1
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Liggins M, Ramírez Ramírez N, Abel-Santos E. Comparison of sporulation and germination conditions for Clostridium perfringens type A and G strains. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1143399. [PMID: 37228374 PMCID: PMC10203408 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1143399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a spore forming, anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium that causes a range of diseases in humans and animals. C. perfringens forms spores, structures that are derived from the vegetative cell under conditions of nutrient deprivation and that allows survival under harsh environmental conditions. To return to vegetative growth, C. perfringens spores must germinate when conditions are favorable. Previous work in analyzing C. perfringens spore germination has produced strain-specific results. Hence, we analyzed the requirements for spore formation and germination in seven different C. perfringens strains. Our data showed that C. perfringens sporulation conditions are strain-specific, but germination responses are homogenous in all strains tested. C. perfringens spores can germinate using two distinct pathways. The first germination pathway (the amino acid-only pathway or AA) requires L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, and sodium ions (Na+) as co-germinants. L-arginine is not a required germinant but potentiates germination. The AA pathway is inhibited by aromatic amino acids and potassium ions (K+). Bicarbonate (HCO3-), on the other hand, bypasses potassium-mediated inhibition of C. perfringens spore germination through the AA pathway. The second germination pathway (the bile salt / amino acid pathway or BA) is more promiscuous and is activated by several bile salts and amino acids. In contrast to the AA pathway, the BA pathway is insensitive to Na+, although it can be activated by either K+ or HCO3-. We hypothesize that some C. perfringens strains may have evolved these two distinct germination pathways to ensure spore response to different host environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Liggins
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Norma Ramírez Ramírez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Ernesto Abel-Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
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2
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He W, Kamely M, Wakaruk J, Goes EC, Korver DR, Barreda DR. Early-life β-glucan exposure enhances disease resilience of broiler chickens to a natural Clostridium perfringens infection. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 140:104613. [PMID: 36496011 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is an economically important disease in poultry. Colonization by the opportunistic pathogen C. perfringens occurs early after hatch and induces host immune tolerance, which allows it to persist as part of the bird's commensal microflora. β-glucan, a yeast cell wall component, is well characterized for its immunomodulatory capacity, and is a strong driver of innate immune memory. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of β-glucan to reduce severity of NE, when co-administered with heat-killed C. perfringens via intra-abdominal route at day 1 of age. We found that this early-life exposure in the presence of β-glucan did not reduce intestinal C. perfringens loads or lesion severity during a subsequent NE outbreak. However, it improved ileal morphology, prevented liver and spleen weight decline, and preserved feed efficiency in challenged birds. Molecular analyses revealed metabolic changes consistent with innate immune memory. Together, our results suggest that β-glucan can reduce the negative impacts of NE by influencing the context in which C. perfringens is first encountered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwei He
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mohammad Kamely
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeremy Wakaruk
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Emanuele C Goes
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Douglas R Korver
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniel R Barreda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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3
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Zhang J, Liu X, Su Y, Li T. An update on T2-toxins: metabolism, immunotoxicity mechanism and human assessment exposure of intestinal microbiota. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10012. [PMID: 35928103 PMCID: PMC9344027 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins are naturally produced secondary metabolites or low molecular organic compounds produced by fungus with high diversification, which cause mycotoxicosis (food contamination) in humans and animals. T-2 toxin is simply one of the metabolites belonging to fungi trichothecene mycotoxin. Specifically, Trichothecenes-2 (T-2) mycotoxin of genus fusarium is considered one of the most hotspot agricultural commodities and carcinogenic compounds worldwide. There are well-known examples of salmonellosis in mice and pigs, necrotic enteritis in chickens, catfish enteric septicemia and colibacillosis in pigs as T-2 toxic agent. On the other hand, it has shown a significant reduction in the Salmonella population's aptitude in the pig intestinal tract. Although the impact of the excess Fusarium contaminants on humans in creating infectious illness is less well-known, some toxins are harmful; for example, salmonellosis and colibacillosis have been frequently observed in humans. More than 20 different metabolites are synthesized and excreted after ingestion, but the T-2 toxin is one of the most protuberant metabolites. Less absorption of mycotoxins in intestinal tract results in biotransformation of toxic metabolites into less toxic variants. In addition to these, effects of microbiota on harmful mycotoxins are not limited to intestinal tract, it may harm the other human vital organs. However, detoxification of microbiota is considered as an alternative way to decontaminate the feed for both animals and humans. These transformations of toxic metabolites depend upon the formation of metabolites. This study is complete in all perspectives regarding interactions between microbiota and mycotoxins, their mechanism and practical applications based on experimental studies.
