Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella species and potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli in free-living seals of Canadian Atlantic and eastern Arctic waters

Seal populations in Canadian waters provide sustenance to coastal communities. There is potential for pathogenic and/or antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to transfer to humans through inadvertent faecal contamination of seal products. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence and potential antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes in faecal samples collected from grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and from ringed seals (Pusa hispida) in Frobisher Bay and Eclipse Sound, Nunavut, Canada. Grey seals were harvested during commercial hunts or during scientific sampling; ringed seals were collected by Inuit hunters during subsistence harvests. Virulence genes defining pathogenic E. coli were identified by PCR, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on recovered isolates. In grey seals, E. coli was detected in 34/44 (77%) samples, and pathogenic E. coli (extraintestinal E. coli [ExPEC], enteropathogenic E. coli [EPEC] or ExPEC/EPEC) was detected in 13/44 (29%) samples. Non-susceptibility to beta-lactams and quinolones was observed in isolates from 18 grey seals. In ringed seals from Frobisher Bay, E. coli was detected in 4/45 (9%) samples; neither virulence genes nor antimicrobial resistance was detected in these isolates. In ringed seals from Eclipse Sound, E. coli was detected in 8/50 (16%) samples and pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC and ExPEC/EPEC) in 5/50 (10%) samples. One seal from Eclipse Sound had an E. coli isolate resistant to beta-lactams. A monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium was recovered from 8/50 (16%) seals from Eclipse Sound. All Salmonella isolates were resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole and tetracycline. L. monocytogenes was not detected in any sample. These findings suggest that seals may act as important sentinel species and as reservoirs or vectors for antimicrobial-resistant and virulent E. coli and Salmonella species. Further characterization of these isolates would provide additional insights into the source and spread of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in these populations of free-living seals.

Description of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli and Their Dissemination Mechanisms on Dairy Farms

Despite its importance in veterinary medicine, there is little information about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its transmission in dairy cattle. The aim of this work is to compare AMR phenotypes and genotypes in resistant Escherichia coli and to determine how the resistance genes spread among the E. coli population on dairy farms in Québec, Canada. From an existing culture collection of E. coli isolated from dairy manure, a convenient selection of the most resistant isolates (a high level of multidrug resistance or resistance to broad-spectrum β-lactams or fluoroquinolones) was analyzed (n = 118). An AMR phenotype profile was obtained for each isolate. Whole genome sequencing was used to determine the presence of resistance genes, point mutations, and mobile genetic elements. In addition, a subset of isolates from 86 farms was taken to investigate the phylogenetic relationship and geographic distribution of the isolates. The average agreement between AMR phenotypes and genotypes was 95%. A third-generation cephalosporin resistance gene (bla_CTX-M-15), a resistance gene conferring reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (qnrS1), and an insertion sequence (ISKpn19) were detected in the vicinity of each other on the genome. These genes were harbored in one triplet of clonal isolates from three farms located >100 km apart. Our study reveals the dissemination of resistant E. coli clones between dairy farms. Furthermore, these clones are resistant to broad-spectrum β-lactam and fluoroquinolone antimicrobials.

High Risk Clone: A Proposal of Criteria Adapted to the One Health Context with Application to Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the Pig Population

The definition of a high risk clone for antibiotic resistance dissemination was initially established for human medicine. We propose a revised definition of a high risk clone adapted to the One Health context. Then, we applied our criteria to a cluster of enrofloxacin non susceptible ETEC:F4 isolates which emerged in 2013 in diseased pigs in Quebec. The whole genomes of 183 ETEC:F4 strains isolated in Quebec from 1990 to 2018 were sequenced. The presence of virulence and resistance genes and replicons was examined in 173 isolates. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed based on SNP data and clones were identified using a set of predefined criteria. The strains belonging to the clonal lineage ST100/O149:H10 isolated in Quebec in 2013 or later were compared to ETEC:F4 whole genome sequences available in GenBank. Prior to 2000, ETEC:F4 isolates from pigs in Quebec were mostly ST90 and belonged to several serotypes. After 2000, the isolates were mostly ST100/O149:H10. In this article, we demonstrated the presence of a ETEC:F4 high risk clone. This clone (1) emerged in 2013, (2) is multidrug resistant, (3) has a widespread distribution over North America and was able to persist several months on farms, and (4) possesses specific virulence genes. It is crucial to detect and characterize high risk clones in animal populations to increase our understanding of their emergence and their dissemination.

