1
|
Rocha BZLL, Portilho FVR, Garino Júnior F, Monti FDS, de Almeida BO, de Souza AAL, Morizane Y, Sakaizawa N, Suzuki Y, Kakuda T, Takai S, de Farias MR, Ribeiro MG. Cellulitis-related Rhodococcus equi in a cat harboring VAPA-type plasmid pattern. Microb Pathog 2021; 160:105186. [PMID: 34509529 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105186] [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: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi is a well-known intracellular facultative bacterium that is opportunistic in nature, and a contagious disease-causing agent of pyogranulomatous infections in humans and multihost animals. Feline rhodococcosis is an uncommon or unnoticed clinical condition, in which the organism is usually refractory to conventional antimicrobial therapy. The pathogenicity of the agent is intimately associated with plasmid-governed infectivity, which is attributed to the presence of plasmid-encoded virulence-associated proteins (Vap). Three host-adapted virulence plasmid types (VAPs) have been distinguished to date: pVAPA, pVAPB, and pVAPN, whose infections are related to equine, pig, and bovine or caprine origin, respectively, while humans are infected by all three VAP types. Most virulence studies with R. equi plasmid types in animals involve livestock species. Conversely, data on the pathogenicity and human relevance of the virulence plasmid profile of R. equi isolated from cats remains unclear. This report describes a case of cellulitis-related R. equi that harbors the pVAPA-type in a cat with cutaneous lesion. Long-term therapy of the cat using marbofloxacin, a broad-spectrum third-generation fluoroquinolone, resulted effectiveness. pVAPA is a host-adapted virulent type that has been associated predominantly with pulmonary foal infections. Our cat had a history of contact with other cats, livestock (including horses), and farm environment that could have favored the transmission of the pathogen. Besides no clear evidence of cat-to-humans transmission of the pathogen, the identification of R. equi harboring pVAPA-type in a cat with cutaneous abscessed lesion represent relevance in human health because this virulent type has been described in people worldwide with clinical rhodococcal disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fábio Vinícius Ramos Portilho
- UNESP-São Paulo State University, Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Fabiana Dos Santos Monti
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná - PUCPR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
| | - Beatriz Oliveira de Almeida
- UNESP-São Paulo State University, Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Yuri Morizane
- Kitasato University, Department of Animal Hygiene, Towada, Aomori, Japan.
| | - Naho Sakaizawa
- Kitasato University, Department of Animal Hygiene, Towada, Aomori, Japan.
| | - Yasunori Suzuki
- Kitasato University, Department of Animal Hygiene, Towada, Aomori, Japan.
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Kitasato University, Department of Animal Hygiene, Towada, Aomori, Japan.
| | - Shinji Takai
- Kitasato University, Department of Animal Hygiene, Towada, Aomori, Japan.
| | - Marconi Rodrigues de Farias
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná - PUCPR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
| | - Márcio Garcia Ribeiro
- UNESP-São Paulo State University, Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Portilho FVR, Paes AC, Megid J, Hataka A, Neto RT, Headley SA, Oliveira TES, Colhado BS, de Paula CL, Guerra ST, Mota AR, Listoni FJP, Takai S, Ribeiro MG. Rhodococcus equi pVAPN type causing pneumonia in a dog coinfected with canine morbillivirus (distemper virus) and Toxoplasma gondii. Microb Pathog 2019; 129:112-7. [PMID: 30738176 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Canine morbillivirus (previously, canine distemper virus, CDV) is a highly contagious infectious disease-causing agent that produces immunosuppressive infections and multiple clinical signs. Canine toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic disease characterized by enteric, pulmonary, and neuromuscular signs that might be confused with CDV-induced infections. Rhodococcus equi is a Gram-positive intracellular facultative bacterium that is also opportunistic in nature, and causes pyogranulomatous infections in humans and multiple host animals, although canine rhodococcosis is rare or unrecognized. The pathogenicity of R. equi is intimately related to the presence of plasmid-encoded virulence-associated proteins (Vap). Three host-adapted virulence plasmid types of R. equi have been recognized: the circular pVAPA and pVAPB are associated with equine and porcine strains, respectively, and the recently detected linear pVAPN virulence plasmid is related to bovine isolates. Nevertheless, data regarding the detection of host-adapted virulence plasmid types of R. equi isolated from companion animals are scarce. This report describes a case of an uncommon coinfection due to R. equi, T. gondii and CDV, which was diagnosed in a pet dog with respiratory distress. In this case, CDV most likely induced immunosuppression, which facilitated opportunistic infections by R. equi and T. gondii. The analysis of the virulence profile of R. equi revealed the novel pVAPN plasmid type, initially related to bovine strains. This is the second report of the bovine-associated pVAPN type in a pet dog, with an unusual coinfection with T. gondii and CDV. These findings represent a public health concern due to the close contact between pet animals and their owners, particularly because the pVAPN plasmid type was recently detected in people with HIV/AIDS from the same geographical region.
