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Wagner H, Heller M, Fawzy A, Schnee C, Nesseler A, Kaim U, Ewers C, Semmler T, Spergser J, Schultze T, Eisenberg T. Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri, an uncommon mastitis and respiratory pathogen isolated in a German flock of goats. Vet Microbiol 2024; 290:109996. [PMID: 38295490 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.109996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. capri (Mmc) is one of the etiological microorganisms of contagious agalactia, which is among the diseases causing the highest economical losses in small ruminants. We report a disease outbreak in a German flock that led to significant suffering of goats characterized by mastitis, arthritis, pleuropneumonia and sudden deaths. Mmc was persistently isolated from many animals both from milk, and from a number of different swab and tissue samples. A number of closely related Mycoplasma spp. have to be taken into consideration to rule out important animal epizootics listed by European Animal Health Law and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Some goats developed cross-reacting antibodies against Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. mycoides. Although Mmc is believed to be an uncommon microorganism in Germany, this study highlights that veterinarians should consider this pathogen in their work during herd health monitoring in Central Europe. Although eradication was not fully achieved, autogenous vaccination significantly seemed to improve animal health and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Wagner
- Veterinary Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Neonatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Martin Heller
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis (IMP), Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Ahmad Fawzy
- Cairo University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Cairo, Egypt; Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Christiane Schnee
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis (IMP), Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Anne Nesseler
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Ute Kaim
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Christa Ewers
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Torsten Semmler
- NG1 Microbial Genomics, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Spergser
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Tilman Schultze
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Tobias Eisenberg
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60, Giessen 35392, Germany; Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen 35392, Germany.
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Nottelet P, Bataille L, Gourgues G, Anger R, Lartigue C, Sirand-Pugnet P, Marza E, Fronzes R, Arfi Y. The mycoplasma surface proteins MIB and MIP promote the dissociation of the antibody-antigen interaction. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/10/eabf2403. [PMID: 33674316 PMCID: PMC7935358 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf2403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Mycoplasma immunoglobulin binding (MIB) and mycoplasma immunoglobulin protease (MIP) are surface proteins found in the majority of mycoplasma species, acting sequentially to capture antibodies and cleave off their VH domains. Cryo-electron microscopy structures show how MIB and MIP bind to a Fab fragment in a "hug of death" mechanism. As a result, the orientation of the VL and VH domains is twisted out of alignment, disrupting the antigen binding site. We also show that MIB-MIP has the ability to promote the dissociation of the antibody-antigen complex. This system is functional in cells and protects mycoplasmas from antibody-mediated agglutination. These results highlight the key role of the MIB-MIP system in immunity evasion by mycoplasmas through an unprecedented mechanism, and open exciting perspectives to use these proteins as potential tools in the antibody field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Nottelet
- Structure and Function of Bacterial Nanomachines, UMR 5234, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Laure Bataille
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Geraldine Gourgues
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Robin Anger
- Structure and Function of Bacterial Nanomachines, UMR 5234, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Carole Lartigue
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Pascal Sirand-Pugnet
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Esther Marza
- Structure and Function of Bacterial Nanomachines, UMR 5234, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Remi Fronzes
- Structure and Function of Bacterial Nanomachines, UMR 5234, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, F-33600 Pessac, France.
| | - Yonathan Arfi
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France.
