The phylogroups and antibiotic susceptibilities of Escherichia coli isolates from the feces of Anatolian Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus).

The current study was conducted to determine the phylogroups and antibiotic susceptibilities of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from fecal samples of Anatolian Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) and to examine the relationship between them. Eighty-two E. coli isolates obtained from 150 fecal samples were investigated. The quadruplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), phylogroup C-, and E-specific mPCR were subjected to phylogenetic typing of the isolates. The susceptibilities to fifteen antibiotics of the isolates were detected by the disk diffusion method. In the result of phylogenetic typing, phylogroup B2 was most predominant (58.6 %), followed by B1 (25.6 %), E (8.5 %), C (4.9 %), and D (2.4 %). The phylogroup A, F, and Escherichia clades were not detected. The antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that 59.8 % (49/82) and 19.5 % (16/82) of E. coli isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic and multidrug-resistant (MDR), respectively. Twenty-six (31.7 %), 19 (23.2 %), 11 (13.4 %), and 10 (12.2 %) of the isolates were found to be resistant to gentamicin, tetracycline, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and cefoxitin. Of the 49 E. coli isolates that were found to be resistant to any antibiotic analyzed, 30, 13, 4, and 2 were located in phylogroup B2, B1, E, and D, respectively. MDR isolates were mostly located in both phylogroup B1 (31.3 %) and B2 (31.3 %). In conclusion, data from the current study suggest that the isolates may potentially have pathogenic properties, since the majority (69.5 %) of E. coli isolates from fecal samples of Spermophilus xanthoprymnus were located in the pathogenic phylogroup and resistance to various antibiotics was detected.

The canonical Brucella species-host dependency is changing, however, the antibiotic susceptibility profiles remain unchanged.

Brucellosis is a chronic disease caused by Brucella species with a wide range of hosts, from marine mammals to terrestrial species, but with strict host preferences. With the zoonotic character, the prevalence of human brucellosis cases is a reflection of animal infections. This study aimed to identify 192 Brucella isolates obtained from various sources by Bruce-ladder PCR and to determine their antibiotic susceptibilities by gradient diffusion method (E-test). As a result of the PCR, all human isolates (n = 57) were identified as B. melitensis. While 58 (82.9%) of the cattle isolates were identified as B. abortus, 59 (90.8%) of the sheep isolates were identified as B. melitensis. In addition, 12 (17.1%) of the cattle isolates and 6 (9.2%) of the sheep isolates were determined as B. melitensis and B. abortus, respectively. The primary host change behavior of B. melitensis was 1.9 times higher than that of B. abortus. While gentamicin and ciprofloxacin susceptibilities of Brucella isolates were 100%, tetracycline, doxycycline, streptomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and rifampicin susceptibilities were 99%, 99%, 97.4%, 91.7% and 83.9%, respectively. The lowest sensitivity of the isolates was determined against to cefoperazone as 26%. A triple-drug resistance was detected in 1 B. abortus isolate that included simultaneous resistance to cefoperazone, rifampicin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The high susceptibility profiles we found against to antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, used widely in treatment, are encouraging. However, the change in the canonical Brucella species-primary host preference suggests the need to reconsider eradication program, including updating vaccine formulations.

A comprehensive study of Helicobacter pylori infection: molecular analysis, antibacterial susceptibility, and histopathological examination.

