Isolation and molecular characterization of Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus from the pork production chain in Brazil / Isolamento e caracterização molecular de Arcobacter butzleri e Arcobacter cryaerophilus de linhas de abate suíno e do comércio de carne no Brasil

Arcobacter is an emerging zoonotic pathogen, and the major transmission routes to humans are the handling or consumption of contaminated raw/undercooked food products of animal origin, water and seafood. The isolation and identification of Arcobacter species are not routine in clinical laboratories; therefore, its true incidence in human infections may be underestimated. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize Arcobacter from carcasses and fecal samples collected at swine slaughterhouses and from meat markets in São Paulo State, Brazil. The isolates were identified using multiplex-PCR to differentiate the species and analyzed by single-enzyme amplified fragment length polymorphism (SE-AFLP). Arcobacter spp. were isolated from 73.0% of swine carcasses, 4% of fecal samples and 10% of pork samples. A. butzleri was the most prevalent species identified, followed by A. cryaerophilus. Interestingly, the carcasses presented higher frequency of A. butzleri isolation, whereas only A. cryaerophilus was isolated from fecal samples. SE-AFLP enabled the characterization of A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus into 51 and 63 profiles, respectively. The great genetic heterogeneity observed for both species corroborates previous reports. This study confirms the necessity for a standard isolation protocol and the improvement of molecular tools to further elucidate Arcobacter epidemiology.(AU)

Arcobacter é um patógeno zoonótico emergente e as principais formas de transmissão para humanos são a manipulação e o consumo de água ou alimentos contaminados crus ou mal cozidos. O isolamento e a identificação das espécies de Arcobacter não fazem parte da rotina dos laboratórios clínicos; dessa forma, a real incidência da infecção em humanos é subestimada. O presente estudo teve o objetivo de isolar e caracterizar Arcobacter de carcaças e amostras de fezes coletadas em dois abatedouros de suínos e de carne suína de dois açougues no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As estirpes foram identificadas utilizando multiplex-PCR para diferenciar as espécies e foram analisadas por polimorfismo no comprimento de fragmentos amplificados (SE-AFLP). Arcobacter spp. foi isolado de 73% das carcaças, 4% das amostras de fezes e de 10% das amostras de carne suína avaliadas. A. butzleri foi a espécie mais prevalente, seguida por A. cryaerophilus. As carcaças apresentaram a maior taxa de isolamento de A. butzleri enquanto que apenas A. cryaerophilus foi isolado das amostras de fezes. SE-AFLP possibilitou a caracterização de A. butzleri e A. cryaerophilus em 51 e 63 perfis de bandas, respectivamente. A grande heterogeneidade genética observada para ambas as espécies corrobora estudos previous. Estes resultados confirmam a necessidade de protocolos de isolamento padronizados e o aperfeiçoamento das ferramentas moleculares para aprofundar os conhecimetos sobre epidemiologia das infecções pelo gênero Arcobacter.(AU)

Characterization of porcine Trueperella pyogenes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), molecular typing and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling in Sao Paulo State.

Trueperella pyogenes can be found as a commensal or pathogenic bacterium among animals causing a variety of pyogenic infections in several species. The agent appears to act primarily as an opportunistic pathogen but may disseminate and produce metastatic abscesses accompanied or not by mastitis, metritis or pneumonia. In this study, 30 porcine T. pyogenes strains were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA sequencing and further evaluated in relation to their resistance and genetic profiles through broth microdilution and single enzyme AFLP. All strains were susceptible to ß-lactams, florfenicol, gentamicin, spectinomycin and tiamulin. The highest resistance rates were observed for sulfonamides, tetracyclines and clindamycin. All isolates could be characterized by SE-AFLP presenting more than 80% of similarity, despite their distinct origins. Four genotypes were detected with the segregation of T. pyogenes ATCC 19411 from Brazilian T. pyogenes strains. No correlation between genotypes and isolates origins and susceptibility profile was observed.

Characterization of Streptococcus suis through serotyping, SE-AFLP and virulence profile / Caracterização de Streptococcus suis por sorotipagem, SE-AFLP e perfil de virulência

Streptococcus suis is one of most important pathogens in the swine industry worldwide. Despite its importance, studies of S. suis characterization in South America are still rare. This study evaluates S. suis isolates from distinct Brazilian states, from 1999 to 2004, and its molecular and serological characterization. A total of 174 isolates were studied. S. suis identification was confirmed by PCR and isolates were further serotyped and genotyped by SE-AFLP and amplification of virulence markers. Serotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 18, 22 and 32 were identified among the studied isolates, and only 4% were characterized as non-typeable. The mrp+/epf+/sly+ genotype was the most frequent. The SE-AFLP analysis resulted in 29 patterns distributed in three main clusters with over 65% of genetic similarity. Isolates presented a slight tendency to cluster according to serotype and origin; however, no further correlation with virulence genotypes was observed.(AU)

Streptococcus suis é um dos patógenos de maior importância para indústria suinícola mundial. Apesar de sua importância, a caracterização de isolados de S. suis na América do Sul ainda é pouco descrita. O presente estudo descreve a avaliação de isolados de S. suis provenientes de diferentes Estados brasileiros, e sua caracterização sorológica e molecular. Foram avaliados 174 isolados de S. suis e os mesmos foram submetidos a SE-AFLP e pesquisa de marcadores de virulência. Os sorotipos 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 18, 22 e 32 foram identificados dentre os isolados estudados e apenas 4% foram caracterizados como não tipáveis. O perfil de virulência mrp+/epf+/sly+ foi o mais frequente. A análise do SE-AFLP resultou em 29 perfis distribuídos em três grupos principais com mais de 65% de similaridade genética. Os isolados apresentaram tendência de se agrupar segundo origem e sorotipo; no entanto, não foi observada correlação entre os grupamentos e os perfis de virulência.(AU)

Draft Genome Sequence of Bordetella avium Nh1210, an Outbreak Strain of Lockjaw Syndrome.

Bordetella avium is a highly contagious bacterium that infects the upper respiratory tract of birds. B. avium Nh1210 is an outbreak strain of lockjaw syndrome in juvenile cockatiel chicks (Nymphicus hollandicus). Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain Nh1210.

Molecular and serological characterization of Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola isolated from dogs, swine, and bovine in Brazil.

The identification of Leptospira clinical isolates through genotyping and serotyping, besides the recognition of its reservoirs, are important tools for understanding the epidemiology of leptospirosis, and they are also keys for identifying new species and serovars. Fourteen clinical isolates from animals were characterized by means of single enzyme amplified length polymorphism, variable number of tandem repeat analysis, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, and serotyping. All isolates were identified as Leptospira interrogans, serovar Canicola. Infections by this serovar occur in urban regions, where dogs represent the main maintenance hosts, whereas bovine and swine may act as reservoirs of serovar Canicola in rural areas. Both urban and rural aspects of leptospirosis, and the role of domestic animals as maintenance hosts, cannot be neglected in developing and developed countries.