A new multidrug-resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli pulsed-field gel electrophoresis cluster associated with enrofloxacin non-susceptibility in diseased pigs

Aims

To describe the temporal trends in Escherichia coli pathotypes and antimicrobial resistance detected in isolates from diseased‐pig cases submitted to the EcL from 2008 to 2016, in Quebec, Canada, and to investigate the presence of spatiotemporal and phylogenetic clusters.

Methods and Results

Detection of 12 genes coding for virulence factors in pathogenic E. coli in pigs by PCR and antimicrobial resistance standard disc diffusion assay were performed. Demographic and clinical data were entered in the Animal Pathogenic and Zoonotic E. coli (APZEC) database. ETEC:F4 was the most prevalent pathovirotype among the 3773 cases submitted. The LT:STb:F4 virotype was predominant until 2014, then was overtaken by the LT:STb:STa:F4 virotype. More than 90% of the ETEC:F4 isolates were multidrug resistant. A spatiotemporal cluster of LT:STb:STa:F4 isolates non‐susceptible to enrofloxacin was detected between 4/2015 and 9/2016. Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis analysis of 137 ETEC:F4 isolates revealed the presence of a cluster composed mainly of LT:STb:STa:F4 isolates non‐susceptible to enrofloxacin.

Conclusions

The APZEC database was useful to highlight temporal trends in E. coli pathotypes. A high‐risk ETEC:F4 clone might disseminate in the pig population in Quebec since 2015.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Surveillance is crucial to identify new clones and develop control strategies.

Characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from healthy farm animals in Tunisia

Healthy animals can constitute a reservoir for Escherichia coli potentially dangerous for humans. Our objectives were to investigate virulence genes in E. coli isolated from healthy animals in southern Tunisia and to determine their resistance to antimicrobials of high importance in humans and animals. 126 fecal samples were collected from healthy animals (cattle, sheep, goats, chicken, camel, bustard and rabbit) and assayed by PCR for virulence genes and by disk diffusion for antimicrobial resistance. STEC were isolated most frequently from goats (27.7%), sheep (20%) and cattle (14.2%). ExPEC prevalence of iucD (41.6%), papC (27.7%), sfa (13.8%), afa8 (13.8%) and iron (72.2%) was highest in camels. Prevalence of the ExPEC associated genes iss and cnf and the EPEC defining gene eae was highest in rabbits (53.3, 13.3, and 53.3%, respectively). The genes defining enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive and enteroaggregative E. coli were not detected and faeG was found only in camels (5.5%). The most common phylogenetic groups were B1 (54.5%) and B2 (16.6%). Virulence gene profiles varied greatly between animal species. Overall, antimicrobial resistance was not highly prevalent, the highest resistance being observed against tetracycline, 43.9%.

Frequency of Escherichia coli virotypes in calf diarrhea and intestinal morphologic changes associated with these virotypes or other diarrheagenic pathogens

Calf diarrhea is a common cause of pre-weaning morbidity and mortality in cattle operations. We evaluated the role of Escherichia coli by assessing the frequency of genes encoding virulence factors (virotypes) in E. coli from feces or intestinal contents, and the association of these virotypes or other diarrheagenic pathogens with intestinal morphologic changes in calves with or without diarrhea. E. coli was isolated from 408 feces and 105 intestines of calves with diarrhea and compared to those isolated from 635 feces and 100 intestines of calves without diarrhea, from 2002 to 2016. Virotype EAST1:F17, in combination with minor virotypes, was the most commonly detected type, but without differences in frequency between the 2 groups of calves. No significant intestinal morphologic changes were observed with the different E. coli virotypes in either group of calves, except for bacterial attachment to enterocytes for virotype STa:F5, which was detected only in calves with diarrhea. These observations suggest that E. coli, excluding virotype STa:F5, is not a significant diarrhea-causing agent in calves. However, the intestinal lesions observed in ~82% of calves with diarrhea were attributed to other diarrheagenic pathogens that include bovine coronavirus, Clostridium perfringens, Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp., rotavirus, and Salmonella spp.

Aspergillus galactosaminogalactan mediates adherence to host constituents and conceals hyphal β-glucan from the immune system

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of invasive mold disease in humans. The mechanisms underlying the adherence of this mold to host cells and macromolecules have remained elusive. Using mutants with different adhesive properties and comparative transcriptomics, we discovered that the gene uge3, encoding a fungal epimerase, is required for adherence through mediating the synthesis of galactosaminogalactan. Galactosaminogalactan functions as the dominant adhesin of A. fumigatus and mediates adherence to plastic, fibronectin, and epithelial cells. In addition, galactosaminogalactan suppresses host inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo, in part through masking cell wall β-glucans from recognition by dectin-1. Finally, galactosaminogalactan is essential for full virulence in two murine models of invasive aspergillosis. Collectively these data establish a role for galactosaminogalactan as a pivotal bifunctional virulence factor in the pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis.