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Jaÿ M, Tardy F. Contagious Agalactia In Sheep And Goats: Current Perspectives. VETERINARY MEDICINE (AUCKLAND, N.Z.) 2019; 10:229-247. [PMID: 31921613 PMCID: PMC6938181 DOI: 10.2147/vmrr.s201847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Contagious agalactia (CA) is a disease caused equally by four Mycoplasma species, in single or mixed infections. Clinical signs are multiple, including mastitis, arthritis, keratoconjunctivitis, pneumonia, and septicemia, non-specific, and expressed differently depending whether sheep or goats are affected, on causative mycoplasmas as well as type of husbandry. CA has been reported worldwide and its geographic distribution maps to that of small ruminant breeding areas. However, as current diagnostic tests are expensive and difficult to implement, it is certainly underdiagnosed and prevalence data are only available for a few countries. CA control relies on vaccines, chemotherapy and good herd management practices. It requires long-term commitment but is often unsuccessful, with frequent clinical relapses. The persistence of the etiological agents, despite their overall susceptibility to antimicrobials, comes from their genetic plasticity and capacity to escape the host immune response. The existence of asymptomatic carriers and the numerous sources of infections contribute to rapid spread of the disease and complicate the control and prevention efforts. Here we review all these aspects in order to highlight recent progress made and identify gaps in knowledge or tools needed for better disease management. Discussion also underlines the detrimental effect of contagious agalactia on small ruminant welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryne Jaÿ
- Université de Lyon, ANSES, Laboratoire de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, UMR Mycoplasmoses des Ruminants, Lyon69364, France
| | - Florence Tardy
- Université de Lyon, ANSES, Laboratoire de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, UMR Mycoplasmoses des Ruminants, Lyon69364, France
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Olaogun OM, Kanci A, Barber SR, Tivendale KA, Markham PF, Marenda MS, Browning GF. Survey of Victorian small ruminant herds for mycoplasmas associated with contagious agalactia and molecular characterisation of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri isolates from one herd. Aust Vet J 2017; 95:392-400. [PMID: 28948623 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Regarded as one of the most expensive production diseases of dairy sheep and goats, contagious agalactia (CA) is caused by any of four agents: Mycoplasma agalactiae, M. mycoides subspecies capri (Mmc), M. capricolum subspecies capricolum (Mcc) and M. putrefaciens. Although CA is worldwide in distribution, it has not been reported in Australia, even though studies between the 1950s and 1980s isolated each agent from sheep or goats without any clinical signs associated with it. The aim of this study was to examine sheep and goats in Victoria, Australia, for the presence of CA-associated mycoplasmas and to investigate the evolutionary relationships of these isolates by comparing their genetic differences with their counterparts from other parts of the world. METHODS A 3-year epidemiological survey of small ruminant populations in Victoria, Australia, was conducted for the presence of CA-associated mycoplasmas and the isolates obtained were genotyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). RESULTS Mmc was the only CA-associated agent isolated from the 1358 samples analysed in the study, but was not associated with CA on the property where it was found. MLST analyses of Mmc strains revealed a distinct clustering of Australian isolates into a novel clade, with the closest relatives being strains from Europe. The distinct clustering is consistent with the absence of clinical disease in Australia. CONCLUSION The isolation of Mmc indicates that this subspecies persists in Australian small ruminant populations. However, full genome sequencing and in vitro animal experimentation are needed to unequivocally demonstrate the avirulence of Australian strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- O M Olaogun
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - A Kanci
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - S R Barber
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - K A Tivendale
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - P F Markham
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - M S Marenda
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - G F Browning
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Mycoplasma agalactiae Secretion of β-(1→6)-Glucan, a Rare Polysaccharide in Prokaryotes, Is Governed by High-Frequency Phase Variation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:3370-3383. [PMID: 27037120 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00274-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Mycoplasmas are minimal, wall-less bacteria but have retained the ability to secrete complex carbohydrate polymers that constitute a glycocalyx. In members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster, which are important ruminant pathogens, the glycocalyx includes both cell-attached and cell-free polysaccharides. This report explores the potential secretion of polysaccharides by M. agalactiae, another ruminant pathogen that belongs to a distant phylogenetic group. Comparative genomic analyses showed that M. agalactiae possesses all the genes required for polysaccharide secretion. Notably, a putative synthase gene (gsmA) was identified, by in silico reconstruction of the biosynthetic pathway, that could be involved in both polymerization and export of the carbohydrate polymers. M. agalactiae polysaccharides were then purified in vitro and found to be mainly cell attached, with a linear β-(1→6)-glucopyranose structure [β-(1→6)-glucan]. Secretion of β-(1→6)-glucan was further shown to rely on the presence of a functional gsmA gene, whose expression is subjected to high-frequency phase variation. This event is governed by the spontaneous intraclonal variation in length of a poly(G) tract located in the gsmA coding sequence and was shown to occur in most of the M. agalactiae clinical isolates tested in this study. M. agalactiae susceptibility to serum-killing activity appeared to be dictated by ON/OFF switching of β-(1→6)-glucan secretion, suggesting a role of this phenomenon in survival of the pathogen when it invades the host bloodstream. Finally, β-(1→6)-glucan secretion was not restricted to M. agalactiae but was detected also in M. mycoides subsp. capri PG3(T), another pathogen of small ruminants. IMPORTANCE Many if not all bacteria are able to secrete polysaccharides, either attached to the cell surface or exported unbound into the extracellular environment. Both types of polysaccharides can play a role in bacterium-host interactions. Mycoplasmas are no exception despite their poor overall metabolic capacity. We showed here that M. agalactiae secretes a capsular β-(1→6)-glucopyranose thanks to a specific glycosyltransferase with synthase activity. This secretion is governed by high-frequency ON/OFF phase variation that might be crucial in mycoplasma host dissemination, as cell-attached β-(1→6)-glucopyranose increases serum-killing susceptibility. Our results provide functional genetic data about mycoplasmal glycosyltransferases with dual functions, i.e., assembly and export of the sugar polymers across the cell membrane. Furthermore, we demonstrated that nonprotein epitopes can be subjected to surface antigenic variation in mycoplasmas. Finally, the present report contributes to unravel the role of secreted polysaccharides in the virulence and pathogenicity of these peculiar bacteria.
