Access microbiologyPub Date : 2024-06-26eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000675.v3
Carolin Brand, Brian J Geiss, Martin Bisaillon
{"title":"Deciphering the interaction surface between the West Nile virus NS3 and NS5 proteins.","authors":"Carolin Brand, Brian J Geiss, Martin Bisaillon","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000675.v3","DOIUrl":"10.1099/acmi.0.000675.v3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>West Nile virus (WNV) is the most prevalent mosquito-borne virus and the leading cause of viral encephalitis in the continental United States. It belongs to the family <i>Flaviviridae</i> which includes other important human pathogens such as dengue virus (DENV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Zika viruses (ZIKV). Despite several decades of research, no specific antiviral drugs are available to treat flavivirus infections. The present study characterizes the interaction between the WNV NS3 and NS5 proteins for the purpose of identifying hotspots in the protein-protein interaction which could be targeted for the development of antiviral therapeutics. We previously developed an interaction model <i>in silico</i> based on data available in the literature. Here, potential interacting residues on NS3 and NS5 were mutated in a WNV replicon, and seven mutations in the NS3 protein were found to drastically reduce viral replication. In addition to being well conserved among mosquito-borne flaviviruses, these residues are located on the protein's surface in two clusters which might be interesting new targets for future drug development.</p>","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"6 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261718/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141753786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Access microbiologyPub Date : 2024-06-26eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000784.v3
Bridget G Kelly
{"title":"Using photovoice to engage students in a non-major microbiology course.","authors":"Bridget G Kelly","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000784.v3","DOIUrl":"10.1099/acmi.0.000784.v3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the past decade, it has become increasingly difficult to engage and encourage critical thinking and deeper learning in students who participate in higher education, particularly in non-major subjects. Photovoice is a participatory action research methodology that has been used in community-based research in many different areas including social science, health science and education. In this study, photovoice was used as a pedagogical tool in a third-year BSc Bioscience non-major microbiology module at Dundalk Institute of Technology. In order to ascertain if photovoice was an effective way of engaging these students, a qualitative descriptive methodological approach, in the form of a focus group, was employed. Six of the 13 students who took the module participated in the focus group, reporting a positive experience overall of using photovoice. Further analysis of the focus group data resulted in the overarching theme of choice, with creativity and critical thinking and research skills as sub-themes to emerge. These findings suggest that photovoice is an effective way to engage students in microbiology as a non-major subject. However, as it was a small sample size, future research would need to use a larger cohort of students to provide further evidence of using photovoice as a pedagogical engagement tool for non-major subjects.</p>","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"6 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261737/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141753797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Access microbiologyPub Date : 2024-06-25eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000738.v3
Bethany J Pettifor, Anparasy Kajamuhan, Sandra Denman, James E McDonald
{"title":"Investigating the impact of temperature on growth rate of the root rot fungus, Gymnopus fusipes.","authors":"Bethany J Pettifor, Anparasy Kajamuhan, Sandra Denman, James E McDonald","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000738.v3","DOIUrl":"10.1099/acmi.0.000738.v3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Gymnopus fusipes</i> is an understudied root rot pathogen associated with multiple tree species and is linked to episodes of oak decline across the United Kingdom and Europe. Although the reported distribution of <i>G. fusipes</i> is broad, many observations rely solely on visual identification of fruiting bodies, which can be unreliable, and lack confirmation by molecular and/or isolation data to verify this broad ecological range. Given the paucity of information regarding the true ecological distribution of <i>G. fusipes</i>, it is difficult to predict and model the potential distribution of the species under both current and future climate scenarios. In this study, to determine the growth capabilities of <i>G. fusipes</i> across a range of ecologically relevant temperatures<i>,</i> five geographically diverse isolates of <i>G. fusipes</i> were grown at five different temperatures ranging from 4-37°C, to determine the optimal temperature for <i>G. fusipes</i> growth, and to establish whether geographically diverse isolates exhibit local adaptation to temperature tolerance. Incubation temperature had a significant effect on <i>G. fusipes</i> growth rate, with 25°C representing the optimum (<i>P</i><0.001). Isolates had differing growth rates at each of the temperatures, with an isolate from the UK having the highest overall growth rate across all five temperatures tested (<i>P</i><0.001), and at the optimum, increased by a mean value of over 4915 mm<sup>2</sup>. Local adaptation to temperature tolerance was not found in the isolates tested. These data demonstrate the optimal incubation temperature for future laboratory studies on <i>G. fusipes</i> and provide the first data on the growth rate of this pathogen across ecologically relevant climate ranges that may inform land managers, modellers, and policy makers in predicting the current and potentially future geographical limits of this widespread root rot pathogen.</p>","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"6 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261711/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141753790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Access microbiologyPub Date : 2024-06-24eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000713.v4