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4
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He W, Goes EC, Wakaruk J, Barreda DR, Korver DR. A Poultry Subclinical Necrotic Enteritis Disease Model Based on Natural Clostridium perfringens Uptake. Front Physiol 2022; 13:788592. [PMID: 35795645 PMCID: PMC9251903 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.788592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry is an opportunistic infection caused by Clostridium perfringens. Well-known as a multifactorial disease, NE development is under the influence of a wide range of environmental risk factors that promote the proliferation of pathogenic C. perfringens at the expense of nonpathogenic strains. Current in vivo NE challenge models typically incorporate pre-exposure to disease risk factors, in combination with exogenous C. perfringens inoculation. Our goal was to enhance current models using a natural uptake of C. perfringens from the barn environment to produce a subclinical infection. We incorporated access to litter, coccidial exposure (either 10× or 15× of the manufacturer-recommended Coccivac B52 Eimeria vaccine challenge; provided unspecified doses of E. acervulina, E. mivati, E. tenella, and two strains of E. maxima), feed composition, and feed withdrawal stress, and achieved the commonly observed NE infection peak at 3 weeks post-hatch. NE severity was evaluated based on gut lesion pathology, clinical signs, and mortality rate. Under cage-reared conditions, 15× coccidial vaccine-challenged birds showed overall NE lesion prevalence that was 8-fold higher than 10× coccidial vaccine-challenged birds. NE-associated mortality was observed only in a floor-reared flock after a 15× coccidial vaccine challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwei He
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Emanuele C. Goes
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jeremy Wakaruk
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel R. Barreda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Daniel R. Barreda, ; Douglas R. Korver,
| | - Douglas R. Korver
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Daniel R. Barreda, ; Douglas R. Korver,
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5
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Lee KW, Lillehoj HS. Role of Clostridium perfringens Necrotic Enteritis B-like Toxin in Disease Pathogenesis. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 10:vaccines10010061. [PMID: 35062722 PMCID: PMC8780507 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a devastating enteric disease caused by Clostridium perfringens type A/G that impacts the global poultry industry by compromising the performance, health, and welfare of chickens. Coccidiosis is a major contributing factor to NE. Although NE pathogenesis was believed to be facilitated by α-toxin, a chromosome-encoded phospholipase C enzyme, recent studies have indicated that NE B-like (NetB) toxin, a plasmid-encoded pore-forming heptameric protein, is the primary virulence factor. Since the discovery of NetB toxin, the occurrence of NetB+ C. perfringens strains has been increasingly reported in NE-afflicted poultry flocks globally. It is generally accepted that NetB toxin is the primary virulent factor in NE pathogenesis although scientific evidence is emerging that suggests other toxins contribute to NE. Because of the complex nature of the host-pathogen interaction in NE pathogenesis, the interaction of NetB with other potential virulent factors of C. perfringens needs better characterization. This short review will summarize the primary virulence factors involved in NE pathogenesis with an emphasis on NetB toxin, and a new detection method for large-scale field screening of NetB toxin in biological samples from NE-afflicted commercial broiler flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Woo Lee
- Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA;
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-450-0495
| | - Hyun S. Lillehoj
- Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA;
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Meniaï I, Thibodeau A, Quessy S, Parreira VR, Fravalo P, Beauchamp G, Gaucher ML. Putative antigenic proteins identified by comparative and subtractive reverse vaccinology in necrotic enteritis-causing Clostridium perfringens isolated from broiler chickens. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:890. [PMID: 34903179 PMCID: PMC8666345 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08216-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Avian necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens is a disease with a major economic impact, generating losses estimated to 6 billion of dollars annually for the poultry industry worldwide. The incidence of the disease is particularly on the rise in broiler chicken flocks eliminating the preventive use of antibiotics. To date, no alternative allows for the efficient prevention of NE and a control of the disease using a vaccinal strategy would be mostly prized. For this purpose, comparative and subtractive reverse vaccinology identifying putative immunogenic bacterial surface proteins is one of the most promising approaches. RESULTS A comparative genomic study was performed on 16 C. perfringens strains isolated from healthy broiler chickens and from broilers affected with necrotic enteritis. Results showed that the analyzed genomes were composed of 155,700 distinct proteins from which 13% were identified as extracellular, 65% as cytoplasmic and 22% as part of the bacterial membrane. The evaluation of the immunogenicity of these proteins was determined using the prediction software VaxiJen®. CONCLUSIONS For the most part, proteins with the highest scores were associated with an extracellular localisation. For all the proteins analyzed, the combination of both the immunogenicity score and the localisation prediction led to the selection of 12 candidate proteins that were mostly annotated as hypothetical proteins. We describe 6 potential candidates of higher interest due to their antigenic potential, their extracellular localisation, and their possible role in virulence of C. perfringens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilhem Meniaï
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Alexandre Thibodeau
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada.,Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Sylvain Quessy
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Valeria R Parreira
- Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Philippe Fravalo
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada.,Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Guy Beauchamp
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Marie-Lou Gaucher
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada. .,Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada.
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7
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The Impact of Berberine on Intestinal Morphology, Microbes, and Immune Function of Broilers in Response to Necrotic Enteritis Challenge. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1877075. [PMID: 34712727 PMCID: PMC8548107 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1877075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore the therapeutic effects of berberine on necrotic enteritis (NE) in broilers caused by Clostridium perfringens. A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were divided into four groups, as negative controls (NC), positive controls (PC), berberine- (BER-) treated, or lincomycin- (LMY-) treated groups. Broilers were challenged with C. perfringens at 15-21 days of age, followed by BER or LMY supplied in drinking water for 7 days. Experimental results showed that C. perfringens infection significantly decreased growth performance and increased intestinal necrosis index and the number of C. perfringens present to 6.45 Log10CFU/g (P < 0.001). Proinflammatory cytokines in the ileum were significantly increased, but the expression of ileal tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-1 was significantly reduced. Both BER and LMY ameliorated some of these observations. Compared with the PC group, the number of C. perfringens in the cecum was significantly decreased following treatment (P < 0.001), and growth performance and small intestine morphology were similar to those of the NC group (P > 0.05). IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels as well as occludin and claudin-1 expression were also significantly improved (P < 0.05). BER has the potential to replace antibiotics for NE caused by C. perfringens.
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Wiese M, Hui Y, Holck J, Sejberg JJP, Daures C, Maas E, Kot W, Borné JM, Khakimov B, Thymann T, Nielsen DS. High throughput in vitro characterization of pectins for pig(let) nutrition. Anim Microbiome 2021; 3:69. [PMID: 34627409 PMCID: PMC8501679 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00129-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fiber-rich feed components possess prebiotic potential to enhance pig health and are considered a potential solution to the high prevalence of post-weaning diarrhea in pig production under the phased suspension of antibiotics and zinc oxide use. METHODS We screened the gut microbiota modulatory properties of pectin substrates prepared from sugar beet within the freshly weaned piglet gut microbiome using an in vitro colon model, the CoMiniGut. We focused on testing a variety (13) of sugar beet-derived pectin substrates with defined structures, as well as known prebiotics such as inulin, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and galactooligosaccharide (GOS), to gain insights on the structure-function related properties of specific substrates on the weaner gut microbial composition as well as shortchain fatty acid production (SCFA). RESULTS Sugar beet-derived pectin and rhamnogalacturonan-I selectively increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, specifically Prevotella copri, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides acidificiens, and an unclassified Bacteroides member. The degree of esterification impacted the relative abundance of these species and the SCFA production during the in vitro fermentations. Modified arabinans derived from sugar beet promoted the growth of Blautia, P. copri, Lachnospiraceae members and Limosilactobacillus mucosae and amongst all oligosaccharides tested yielded the highest amount of total SCFA produced after 24 h of fermentation. Sugar beet-derived substrates yielded higher total SCFA concentrations (especially acetic and propionic acid) relative to the known prebiotics inulin, FOS and GOS. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the molecular structures of pectin, that can be prepared form just one plant source (sugar beet) can selectively stimulate different GM members, highlighting the potential of utilizing pectin substrates as targeted GM modulatory ingredients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wiese
- CP Kelco ApS, Lille Skensved, Denmark.
