrul Munir Md-Zain
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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2
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Balseiro A, Herrero-García G, García Marín JF, Balsera R, Monasterio JM, Cubero D, de Pedro G, Oleaga Á, García-Rodríguez A, Espinoza I, Rabanal B, Aduriz G, Tuñón J, Gortázar C, Royo LJ. New threats in the recovery of large carnivores inhabiting human-modified landscapes: the case of the Cantabrian brown bear (Ursus arctos). Vet Res 2024; 55:24. [PMID: 38395920 PMCID: PMC10893660 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01279-w] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding mortality causes is important for the conservation of endangered species, especially in small and isolated populations inhabiting anthropized landscapes where both natural and human-caused mortality may hinder the conservation of these species. We investigated the mortality causes of 53 free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) found dead between 1998 and 2023 in the Cantabrian Mountains (northwestern Spain), a highly human-modified region where bears are currently recovering after being critically threatened in the last century. We detected natural traumatic injuries in 52.63% and infectious diseases in 39.47% of the 38 bears for which the mortality causes were registered, with 21.05% of these cases presenting signs of both infectious diseases and traumas. More specifically, almost 30% of the bears died during or after intraspecific fights, including sexually selected infanticide (10.53%). In addition, primary infectious diseases such as infectious canine hepatitis, distemper, clostridiosis and colibacillosis caused the death of 15.79% of the bears. The number of direct human-caused deaths (i.e., shooting, poisoning, snare) decreased over the study period. This study also reveals three new mortality causes triggered by pathogens, two of which-Clostridium novyi and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli-not previously described in ursids, and the other one, canine distemper virus, never reported in brown bears as cause of death. New management strategies for the conservation of Cantabrian bears, which are urgently needed due to the rapid expansion of the population, should consider the mortality causes described in this study and must promote further research to elucidate how the high prevalence of infectious diseases may threaten the current recovery of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain.
| | - Gloria Herrero-García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | | | - Ramón Balsera
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Juana María Monasterio
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - David Cubero
- Dirección General de Patrimonio Natural y Política Forestal de La Junta de Castilla y León, 47014, Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain
| | - Gabriel de Pedro
- Dirección General de Patrimonio Natural y Política Forestal de La Junta de Castilla y León, 47014, Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A. (SERPA), La Laboral, 33203, Gijón, Spain
| | - Alberto García-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Israel Espinoza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Benjamín Rabanal
- Laboratorio de Técnicas Instrumentales, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Gorka Aduriz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, 48160, Derio (Bizkaia), Spain
| | - José Tuñón
- Fundación Oso de Asturias, 33114, Proaza, Asturias, Spain
| | | | - Luis José Royo
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Genética, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
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3
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Che WI, Lundberg IE, Holmqvist M. Environmental Risks for Inflammatory Myopathies. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2022; 48:861-874. [PMID: 36333000 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This is an up-to-date review on external environmental factors for adult-onset idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). Environmental factors with suggestive evidence including ultraviolet radiation, smoking, infectious agents (viruses in particular), pollutants, medications (ie, statin) and vitamin D deficiency are discussed. We also discuss the potential implications of environmental factors in IIM development, identify current challenges, and provide insight into future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weng Ian Che
- Department of Medicine, Solna, Eugeniahemmet, T2, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Solna, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden; Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingrid E Lundberg
- Rheumatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Anna Steckséns gata 30A, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; ME Gastro, Derm and Rheuma, Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Marie Holmqvist
- Department of Medicine, Solna, Eugeniahemmet, T2, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Solna, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden; Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Rheumatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Anna Steckséns gata 30A, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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4