Salma Akter, M Shaminur Rahman, M Rafiul Islam, Masuda Akther, Humaira Anjume, Mafruha Marjia, Md Mizanur Rahaman, M Anwar Hossain, Munawar Sultana
{"title":"Development of recombinant proteins for vaccine candidates against serotypes O and A of Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus in Bangladesh.","authors":"Salma Akter, M Shaminur Rahman, M Rafiul Islam, Masuda Akther, Humaira Anjume, Mafruha Marjia, Md Mizanur Rahaman, M Anwar Hossain, Munawar Sultana","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000713.v4","DOIUrl":"10.1099/acmi.0.000713.v4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Frequent vaccine failure leading to recurrent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in livestock populations necessitates the development of a customizable vaccine platform comprising potential antigenic determinants of circulating lineages of FMD viruses. Artificially designed, chimaeric protein-based recombinant vaccines are novel approaches to combat the phylogenetically diverse FMD Virus (FMDV) strains. Among seven recognized serotypes, only serotypes O and A are dominantly circulating in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries of Asia, where transboundary transmission, recurrent outbreaks and emergence of novel lineages of FMDV are highly prevalent. The objective of this study was to develop multi-epitope recombinant proteins, procuring immunogenicity against circulating diverse genotypes of FMDV serotypes O and A. Two chimaeric proteins, named B1 (41.0 kDa) and B3 (39.3 kDa), have been designed to incorporate potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes selected from multiple FMDV strains, including previously reported and newly emerged sub-lineages. After expression, characterization and immunization of guinea pigs with a considerable antigen load of B1 and B3 followed by serological assays revealed the significant protective immunogenicity, developed from the higher (100 µg) doses of both antigens, against most of the currently prevalent serotype O and A strains of FMDV. The efficient expression, antigenic stability, and multivalent immunogenic potency of the chimaeric proteins strongly indicate their credibility as novel vaccine candidates for existing serotypes O and A of FMDV in Bangladesh and surrounding territories.</p>","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"6 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261717/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141753787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Access microbiologyPub Date : 2024-06-20eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000746.v3
Melissa Kalladeen, Paul Cheddie, Patrick Eberechi Akpaka
{"title":"Group A streptococcus isolated in Guyana with reduced susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics.","authors":"Melissa Kalladeen, Paul Cheddie, Patrick Eberechi Akpaka","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000746.v3","DOIUrl":"10.1099/acmi.0.000746.v3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> [group A streptococci (GAS)] is the causative agent of pharyngitis and various other syndromes involving cellulitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), and necrotising fasciitis. Although the prevalence of GAS infections globally remains high, necessitating the widespread use of β-lactam antibiotics, GAS have remained largely susceptible to these agents. However, there have been several reports of GAS with reduced susceptibility harbouring mutations in genes for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). The objectives of this study were to examine the <i>in vitro</i> β-lactam susceptibility patterns of group A streptococci, determine the prevalence of drug resistance, and ascertain whether such resistance could be attributed to mutations in specific PBP genes. <b>Methods.</b> In this study, we sought to use Sanger sequencing to identify mutations in PBP genes of <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> isolated from patients that required inpatient and outpatient care that could confer reduced PBP affinity for penicillin and/or cephalosporin antibiotics. All isolates were screened for susceptibility to penicillin, amoxicillin, and cefazolin using E-test strips. <b>Results.</b> While there were no documented cases of reduced susceptibility to penicillin or amoxicillin, 13 isolates had reduced susceptibility to cefazolin. Examination of <i>pbp1a</i> by Sanger sequencing revealed several isolates with single amino acid substitutions, which could potentially reduce the affinity of PBP 1A for cefazolin and possibly other first-generation cephalosporins. <b>Conclusion.</b> Penicillin and penicillin-derived antibiotics remain effective treatment options for GAS infections, but active surveillance is needed to monitor for changes to susceptibility patterns against these and other antibiotics and understand the genetic mechanisms contributing to them.</p>","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"6 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261736/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141753788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Access microbiologyPub Date : 2024-06-20eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000639.v3
Miguel Ángel Vences-Guzmán, Martín Jiménez-Rodríguez, Luis Lozano, Sergio Rojas-Juárez, Juan Abel Ramírez-Estudillo, Ángeles Yahel Hernández-Vázquez, Ingrid Yazmín Pita-Ortiz, Karol Guadalupe Ramírez-Ceballos, Silvia Medina-Medina, Christian Sohlenkamp