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
- Microbiology and Systems Biology Department, TNO, Utrechtsweg 48, 3704 HE, Zeist, The Netherlands.
| | - Yan Hui
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Jesper Holck
- Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Celia Daures
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Evy Maas
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Witold Kot
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Bekzod Khakimov
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Thomas Thymann
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Dennis Sandris Nielsen
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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9
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Jenkins MC, Parker C, O'Brien C, Ritter D. Correlation Between Clostridium perfringens Alpha- and NetB-Toxin and Chick Mortality in Commercial Broiler Farms During Different Anticoccidial Control Programs. Avian Dis 2021; 64:401-406. [PMID: 33205177 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-19-00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a correlation existed between chick mortality and the presence of Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin and NetB-toxin genes (cpa and netB) in C. perfringens recovered from litter in commercial broiler houses. Because coccidiosis predisposes chickens to necrotic enteritis, the concentration of Eimeria oocysts in these samples was measured, and the numbers were used in similar correlation analyses. Litter samples were collected at 0, 2, and 4 wk growout from six broiler farms (18 houses total) during an anticoccidial drug (ACD) control program and from nine broiler farms (23 houses total) during an Eimeria vaccine (VAC) control program. Of these, litter samples were collected from five farms during both ACD and VAC programs. The litter samples were processed for Eimeria oocyst and C. perfringens spore enumerations by standard parasitologic and microbiologic techniques. DNA was also extracted for C. perfringens DNA for PCR detection of genes coding for alpha- and NetB-toxin. A general trend during the ACD programs was a transient decrease in both Eimeria maxima and non-E. maxima (Eamipt) numbers at 2 wk growout. The pattern was slightly different during VAC with E. maxima and Eamipt levels increasing over time. Average concentrations of C. perfringens in litter were highest at 2 wk (∼105-106 spores/g) during ACD and at placement during VAC (∼105-106 spores/g). During the ACD program, a strong correlation was observed between 0 and 3-wk chick mortality and the presence at placement (0 wk) of netB (r = 0.42-0.48) or cpa (r = 0.55-0.67). A very strong correlation was observed in 0-5-wk chick mortality and the presence of netB at 4 wk growout (0.73-0.95). During a VAC program, a strong correlation was only observed between the presence of netB at placement and 0-1-wk chick mortality (r = 0.67).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Jenkins
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - Carolyn Parker
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - Celia O'Brien
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705
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10
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Jesudhasan PR, Bhatia SS, Sivakumar KK, Praveen C, Genovese KJ, He HL, Droleskey R, McReynolds JL, Byrd JA, Swaggerty CL, Kogut MH, Nisbet DJ, Pillai SD. Controlling the Colonization of Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens by an Electron-Beam-Killed Vaccine. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:671. [PMID: 33802503 PMCID: PMC7998924 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens (Cp) is a Gram-positive anaerobe that is one of the causative agents of necrotic enteritis (NE) in chickens, which leads to high mortality. Owing to the ban of administering antibiotics in feed to chickens, there has been an increase in the number of NE outbreaks all over the world, and the estimated loss is approximately 6 billion U.S. dollars. The best alternative method to control NE without antibiotics could be vaccination. In this study, we exposed three different strains of Cp to electron beam (eBeam) irradiation to inactivate them and then used them as a killed vaccine to control the colonization of Cp in broiler chickens. The vaccine was delivered to 18-day old embryos in ovo and the chickens were challenged with the respective vaccine strain at two different time points (early and late) to test the protective efficacy of the vaccine. The results indicate that an effective eBeam dose of 10 kGy inactivated all three strains of Cp, did not affect the cell membrane or epitopes, induced significant levels of IgY in the vaccinated birds, and further reduced the colonization of Cp strains significantly (p < 0.0001) in late challenge (JGS4064: 4 out of 10; JGS1473: 0 out of 10; JGS4104: 3 out of 10). Further studies are necessary to enhance the efficacy of the vaccine and to understand the mechanism of vaccine protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palmy R. Jesudhasan
- Poultry Production and Product Safety, USDA-ARS, 1260 W Maple St., O-306 POSC Building, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | - Sohini S. Bhatia
- National Center for Electron Beam Research, An IAEA Collaborating Centre for Electron Beam Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.S.B.); (K.K.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Kirthiram K. Sivakumar
- National Center for Electron Beam Research, An IAEA Collaborating Centre for Electron Beam Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.S.B.); (K.K.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Chandni Praveen
- National Center for Electron Beam Research, An IAEA Collaborating Centre for Electron Beam Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.S.B.); (K.K.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Kenneth J. Genovese
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 2881 F and B Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA; (K.J.G.); (H.L.H.); (R.D.); (J.A.B.); (C.L.S.); (M.H.K.); (D.J.N.)
| | - Haiqi L. He
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 2881 F and B Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA; (K.J.G.); (H.L.H.); (R.D.); (J.A.B.); (C.L.S.); (M.H.K.); (D.J.N.)
| | - Robert Droleskey
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 2881 F and B Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA; (K.J.G.); (H.L.H.); (R.D.); (J.A.B.); (C.L.S.); (M.H.K.); (D.J.N.)
| | - Jack L. McReynolds
- Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, Church & Dwight Co. Inc., 6935 Vista Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA;
| | - James A. Byrd
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 2881 F and B Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA; (K.J.G.); (H.L.H.); (R.D.); (J.A.B.); (C.L.S.); (M.H.K.); (D.J.N.)
| | - Christina L. Swaggerty
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 2881 F and B Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA; (K.J.G.); (H.L.H.); (R.D.); (J.A.B.); (C.L.S.); (M.H.K.); (D.J.N.)
| | - Michael H. Kogut
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 2881 F and B Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA; (K.J.G.); (H.L.H.); (R.D.); (J.A.B.); (C.L.S.); (M.H.K.); (D.J.N.)
| | - David J. Nisbet
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 2881 F and B Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA; (K.J.G.); (H.L.H.); (R.D.); (J.A.B.); (C.L.S.); (M.H.K.); (D.J.N.)
| | - Suresh D. Pillai
- National Center for Electron Beam Research, An IAEA Collaborating Centre for Electron Beam Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.S.B.); (K.K.S.); (C.P.)
