Arcanobacterium phocisimile sp. nov., isolated from harbour seals.

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on two previously unidentified Arcanobacterium-like Gram-positive strains isolated from harbour seals. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that both bacteria belonged to the genus Arcanobacterium and were most closely related to Arcanobacterium haemolyticum CIP 103370(T) (98.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), A. canis P6775(T) (97.4%), A. phocae DSM 10002(T) (97.4%), A. pluranimalium M430/94/2(T) (95.7%) and A. hippocoleae CCUG 44697(T) (95.5%). The presence of the major menaquinone MK-9(H4) supported the affiliation of the isolates with the genus Arcanobacterium. The polar lipid profile consisted of major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified glycolipids. The major fatty acids were C16:0, C18:0, C18:1ω9c and summed feature 5 (comprising C18:2ω6,9c and/or anteiso-C18:0). Physiological and biochemical tests clearly distinguished the isolates from other members of the genus Arcanobacterium. Based on the common origin and various physiological properties comparable to those of A. phocae, it is proposed that the isolates are classified as members of a novel species with the name Arcanobacterium phocisimile sp. nov. The type strain is 2698(T) (=LMG 27073(T) =CCM 8430(T)).

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in veterinary clinics, Germany.

An increase in prevalence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. in hospitalized animals was observed at the Justus-Liebig-University (Germany). Genotypic analysis of 56 isolates during 2000-2008 showed 3 clusters that corresponded to European clones I-III. Results indicate spread of genotypically related strains within and among veterinary clinics in Germany.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum isolates from infections of horses.

The present study was designed to characterize phenotypically and genotypically seven Arcanobacterium haemolyticum strains obtained from infections of six horses. All seven strains showed the cultural and biochemical properties typical of A. haemolyticum and were susceptible to most of the antibiotics tested. The species identification could be confirmed by amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region and by PCR amplification of species-specific parts of the gene encoding phospholipase D in A. haemolyticum. Use of the latter could possibly improve future identification of this generally human pathogenic bacterial species which, according to the present results, seems to occur also in infections of horses.

Distribution of the putative virulence factor encoding gene sheta in Staphylococcus hyicus strains of various origins.

In the present study, Staphylococcus (S.) hyicus strains isolated in Russia (n = 23) and Germany (n = 17) were investigated for the prevalence of the previously described genes sheta and shetb. Sheta was detected in 16 S. hyicus strains. Sheta-positive strains were mainly found among strains isolated from exudative epidermitis, and frequently together with the exfoliative toxin-encoding genes exhD and exhC. Partial sequencing of sheta in a single S. hyicus strain revealed an almost complete match with the sheta sequence obtained from GenBank. None of the S. hyicus strains displayed a positive reaction with the shetb-specific oligonucleotide primer used in the present study. According to the present results, the exotoxin encoding gene sheta seems to be distributed among S. hyicus strains in Russia and Germany. The toxigenic potential of this exotoxin, which does not have the classical structure of a staphylococcal exfoliative toxin, remains to be elucidated.

Pheno- and genotypic properties of streptococci of serological group B of canine and feline origin.

In the present study streptococci of serological group B isolated from canines (n=48) and felines (n=7) were comparatively investigated with group B streptococci from humans and bovines for cultural, biochemical and serological properties for antibiotic resistancies and by molecular analysis. An identification was performed with group B-specific antiserum, biochemical reactions, by PCR amplification and subsequent endonuclease digestion of the 16S rRNA gene and by amplification of species-specific parts of the 16S rDNA the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region and the CAMP factor gene cfb. Phenotypic similarities of group B streptococci of canine and feline origin with group B streptococci from humans and differences to group B streptococci of bovine origin could be observed in lactose fermentation, serotype patterns, pigmentation, growth properties of the bacteria in fluid medium and soft agar, hemagglutination reactions and in minocycline and tetracycline resistance. A negative hyaluronidase plate test, a hylB amplicon with a size of 4.6 kb and an insertion sequence 1548 could be observed among canine, feline and human group B streptococci of serotype III. The remaining hyaluronidase positive strains, also including all isolates of bovine origin, had a hylB gene with a size of 3.3 kb. Further genotypic differences could be observed in the occurrence of the genes lmb and scpB which appeared generally among canine, feline and human group B streptococci, but less pronounced among bovine isolates of this species. According to the presented data group B streptococci of canine and feline origin seemed to be more related to human than to bovine isolates of this species possibly indicating some epidemiological relation.

Molecular characteristics of Escherichia coli serogroup O78 strains isolated from diarrheal cases in bovines urge further investigations on their zoonotic potential.