Invasive aspergillosis is the most common mold infection in humans, predominately affecting immunocompromised patients. The mechanisms by which the mold Aspergillus fumigatus adheres to host tissues and causes disease are poorly understood. In this report, we compared mutants of Aspergillus with different adhesive properties to identify fungal factors involved in adherence to host cells. This approach identified a cell wall associated polysaccharide, galactosaminogalactan, which is required for adherence to a wide variety of substrates. Galactosaminogalactan was also observed to suppress inflammation by concealing β-glucans, key pattern associated microbial pattern molecules in Aspergillus hyphae, from recognition by the innate immune system. Mutants that were deficient in galactosaminogalactan were less virulent in mouse models of invasive aspergillosis. These data identify a bifunctional role for galactosaminogalactan in the pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis, and suggest that it may serve as a useful target for antifungal therapy.

Aspergillus fumigatus AcuM regulates both iron acquisition and gluconeogenesis

Relatively few transcription factors that govern the virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus are known. We constructed 11 A. fumigatus transcription factor mutants and screened them for altered virulence in Galleria mellonella larvae. We discovered that the zinc cluster transcription factor, AcuM, is essential for maximal virulence in this model, as well as in murine models of haematogenously disseminated and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Transcriptional profiling experiments suggested that AcuM suppresses sreA and induces hapX to stimulate expression of genes involved in both reductive iron assimilation and siderophore-mediated iron uptake. Consistent with these results, a ΔacuM mutant had reduced iron incorporation, decreased extracellular siderophore production and impaired capacity to grow under iron-limited conditions. Interestingly, an Aspergillus nidulansΔacuM mutant had normal extracellular siderophore production and growth under iron-limited conditions, indicating that AcuM does not govern iron acquisition in this organism. A. fumigatus AcuM also regulated genes involved in gluconeogenesis, and the ΔacuM mutant had impaired growth on gluconeogenic carbon sources. Deletion of sreA in the ΔacuM mutant restored iron uptake, extracellular siderophore production and virulence, but not the defect in gluconeogenesis. Thus, AcuM represses SreA and thereby induces iron acquisition, a process that is essential for the maximal virulence of A. fumigatus.

Reverse genetics in Candida albicans predicts ARF cycling is essential for drug resistance and virulence

Candida albicans, the major fungal pathogen of humans, causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Due to limited available therapy options, this can frequently lead to therapy failure and emergence of drug resistance. To improve current treatment strategies, we have combined comprehensive chemical-genomic screening in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and validation in C. albicans with the goal of identifying compounds that can couple with the fungistatic drug fluconazole to make it fungicidal. Among the genes identified in the yeast screen, we found that only AGE3, which codes for an ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase activating effector protein, abrogates fluconazole tolerance in C. albicans. The age3 mutant was more sensitive to other sterols and cell wall inhibitors, including caspofungin. The deletion of AGE3 in drug resistant clinical isolates and in constitutively active calcineurin signaling mutants restored fluconazole sensitivity. We confirmed chemically the AGE3-dependent drug sensitivity by showing a potent fungicidal synergy between fluconazole and brefeldin A (an inhibitor of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ADP ribosylation factors) in wild type C. albicans as well as in drug resistant clinical isolates. Addition of calcineurin inhibitors to the fluconazole/brefeldin A combination only initially improved pathogen killing. Brefeldin A synergized with different drugs in non-albicans Candida species as well as Aspergillus fumigatus. Microarray studies showed that core transcriptional responses to two different drug classes are not significantly altered in age3 mutants. The therapeutic potential of inhibiting ARF activities was demonstrated by in vivo studies that showed age3 mutants are avirulent in wild type mice, attenuated in virulence in immunocompromised mice and that fluconazole treatment was significantly more efficacious when ARF signaling was genetically compromised. This work describes a new, widely conserved, broad-spectrum mechanism involved in fungal drug resistance and virulence and offers a potential route for single or improved combination therapies.

Candida albicans is a fungus that normally resides as part of the microflora in the human gut. Candida species can cause superficial infections like thrush in the healthy human population and life-threatening invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. Fungal infections are often treated with azole drugs, but due to the fungistatic nature of these agents, C. albicans can develop drug resistance, leading to therapy failure. To improve the action of azoles and convert them into fungicidal drugs, we first systematically analyzed the genetic requirements for tolerance to one such azole drug, fluconazole. We show, both genetically and pharmacologically, that components of the ARF cycling machinery are critical in mediating both azole and echinocandin tolerance in C. albicans as well as several other pathogenic Candida species and in the pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus. We highlight the importance of ARF cycling in drug resistance by showing that genetic compromise of ARF functions overrides common drug resistance mechanisms in clinical samples and other key regulators of azole/echinocandin tolerance. We validated the therapeutic potential of ARF cycling in two mouse models and provide evidence that drug treatment is more efficacious when ARF activities are genetically compromised. Our study demonstrates a new mechanism involved in two important aspects of the biology of human fungal pathogens and provides a potential route for improved antifungal therapies.