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11
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Abstract
Effects of nutraceuticals on the intestinal microbiota are receiving increased attention; however, there are few studies investigating their effects on broiler meat production. The aim of this study was to implement feeding strategies and carry out a comprehensive trial examining the interplay between natural biologically active compounds such as carotenoids, anthocyanins, fermentable oligosaccharides, and synbiotics and the gastrointestinal tract microbiota. Our feeding program was applied to an intensive production system with a flock of 1,080 Ross 308 broilers. Aging induced significant changes through the feeding experiment. Nutraceuticals were shown to modulate broiler intestinal diversity and differentially enriched Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Campylobacter, and Streptococcus in the core microbiome during the different stages of broiler rearing. Additionally, they did not remarkably affect animal growth performance; nevertheless, a positive correlation was found between body weight and Corynebacteriales and Pseudomonadales. Furthermore, a diet high in carotenoid, fermentable oligosaccharide, and anthocyanin contents affected the number of beneficial genera such as Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, Blautia, and Ruminococcus. With this comprehensive trial, we revealed that nutraceuticals induced modulations in broiler gastrointestinal tract microbiota. We believe that plant-derived immunostimulants, recycled from plant food waste products, can supplement antibiotic-free broiler meat production. IMPORTANCE In this trial, nutraceuticals were manufactured from waste products of food industry processing of Hungarian red sweet pepper and sour cherry and incorporated into the diet of poultry to investigate their effects on broilers’ growth and the broiler gastrointestinal tract microbiota. To avoid the generation of food waste products, we believe that this approach can be developed into a sustainable, green approach that can be implemented in commercial antibiotic-free poultry to provide safe and high-quality meat.
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12
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Sub-clinical necrotic enteritis: its aetiology and predisposing factors in commercial broiler production. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s0043933914000865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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13
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The clostridia cause a spectrum of diseases in humans and animals ranging from life-threatening tetanus and botulism, uterine infections, histotoxic infections and enteric diseases, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and food poisoning. The symptoms of all these diseases are the result of potent protein toxins produced by these organisms. These toxins are diverse, ranging from a multitude of pore-forming toxins to phospholipases, metalloproteases, ADP-ribosyltransferases and large glycosyltransferases. The location of the toxin genes is the unifying theme of this review because with one or two exceptions they are all located on plasmids or on bacteriophage that replicate using a plasmid-like intermediate. Some of these plasmids are distantly related whilst others share little or no similarity. Many of these toxin plasmids have been shown to be conjugative. The mobile nature of these toxin genes gives a ready explanation of how clostridial toxin genes have been so widely disseminated both within the clostridial genera as well as in the wider bacterial community.
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14
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Wilde S, Jiang Y, Tafoya AM, Horsman J, Yousif M, Vazquez LA, Roland KL. Salmonella-vectored vaccine delivering three Clostridium perfringens antigens protects poultry against necrotic enteritis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0197721. [PMID: 30753181 PMCID: PMC6372158 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis is an economically important poultry disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens. There are currently no necrotic enteritis vaccines commercially available for use in broiler birds, the most important target population. Salmonella-vectored vaccines represent a convenient and effective option for controlling this disease. We used a single attenuated Salmonella vaccine strain, engineered to lyse within the host, to deliver up to three C. perfringens antigens. Two of the antigens were toxoids, based on C. perfringens α-toxin and NetB toxin. The third antigen was fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (Fba), a metabolic enzyme with an unknown role in virulence. Oral immunization with a single Salmonella vaccine strain producing either Fba, α-toxoid and NetB toxoid, or all three antigens, was immunogenic, inducing serum, cellular and mucosal responses against Salmonella and the vectored C. perfringens antigens. All three vaccine strains were partially protective against virulent C. perfringens challenge. The strains delivering Fba only or all three antigens provided the best protection. We also demonstrate that both toxins and Fba are present on the C. perfringens cell surface. The presence of Fba on the cell surface suggests that Fba may function as an adhesin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyra Wilde
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Yanlong Jiang
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Amanda M. Tafoya
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jamie Horsman
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Miranda Yousif
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Luis Armando Vazquez
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Kenneth L. Roland
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Mwangi S, Timmons J, Fitz-coy S, Parveen S. Characterization of Clostridium perfringens recovered from broiler chicken affected by necrotic enteritis. Poult Sci 2019; 98:128-135. [DOI: 10.3382/ps/pey332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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16
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Lacey JA, Stanley D, Keyburn AL, Ford M, Chen H, Johanesen P, Lyras D, Moore RJ. Clostridium perfringens-mediated necrotic enteritis is not influenced by the pre-existing microbiota but is promoted by large changes in the post-challenge microbiota. Vet Microbiol 2018; 227:119-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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17
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Whole genome analysis reveals the diversity and evolutionary relationships between necrotic enteritis-causing strains of Clostridium perfringens. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:379. [PMID: 29788909 PMCID: PMC5964661 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridium perfringens causes a range of diseases in animals and humans including necrotic enteritis in chickens and food poisoning and gas gangrene in humans. Necrotic enteritis is of concern in commercial chicken production due to the cost of the implementation of infection control measures and to productivity losses. This study has focused on the genomic analysis of a range of chicken-derived C. perfringens isolates, from around the world and from different years. The genomes were sequenced and compared with 20 genomes available from public databases, which were from a diverse collection of isolates from chickens, other animals, and humans. We used a distance based phylogeny that was constructed based on gene content rather than sequence identity. Similarity between strains was defined as the number of genes that they have in common divided by their total number of genes. In this type of phylogenetic analysis, evolutionary distance can be interpreted in terms of evolutionary events such as acquisition and loss of genes, whereas the underlying properties (the gene content) can be interpreted in terms of function. We also compared these methods to the sequence-based phylogeny of the core genome. Results Distinct pathogenic clades of necrotic enteritis-causing C. perfringens were identified. They were characterised by variable regions encoded on the chromosome, with predicted roles in capsule production, adhesion, inhibition of related strains, phage integration, and metabolism. Some strains have almost identical genomes, even though they were isolated from different geographic regions at various times, while other highly distant genomes appear to result in similar outcomes with regard to virulence and pathogenesis. Conclusions The high level of diversity in chicken isolates suggests there is no reliable factor that defines a chicken strain of C. perfringens, however, disease-causing strains can be defined by the presence of netB-encoding plasmids. This study reveals that horizontal gene transfer appears to play a significant role in genetic variation of the C. perfringens chromosome as well as the plasmid content within strains.