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Gómez-Martín A, Amores J, Paterna A, De la Fe C. Contagious agalactia due to Mycoplasma spp. in small dairy ruminants: epidemiology and prospects for diagnosis and control. Vet J 2013; 198:48-56. [PMID: 23759248 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Contagious agalactia (CA) is a serious disease of small dairy ruminants that has a substantial economic impact on the goat and sheep milk industries. The main aetiological agent of the disease is Mycoplasma agalactiae, although other species, such as Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum and Mycoplasma putrefaciens, are pathogenic in goats. There are two clinical-epidemiological states of CA in sheep and goats; herds and flocks may exhibit outbreaks of CA or may be chronically infected, the latter with a high incidence of subclinical mastitis and only occasional clinical cases. The complex epidemiology of CA is related to the genetic characteristics and mechanisms of molecular variation of the Mycoplasma spp. involved, along with presence of CA-mycoplasmas in wild ruminant species. In goats, the situation is particularly complex and asymptomatic carriers have been detected in chronically infected herds. The coexistence of other non-pathogenic mycoplasmas in the herd further complicates the diagnosis of CA and the design of efficient strategies to control the disease. Routes of infection, such as the venereal route, may be involved in the establishment of chronic infection in herds. Current challenges include the need for improved diagnostic methods for detection of chronic and subclinical infections and for the design of more efficient vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Gómez-Martín
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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Gómez-Martín Á, De la Fe C, Amores J, Sánchez A, Contreras A, Paterna A, Buendía AJ, Corrales JC. Anatomic location of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri and Mycoplasma agalactiae in naturally infected goat male auricular carriers. Vet Microbiol 2012; 157:355-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Revised: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Controlling contagious agalactia in artificial insemination centers for goats and detection of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri in semen. Theriogenology 2012; 77:1252-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Revised: 10/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Tardy F, Gaurivaud P, Manso-Silván L, Thiaucourt F, Pellet MP, Mercier P, Le Grand D, Poumarat F. Extended surveillance for CBPP in a free country: Challenges and solutions regarding the potential caprine reservoir. Prev Vet Med 2011; 101:89-95. [PMID: 21620492 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Revised: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 04/29/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a severe respiratory disease of cattle and buffalo caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides "Small Colony" (MmmSC). The agent of CBPP has been isolated from goats in different countries including CBPP-free areas. Goats can therefore be regarded as a putative MmmSC reservoir. No diagnostic test for CBPP surveillance in goats has been proposed as yet. Furthermore, serological tests could be seriously hampered by a widespread caprine infection due to the subspecies M. mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc), which is antigenically very close to MmmSC and displays high levels of genetic variability. A competition ELISA (cELISA) is currently used to screen for CBPP in cattle at the herd level in infected areas. The aim of this study was to see if the same cELISA would be specific enough to be used to screen goats despite the potential concomitant infection with Mmc. The cELISA titers of goats from Mmc-infected and non-infected herds were comparable and negative using the accepted cutoff for bovine sera. In contrast, seroconversion was observed in goats experimentally inoculated with an Mmc strain that cross-reacted with a monoclonal antibody targeting the same epitope as that used in cELISA. The probability of such false positivity occurring under field conditions is very low since Mmc strains with such an atypical antigenic profile emerge only rarely as a result of random nucleotide variation of the epitope-coding region. In conclusion, the commercially available cELISA can be considered specific enough to be used as a primary test to monitor passage of the CBPP agent in goats, but its sensitivity in goats requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Tardy
- Anses, Lyon Laboratory, UMR Mycoplasmoses of Ruminants, 31 Avenue Tony Garnier F-69364 Lyon cedex 07, France.
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