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Manders T, Benedictus L, Spaninks M, Matthijs M. Enterococcus cecorum lesion strains are less sensitive to the hostile environment of albumen and more resistant to lysozyme compared to cloaca strains. Avian Pathol 2024; 53:106-114. [PMID: 38073364 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2023.2286985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Egg albumen inhibits Enterococcus cecorum cloaca strains more than lesion strains.Enterococcus cecorum lesion strains are resistant to high concentrations of lysozyme.Lysozyme resistance could enhance survival in albumen and body fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijs Manders
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lindert Benedictus
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mirlin Spaninks
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mieke Matthijs
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Silberborth A, Schnug J, Rautenschlein S, Jung A. Serological monitoring of Enterococcus cecorum specific antibodies in chickens. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2024; 269:110714. [PMID: 38280311 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2023.110714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic Enterococcus cecorum (EC) has gained increasing importance as the cause of skeletal infections in meat-type chicken production. Since effective intervention strategies are scarce, it must be focused on preventive measures. Vaccination of meat-type breeder chicken flocks is common practice to protect the progeny against infection with EC. However, no data are available on seroconversion after infection or vaccination. The aim of the present study was the serological monitoring of chickens for EC-specific immunoglobulin Y (IgY) using a newly established EC-specific, indirect ELISA for chickens. Sera from previous infection studies were used for the establishment of the assay. Serum samples from confirmed EC-positive meat-type chicken flocks, vaccinated, and non-vaccinated meat-type chicken breeder flocks were analyzed for EC-specific IgY. Comparison of ELISA results with results from real-time PCR and/or bacteriological examination via culture revealed fair to substantial agreement. In infected chickens, more samples were classified as positive via ELISA than via real-time PCR and/or bacteriological examination via culture. Focusing on chickens experimentally infected at 1 day post-hatch (dph), the highest proportion of positive results and highest S/P ratios were found at 42 dph (p < 0.05). A similar trend was observed for the samples from naturally infected chickens (p < 0.05). Adjustment of the secondary antibody against immunoglobulin M (IgM) may open possibilities to use the assay during the early phase of the growing period, when there is still a chance to treat the infection. The examination of samples from vaccinated and non-vaccinated meat-type breeder chickens revealed no significant differences of S/P ratios independent of farm and autogenous vaccine used. In addition to that, monitoring of a non-vaccinated meat-type breeder chicken flock at 4, 10, 15, and 19 weeks post-hatch showed a continuous increase of ELISA-positive serum samples associated with an increase of S/P ratios. This may be explained by cross reactivity with antibodies to Enterococcus hirae or natural antibodies. The usage of EC-specific, recombinant proteins for coating of the plates may help to reduce unspecific background and increase the assay's specificity in future applications. In conclusion, the newly developed ELISA provides a suitable tool for serological monitoring of meat-type chickens during experimental studies with EC under standardized conditions. Remarkably, the assay is able to detect a higher proportion of EC-positive chickens than other methods, which are currently available. However, the assay is not yet suitable for the monitoring of breeder flocks due to high background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Silberborth
- Clinic for Poultry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jana Schnug
- Clinic for Poultry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Silke Rautenschlein
- Clinic for Poultry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Arne Jung
- Clinic for Poultry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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Rhoads DD, Pummill J, Alrubaye AAK. Molecular Genomic Analyses of Enterococcus cecorum from Sepsis Outbreaks in Broilers. Microorganisms 2024; 12:250. [PMID: 38399654 PMCID: PMC10892122 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Extensive genomic analyses of Enterococcus cecorum isolates from sepsis outbreaks in broilers suggest a polyphyletic origin, likely arising from core genome mutations rather than gene acquisition. This species is a normal intestinal flora of avian species with particular isolates associated with osteomyelitis. More recently, this species has been associated with sepsis outbreaks affecting broilers during the first 3 weeks post-hatch. Understanding the genetic and management basis of this new phenotype is critical for developing strategies to mitigate this emerging problem. Phylogenomic analyses of 227 genomes suggest that sepsis isolates are polyphyletic and closely related to both commensal and osteomyelitis isolate genomes. Pangenome analyses detect no gene acquisitions that distinguish all the sepsis isolates. Core genome single nucleotide polymorphism analyses have identified a number of mutations, affecting the protein-coding sequences, that are enriched in sepsis isolates. The analysis of the protein substitutions supports the mutational origins of sepsis isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas D. Rhoads
- Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (J.P.); (A.A.K.A.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Jeff Pummill
- Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (J.P.); (A.A.K.A.)