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18
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Razmyar J, Peighambari SM, Zamani AH. Detection of a Newly Described Bacteriocin, Perfrin, Among Clostridium perfringens Isolates from Healthy and Diseased Ostriches and Broiler Chickens in Iran. Avian Dis 2018; 61:387-390. [PMID: 28957009 DOI: 10.1637/11580-010517-resnoter] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis due to Clostridium perfringens strains harboring the netB gene is a well-known disorder in poultry. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of a novel bacteriocin, perfrin, with netB among isolates from healthy and diseased ostriches and broiler chickens. Forty-six C. perfringens isolates from broiler chickens and ostriches collected from 2010 to 2014 were included in this study and subjected to PCR to detect netB and perfrin genes. Six (60%) and 9 (25%) isolates were positive for both netB and perfrin genes in broilers and ostriches, respectively. Statistical analysis found a significant difference between healthy and diseased flocks for perfrin both in broilers and ostriches. For netB, the significant difference was only found between healthy and diseased ostrich flocks. This is the first report of the presence of perfrin in netB-positive C. perfringens strains in ostriches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Razmyar
- A Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 9177948974
| | - Seyed Mostafa Peighambari
- B Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 9177948974
| | - Amir Hossein Zamani
- A Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 9177948974
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19
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Lacey JA, Johanesen PA, Lyras D, Moore RJ. Genomic diversity of necrotic enteritis-associated strains of Clostridium perfringens: a review. Avian Pathol 2017; 45:302-7. [PMID: 26949841 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2016.1153799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The investigation of genomic variation between Clostridium perfringens isolates from poultry has been an important tool to enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of strain pathogenicity and the epidemiology of virulent and avirulent strains within the context of necrotic enteritis (NE). The earliest studies used whole genome profiling techniques such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to differentiate isolates and determine their relative levels of relatedness. DNA sequencing has been used to investigate genetic variation in (a) individual genes, such as those encoding the alpha and NetB toxins; (b) panels of housekeeping genes for multi-locus sequence typing and (c) most recently whole genome sequencing to build a more complete picture of genomic differences between isolates. Conclusions drawn from these studies include: differential carriage of large conjugative plasmids accounts for a large proportion of inter-strain differences; plasmid-encoded genes are more highly conserved than chromosomal genes, perhaps indicating a relatively recent origin for the plasmids; isolates from NE-affected birds fall into three distinct sequence-based clades while non-pathogenic isolates from healthy birds tend to be more genomically diverse. Overall, the NE causing strains are closely related to C. perfringens isolates from other birds and other diseases whereas the non-pathogenic poultry strains are generally more remotely related to either the pathogenic strains or the strains from other birds. Genomic analysis has indicated that genes in addition to netB are associated with NE pathogenic isolates. Collectively, this work has resulted in a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of this important poultry disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake A Lacey
- a Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology , Monash University , Clayton , Australia.,b Poultry Cooperative Research Centre , University of New England , Armidale , Australia.,c Australian Animal Health Laboratory , CSIRO , Geelong , Australia
| | - Priscilla A Johanesen
- a Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology , Monash University , Clayton , Australia
| | - Dena Lyras
- a Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology , Monash University , Clayton , Australia
| | - Robert J Moore
- a Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology , Monash University , Clayton , Australia.,b Poultry Cooperative Research Centre , University of New England , Armidale , Australia.,c Australian Animal Health Laboratory , CSIRO , Geelong , Australia.,d School of Science , RMIT University , Bundoora , Australia
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20
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Abstract
Necrotic enteritis in chickens develops as a result of infection with pathogenic strains of Clostridium perfringens and the presence of predisposing factors. Predisposing factors include elements that directly change the physical properties of the gut, either damaging the epithelial surface, inducing mucus production, or changing gut transit times; factors that disrupt the gut microbiota; and factors that alter the immune status of birds. In the past research into necrotic enteritis predisposing factors was directed by the simple hypothesis that low-level colonization of C. perfringens commonly occurred within the gut of healthy chickens and the predisposing factors lead to a proliferation of those bacteria to produce disease. More recently, with an increasing understanding of the major virulence factors of C. perfringens and the application of molecular techniques to define different clades of C. perfringens strains, it has become clear that the C. perfringens isolates commonly found in healthy chickens are generally not strains that have the potential to cause disease. Therefore, we need to re-evaluate hypotheses regarding the development of disease, the origin of disease causing isolates of C. perfringens, and the importance of interactions with other C. perfringens strains and with predisposing factors. Many predisposing factors that affect the physical and immunological characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract may also change the resident microbiota. Research directed towards defining the relative importance of each of these different actions of predisposing factors will improve the understanding of disease pathogenesis and may allow refinement of experiment disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Moore
- a School of Science , RMIT University , Bundoora , Australia.,b Poultry Cooperative Research Centre , University of New England , Armidale , Australia.,c Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology , Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University , Clayton , Australia
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21
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Conjugation-Mediated Horizontal Gene Transfer of Clostridium perfringens Plasmids in the Chicken Gastrointestinal Tract Results in the Formation of New Virulent Strains. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.01814-17. [PMID: 29030439 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01814-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a gastrointestinal pathogen capable of causing disease in a variety of hosts. Necrotic enteritis in chickens is caused by C. perfringens strains that produce the pore-forming toxin NetB, the major virulence factor for this disease. Like many other C. perfringens toxins and antibiotic resistance genes, NetB is encoded on a conjugative plasmid. Conjugative transfer of the netB-containing plasmid pJIR3535 has been demonstrated in vitro with a netB-null mutant. This study has investigated the effect of plasmid transfer on disease pathogenesis, with two genetically distinct transconjugants constructed under in vitro conditions, within the intestinal tract of chickens. This study also demonstrates that plasmid transfer can occur naturally in the host gut environment without the need for antibiotic selective pressure to be applied. The demonstration of plasmid transfer within the chicken host may have implications for the progression and pathogenesis of C. perfringens-mediated disease. Such horizontal gene transfer events are likely to be common in the clostridia and may be a key factor in strain evolution, both within animals and in the wider environment.IMPORTANCE Clostridium perfringens is a major gastrointestinal pathogen of poultry. C. perfringens strains that express the NetB pore-forming toxin, which is encoded on a conjugative plasmid, cause necrotic enteritis. This study demonstrated that the conjugative transfer of the netB-containing plasmid to two different nonpathogenic strains converted them into disease-causing strains with disease-causing capability similar to that of the donor strain. Plasmid transfer of netB and antibiotic resistance was also demonstrated to occur within the gastrointestinal tract of chickens, with approximately 14% of the isolates recovered comprising three distinct, in vivo-derived, transconjugant types. The demonstration of in vivo plasmid transfer indicates the potential importance of strain plasticity and the contribution of plasmids to strain virulence.