Studies on the interactions of Haemophilus parasuis with porcine epithelial tracheal cells: limited role of LOS in apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine release

Haemophilus parasuis colonizes the upper respiratory tract of swine and causes Glässer's disease. We recently demonstrated that H. parasuis can adhere to newborn pig tracheal (NPTr) cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in upper respiratory tract colonization by H. parasuis are unknown. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of H. parasuis lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in bacterial adhesion to NPTr cells, the ability of the bacteria and its LOS to induce NPTr cells apoptosis, and their stimulating effect on cytokine release. Our results showed that LOS is partially involved in adhesion to NPTr cells. H. parasuis induced NPTr cells apoptosis in a caspase-3 dependent fashion, but LOS did not seem to be involved in such a process. H. parasuis and, to a lesser extent, its LOS stimulated IL-8 and IL-6 release by NPTr cells. In addition, H. parasuis serotype 4 field isolates induced higher levels of these mediators than did serotype 5 isolates. These results suggest that bacterial adhesion, induction of apoptosis and cytokine release are important events for H. parasuis colonization, but LOS appears to have a limited role in these processes.

Interactions of Haemophilus parasuis and its LOS with porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells

Haemophilus parasuis is a swine pathogen that causes Glässer's disease, which is characterized by polyserositis and meningitis. The pathogenesis of the H. parasuis infection is poorly understood. To cause meningitis, H. parasuis has to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to gain access to the central nervous system (CNS). We recently showed that H. parasuis adheres to and invades porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells (PBMEC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of H. parasuis lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in the adhesion to PBMEC and to determine if H. parasuis (and/or its LOS) is able to induce apoptosis and activation of PBMEC. Results showed that adhesion of H. parasuis to PBMEC was partially mediated by LOS. Moreover, H. parasuis induces caspase-3-mediated apoptosis of PBMEC in a time--and dose--dependent manner, but its LOS did not seem to be involved in such a process. Furthermore, H. parasuis and, to a lesser extent, its LOS, was able to induce the release of IL-8 and IL-6 by PBMEC. Field strains of H. parasuis serotypes 4 and 5 induced similar levels of these inflammatory mediators. Our data suggest that H. parasuis uses cellular adhesion, induction of apoptosis and up-regulation of inflammatory mediators as mechanisms to invade the CNS via the BBB, and that LOS would play a certain but limited role in such pathological process.

Use of selective capture of transcribed sequences to identify genes preferentially expressed by Streptococcus suis upon interaction with porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells

By using the selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS) approach, we identified 28 genes preferentially expressed by the major swine pathogen and zoonotic agent Streptococcus suis upon interaction with porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells. Several of these genes may be considered new S. suis candidate virulence factors. Results from this study demonstrate the suitability of SCOTS for the elucidation of gene expression in streptococcal species and may contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of S. suis infections.

Characterization of the invasion of porcine endothelial cells by Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an important swine pathogen associated mainly with meningitis. In a previous study, we demonstrated the ability of S. suis serotype 2 to adhere to and invade immortalized porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells (PBMECs) forming the blood-brain barrier. The aim of the current work was to further characterize the mechanism(s) by which S. suis invades porcine endothelial cells. The ability of several S. suis strains to interact with PBMECs was not found to correlate with their geographic origin, virulence, host of origin, or suilysin production. Characterization studies demonstrated that proteinaceous adhesins/invasins, cell wall components, lipoteichoic acid, and serum components (including fibronectin) were involved in interactions between S. suis and PBMECs. In addition to PBMECs, S. suis was able to adhere to and invade 2 porcine aortic endothelial cell lines and primary PBMECs.

Proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine modulation byStreptococcus suisin a whole-blood culture system

Streptococcus suis is an important swine and human pathogen. Inflammation, a hallmark of S. suis infection, is thought to be responsible for most clinical signs of meningitis, septicaemia and sudden death. In this work, using a porcine whole blood model, S. suis serotype 2 was shown to trigger the release of several pro-inflammatory cytokines as evaluated by reverse transcriptase-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Although individual variations were observed among different S. suis strains, no correlations were observed between the strain origin/phenotype and cytokine levels. Live bacteria induced higher tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6 levels than did heat-killed bacteria. In contrast, heat-killed bacteria stimulated higher levels of IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein one (MCP-1). The bacterial cell wall was observed to be the major cytokine-inducting components, whereas capsule expression was important for MCP-1 activation. The presence of specific antibodies suppressed bacterial growth resulting in significantly reduced levels of cytokine production. Thus, antibody-mediated bacterial phagocytosis combined with suppressed inflammation may be beneficial for infection control strategies. We provide first evidence of S.suis-induction of pro-inflammatory swine cytokines and demonstrate the strength and relevance of the whole blood culture systems in the investigation of S. suis modulation of cytokine production.

Haemophilus parasuis invades porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells

Haemophilus parasuis, an important swine pathogen, is the aetiological agent of Glässer's disease. It is responsible for cases of polyserositis, meningitis and pneumonia in young pigs. To date, 15 serotypes have been described, although several non-typable isolates are frequently recovered from diseased animals. The pathogenesis of H. parasuis infection is poorly understood. To cause meningitis, H. parasuis would have to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC). The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of H. parasuis to interact with porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells (PBMEC). It was demonstrated that the serotype 5 reference strain of H. parasuis, Nagasaki (originally recovered from a case of meningitis), was able to adhere at very high levels to and, most importantly, invade PBMEC. These capacities were confirmed by electron microscopy. Actinobacillus pleuropnemoniae serotype 7 (strain WF 83), used as negative control, was not able to adhere to or invade PBMEC. Comparisons of the levels of adhesion and invasion by several H. parasuis field strains from different serotypes isolated from cases of either meningitis or pneumonia showed that isolates of serotypes 4 and 5 had a higher invasion capacity than isolates belonging to other serotypes. Inhibition studies demonstrated that PBMEC invasion by H. parasuis required rearrangement of actin microfilaments and microtubular cytoskeletal elements but not active bacterial DNA, RNA or protein synthesis. Characterization studies demonstrated that proteinaceous invasin(s) does not seem to play a major role in entry of H. parasuis into PBMEC. Intracellular viable H. parasuis were found in PBMEC up to 6 h after antibiotic treatment. Even at high bacterial doses, H. parasuis was not toxic to PBMEC. In swine, the invasion of endothelial cells of the BBB may play an important role in the pathogenesis of meningitis caused by H. parasuis.

Invasion of porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells by Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis is an important swine pathogen that mainly causes meningitis and occasionally causes other infections, such as endocarditis, arthritis, and pneumonia. The pathogenesis of S. suis infection has not been completely defined. However, in order to cause meningitis, S. suis has to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) made up of brain microvascular endothelial cells. The objective of this work was to study the interactions of S. suis serotype 2 with porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells (PBMEC). The ability of North American and European S. suis serotype 2 strains to adhere to PBMEC and, most importantly, to invade PBMEC was demonstrated by using an antibiotic protection assay and was confirmed by electron microscopy. The polysaccharide capsule of S. suis seemed to partially interfere with the adhesion and invasion abilities of the bacterium. Our results showed that intracellular viable S. suis could be found in PBMEC up to 7 h after antibiotic treatment. Inhibition studies demonstrated that invasion of PBMEC by S. suis required actin microfilaments but not microtubular cytoskeletal elements or active bacterial RNA or protein synthesis. At high bacterial doses, suilysin-positive strains were toxic for PBMEC. The role of suilysin in cytotoxicity was confirmed by using purified suilysin, electron microscopy, and the lack of toxicity of a suilysin-negative mutant. In swine, the invasion of endothelial cells of the BBB could play an important role in the pathogenesis of the meningitis caused by S. suis.

Pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine release by human brain microvascular endothelial cells stimulated by Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is a world-wide agent of diseases among pigs including meningitis, septicemia and arthritis. This microorganism is also recognized as an important zoonotic agent. The pathogenesis of the meningitis caused by S. suis is poorly understood. We have previously shown that S. suis is able to adhere to human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC), but not to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The objective of this work was to study the ability of S. suis serotype 2 to induce the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1); IL-6 and the chemokines IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) by human BMEC and HUVEC, using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. S. suis was able to stimulate the production of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 by BMEC but not HUVEC, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Bacterial cell wall components were largely responsible for such stimulation. The human and pig origin of strains does not seem to affect the intensity of the response; indeed, a very heterogeneous pattern of cytokine and chemokine production was observed for the different strains tested in this study. In situ production of cytokines and chemokines by BMEC may be the result of specific adhesion of S. suis to this cell type, with several consequences such as increased recruitment of leukocytes and an increase in the blood-brain barrier permeability.