- Arkansas High Performance Computing Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Adnan Ali Khalaf Alrubaye
- Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (J.P.); (A.A.K.A.)
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
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Laurentie J, Mourand G, Jouy E, Bougeard S, Keita A, Amelot M, Serror P, Kempf I. Study of the effect of administration of narasin or antibiotics on in vivo selection of a narasin- and multidrug-resistant Enterococcus cecorum strain. Vet Microbiol 2023; 282:109757. [PMID: 37119567 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Enterococcus cecorum is a member of the normal poultry gut microbiota and an emerging poultry pathogen. Some strains are resistant to key antibiotics and coccidiostats. We evaluated the impact on chicken excretion and persistence of a multidrug-resistant E. cecorum of administering narasin or antibiotics. E. cecorum CIRMBP-1294 (Ec1294) is non-wild-type to many antimicrobials, including narasin, levofloxacin, oxytetracycline and glycopeptides, it has a low susceptibility to amoxicillin, and carries a chromosomal vanA operon. Six groups of 15 chicks each were orally inoculated with Ec1294 and two groups were left untreated. Amoxicillin, oxytetracycline or narasin were administered orally to one group each, either at the recommended dose for five days (amoxicillin, oxytetracycline) or continuously (narasin). Faecal samples were collected weekly and caecal samples were obtained from sacrificed birds on day 28. Ec1294 titres were evaluated by culture on vancomycin- and levofloxacin-supplemented media in 5 % CO2. For inoculated birds given narasin, oxytetracycline or no antimicrobials, vancomycin-resistant enterococci were searched by culture on vancomycin-supplemented media incubated in air, and a PCR was used to detect the vanA gene. Ec1294 persisted in inoculated chicks up to day 28. Compared to the control group, the Ec1294 titre was significantly lower in the amoxicillin- and narasin-receiving groups on days 21 and 28, but was unexpectedly higher in the oxytetracycline-receiving group before and after oxytetracycline administration, preventing a conclusion for this group. No transfer of the vanA gene to other enterococci was detected. Other trials in various experimental conditions should now be conducted to confirm this apparent absence of co-selection of the multi-drug-resistant E. cecorum by narasin or amoxicillin administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Laurentie
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
| | | | - Eric Jouy
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
| | | | - Alassane Keita
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
| | - Michel Amelot
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
| | - Pascale Serror
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350 Jouy en Josas, France.
| | - Isabelle Kempf
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France.
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Laurentie J, Mourand G, Grippon P, Furlan S, Chauvin C, Jouy E, Serror P, Kempf I. Determination of Epidemiological Cutoff Values for Antimicrobial Resistance of Enterococcus cecorum. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0144522. [PMID: 36794948 PMCID: PMC10035308 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01445-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus cecorum, a commensal Gram-positive bacterium of the chicken gut, has emerged as a worldwide cause of lameness in poultry, particularly in fast-growing broilers. It is responsible for osteomyelitis, spondylitis, and femoral head necrosis, causing animal suffering, mortality, and antimicrobial use. Research on the antimicrobial resistance of E. cecorum clinical isolates in France is scarce, and epidemiological cutoff (ECOFF) values are unknown. To determine tentative ECOFF (COWT) values for E. cecorum and to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolates from mainly French broilers, we tested the susceptibility of a collection of commensal and clinical isolates (n = 208) to 29 antimicrobials by the disc diffusion (DD) method. We also determined the MICs of 23 antimicrobials by the broth microdilution method. To detect chromosomal mutations conferring antimicrobial resistance, we investigated the genomes of 118 E. cecorum isolates obtained mainly from infectious sites and described previously in the literature. We determined the COWT values for more than 20 antimicrobials and identified two chromosomal mutations explaining fluoroquinolone resistance. The DD method appears better suited for detecting E. cecorum antimicrobial resistance. Although tetracycline and erythromycin resistances were persistent in clinical and nonclinical isolates, we found little or no resistance to medically important antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Laurentie
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy en Josas, France
| | | | - Pauline Grippon
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
| | - Sylviane Furlan
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Claire Chauvin
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
| | - Eric Jouy
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
| | - Pascale Serror
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Isabelle Kempf
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
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