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22
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Gaucher ML, Perron GG, Arsenault J, Letellier A, Boulianne M, Quessy S. Recurring Necrotic Enteritis Outbreaks in Commercial Broiler Chicken Flocks Strongly Influence Toxin Gene Carriage and Species Richness in the Resident Clostridium perfringens Population. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:881. [PMID: 28567032 PMCID: PMC5434140 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in food animals has been questioned due to the globally increasing problem of antibiotic resistance. For the poultry industry, digestive health management following AGP withdrawal in Europe has been a challenge, especially the control of necrotic enteritis. Much research work has focused on gut health in commercial broiler chicken husbandry. Understanding the behavior of Clostridium perfringens in its ecological niche, the poultry barn, is key to a sustainable and cost-effective production in the absence of AGPs. Using polymerase chain reaction and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, we evaluated how the C. perfringens population evolved in drug-free commercial broiler chicken farms, either healthy or affected with recurring clinical necrotic enteritis outbreaks, over a 14-month period. We show that a high genotypic richness was associated with an increased risk of clinical necrotic enteritis. Also, necrotic enteritis-affected farms had a significant reduction of C. perfringens genotypic richness over time, an increase in the proportion of C. perfringens strains harboring the cpb2 gene, the netB gene, or both. Thus, necrotic enteritis occurrence is correlated with the presence of an initial highly diverse C. perfringens population, increasing the opportunity for the selective sweep of particularly virulent genotypes. Disease outbreaks also appear to largely influence the evolution of this bacterial species in poultry farms over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lou Gaucher
- Research Chair in Meat Safety, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-HyacintheQC, Canada.,Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-HyacintheQC, Canada.,Chair in Poultry Research, Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-HyacintheQC, Canada
| | - Gabriel G Perron
- Reem-Kayden Center for Science and Computation, Department of Biology, Bard College, Annandale-On-HudsonNY, United States
| | - Julie Arsenault
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-HyacintheQC, Canada
| | - Ann Letellier
- Research Chair in Meat Safety, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-HyacintheQC, Canada
| | - Martine Boulianne
- Chair in Poultry Research, Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-HyacintheQC, Canada
| | - Sylvain Quessy
- Research Chair in Meat Safety, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-HyacintheQC, Canada
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23
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Parent E, Archambault M, Charlebois A, Bernier-Lachance J, Boulianne M. A chicken intestinal ligated loop model to study the virulence of Clostridium perfringens isolates recovered from antibiotic-free chicken flocks. Avian Pathol 2016; 46:138-149. [PMID: 27917645 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2016.1228825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a major problem in antibiotic-free (ABF) chicken flocks and specific strains of Clostridium perfringens are known to induce NE. The objective of this study was to develop a chicken intestinal ligated loop model in order to compare the virulence of various C. perfringens strains recovered from consecutive ABF flocks with and without NE. Intestinal loops were surgically prepared in 10 anaesthetized specific-pathogen-free chickens and alternately inoculated with C. perfringens isolates or brain heart infusion (BHI) media. Histological lesion scoring was performed for each loop. All strains from NE-affected flocks induced histological lesions compatible with NE whereas inoculation of loops with a commensal C. perfringens strain or BHI did not. Among inoculated strains, CP0994 (netB-positive and cpb2-positive) and CP-2003-1256 (netB-positive) demonstrated mean histological lesion scores significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those obtained with a commensal strain or BHI whereas strain CP1073 (netB-negative and cpb2-positive) induced intestinal lesions without significantly higher scores. In loops where villi were colonized by Gram-positive rods, significantly higher (P < 0.01) mean histological lesion scores were observed. This result supports the hypothesis that colonization of the intestinal mucosa by C. perfringens is a critical step in the pathogenesis of NE. Finally, we demonstrated the importance of controlling virulent C. perfringens strains in ABF chicken flocks as a highly virulent strain can be present in consecutive flocks with NE and possibly affect multiple flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Parent
- a Department of Clinical Sciences , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada.,b Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole (CRIPA), Department of Pathology and Microbiology , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada
| | - Marie Archambault
- b Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole (CRIPA), Department of Pathology and Microbiology , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada
| | - Audrey Charlebois
- b Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole (CRIPA), Department of Pathology and Microbiology , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada
| | - Jocelyn Bernier-Lachance
- b Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole (CRIPA), Department of Pathology and Microbiology , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada
| | - Martine Boulianne
- a Department of Clinical Sciences , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada.,b Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole (CRIPA), Department of Pathology and Microbiology , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada
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24
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The adherent abilities of Clostridium perfringens strains are critical for the pathogenesis of avian necrotic enteritis. Vet Microbiol 2016; 197:53-61. [PMID: 27938683 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis of poultry is an emerging disease of substantial economic importance, but aspects of the pathogenesis of this multi-factorial disease are still unclear. We recently demonstrated that the ability of avian strains of the causative bacterium, Clostridium perfringens, to bind to specific collagen types correlated strongly with their virulence and we postulated that binding of the pathogen to collagen types IV and V and gelatin may involve the putative adhesin-encoding gene cnaA, which is found in the VR-10B locus. In this study we have used site-directed mutagenesis to demonstrate that disruption of the cnaA gene leads to a reduction in the expression of the three genes immediately downstream of cnaA and reduced adherence to collagen types IV and V and gelatin. In addition, a cnaA mutant of strain EHE-NE18 was no longer capable of causing necrotic enteritis in a chicken disease induction model and had a significantly reduced ability to colonise the chicken intestinal mucosa. These results were confirmed by generating and analysing a similar mutant in an independent necrotic enteritis causing C. perfringens strain. This study expands our understanding of the mechanisms involved in necrotic enteritis pathogenesis by demonstrating the importance of C. perfringens adherence to extracellular matrix proteins.