Collapse
|
3
|
Majidzadeh M, Fatahi-Bafghi M. Current taxonomy of Rhodococcus species and their role in infections. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 37:2045-62. [PMID: 30159693 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-018-3364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Rhodococcus is a genus of obligate aerobic, Gram-positive, partially acid-fast, catalase-positive, non-motile, and none-endospore bacteria. The genus Rhodococcus was first introduced by Zopf. This bacterium can be isolated from various sources of the environment and can grow well in non-selective medium. A large number of phenotypic characterizations are used to compare different species of the genus Rhodococcus, and these tests are not suitable for accurate identification at the genus and species level. Among nucleic acid-based methods, the most powerful target gene for revealing reliable phylogenetic relationships is 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA gene) sequence analysis, but this gene is unable to differentiation some of Rhodococcus species. To date, whole genome sequencing analysis has solved taxonomic complexities in this genus. Rhodococcus equi is the major cause of foal pneumonia, and its implication in human health is related to cases in immunocompromised patients. Macrolide family together with rifampicin is one of the most effective antibiotic agents for treatment rhodococcal infections.
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Five cases of Rhodococcus equi infection in dogs were identified from 2003 to 2014. Three of the dogs had severe, internal lesions attributable to R. equi that have not been previously described: endophthalmitis, endocarditis, and suppurative pleuropneumonia. Isolates from 4 of the dogs were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for Rhodococcus virulence-associated plasmid (vap) genes. One isolate was vapA-positive, 2 lacked a virulence plasmid, and 1 carried the novel vapN-associated plasmid (pVAPN) recently characterized in bovine isolates. The pVAPN plasmid has not been described in isolates cultured from companion animals. Four of the dogs either were receiving immunosuppressive drugs or had endocrinopathies. R. equi has the potential to cause significant infections in dogs, and immunocompromised animals should be considered at risk for infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L K Bryan
- 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - S D Clark
- 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - J Díaz-Delgado
- 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - S D Lawhon
- 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - J F Edwards
- 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Passamonti F, Lepri E, Coppola G, Sforna M, Proietti PC, Chiodetti I, Coletti M, Marenzoni ML. Pulmonary rhodococcosis in a cat. J Feline Med Surg 2011; 13:283-5. [PMID: 21273105 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2010.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2010] [Revised: 12/03/2010] [Accepted: 12/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Feline Rhodococcus equi infection is rare, despite the bacteria is widespread in the environment. R equi infection is typically observed in equine species but the infection has also been reported in dogs, cats and other domestic animals. There are a few reports regarding pulmonary R equi infection in cats and the disease appears to be limited to the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. This report describes the pathological, microbiological and the virulence features associated with an acute necrosuppurative pneumonia in a cat. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of feline pulmonary R equi infection in Italy.
Collapse
|
6
|
Vélez MZ, Greene JN, Vincent AL, Sandin RL. Rhodococcus equi Pulmonary Infections in Patients With Cancer: Three New Cases and Review of the Literature. Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice 2009; 17:414-22. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0b013e31819fe519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
7
|
Abstract
This article serves to review the various infectious diseases that affect the liver primarily or as a part of systemic infection. Although bacterial infections are probably the most common cause of infectious hepatitis, the clinician should be aware of other potential organisms and other commonly involved systems. Therefore, this article includes a description of common bacterial, mycobacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal, parasitic, and rickettsial diseases in dogs and cats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Kearns
- Angell Animal Medical Center-Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Monego F, Maboni F, Krewer C, Vargas A, Costa M, Loreto E. Molecular Characterization of Rhodococcus equi from Horse-Breeding Farms by Means of Multiplex PCR for the vap Gene Family. Curr Microbiol 2009; 58:399-403. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-009-9370-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2008] [Revised: 01/06/2009] [Accepted: 01/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
9
|