Helicobacter pylori is a pathogen associated with gastroduodenal diseases. This study aimed; (i) to investigate H. pylori presence by invasive tests in adult dyspeptic patients, (ii) to determine antibiotic susceptibility and genotypic characteristics of the H. pylori isolates, and (iii) to investigate the relationship between the H. pylori genotypes and the histopathological findings. In this cross-sectional study, gastric biopsy samples from 208 adult dyspeptic patients were used for culture, tissue Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and histopathological analysis. Antibiotic susceptibility of the H. pylori isolates was analyzed by gradient method. Analysis of the virulence genes was performed by monoplex PCR. Genetic profiles (from A to H) were created based on the virulence genes presence. Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) was used for the genotyping of the H. pylori isolates. The mean age of the patients was 46 (± 15) years and 128 (61.5%) of them were female. H. pylori positivity was detected by culture, tissue PCR and histopathological examination in 59 (28.4%), 114 (54.8%) and 81 (38.9%) patients, respectively. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was found to be 63% (131/208). All H. pylori isolates were susceptible to tetracycline and amoxicillin. The resistance rates for metronidazole, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and rifampicin were 67.2%, 27.9%, 34.4% and 13.11%, respectively. Multi drug resistance (MDR) was detected at the rate of 45.9% (28/61). While the most common virulence gene was cagA (93.44%), the least common was vacAm1 (23%). The predominant genetic profile was profile A (47.5%). ERIC-PCR results revealed a total of 26 different patterns. A high prevalence of H. pylori was detected in adult dyspeptic patients as in developing countries. It was observed significant genotypic heterogeneity and virulence gene diversity within the isolates. A considerable resistance rate detected against antibiotics such as clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin, which are frequently used in the eradication of H. pylori, should be taken into consideration when creating regional empirical treatment regimens.

Helicobacter turcicus sp. nov., a catalase-negative new member of the Helicobacter genus, isolated from Anatolian Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) in Turkey.

Eleven Gram-negative, curved and S-shaped, oxidase activity positive, catalase activity negative bacterial isolates recovered from faeces of Anatolian ground squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) in the city of Kayseri, Turkey, were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Results of a genus-specific PCR revealed that these isolates belonged to the genus Helicobacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the 11 isolates had over 99 % sequence identity with each other and were most closely related to Helicobacter ganmani CMRI H02T with 97.0-97.1 % identity levels and they formed a novel phylogenetic line within the genus Helicobacter. Faydin-H64 and Faydin-H70T strains were subjected to gyrA and atpA gene and whole genome sequence analyses. These two Helicobacter strains formed separate phylogenetic clades, divergent from other known Helicobacter species. The DNA G+C content and genome size of the strain Faydin-H70T were 35.3 mol% and 1.7 Mb, respectively. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain Faydin-H70T and its close phylogenetic neighbour H. winghamensis ATCC BAA-430T were determined as 81.7 and 34.9 %, respectively. Pairwise sequence comparison showed that it was closely related to H. ganmani CMRI H02T however it shared the highest ANI and dDDH values with H. winghamensis ATCC BAA-430T. The data obtained from the polyphasic taxonomy approach, including phenotypic characterization and whole-genome sequences, revealed that these strains represent a novel species within the genus Helicobacter, for which the name Helicobacter turcicus sp. nov., is proposed with Faydin-H70T as the type strain (=DSM 112556T=LMG 32335T).

Presence of Clostridioides difficile in cattle feces, carcasses, and slaughterhouses: Molecular characterization and antibacterial susceptibility of the recovered isolates.

The aims of this study were to isolate and identify Clostridioides difficile from cattle feces and carcasses, and slaughterhouse samples, and to determine the molecular characteristics and antibacterial susceptibility of the recovered isolates. A total of 220 samples, including 100 cattle fecal samples, 100 cattle carcass surface samples, and 20 slaughterhouse samples were used as the study material. In total, 12 (5.45%) samples, including 11 (11%) cattle fecal samples and 1 (5%) slaughterhouse sample, were found to be positive for C. difficile. On the other hand, all of the carcass samples were negative for C. difficile. A total of 11 (91.66%) isolates, including 10 fecal isolates and 1 slaughterhouse wastewater isolate, were found to be positive for the presence of the toxin genes tcdA and tcdB, whilst 1 fecal isolate was found to be negative for both genes. In addition, 3 different ERIC-PCR profiles were identified in the 11 fecal isolates. The ERIC-PCR profile of the slaughterhouse wastewater isolate was found to be similar to one of the ERIC-PCR profiles obtained from the fecal isolates. All of the isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. Considering that the agent is a spore-forming bacterium shed in feces, the detection of C. difficile isolates of different genotypes, some carrying toxin genes, suggests that feces and slaughterhouse wastewater carrying this bacterium may pose a risk for the contamination of carcasses. The current study revealed that hygiene conditions should be performed to the maximum extent in slaughterhouses.