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25
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Chan G, Guthrie A, Sockett P, Wilson J, Moody R, Clark S. Economic cost-benefit analysis of the use of bacitracin methylene disalicylate in broilers affected with necrotic enteritis. J APPL POULTRY RES 2016. [DOI: 10.3382/japr/pfv067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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26
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Mehdizadeh Gohari I, Kropinski AM, Weese SJ, Parreira VR, Whitehead AE, Boerlin P, Prescott JF. Plasmid Characterization and Chromosome Analysis of Two netF+ Clostridium perfringens Isolates Associated with Foal and Canine Necrotizing Enteritis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148344. [PMID: 26859667 PMCID: PMC4747519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent discovery of a novel beta-pore-forming toxin, NetF, which is strongly associated with canine and foal necrotizing enteritis should improve our understanding of the role of type A Clostridium perfringens associated disease in these animals. The current study presents the complete genome sequence of two netF-positive strains, JFP55 and JFP838, which were recovered from cases of foal necrotizing enteritis and canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, respectively. Genome sequencing was done using Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) technology-PacBio and Illumina Hiseq2000. The JFP55 and JFP838 genomes include a single 3.34 Mb and 3.53 Mb chromosome, respectively, and both genomes include five circular plasmids. Plasmid annotation revealed that three plasmids were shared by the two newly sequenced genomes, including a NetF/NetE toxins-encoding tcp-conjugative plasmid, a CPE/CPB2 toxins-encoding tcp-conjugative plasmid and a putative bacteriocin-encoding plasmid. The putative beta-pore-forming toxin genes, netF, netE and netG, were located in unique pathogenicity loci on tcp-conjugative plasmids. The C. perfringens JFP55 chromosome carries 2,825 protein-coding genes whereas the chromosome of JFP838 contains 3,014 protein-encoding genes. Comparison of these two chromosomes with three available reference C. perfringens chromosome sequences identified 48 (~247 kb) and 81 (~430 kb) regions unique to JFP55 and JFP838, respectively. Some of these divergent genomic regions in both chromosomes are phage- and plasmid-related segments. Sixteen of these unique chromosomal regions (~69 kb) were shared between the two isolates. Five of these shared regions formed a mosaic of plasmid-integrated segments, suggesting that these elements were acquired early in a clonal lineage of netF-positive C. perfringens strains. These results provide significant insight into the basis of canine and foal necrotizing enteritis and are the first to demonstrate that netF resides on a large and unique plasmid-encoded locus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew M. Kropinski
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Scott J. Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Valeria R. Parreira
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Ashley E. Whitehead
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, CSB 101E, Canada
| | - Patrick Boerlin
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - John F. Prescott
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- * E-mail:
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The Biological Fight Against Pathogenic Bacteria and Protozoa. NEW WEAPONS TO CONTROL BACTERIAL GROWTH 2016. [PMCID: PMC7123701 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-28368-5_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The animal gastrointestinal tract is a tube with two open ends; hence, from the microbial point of view it constitutes an open system, as opposed to the circulatory system that must be a tightly closed microbial-free environment. In particular, the human intestine spans ca. 200 m2 and represents a massive absorptive surface composed of a layer of epithelial cells as well as a paracellular barrier. The permeability of this paracellular barrier is regulated by transmembrane proteins known as claudins that play a critical role in tight junctions.
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Caly DL, D'Inca R, Auclair E, Drider D. Alternatives to Antibiotics to Prevent Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens: A Microbiologist's Perspective. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1336. [PMID: 26648920 PMCID: PMC4664614 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the 2006 European ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed, numerous studies have been published describing alternative strategies to prevent diseases in animals. A particular focus has been on prevention of necrotic enteritis in poultry caused by Clostridium perfringens by the use of microbes or microbe-derived products. Microbes produce a plethora of molecules with antimicrobial properties and they can also have beneficial effects through interactions with their host. Here we review recent developments in novel preventive treatments against C. perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens that employ yeasts, bacteria and bacteriophages or secondary metabolites and other microbial products in disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine L. Caly
- Université Lille, INRA, ISA, Université Artois, Université Littoral Côte d'Opale, Institut Charles ViolletteLille, France
| | - Romain D'Inca
- Société Industrielle Lesaffre, Phileo Lesaffre Animal CareMarcq-en-Baroeul, France
| | - Eric Auclair
- Société Industrielle Lesaffre, Phileo Lesaffre Animal CareMarcq-en-Baroeul, France
| | - Djamel Drider
- Université Lille, INRA, ISA, Université Artois, Université Littoral Côte d'Opale, Institut Charles ViolletteLille, France
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Park M, Deck J, Foley SL, Nayak R, Songer JG, Seibel JR, Khan SA, Rooney AP, Hecht DW, Rafii F. Diversity of Clostridium perfringens isolates from various sources and prevalence of conjugative plasmids. Anaerobe 2015; 38:25-35. [PMID: 26608548 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is an important pathogen, causing food poisoning and other mild to severe infections in humans and animals. Some strains of C. perfringens contain conjugative plasmids, which may carry antimicrobial resistance and toxin genes. We studied genomic and plasmid diversity of 145 C. perfringens type A strains isolated from soils, foods, chickens, clinical samples, and domestic animals (porcine, bovine and canine), from different geographic areas in the United States between 1994 and 2006, using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and/or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). MLVA detected the genetic diversity in a majority of the isolates. PFGE, using SmaI and KspI, confirmed the MLVA results but also detected differences among the strains that could not be differentiated by MLVA. All of the PFGE profiles of the strains were different, except for a few of the epidemiologically related strains, which were identical. The PFGE profiles of strains isolated from the same domestic animal species were clustered more closely with each other than with other strains. However, a variety of C. perfringens strains with distinct genetic backgrounds were found among the clinical isolates. Variation was also observed in the size and number of plasmids in the strains. Primers for the internal fragment of a conjugative tcpH gene of C. perfringens plasmid pCPF4969 amplified identical size fragments from a majority of strains tested; and this gene hybridized to the various-sized plasmids of these strains. The sequences of the PCR-amplified tcpH genes from 12 strains showed diversity among the tcpH genes. Regardless of the sources of the isolates, the genetic diversity of C. perfringens extended to the plasmids carrying conjugative genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miseon Park
- Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Joanna Deck
- Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Steven L Foley
- Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Rajesh Nayak
- Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | | | | | - Saeed A Khan
- Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Alejandro P Rooney
- Crop Protection Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL 61604, USA
| | - David W Hecht
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60126, USA
| | - Fatemeh Rafii
- Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
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Park SH, Kim D, Kim J, Moon Y. Effects of Mycotoxins on mucosal microbial infection and related pathogenesis. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:4484-502. [PMID: 26529017 PMCID: PMC4663516 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7114484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites detected in many agricultural commodities and water-damaged indoor environments. Susceptibility to mucosal infectious diseases is closely associated with immune dysfunction caused by mycotoxin exposure in humans and other animals. Many mycotoxins suppress immune function by decreasing the proliferation of activated lymphocytes, impairing phagocytic function of macrophages, and suppressing cytokine production, but some induce hypersensitive responses in different dose regimes. The present review describes various mycotoxin responses to infectious pathogens that trigger mucosa-associated diseases in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts of humans and other animals. In particular, it focuses on the effects of mycotoxin exposure on invasion, pathogen clearance, the production of cytokines and immunoglobulins, and the prognostic implications of interactions between infectious pathogens and mycotoxin exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Hwan Park
- Laboratory of Mucosal Exposome and Biomodulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Korea.