{"title":"A clinical metagenomic study of biopsies from Mexican endophthalmitis patients reveals the presence of complex bacterial communities and a diversity of resistance genes.","authors":"Miguel Ángel Vences-Guzmán, Martín Jiménez-Rodríguez, Luis Lozano, Sergio Rojas-Juárez, Juan Abel Ramírez-Estudillo, Ángeles Yahel Hernández-Vázquez, Ingrid Yazmín Pita-Ortiz, Karol Guadalupe Ramírez-Ceballos, Silvia Medina-Medina, Christian Sohlenkamp","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000639.v3","DOIUrl":"10.1099/acmi.0.000639.v3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infectious endophthalmitis is a severe ophthalmic emergency. This infection can be caused by bacteria and fungi. For efficient treatment, the administration of antimicrobial drugs to which the microbes are susceptible is essential. The aim of this study was to identify micro-organisms in biopsies of Mexican endophthalmitis patients using metagenomic next-generation sequencing and determine which antibiotic resistance genes were present in the biopsy samples. In this prospective case study, 19 endophthalmitis patients were recruited. Samples of vitreous or aqueous humour were extracted for DNA extraction for metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Analysis of the sequencing results revealed the presence of a wide variety of bacteria in the biopsies. Resistome analysis showed that homologues of antibiotic resistance genes were present in several biopsy samples. Genes possibly conferring resistance to ceftazidime and vancomycin were detected in addition to various genes encoding efflux pumps. Our findings contrast with the widespread opinion that only one or a few bacterial strains are present in the infected tissues of endophthalmitis patients. These diverse communities might host many of the resistance genes that were detected, which can further complicate the infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"6 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261729/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141753784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Access microbiologyPub Date : 2024-06-20eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000747.v5
Peace Amarachukwu Ezeh, Busayo Olalekan Olayinka, Rebecca Olajumoke Bolaji, Suleiman Ahmed Babangida, Ahmed Olowo-Okere
{"title":"Phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility profile of clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria.","authors":"Peace Amarachukwu Ezeh, Busayo Olalekan Olayinka, Rebecca Olajumoke Bolaji, Suleiman Ahmed Babangida, Ahmed Olowo-Okere","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000747.v5","DOIUrl":"10.1099/acmi.0.000747.v5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background.</b> The increasing resistance of clinical <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> isolates to commonly prescribed antibiotics has been reported around the world. Data are generally lacking on the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profile of clinical <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> isolates from Kaduna, northwest Nigeria. This study thus aimed to determine the diversity and antibiotic resistance profile of clinical <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> isolates recovered from clinical specimens from patients admitted to two selected healthcare institutions in Kaduna. <b>Methods.</b> This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted between September and December 2021. Non-duplicate clinical bacterial isolates recovered from various specimens were collected and identified using rapid biochemical identification kits. The susceptibility of identified <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> to various antibiotics and phenotypic detection of carbapenemase enzymes were thereafter determined. The data were analysed and visualized using R software version 4.3.1. <b>Results.</b> Of the 500 bacterial isolates recovered from specimens collected for the purpose of clinical bacteriology diagnostics, 108 (21.6 %) were identified as <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i>, with <i>Pantoea agglomerans</i> (52, 48.1 %) and <i>Klebsiella oxytoca</i> (19, 17.6 %) being the most prevalent. The isolates exhibited high resistance to azithromycin (69 %) and ceftazidime (42 %), while exhibiting low resistance to amikacin (7 %) and imipenem (10 %). Among the carbapenem-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> (CRE) isolates, a significant proportion (12/17, 70.6 %) tested positive for carbapenemase activity. <b>Conclusion.</b> This study reports a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria. The emergence of pathogenic <i>P. agglomerans</i> and an alarmingly high prevalence of carbapenemase-producing CRE were also observed. The presence of carbapenemase producers in an area with low carbapenem usage and resistance rates raises significant concerns. Continuous surveillance and robust antibiotic stewardship policies are imperative to preserve the efficacy of carbapenems in this region.</p>","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"6 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261666/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141753791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Access microbiologyPub Date : 2024-06-19eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000710.v3
Rebecca Mary Cornwell, Kirsty Ross, Caius Gibeily, Isobel Guthrie, Pak Hei Li, Laurence Taylor Seeley, Yaxuan Kong, Ava True, Arun Barnes, Emma Nimmo, Gloriya Len, Ioana Oprea, Boyang Lin, Aswin Sasi, Vicky Chu, Chloe Davidson, Daniil Ulasavets, Grace Renouf-Bilanski, Maria Dmitrieva, Yana Leung, Ziying Ye, Sasha Brown, Meghna Vaidya, Jenna Hynes, Catherine Mullner, Priyansha Agarwal, Paul Johnston, Charlotte Thorley, Clarissa Melo Czekster