We investigated the virulence properties and clonal relationship of 21 Escherichia coli strains of serogroup O78 isolated from diarrhoeic cattle and calves. Isolates were screened for 18 genes representing virulence features of different Escherichia coli pathotypes. None of the strains harboured enterotoxin-genes estIa/Ib, eltIa/Ib, or Shiga toxin (stx) genes, genes involved in adhesion (eae, f5, f41) hemolysin gene hlyA or invasion gene ipaC. With a high prevalence we detected enterotoxin astA (61.9%), genes involved in iron acquisition, like fyuA, irp (each 57.1%) and iucD (81.0%), and the operon sequence of Colicin V plasmids (38.1%). Some strains possessed toxin genes cdt-IIIB and cnf1/2 (both 14.3%), the invasion gene tia (23.8%), and the serine protease encoding gene espP (23.8%). Moreover, we could show that E. coli O78 strains under investigation were able to adhere to and invade MDBK-cells with varying efficiencies. The results indicate that the closely related O78 strains, constituting two major PFGE-clusters, harbor various virulence features for bovine intestinal disease but cannot be grouped into one of the common E. coli intestinal pathogenic or other pathotypes according to their virulence gene pattern. Nevertheless, the ability to adhere, invade or harbor toxin genes lets us suggest that O78 strains isolated from diarrheal cases in bovines urges further investigations on the zoonotic potential of these strains.

Identification of Arcanobacterium (Trueperella) abortisuis, a novel species of veterinary importance, by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

In the present study A. (T.) abortisuis isolated from pigs and bovines could be reliably identified by determination of phenotypic properties, genotypically by polymerase chain reaction with the help of A. (T.) abortisuis 16s-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region specific oligonucleotide primer and by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time Of Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The latter appeared to be a promising tool for fast and cost effective identification of this species and might help to elucidate the role A. (T.) abortisuis plays in infections of pigs, bovines, possibly other animals or humans.

Phenotypic and genotypic properties of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius isolated from lymph node abscesses of goats.

In the present study 20 staphylococci isolated from lymph node abscesses of 19 goats of two herds in Western Poland could be identified as Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius. All 20 strains grew under microaerobic conditions, were negative in the catalase test, showed the typical phenotypic properties of 5. aureus and could genotypically be identified by a positive sa442, 235 rDNA, nuc, coa and spa PCR reaction. The variable regions of the coa and spa gene of the 20 strains appeared with uniform amplicon sizes, respectively. All 20 strains were negative for 12 additionally investigated enterotoxin encoding genes, tst and ssl7 and positive for the gene cap8. Identical properties could be observed for S. aureus subsp. anaerobius DSM 20714. Amplification and sequencing of kat gene of a single Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius strain of the present study and S. aureus subsp. anaerobius DSM 20714 revealed a complete identity of the kat sequences of both strains and a katB sequence obtained from GenBank (AJ000471). The bacteria were additionally investigated for relatedness by macrorestriction analysis of chromosomal DNA with subsequent pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), yielding, corresponding to the above mentioned PCR results, identical PFGE patterns for all 20 Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius strains isolated in Western Poland and the S. aureus subsp. anaerobius reference strain DSM 20714.This indicates the clonal identity of the strains isolated in Western Poland and the S. aureus subsp. anaerobius reference strain. The route of infection of the two herds in Western Poland with a bacterial clone originally isolated in Spain remains unclear.

Longitudinal prevalence study of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in dairy calves.

A longitudinal study (cohort study) elaborating 1,224 rectal swabs from 221 calves aging between 1 and 12 weeks was conducted on 11 dairy farms (i) to ascertain associations between diarrhea and shedding of diarrheagenic E. coli and (ii) to facilitate the zoonotic potential assessment of E. coli strains shed by young calves. Calves were screened weekly by PCR of swab cultures for shedding of enterotoxigenic E coli [ETEC; by detection of heat stable (est) and heat labile enterotoxin genes (elt)], diffusely adhering E. coli [DAEC; diffuse adhesion (daa)], typical enteropathogenic E. coli [EPEC; bundle-forming pili (bfpA) and intimin (eae)] as well as enterohemorrhagic E. coli [EHEC, intimin (eae) and Shiga toxin (stx)]. In addition, EHEC-hemolysin- (Hly(EHEC)) and alpha-hemolysin- (alpha-Hly) producing E. coli were detected by inoculation of blood agar plates. Within the 221 calves, prevalences were 69.7% (25.2% of the 1,224 samples) for Hly(EHEC)-producing E. coli, 55.3% (19.3%) for eae, and 18.2% (4.5%) for stx. E. coli strains exhibiting an alpha-Hly phenotype were detected in 66.5% of the calves and 21.9% of fecal samples. The est gene was detectable in 31.7% of the calves from only 9 of 11 herds and in 7.8% of the samples. Calves shedding DAEC or typical EPEC were not identified. The detection frequency of virulence traits significantly depended on the calves' age and shedding dynamics differed between the traits. A significant correlation between calf diarrhea and shedding of EHEC virulence traits was determined for several postnatal periods (1 week: Hly(EHEC); 1st & 10th week: eae; 4th week stx). Shedding of ETEC (est) was associated with diarrhea in newborn calves (1st week) only. Hly(EHEC)- and alpha-Hly-producing E. coli were shed significantly more frequently by diarrheic calves in 1st and 8th week of life, respectively. The knowledge gained in this study highlights the high prevalence of zoonotic E. coli already in calves. The age-dependent shedding dynamic of the various E. coli pathovars has to be considered regarding prophylaxis as well as planning intervention studies, both for calves and humans.

