"HOOF-Print" genotyping and haplotype inference discriminates among Brucella spp. isolates from a small spatial scale.

We demonstrate that the "HOOF-Print" assay provides high power to discriminate among Brucella isolates collected on a small spatial scale (within Portugal). Additionally, we illustrate how haplotype identification using non-random association among markers allows resolution of B. melitensis biovars (1 and 3). We recommend that future studies use haplotype identification when analyzing multilocus population genetic data to help discriminate among microbial isolates such as Brucella.

Serologic survey for canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus in free-ranging wild carnivores from Portugal.

A serologic survey for Canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) was performed on serum and lung extract from an opportunistic sample of 120 free-ranging wild carnivores (13 species) from Portugal, collected from 1995 to 2006. Antibodies to CDV were detected in wolf (Canis lupus; 3/27) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes; 2/22). Antibodies to CPV were detected in wolf (9/28), red fox (2/14), wildcat (Felis silvestris;1/8), genet (Genetta genetta; 17/18), and stone marten (Martes foina; 3/17). Antibodies to CPV were detected throughout the study, whereas for CDV antibodies were detected in 3 of 10 yr and only during winter. The extremely high CPV antibody prevalence in genets is unprecedented. Although based on a limited sample, these data suggest widespread exposure of free-ranging Iberian carnivores to CDV and CPV.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and oxymino-ß-lactam resistance mechanisms in Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli isolates from different animal sources.

The impact of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated AmpC ß-lactamases (PMAßs) of animal origin has been a public health concern. In this study, 562 Salmonella enterica and 598 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from different animal species and food products were tested for antimicrobial resistance. Detection of ESBL-, PMAß-, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR)-encoding genes and integrons was performed in isolates showing non-wild-type phenotypes. Susceptibility profiles of Salmonella spp. isolates differed according to serotype and origin of the isolates. The occurrence of cefotaxime non-wild-type isolates was higher in pets than in other groups. In nine Salmonella isolates, blaCTX-M (n = 4), blaSHV-12 (n = 1), blaTEM-1 (n = 2) and blaCMY-2 (n = 2) were identified. No PMQR-encoding genes were found. In 47 E. coli isolates, blaCTX-M (n = 15), blaSHV-12 (n = 2), blaCMY-2 (n = 6), blaTEM-type (n = 28) and PMQR-encoding genes qnrB (n = 2), qnrS (n = 1) and aac(6')-Ib-cr (n = 6) were detected. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to describe the presence of blaCMY-2 (n = 2) and blaSHV-12 (n = 1) genes among S. enterica from broilers in Portugal. This study highlights the fact that animals may act as important reservoirs of isolates carrying ESBL-, PMAß- and PMQR-encoding genes that might be transferred to humans through direct contact or via the food chain.

Development and evaluation of a selective medium for Brucella suis.

A new selective medium, named LNIV-M, has been developed for isolation of Brucella suis. In this work, we evaluated the growth of B. suis reference and field strains from domestic pigs in different basal media and the susceptibility to different antibiotics contained in the currently used Farrell's and modified Thayer-Martin media. We also determined the efficacy of LNIV-M and its diagnostic performance for isolating B. suis from wild boar tissue samples. A total of 1649 samples from 918 hunter-harvested wild boars were cultured in LNIV-M, Farrell's and modified Thayer-Martin media. One hundred and thirty-nine (8.4%) samples from 63 (6.9%) animals resulted in a positive culture. LNIV-M detected 93.6% and 62.6% of positive animals and samples, respectively, while Farrell's and modified Thayer-Martin media detected, respectively, 92.1% and 79.4% of positive animals and 58.3% and 59.7% of samples. These results confirm the adequate diagnostic performance of LNIV-M in the isolation of B. suis.

Yersinia enterocolitica: an unlikely cause of positive brucellosis tests in greater yellowstone ecosystem bison (Bison bison).

Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:9 has identical O-antigens to those of Brucella abortus and has apparently caused false-positive reactions in numerous brucellosis serologic tests in elk (Cervus canadensis) from southwest Montana. We investigated whether a similar phenomenon was occurring in brucellosis antibody-positive bison (Bison bison) using Y. enterocolitica culturing techniques and multiplex PCR of four diagnostic loci. Feces from 53 Yellowstone bison culled from the population and 113 free-roaming bison from throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) were tested. Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 was not detected in any of 53 the bison samples collected at slaughter facilities or in any of the 113 fecal samples from free-ranging bison. One other Y. enterocolitica serotype was isolated; however, it is not known to cause cross-reaction on B. abortus serologic assays because it lacks the perosamine synthetase gene and thus the O-antigens. These findings suggest that Y. enterocolitica O:9 cross-reactivity with B. abortus antigens is unlikely to have been a cause of false-positive serology tests in GYE bison and that Y. enterocolitica prevalence was low in bison in the GYE during this study.

DNA genotyping suggests that recent brucellosis outbreaks in the Greater Yellowstone Area originated from elk.

Identifying the source of infectious disease outbreaks is difficult, especially for pathogens that infect multiple wildlife species. Brucella spp. are among the most problematic zoonotic agents worldwide, and they are notoriously difficult to detect and identify. We genotyped 10 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) DNA loci in 56 Brucella abortus isolates from bison (Bos bison), elk (Cervus elaphus), and cattle (Bos taurus) to test the wildlife species most likely to be the origin of recent outbreaks of brucellosis in cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Isolates from cattle and elk were nearly identical but highly divergent from bison isolates. These data suggest elk, not bison, are the reservoir species of origin for these cattle infections. This study illustrates the potential power of VNTR genotyping to assess the origin of disease outbreaks, which are increasing worldwide following habitat fragmentation, climate change, and expansion of human and livestock populations.