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Millán J, Becker DJ. Patterns of Exposure and Infection with Microparasites in Iberian Wild Carnivores: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2708. [PMID: 34573674 PMCID: PMC8469010 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We use a suite of meta-analytic and comparative methods to derive fundamental insights into how sampling effort, pathogen richness, infection prevalence, and seroprevalence vary across Carnivora taxa and Iberian geography. The red fox was the most studied species, the wolf and Iberian lynx were disproportionally studied, and the Arctoidea were understudied. Sampling effort was higher in Mediterranean areas, but central Spain showed the higher pathogen richness. Excluding studies analyzing fecal samples, 53 different pathogens have been detected in Iberian carnivores, including 16 viruses, 27 bacteria, and 10 protozoa but no fungi. Sampling effort and pathogen diversity were generally more similar among closely related carnivore species. Seropositivity to viruses was lower and higher in the Mustelinae and the Canidae, respectively, and seropositivity to protozoa was higher in both taxa. Canine distemper virus exposure was greatest in canids and mustelids. Carnivore protoparvovirus-1 exposure was greatest in the Atlantic regions, and the Felidae and the Musteloidea had lower infection prevalence. A subclade of the Mustelidae had a greater prevalence of Leishmania infection. We observed no relationships between host phylogenetic distance and pathogen sharing among species. Lastly, we identify important research pitfalls and future directions to improve the study of infectious disease in Iberian wild carnivore communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación ARAID, Avda. Ranillas 1, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Daniel J. Becker
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA;
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Schlohsarczyk EK, Schmidt N, Prenger‐Berninghoff E, Herkommer LF, Henrich M. Fatal bacterial septicaemia after immobilisation of a captive brown bear (
Ursus arctos
). VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elfi Katrin Schlohsarczyk
- Institute for Veterinary‐PathologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Nadine Schmidt
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of AnimalsFaculty of Veterinary MedicineJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Ellen Prenger‐Berninghoff
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of AnimalsFaculty of Veterinary MedicineJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Leonie Franziska Herkommer
- Institute for Veterinary‐PathologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Manfred Henrich
- Institute for Veterinary‐PathologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
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6
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Mortality Causes in Free-Ranging Eurasian Brown Bears ( Ursus arctos arctos) in Spain 1998-2018. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091538. [PMID: 32878324 PMCID: PMC7552303 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y León (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. Mortality cases were classified both caused by (i) "non-human intervention" or "human intervention" causes and based on (ii) "non-infectious" or "infectious" etiology. In four cases (16%) it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the inadequate preservation of collected specimens or insufficient tissue availability. Based on "non-human intervention" or "human intervention" causes, fourteen of the 21 (66.7%) brown bears died as a consequence of "non-human intervention" due to traumatic lesions (fights, unknown traumas or infanticide), infectious canine hepatitis, neoplasia or mushroom poisoning. In contrast, seven (33.3%) brown bears died by "human intervention" due to illegal hunting (shooting or snare), handling (during transit in an attempt to reintroduce a bear back into the wild) or strychnine poisoning. Based on "non-infectious" or "infectious" etiology, twelve of the 21 (57.1%) brown bears died due to "non-infectious" causes, namely traumatic lesions such as shooting, snare, fighting or infanticide, handling, strychnine poisoning, mushroom poisoning or neoplasia. The remaining nine (42.9%) animals died due to "infectious" diseases which included gangrenous myositis, infectious canine hepatitis or septicemia. In six of those cases traumatic lesions caused by non-human or human activities were complicated with bacterial infection (clostridiosis and septicemia) which finally caused the death of those animals. Additionally, exertional myopathy was observed in the handled animal and in one bear found in a snare. In a free-ranging population of Eurasian brown bear from the Cantabrian mountain range, main causes of death are attributed to non-human related traumatic lesions and infectious diseases (primary developed such as infectious canine hepatitis or secondary developed such as clostridiosis or septicemia) which is in contrast to previously reported data for other bear populations. These data are valuable and may help in the conservation and management of this recovering population.
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7
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Junior CAO, Silva ROS, Lobato FCF, Navarro MA, Uzal FA. Gas gangrene in mammals: a review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020; 32:175-183. [PMID: 32081096 DOI: 10.1177/1040638720905830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gas gangrene is a necrotizing infection of subcutaneous tissue and muscle that affects mainly ruminants and horses, but also other domestic and wild mammals. Clostridium chauvoei, C. septicum, C. novyi type A, C. perfringens type A, and C. sordellii are the etiologic agents of this disease, acting singly or in combination. Although a presumptive diagnosis of gas gangrene can be established based on clinical history, clinical signs, and gross and microscopic changes, identification of the clostridia involved is required for confirmatory diagnosis. Gross and microscopic lesions are, however, highly suggestive of the disease. Although the disease has a worldwide distribution and can cause significant economic losses, the literature is limited mostly to case reports. Thus, we have reviewed the current knowledge of gas gangrene in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Oliveira Junior
- Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Oliveira Junior, Silva, Lobato).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA (Navarro, Uzal)
| | - Rodrigo O S Silva
- Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Oliveira Junior, Silva, Lobato).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA (Navarro, Uzal)
| | - Francisco C F Lobato
- Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Oliveira Junior, Silva, Lobato).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA (Navarro, Uzal)
| | - Mauricio A Navarro
- Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Oliveira Junior, Silva, Lobato).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA (Navarro, Uzal)
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Oliveira Junior, Silva, Lobato).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA (Navarro, Uzal)
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8
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Nyaoke AC, Navarro MA, Fresneda K, Diab SS, Moore J, Lyras D, Awad M, Uzal FA. Paeniclostridium (Clostridium) sordellii-associated enterocolitis in 7 horses. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020; 32:239-245. [PMID: 32052697 PMCID: PMC7081492 DOI: 10.1177/1040638720903738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteric disease in horses may be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including several clostridial species. Paeniclostridium sordellii (previously Clostridium sordellii) has been frequently associated with gas gangrene in humans and several animal species, including horses. However, its role in enteric diseases of animals has not been fully determined. We describe herein 7 cases of enteric disease in horses associated with P. sordellii infection. Grossly, the small and/or large intestines were necrotic, hemorrhagic, and edematous. Microscopically, there was severe mucosal necrosis and hemorrhage of the small and/or large intestine of all horses. P. sordellii was isolated and/or demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and/or PCR in the intestine of all horses. All other known causes of enteric disease in horses were ruled out in these 7 cases. P. sordellii should be considered among the differential diagnoses in cases of enteric disease in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinyi C Nyaoke
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino (Nyaoke, Navarro, Fresneda, Moore, Uzal) and Davis (Diab) branches, CA
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Lyras, Awad)
| | - Mauricio A Navarro
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino (Nyaoke, Navarro, Fresneda, Moore, Uzal) and Davis (Diab) branches, CA
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Lyras, Awad)
| | - Karina Fresneda
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino (Nyaoke, Navarro, Fresneda, Moore, Uzal) and Davis (Diab) branches, CA
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Lyras, Awad)
| | - Santiago S Diab
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino (Nyaoke, Navarro, Fresneda, Moore, Uzal) and Davis (Diab) branches, CA
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Lyras, Awad)
| | - Janet Moore
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino (Nyaoke, Navarro, Fresneda, Moore, Uzal) and Davis (Diab) branches, CA
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Lyras, Awad)
| | - Dena Lyras
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino (Nyaoke, Navarro, Fresneda, Moore, Uzal) and Davis (Diab) branches, CA
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Lyras, Awad)
| | - Milena Awad
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino (Nyaoke, Navarro, Fresneda, Moore, Uzal) and Davis (Diab) branches, CA
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Lyras, Awad)
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino (Nyaoke, Navarro, Fresneda, Moore, Uzal) and Davis (Diab) branches, CA
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Lyras, Awad)
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9
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Lueders I, Ludwig C, Kasberg J, Baums CG, Klimke K, Dorner MB, Ströse D, Schmidt V. Unusual Outbreak of Fatal Clostridiosis in a Group of Captive Brown Pelicans ( Pelecanus occidentalis). J Avian Med Surg 2019; 31:359-363. [PMID: 29327957 DOI: 10.1647/2016-237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Fatal clostridial infections and clostridial toxicoses are common in birds. Most fatalities are associated with toxin production and progress rapidly, often within 24 hours of infection. We describe an unusual and protracted course of disease in 6 captive brown pelicans ( Pelecanus occidentalis), which was believed to result from toxicosis by toxovar A produced by a mixed infection with Clostridium sordellii and Clostridium perfringens. Although the first death in the group occurred 3 days after signs of illness were documented, the remaining birds died over a 38-day period despite aggressive antibiotic and supportive therapy. Although the birds presented with classic signs of botulism, Clostridium botulinum was not identified in any tissues or environmental samples. Postmortem findings in all pelicans included extensive subacute myonecrosis, enteritis, and nonsuppurative hepatitis. Alpha-toxins and sordellilysin genes from C perfringens and C sordelli isolates, respectively, were detected via polymerase chain reaction. The source of the pathogenic bacteria was sediment within a water basin inside the affected birds' enclosure.
