Evaluation of commercial probiotics for antimicrobial resistance genes.

The objective of this study was to determine if transferable antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes are present in commercial animal probiotics. DNA was extracted from 50 probiotics, tested for the presence of bacterial DNA, and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of 8 transferrable AMR genes, including tetracycline, erythromycin, aminoglycoside, sulfonamide, and trimethoprim. Samples that were positive by PCR were confirmed by genome sequencing. Forty-seven (94%) products contained bacterial DNA. Of these, 97% contained at least 1 AMR gene, and 82% contained 2 or more. These results indicate that further evaluation of the risk for transmission of these AMR genes may be warranted.

Évaluation de probiotiques commerciaux pour des gènes de résistance aux antimicrobiens. L'objectif de la présente étude était de déterminer si des gènes transférables de résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) sont présents dans des probiotiques pour animaux du commerce. L'ADN a été extrait de 50 probiotiques, testé pour la présence d'ADN bactérien et analysé par réaction d'amplification en chaîne par la polymérase (PCR) pour la présence de huit gènes RAM transférables, incluant la tétracycline, l'érythromycine, les aminoglycosides, le sulfonamide et le triméthoprime. Les échantillons positifs par PCR ont été confirmés par séquençage du génome. Quarante-sept (94 %) produits contenaient de l'ADN bactérien. Parmi ceux-ci, 97 % contenaient au moins un gène RAM et 82 % en contenaient deux ou plus. Ces résultats indiquent qu'une évaluation plus approfondie du risque de transmission de ces gènes RAM peut être justifiée.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Viral genes and cellular markers associated with neurological complications during herpesvirus infections.

Despite the importance of neurological disorders associated with herpesviruses, the mechanism by which these viruses influence the central nervous system (CNS) has not been definitively established. Owing to the limitations of studying neuropathogenicity of human herpesviruses in their natural host, many aspects of their pathogenicity and immune response are studied in animal models. Here, we present an important model system that enables studying neuropathogenicity of herpesviruses in the natural host. Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is an alphaherpesvirus that causes a devastating neurological disease (EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy; EHM) in horses. Like other alphaherpesviruses, our understanding of virus neuropathogenicity in the natural host beyond the essential role of viraemia is limited. In particular, information on the role of different viral proteins for virus transfer to the spinal cord endothelium in vivo is lacking. In this study, the contribution of two viral proteins, DNA polymerase (ORF30) and glycoprotein D (gD), to the pathogenicity of EHM was addressed. Furthermore, different cellular immune markers, including alpha-interferon (IFN-α), gamma-interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), were identified to play a role during the course of the disease.

Evaluation of commercial veterinary probiotics containing enterococci for transferrable vancomycin resistance genes.

OBJECTIVE: Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) are of significant public health concern. The identification of VRE in livestock and food has increased. The objective of this study was to determine if the transferrable vancomycin resistance genes vanA and vanB were present in probiotics marketed for use in animals that claimed to contain Enterococcus spp. RESULTS: Of the 40 products selected, Enterococcus spp. DNA was successfully extracted from 36 products. Of these 36 products with enterococcal DNA, 2 (6%) had a PCR product consistent with vanA which was confirmed by sequencing. None of the products appeared to contain vanB.