{"title":"Unearthing new learning opportunities: adapting and innovating through the 'Antibiotics under our feet' citizen science project in Scotland during COVID-19.","authors":"Rebecca Mary Cornwell, Kirsty Ross, Caius Gibeily, Isobel Guthrie, Pak Hei Li, Laurence Taylor Seeley, Yaxuan Kong, Ava True, Arun Barnes, Emma Nimmo, Gloriya Len, Ioana Oprea, Boyang Lin, Aswin Sasi, Vicky Chu, Chloe Davidson, Daniil Ulasavets, Grace Renouf-Bilanski, Maria Dmitrieva, Yana Leung, Ziying Ye, Sasha Brown, Meghna Vaidya, Jenna Hynes, Catherine Mullner, Priyansha Agarwal, Paul Johnston, Charlotte Thorley, Clarissa Melo Czekster","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000710.v3","DOIUrl":"10.1099/acmi.0.000710.v3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>'Antibiotics under our feet' is a Scottish citizen science project that aimed to raise science capital in primary school learners and their teachers through measurement of microbial diversity in urban soil samples in the search for novel antimicrobial compounds. Resistance to antibiotics is rising, posing a global threat to human health. Furthermore, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are in crisis, jeopardising our capacity to mobilise as a society to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Originally conceived as a response to the AMR and STEM emergencies, our project was hit by the unprecedented challenge of engaging with schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe how we adapted our project to enable remote participation from primary schools and youth groups, utilising COVID-19 response initiatives as opportunities for multi-level co-creation of resources with learners in primary, secondary, and higher education. We produced portable kit boxes for soil sample collection with learning activities and videos linked to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. We also addressed glaring project specific content gaps relating to microbiology on English and Simple English Wikipedia. Our hybrid model of working extended our geographical reach and broadened inclusion. We present here the inception, implementation, digital resource outputs, and discussion of pedagogical aspects of 'Antibiotics under our feet'. Our strategies and insights are applicable post-pandemic for educators to develop STEM skills using soil, microbes, and antibiotics as a theme.</p>","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"6 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261732/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141753796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
José Mazuecos-Blanca, José Rafael Mazuecos-Gutiérrez, Ana Jiménez-Gil
{"title":"Reply to letter: Erosive balanitis caused by Staphylococcus haemolyticus in a healthy, circumcised adult male","authors":"José Mazuecos-Blanca, José Rafael Mazuecos-Gutiérrez, Ana Jiménez-Gil","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000831","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000831","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"9 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141266925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Wattrang, Tina Sørensen Dalgaard, Helena Eriksson, R. Söderlund
{"title":"Erysipelothrix spp. and other Erysipelotrichales detected by 16S rRNA microbial community profiling in samples from healthy conventionally reared chickens and their environment","authors":"E. Wattrang, Tina Sørensen Dalgaard, Helena Eriksson, R. Söderlund","doi":"10.1099/acmi.0.000736.v3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000736.v3","url":null,"abstract":"Outbreaks of erysipelas, a disease caused by infection with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (ER), is a re-emerging problem in cage-free laying hen flocks. The source of ER infection in hens is usually unknown and serological evidence has also indicated the presence of ER or other antigenically related bacteria in healthy flocks. The aim of the present study was to evaluate sample collection, culture methods and DNA-based methodology to detect ER and other Erysipelotrichales in samples from healthy chickens and their environment. We used samples from a research facility with conventionally reared chickens with no history of erysipelas outbreaks where hens with high titres of IgY recognising ER previously have been observed. Microbial DNA was extracted from samples either directly or after pre-culture in nonselective or ER-selective medium. Real-time PCR was used for detection of Erysipelothrix spp. and high-throughput amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA sequencing was used for detection of Erysipelotrichales. A pilot serological analysis of some Erysipelotrichales members with IgY from unvaccinated and ER-vaccinated high-biosecurity chickens, as well as conventionally reared chickens, was also performed. All samples were negative for ER, E. tonsillarum and E. piscisicarius by PCR analysis. However, 16S rRNA community profiling indicated the presence of several Erysipelotrichales genera in both environmental samples and chicken intestinal samples, including Erysipelothrix spp. that were detected in environmental samples. Sequences from Erysipelothrix spp. were most frequently detected in samples pre-cultured in ER-selective medium. At species level the presence of Erysipelothrix anatis and/or Erysipelothrix aquatica was indicated. Serological results indicated that IgY raised to ER showed some cross-reactivity with E. anatis. Hence, environmental samples pre-cultured in selective medium and analysis by 16S rRNA sequencing proved a useful method for detection of Erysipelotrichales, including Erysipelothrix spp., in chicken flocks. The observation of such bacteria in environmental samples offers a possible explanation for the observation of high antibody titres to ER in flocks without a history of clinical erysipelas.","PeriodicalId":94366,"journal":{"name":"Access microbiology","volume":"30 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141275922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}