Prevalence and antibacterial susceptibilities of Arcobacter spp. and Campylobacter spp. from fresh vegetables.

This study was aimed at the isolation and identification of Arcobacter spp. and Campylobacter spp. from fresh vegetables sold at district markets in the Kayseri province, and at the determination of the antibacterial susceptibility of the recovered isolates. For this purpose, a total of 175 vegetable samples, including 35 spinach, 35 lettuce, 35 parsley, 35 arugula, and 35 radish samples, were collected. While the pre-enrichment and membrane filtration techniques were used for the isolation of Arcobacter spp., the pre-enrichment and direct inoculation methods were used for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. The isolates were identified by means of phenotypic tests and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using genus- and species-specific primers. In addition, the susceptibilities of the isolates to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline were determined by the disk diffusion method. Out of the 175 vegetable samples tested, 93 (53.14%) were found to be positive for Arcobacter spp., and 119 Arcobacter spp. isolates were recovered from these 93 positive samples. All of the samples examined were found to be negative for Campylobacter spp. One hundred one (86%) and 14 (10%) of the 119 Arcobacter isolates obtained were identified as A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus, respectively, but four isolates could not be identified at the species level by mPCR. Mixed contamination with more than one species and/or genotypes of Arcobacter was detected in 24 of the positive samples. While all of the Arcobacter isolates were susceptible to erythromycin, gentamicin, streptomycin, and tetracycline, 2 (1.68%), 2 (1.68%), and 5 (4.20%) isolates were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, and neomycin, respectively. Consequently, the determination of a high prevalence of arcobacters and mixed contamination with more than one species and/or genotypes of arcobacters in vegetables often consumed raw by humans demonstrated that the consumption of raw vegetables may be a risk to the public health.

Escherichia coli in different animal feces: phylotypes and virulence genes.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the phylogroups of Escherichia coli isolates from horse, cat, dog, sheep, cattle, and chicken feces samples and to investigate some important virulence genes of the isolates. For this purpose, a total of 600 feces samples, 100 from each animal species, were used as material. For the isolation of E.coli, feces samples were directly inoculated on MacConkey agar. The identification of the isolates was performed via phenotypic tests and species-specific multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR) method. PCR methods were used to phylotype E.coli isolates and to investigate virulence genes (bfpA, eaeA, LT, ST, Stx1, and Stx2). Of the total 600 E.coli isolates recovered in this study, 120 (20%), 269 (44.8%), 58 (9.7%), 19 (3.2%), 35 (5.8%), 56 (9.3%), 31 (5.2%), and 12 (2%) were identified as phylogroup A, B1, B2, C, D, E, F, and Escherichia clade I, respectively. While the virulence gene was detected in 149 (24.8%) E.coli isolates, no virulence gene was detected in 451 (75.2%) isolates. According to the analysis results, the most determined virulence gene was Stx1, while the least determined virulence gene was LT. In conclusion, in this study, when both the animal species and the number of E.coli isolates examined are considered, the data obtained are of great importance in epidemiological terms. However, the detection of virulence genes in 13.5% among phylogroup A, B1, and C isolates with commensal characteristics suggest that these isolates may show pathogenic characteristics with the virulence genes they contain.

Factors Affecting the Behavior of Large Forest Fires in Turkey.

Fire behavior should be estimated accurately and multidimensionally to reduce the dangers and harmful effects of forest fires and to develop effective fire management strategies. Therefore, in this study, the most important factors affecting fire behavior were determined by statistical methods using data of 59 large forest fires that occurred between 1977 and 2017 in Turkey. Some data were obtained from the General Directorate of Forestry, and the remaining were obtained from meteorological stations and Google Maps. The large forest fires were investigated with descriptive statistics. Correlation, regression with generalized models, and factor analyses were performed. It was discovered that the rate of spread is particularly related to the wind direction, wind speed, and stand canopy. The most important factors affecting the behavior of large forest fires were determined as (1) stand age, (2) stand canopy, (3) wind direction, (4) wind speed, (5) altitude, and (6) aspect, and 76% of fire behavior is linked to these factors. Moreover, a forest fire behavior index (FFBI) was developed for large forest fires. They were categorized into three classes using the FFBI, and the characteristics of each class were identified. Finally, the findings were discussed, and suggestions for fire management were presented.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori by invasive tests in adult dyspeptic patients and antibacterial resistance to six antibiotics, including rifampicin in Turkey. Is clarithromycin resistance rate decreasing?