Virulence and fitness gene patterns of Shiga toxin-encoding Escherichia coli isolated from pigs with edema disease or diarrhea in Germany.

Fecal Escherichia coli isolates (n = 3,218) from piglets with edema disease or diarrhea were screened for the genes of Stx2 and Stx2 variants. A total of 283 E. coli isolates (8.8%) proved exclusively positive for Stx2e and most of these (85.1%) harbored genes for F18 fimbria. No recognized adhesins were detectable in 14.5% of the isolates. Genes for heat-stable or heat-labile E. coli enterotoxins were found in F18+ as well as F18 isolates (51.9% and 33.3%, respectively). Five isolates also harbored fyuA and irp2 genes which are indicative of a high pathogenicity island in E. coli. All Stx2e+ isolates lacked genes for intimin, EHEC hemolysin, STEC autoagglutinating adhesin, subtilase cytotoxin, serine protease Espl. The majority of Stx2e+ isolates belonged to phylogenetic groups A (59.3%) and D (38.9%) and only few isolates were classified as B1 and B2 (1.8%). The results suggest that Stx2e-producing E. coli strains are highly prevalent in diseased pigs in Germany. Despite their significant diversity, most strains possess all typical features (Stx2e, F18) of porcine edema disease E. coli. However, a considerable portion of porcine strains resembles published human Stx2e+ strains in that they lack any recognized pig-associated adhesin. Thus, a zoonotic potential cannot be excluded for these strains.

Genetic and biochemical characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis with particular attention to pigment-producing subgroups.

The aim of the study was the characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis and its pigment-producing subgroup using biochemical tests and RAPD. It was of interest to determine whether particular RAPD patterns could be used to indicate pigment production, as well as a close genetic relatedness to Malassezia furfur. Therefore, 210 strains of M. pachydermatis were examined for morphology, catalase and ss-glucosidase activity, lipid and carbohydrate assimilation and the tryptophan-dependent synthesis of pigments. Of these, 114 strains were subjected to RAPD analyses. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to classify M. pachydermatis isolates regarding their pigment production by using genetic and biological parameters. Biological and RAPD findings showed a high biological and genetic diversity within the species M. pachydermatis and within pigment producers. RAPD analysis revealed 28 genotypes within 114 strains tested. Pigment producing strains could not be assigned to a common RAPD profile, but a genetic relatedness of pigment-producing M. pachydermatis with M. furfur can be assumed. A particular RAPD pattern allowed statistically significant probability of pigment production (P<0.001) and might be used as a tool to rapidly detect pigment producing M. pachydermatis, e.g. in Malassezia-associated pityriasis versicolor. The reported method is useful for identification of pigment producing M. pachydermatis isolates and has advantages over established tests.

First report of multiresistant, mecA-positive Staphylococcus intermedius in Europe: 12 cases from a veterinary dermatology referral clinic in Germany.

Resistance to cephalosporins and/or fluoroquinolones by Staphylococcus intermedius has remained low in Europe, with effective drugs generally available for systemic therapy in pets. However, multiresistant, mecA-positive S. intermedius isolated from dogs and cats is now emerging in Europe. Twelve S. intermedius isolates, highly resistant to at least five antimicrobial classes, were isolated from skin and ear infections in 11 dogs and a cat. The 12 isolates represented 23% of all S. intermedius submissions from one veterinary dermatology referral clinic in northern Germany to veterinary diagnostic laboratories during an 18-month period and resistance included cefalexin, methicillin and enrofloxacin. The animals had been referred to the clinic with recurrent superficial pyoderma, deep pyoderma, pododermatitis or chronic otitis, all unresponsive to systemic beta-lactam-antibiotics or fluoroquinolones. Infection resolved in 10 dogs and the cat on a combination of antimicrobial treatment and correction of underlying causes. Four dogs and a cat required systemic and topical therapy; in six dogs topical antimicrobial therapy alone was successful. Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the S. intermedius isolates were determined; species identification was confirmed by polymerase chain detection of thermonuclease genes (nuc) and the presence and expression of the gene conferring resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics (mecA) were demonstrated in all; based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, six were indistinguishable, the others closely or possibly related. The emergence of multiresistant, mecA-positive S. intermedius in Europe is alarming. Zoonotic implications, awareness among veterinary laboratories and strategies for the use of antimicrobials in small animal practice need to be considered.

[Newer knowledge concerning a protective antigen of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae]

Investigations on extracts from Erysipelothrix (E.) rhusiopathiae carried out within the last few years yielded the identification of a species-specific proteinaceous antigen of 66-64 kDa. The protective properties of this protein presented in particular in crude NaOH and NaOH-EDTA but not in acid and heat extracts could be demonstrated in mice and pigs vaccinated with the electroeluted 66-64 kDa antigen or treated with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, respectively. The identification and characterization of the 66-64 kDa protein as a protective antigen of (E.) rhusiopathiae can be regarded as a basis for a possible replacement of the official mouse protection test in vaccine testing by an in vitro assay.