Krewer C, Costa M, Schrank I, Vargas A. RHODOCOCCUS EQUI. Arq Inst Biol 2008. [DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657v75p5332008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Rhodococcus equi é uma importante causa de broncopneumonia em potros com menos de seis meses de idade, sendo responsável pela mortalidade de eqüinos no mundo inteiro. É um microrganismo intracelular capaz de sobreviver e se multiplicar no interior de macrófagos. Apresenta três níveis de virulência de acordo com os diferentes antígenos expressos em sua superfície. Cepas virulentas apresentam um plasmídeo que codifica a proteína de superfície VapA e são isoladas principalmente de potros com pneumonia e de alguns pacientes humanos. Cepas com virulência intermediária expressam a proteína VapB e predominam em suínos e humanos com AIDS. Cepas avirulentas não expressam antígenos de superfície e são encontradas principalmente no ambiente e em pacientes humanos. Um dos fatores responsáveis pela ampla distribuição da enfermidade em potros é a imaturidade do sistema imunológico dos animais acometidos pela infecção, que pode se tornar endêmica em alguns criatórios. Em humanos, as formas de infecção são ainda desconhecidas, mas o contato com eqüinos é relatado em um terço dos casos. Devido à importância clínica da doença, são necessários métodos diagnósticos que promovam sua identificação precoce, facilitando e aumentando as chances de sucesso com o tratamento. Os métodos mais utilizados atualmente são o cultivo microbiológico, testes sorológicos para detecção de anticorpos séricos nos animais e técnicas de PCR que detectam a região 16S do rDNA e o fragmento do gene vapA do microrganismo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - M.M. Costa
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brasil
| | - I. Schrank
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Takai S, Martens RJ, Julian A, Garcia Ribeiro M, Rodrigues de Farias M, Sasaki Y, Inuzuka K, Kakuda T, Tsubaki S, Prescott JF. Virulence of Rhodococcus equi isolated from cats and dogs. J Clin Microbiol 2003; 41:4468-70. [PMID: 12958297 PMCID: PMC193802 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.9.4468-4470.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2003] [Revised: 04/13/2003] [Accepted: 06/21/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nine cat isolates and nine dog isolates of Rhodococcus equi from clinical material were investigated for the presence of the virulence-associated antigens (VapA and VapB) and virulence plasmids. Five of the cat isolates and one dog isolate were VapA positive and contained an 85-kb type I or an 87-kb type I plasmid. The remaining 12 isolates were avirulent R. equi strains and contained no virulence plasmids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Takai
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea A Bohn
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6610, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Navas J, González-Zorn B, Ladrón N, Garrido P, Vázquez-Boland JA. Identification and mutagenesis by allelic exchange of choE, encoding a cholesterol oxidase from the intracellular pathogen Rhodococcus equi. J Bacteriol 2001; 183:4796-805. [PMID: 11466283 PMCID: PMC99534 DOI: 10.1128/jb.183.16.4796-4805.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2001] [Accepted: 05/26/2001] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The virulence mechanisms of the facultative intracellular parasite Rhodococcus equi remain largely unknown. Among the candidate virulence factors of this pathogenic actinomycete is a secreted cholesterol oxidase, a putative membrane-damaging toxin. We identified and characterized the gene encoding this enzyme, the choE monocistron. Its protein product, ChoE, is homologous to other secreted cholesterol oxidases identified in Brevibacterium sterolicum and Streptomyces spp. ChoE also exhibits significant similarities to putative cholesterol oxidases encoded by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. Genetic tools for use with R. equi are poorly developed. Here we describe the first targeted mutagenesis system available for this bacterium. It is based on a suicide plasmid, a selectable marker (the aacC4 apramycin resistance gene from Salmonella), and homologous recombination. The choE allele was disrupted by insertion of the aacC4 gene, cloned in pUC19 and introduced by electroporation in R. equi. choE recombinants were isolated at frequencies between 10(-2) and 10(-3). Twelve percent of the recombinants were double-crossover choE mutants. The choE mutation was associated with loss of cooperative (CAMP-like) hemolysis with sphingomyelinase-producing bacteria (Listeria ivanovii). Functional complementation was achieved by expression of choE from pVK173-T, a pAL5000 derivative conferring hygromycin resistance. Our data demonstrate that ChoE is an important cytolytic factor for R. equi. The highly efficient targeted mutagenesis procedure that we used to generate choE isogenic mutants will be a valuable tool for the molecular analysis of R. equi virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Navas
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi infection was diagnosed in two goats from the same herd. At necropsy, numerous caseating granulomas were disseminated throughout the liver, lungs, abdominal lymph nodes, medulla of right humerus, and the right fifth rib of goat No. 1, and the liver of goat No. 2. Histopathologic examination confirmed the presence of multiple caseating granulomas in these organs. Numerous gram-positive and Giemsa-positive coccobacilli were identified within the cytoplasm of macrophages. Aerobic bacterial cultures of the liver and lung from both goats yielded a pure growth of R. equi. R. equi antigens were immunohistochemically identified in caseating granulomas from both goats. However, the 15- to 17-kd virulence antigens of R. equi were not detected, suggesting possible infection by an avirulent strain of this organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W P Davis
- Department of Animal and Nutrional Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|