Background/aim: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is reported to be roughly 80% in Turkey, and only very few culture-based studies are available on antibacterial resistance in adult dyspeptic patients. This study was carried out in adult dyspeptic patients with an aim to: (i) detect H. pylori by invasive tests (culture, polymerase chain reaction, and histopathology) and (ii) determine the current resistance rates of H. pylori isolates to six antibiotics, including rifampicin. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in 422 adult dyspeptic patients. The presence of H. pylori was demonstrated by culture, polymerase chain reaction, and the histopathology of gastric biopsy material. Antibacterial susceptibility was determined with the E-test. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50 ± 15 (range 18­90), and 265 (63%) of them were female. By culture, polymerase chain reaction, and histopathology, the presence of H. pylori was detected at rates of 35% (148/422), 67% (281/422), and 53% (224/422), respectively. The prevalence of H. pylori was determined as 75.6% (319/422). Metronidazole, levofloxacin, clarithromycin, and rifampicin resistance rates were 62%, 36%, 19%, and 12%, respectively. Monodrug, dual-drug, and multidrug resistance rates were ascertained as 36.9%, 29.4%, and 10.5%, respectively. All of the isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin and tetracycline. Conclusion: This study revealed the current prevalence of H. pylori in adult dyspeptic patients as 75.6%, and thereby, showed that infection with this pathogen remains highly prevalent. Although resistance to metronidazole and levofloxacin has increased over time, clarithromycin resistance rate has decreased. The high levels of resistance to metronidazole and levofloxacin limit the empirical use of these antibiotics in the eradication protocol. Owing to the low level of resistance determined for rifampicin, this antibiotic could be included in the eradication protocol, in the event of the need for rescue therapy in Turkey.

Pathogenicity, genotyping and antibacterial susceptibility of the Listeria spp. recovered from stray dogs.

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Listeria spp. in stray dogs in the Kayseri province of Turkey. In addition, serotyping, genotyping and virulence gene analysis of the isolated Listeria spp. were performed and their pathogenicity and antibacterial susceptibility were investigated. The study included 80 rectal swaps taken from 80 stray dogs of different ages and gender that were sheltered in the Kayseri Municipal Dog Shelter. Listeria selective broth and Listeria selective agar were used for the isolation of Listeria spp. and the isolates were identified using a Microbact 12L (Oxoid, England) identification test kit. 16S rDNA sequencing and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed for molecular identification of the isolates, multiplex PCR and a serological test were performed for serotyping, and PCR was used for virulence gene analysis. For determining the pathogenicity of L. monocytogenes and L. innocua isolates, a total of 100 mice (50 pregnant and 50 non-pregnant) were used. The mice were infected intraperitoneally; the inoculation dose was 1 × 109 CFU/mL and 0.2 mL was used for each animal. Tissue samples obtained from infected mice were processed for the re-isolation of the Listeria spp. and then stained with hematoxylin eosin and Brown-Brenn Gram stain. The antibiotic susceptibilities of the isolates were determined by the disk diffusion method. Listeria spp. were isolated from 5 (6.25%) of the 80 fecal samples. While 1 of the isolates was identified as L. monocytogenes, 4 of them were identified as L. innocua. Serotyping by serological and molecular methods revealed the isolate of L. monocytogenes to be serotype 1/2a. According to the phylogenetic trees, L. innocua and L. monocytogenes strains were clustered in different groups. The L. monocytogenes isolate was positive for all virulence genes tested. All L. innocua isolates were positive for the plcB gene. While all L. innocua isolates were negative for the lin1068 gene, 3 L. innocua isolates were found to be positive for the lin0558 gene. In mice infected with L. monocytogenes, pathological findings were observed in the uterus, intestines, pancreas, and heart. In mice infected with L. innocua, pathological findings were observed in the stomach, intestines and spleen. L. monocytogenes- or L. innocua-related infections or other inflammatory reactions were not observed in the brains of infected animals. On histopathological examination with Gram stain, an abundance of Listeria spp. was observed in the lesions of the liver, spleen, uterus, and kidney. Moreover, while abortion was observed in all animals infected with L. monocytogenes, it was not observed in any of the animals infected with L. innocua. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that all 5 isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, erythromycin, gentamicin, penicillin G, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and were resistant to nalidixic acid, streptomycin, and cefuroxime sodium. Considering also the pathogenicity of the isolated microorganisms, it can be suggested that stray dogs as carriers of Listeria spp. are a significant risk to public health. As L. innocua isolates, which are considered apathogenic, led to the occurrence of lesions similar to those caused by L. monocytogenes, detailed studies on the pathogenesis of L. innocua infections caused by L. innocua isolates recovered from various sources are required.