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10
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Rabi R, Larcombe S, Mathias R, McGowan S, Awad M, Lyras D. Clostridium sordellii outer spore proteins maintain spore structural integrity and promote bacterial clearance from the gastrointestinal tract. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007004. [PMID: 29668758 PMCID: PMC5927469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial spores play an important role in disease initiation, transmission and persistence. In some species, the exosporium forms the outermost structure of the spore and provides the first point of contact between the spore and the environment. The exosporium may also be involved in spore adherence, protection and germination. Clostridium sordellii is a highly lethal, spore forming pathogen that causes soft-tissue infections, enteritis and toxic-shock syndrome. Despite the importance of C. sordellii spores in disease, spore proteins from this bacterium have not been defined or interrogated functionally. In this study, we identified the C. sordellii outer spore proteome and two of the identified proteins, CsA and CsB, were characterised using a genetic and phenotypic approach. Both proteins were essential for the correct formation and positioning of the C. sordellii spore coat and exosporium. The absence of CsA reduced sporulation levels and increased spore sensitivity to heat, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. By comparison, CsB was required for normal levels of spore adherence to cervical, but not vaginal, cells, with csB mutant spores having increased adherence properties. The establishment of a mouse infection model of the gastrointestinal tract for C. sordellii allowed the role of CsA and CsB to be interrogated in an infected host. Following the oral administration of spores to mice, the wild-type strain efficiently colonized the gastrointestinal tract, with the peak of bacterial numbers occurring at one day post-infection. Colonization was reduced by two logs at four days post-infection. By comparison, mice infected with the csB mutant did not show a reduction in bacterial numbers. We conclude that C. sordellii outer spore proteins are important for the structural and functional integrity of spores. Furthermore, outer spore proteins are required for wild-type levels of colonization during infection, possibly as a result of the role that the proteins play in spore structure and morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rabi
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Larcombe
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rommel Mathias
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Milena Awad
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dena Lyras
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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11
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Structural Characterization of Clostridium sordellii Spores of Diverse Human, Animal, and Environmental Origin and Comparison to Clostridium difficile Spores. mSphere 2017; 2:mSphere00343-17. [PMID: 28989969 PMCID: PMC5628289 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00343-17] [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: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium sordellii is a significant pathogen with mortality rates approaching 100%. It is the bacterial spore that is critical in initiating infection and disease. An understanding of spore structures as well as spore morphology across a range of strains may lead to a better understanding of C. sordellii infection and disease. However, the structural characteristics of the C. sordellii spores are limited. In this work, we have addressed this lack of detail and characterized the C. sordellii spore morphology. The use of traditional and advanced microscopy techniques has provided detailed new observations of C. sordellii spore structural features, which serve as a reference point for structural studies of spores from other bacterial species. Clostridium sordellii is an often-lethal bacterium causing human and animal disease. Crucial to the infectious cycle of C. sordellii is its ability to produce spores, which can germinate into toxin-producing vegetative bacteria under favorable conditions. However, structural details of the C. sordellii spore are lacking. Here, we used a range of electron microscopy techniques together with superresolution optical microscopy to characterize the C. sordellii spore morphology with an emphasis on the exosporium. The C. sordellii spore is made up of multiple layers with the exosporium presenting as a smooth balloon-like structure that is open at the spore poles. Focusing on the outer spore layers, we compared the morphologies of C. sordellii spores derived from different strains and determined that there is some variation between the spores, most notably with spores of some strains having tubular appendages. Since Clostridium difficile is a close relative of C. sordellii, their spores were compared by electron microscopy and their exosporia were found to be distinctly different from each other. This study therefore provides new structural details of the C. sordellii spore and offers insights into the physical structure of the exosporium across clostridial species. IMPORTANCEClostridium sordellii is a significant pathogen with mortality rates approaching 100%. It is the bacterial spore that is critical in initiating infection and disease. An understanding of spore structures as well as spore morphology across a range of strains may lead to a better understanding of C. sordellii infection and disease. However, the structural characteristics of the C. sordellii spores are limited. In this work, we have addressed this lack of detail and characterized the C. sordellii spore morphology. The use of traditional and advanced microscopy techniques has provided detailed new observations of C. sordellii spore structural features, which serve as a reference point for structural studies of spores from other bacterial species.
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ISOLATION OF STREPTOCOCCI FROM A FATAL CASE OF MYOCARDITIS IN A CAPTIVE BROWN BEAR (URSUS ARCTOS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:269-271. [PMID: 28363068 DOI: 10.1638/2015-0302.1] [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: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A 10-yr-old, male brown bear ( Ursus arctos ) from Bursa Zoo in Turkey died without any apparent signs. Severe purulent pericarditis and myocarditis with mild ascites, lung edema, and moderate liver congestion were observed during necropsy. Microscopically, there were severe neutrophilic infiltrations in the myocardium and thoracic lymph nodes. A member of the Streptococcus bovis - Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) was isolated and identified phenotypically.
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Analysis of the microbial diversity in faecal material of the endangered blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2016; 109:1063-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-016-0698-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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