MLST genotypes and quinolone resistance profiles of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from various sources in Turkey.

This study was conducted to determine the overall genetic diversity, as well as prevalence and mechanisms of resistance to quinolone antibiotics of 178 Campylobacter jejuni isolated from humans, cattle, dogs, and chickens in Turkey. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and E-test were performed for genotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, respectively. Mismatch Amplification Mutation Assay, Polymerase Chain Reaction (MAMA-PCR) was used to detect point mutations associated with quinolone resistance. Of the 178 isolates tested, 151 were included in 21 clonal complexes (CCs); the remaining 27 isolates did not belong to any existing CCs. CC21, CC353, CC206, and CC257 were the predominant clones, representing 38 % of all C. jejuni isolates tested. The isolates were assigned to 78 different sequence types (STs), three of which were novel (ST 8082, ST 8083, and ST 8084). Resistance to quinolones was found in 73 (41 %) of the isolates (42.85 %, 2.85 %, 20.58 %, and 43.75 % in human, cattle, dog, and chicken isolates, respectively). All of the resistant isolates had Thr-86-Ile mutation in the gyrA gene. The highest Sorensen coefficient index was detected for human/chicken meat and human/dog C. jejuni isolates (Ss = 0.71), suggesting a strong link between the isolates from respective sources. The Simpson diversity index of C. jejuni isolates analyzed was detected between 0.92 and 0.98. The study provides detailed information on the quinolone resistance and MLST-based genetic relatedness of C. jejuni isolates from humans, cattle, dog, and broiler meat in Turkey for the first time, enabling a better understanding of the transmission pathways of C. jejuni in this country. Our results suggest that broiler meat and dogs may be the most important sources of human campylobacteriosis in Turkey.

Description of the two novel species of the genus Helicobacter: Helicobacter anatolicus sp. nov., and Helicobacter kayseriensis sp. nov., isolated from feces of urban wild birds.

A total of 26 Gram-negative, motile, gently curved, and rod-shaped isolates were recovered, during a study to determine the faeco-prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in urban wild birds. Pairwise comparisons of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these isolates belonged to the genus Helicobacter and phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were separated into two divergent groups. The first group consisted of 20 urease-positive isolates sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity levels of 98.5-98.6% to H. mustelae ATCC 43772T, while the second group contained six urease-negative isolates with the sequence identity level of 98.5% to the type strain of H. pametensis ATCC 51478T. Five isolates were chosen and subjected to comparative whole-genome analysis. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, gyrA and atpA gene sequences showed that Helicobacter isolates formed two separate phylogenetic clades, differentiating the isolates from the other Helicobacter species. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses between strains faydin-H8T, faydin-H23T and their close neighbors H. anseris MIT 04-9362T and H. pametensis ATCC 51478T, respectively, confirmed that both strains represent novel species in the genus Helicobacter. The DNA G+C contents of the strains faydin-H8T and faydin-H23T are 32.0% and 37.6%, respectively. The results obtained for the characterization of the wild bird isolates indicate that they represent two novel species, for which the names Helicobacter anatolicus sp. nov., and Helicobacter kayseriensis sp. nov., are proposed, with faydin-H8T(=LMG 32237T = DSM 112312T) and faydin-H23T(=LMG 32236T = CECT 30508T) as respective type strains.

Clinical relevance of virulence genes in Helicobacter pylori isolates recovered from adult dyspeptic patients in Turkey.

PURPOSE: Bacterial virulence factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection. The aims of this study were to evaluate virulence genes in H. pylori isolates and to compare the presence of these genes and associated clinical pathologies. METHODS: A total of 148 H. pylori isolates, recovered from adult dyspeptic patients, were used. The patients, from whom the isolates were obtained, were assigned to two groups by their endoscopic findings, which manifested as chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer. The presence of gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia was recorded for each patient, based on histopathological examination. Analyses of the virulence genes were performed by the polymerase chain reaction technique. RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 47 â€‹± â€‹15 years and 86 (58%) of them were female. Based on endoscopic examination, 103 (69.6%) patients were diagnosed with chronic gastritis and 45 (30.4%) with peptic ulcer. Histopathological examination revealed intestinal metaplasia in 30 (20%) patients and gastric atrophy in 12 (8%) patients. The prevalence rates of cagA, cagE, iceA1, iceA2, and babA2 were determined to be 87%, 74%, 58%, 26%, and 95%, respectively. The most prevalent vacA alleles were s1/s1a (82%/97%) and the least prevalent allele was s2 (20%). A new vacA genotype (s1as1bs1c) was detected, for the first time, in 18 (12%) isolates. No significant difference was found between the patient groups with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer for the prevalences of the virulence genes (p â€‹> â€‹0.05). Furthermore, intestinal metaplasia and gastric atrophy showed no significant correlation with the virulence genes (p â€‹> â€‹0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is thoughted that H. pylori isolates with predominant cagA, cagE, VacA (s1, s1a), and babA2 virulence genes are associated with gastroduodenal diseases. However, there is no correlation between gastric premalignant lesions and virulence genes.

The ocular pyogranulomatous lesion in a Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) from the Antarctic Peninsula: evaluation of microbiological and histopathological analysis outcomes.

In this study, it was aimed to present the results of microbiological, cytological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses of ocular samples from an Antarctic (Ardley Island, King George Island) Gentoo penguin chick (Pygoscelis papua) with a pyogranulomatous lesion in the right eye. Samples were taken from both the healthy left eye and the lesion in the right eye. Conventional culture methods and phenotypic and molecular tests were used for bacterial isolation and identification, respectively. None of the isolates could be identified phenotypically. As a result, four of the five isolates obtained from the right eye were considered to belong to putative novel bacterial species and taxa as their similarity to GenBank data was below 98.75%. The isolates were considered to be Pasteurellaceae bacterium, Corynebacterium ciconiae, Cardiobacteriaceae bacterium, Actinomyces sp., and Dermabacteraceae bacterium. The only isolate from the left eye was identified as Psychrobacter pygoscelis. The cytological analysis demonstrated cell infiltrates composed mostly of degenerate heterophils, reactive macrophages, plasma cells, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. Based on histopathological findings, the lesion was defined as a typical pyogranulomatous lesion. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the granuloma was positive for TNF-α, IL-4, MMP-9, IL-1ß, and IL-6. This is the first documented report of the unilateral pyogranulomatous ocular lesion in a Gentoo penguin chick, living in its natural habitat in Antarctica. This report also describes the isolation of four bacteria from the infected eye, which are considered to belong to novel Genus, species, or taxa. The primary bacterial pathogen that caused the ocular lesion was not able to be detected and remains unclear.

Campylobacter anatolicus sp. nov., a novel member of the genus Campylobacter isolated from feces of Anatolian Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) in Turkey.

Seventy-four Gram-negative, motile, slightly curved rod-shaped, microaerophilic, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative isolates, recovered from fecal samples of the Anatolian ground squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) in Kayseri, Turkey, were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Results of a genus-specific PCR indicated that all isolates belonged to the genus Campylobacter. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses revealed the closest match as Campylobacter curvus DSM 6644T with identity levels of 96.41-96.70%. Based on the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny of the 74 isolates, six isolates (faydin-G24, faydin-G52, faydin-G105, faydin-G114, faydin-G129 and faydin-G140T) were chosen as representatives for further characterization. The overall genome relatedness indices for the strain faydin-G140T, compared to the most closely related type strain C. curvus ATCC 35224T, were calculated as 15.2%, 72.5%, and 83.7% for digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), and average nucleotide identity (ANIb and ANIm), respectively. The G+C content and genome size of the strains ranged between 35.2-35.4 mol% and 1.7-1.8 Mb, respectively. Based on data obtained from the polyphasic taxonomy approach, including phenotypic characterization as well as genomic and chemotaxonomic analyses, these strains are concluded to represent a novel species, for which the name Campylobacter anatolicus sp. nov. is proposed with faydin-G140T as the type strain (=DSM 112311T = LMG 32238T).

Antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolates recovered from humans with diarrhoea in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at investigating the occurrence and genetic mechanisms of resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and erythromycin in clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni recovered from human cases of acute gastroenteritis in Turkey. METHODOLOGY: MIC values of each antibiotic were determined with the epsilometer test (E-test). Resistance genes/mutations were first screened by PCR and analysed by subsequent DNA sequencing. RESULTS: From a total of 152 C. jejuni isolates tested, 113 (74.3%), 38 (25%) and 9 (5.9%) were found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and erythromycin, respectively. Sequence analysis of ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates showed that all resistant strains (n=113) carried Thr-86-Ile substition in the gyrA gene, which is the most frequently observed mutation in fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter. All of the tetracycline-resistant isolates (n=38) carried the tetO gene. All of the erythromycin-resistant isolates (n=9) harboured the point mutation A2075G in the 23S rRNA gene, which is the most common mutation conferring macrolide resistance in C. jejuni. CONCLUSION: The phenotypic susceptibility testing results were found to agree well with those obtained by genetic detection methods for the C. jejuni isolates tested. The findings of this study showed a very high level of resistance to ciprofloxacin and to a lesser extent to tetracycline while resistance to erythromycin remained at a low level. Thus, erythromycin may be considered as the first choice for treatment of Campylobacter infections in this geographical region when indicated.

Neonatal calf meningitis associated with Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus.

Here, we report a case of neonatal calf meningitis due to Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus (SGG). Clinical, pathological and microbiological findings were evaluated. API Strep, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, rpoB gene sequencing and sodA gene sequencing were used for the complete identification of SGG. This is the first documented report of neonatal calf meningitis due to SGG in veterinary medicine.

The possible relationship between Campylobacter spp./Arcobacter spp. and patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The role of bacterial infection in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is under investigation. This study aims to (i) determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and Arcobacter spp. in patients with UC, (ii) identify the antibiotic susceptibility of isolated agents, and (iii) investigate the role of these microorganisms in the pathogenesis and/or activation of UC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with UC and 40 healthy individuals were included in the study. Stool samples were used for cultural examination. Direct plating, membrane filtration, and enrichment methods were used for isolation. 16s rRNA sequence analysis was used for definitive identification of isolates that were identified phenotypically. RESULTS: In the UC group, 20 (25%) patients had proctitis, 40 (50%) patients had left-type involvement, and 20 (25%) patients had extensive involvement. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from four (5%) patients in the UC group and isolates were identified as C. curvus, C. concisus, C. sputorum, and C. jejuni. C. concisus and C. jejuni were found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. C. jejuni was also resistant to tetracycline. All samples were negative for Arcobacter spp. The samples from the control group neither showed the presence of Campylobacter spp. nor Arcobacter spp. CONCLUSION: Given the clinical, endoscopic, and bacteriological examination results, it is believed that Campylobacter spp. are agents that cause flare-up clinically by being superimposed on the primary disease, rather than agents that initiate the disease in patients with UC. Arcobacter spp., which are known to cause acute gastroenteritis, were not found to be associated with UC.