- Research Institute for Basic Sciences and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea.
| | - Dongwook Kim
- National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea.
| | - Juil Kim
- Laboratory of Mucosal Exposome and Biomodulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Korea.
- Research Institute for Basic Sciences and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea.
| | - Yuseok Moon
- Laboratory of Mucosal Exposome and Biomodulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Korea.
- Immunoregulatory Therapeutics Group in Brain Busan 21 Project, Busan 46241, Korea.
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31
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Miyamoto K, Seike S, Takagishi T, Okui K, Oda M, Takehara M, Nagahama M. Identification of the replication region in pBCNF5603, a bacteriocin-encoding plasmid, in the enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens strain F5603. BMC Microbiol 2015; 15:118. [PMID: 26055257 PMCID: PMC4459074 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-015-0443-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Most recent studies of Clostridium perfringens plasmids have focused on toxin-encoding or antibiotic resistance plasmids. To cause intestinal disease, a toxigenic strain must grow in the intestines to levels allowing for sufficient toxin production and this in vivo growth often involves overcoming the normal intestinal microbial population. For this purpose, bacteriocin production might be important. Results In this study, as the first step in the genetic analysis of a co-existing plasmid with an enterotoxin gene (cpe)-encoding plasmid, the bacteriocin gene-encoding plasmid, pBCNF5603, was completely sequenced. This plasmid has some homology with two previously sequenced C. perfringens plasmids, namely, pCP13 carrying a cpb2 gene and pIP404 carrying a bcn gene. Using recombinant plasmids, the rep gene homologous to the PCP63 gene on pCP13 appeared to be functional. Comparative genomics indicated that the identified rep gene homologs were found on two additional toxin plasmids, pCP-OS1 and pCP-TS1. While functional analysis using recombinant plasmids indicated that pBCNF5603 and pCP13 are likely to be incompatible, the plasmid replication and partitioning region of pBCNF5603 alone was insufficient for stable maintenance of this plasmid. Conclusions These findings suggest that pBCNF5603 evolved from recombination events between C. perfringens plasmids and inter-species mobile genetic element(s). In addition, the bcn-encoding plasmid, pBCNF5603, is likely to be included in the Inc family, which includes pCP13 and two variant iota-encoding plasmids. Furthermore, the bcn gene on pBCNF5603 could contribute to gastrointestinal disease induced by enterotoxigenic C. perfringens. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-015-0443-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Miyamoto
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Soshi Seike
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Teruhisa Takagishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Kensuke Okui
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Masataka Oda
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2-5274, Gakkocho-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan.
| | - Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
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Chan G, Guthrie A, Sivaramalingam T, Wilson J, Vancraeynest D, Moody R, Clark S. A framework for assessing the efficacy of antimicrobials in the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. J APPL POULTRY RES 2015. [DOI: 10.3382/japr/pfv017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Redondo LM, Carrasco JMD, Redondo EA, Delgado F, Miyakawa MEF. Clostridium perfringens type E virulence traits involved in gut colonization. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121305. [PMID: 25799452 PMCID: PMC4370460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens type E disease in ruminants has been characterized by hemorrhagic enteritis or sudden death. Although type E isolates are defined by the production of alpha and iota toxin, little is known about the pathogenesis of C. perfringens type E infections. Thus far, the role of iota toxin as a virulence factor is unknown. In this report, iota toxin showed positive effects on adherence and colonization of C. perfringens type E while having negative effect on the adherence of type A cells. In-vitro and in-vivo models suggest that toxinotype E would be particularly adapted to exploit the changes induced by iota toxin in the surface of epithelial cells. In addition, type E strains produce metabolites that affected the growth of potential intra-specific competitors. These results suggest that the alteration of the enterocyte morphology induced by iota toxin concomitantly with the specific increase of type E cell adhesion and the strong intra-specific growth inhibition of other strains could be competitive traits inherent to type E isolates that improve its fitness within the bovine gut environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro M. Redondo
- Instituto de Patobiología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan M. Díaz Carrasco
- Instituto de Patobiología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Enzo A. Redondo
- Instituto de Patobiología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Delgado
- Instituto de Patobiología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano E. Fernández Miyakawa
- Instituto de Patobiología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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34
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Antonissen G, Van Immerseel F, Pasmans F, Ducatelle R, Haesebrouck F, Timbermont L, Verlinden M, Janssens GPJ, Eeckhaut V, Eeckhout M, De Saeger S, Hessenberger S, Martel A, Croubels S. The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol predisposes for the development of Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108775. [PMID: 25268498 PMCID: PMC4182565 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Both mycotoxin contamination of feed and Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis have an increasing global economic impact on poultry production. Especially the Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common feed contaminant. This study aimed at examining the predisposing effect of DON on the development of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. An experimental Clostridium perfringens infection study revealed that DON, at a contamination level of 3,000 to 4,000 µg/kg feed, increased the percentage of birds with subclinical necrotic enteritis from 20±2.6% to 47±3.0% (P<0.001). DON significantly reduced the transepithelial electrical resistance in duodenal segments (P<0.001) and decreased duodenal villus height (P = 0.014) indicating intestinal barrier disruption and intestinal epithelial damage, respectively. This may lead to an increased permeability of the intestinal epithelium and decreased absorption of dietary proteins. Protein analysis of duodenal content indeed showed that DON contamination resulted in a significant increase in total protein concentration (P = 0.023). Furthermore, DON had no effect on in vitro growth, alpha toxin production and netB toxin transcription of Clostridium perfringens. In conclusion, feed contamination with DON at concentrations below the European maximum guidance level of 5,000 µg/kg feed, is a predisposing factor for the development of necrotic enteritis in broilers. These results are associated with a negative effect of DON on the intestinal barrier function and increased intestinal protein availability, which may stimulate growth and toxin production of Clostridium perfringens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunther Antonissen
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Filip Van Immerseel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Richard Ducatelle
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Freddy Haesebrouck
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Leen Timbermont
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Marc Verlinden
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Geert Paul Jules Janssens
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Venessa Eeckhaut
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Mia Eeckhout
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Department of Bio-analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - An Martel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Siska Croubels
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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35
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Jiang Y, Kong Q, Roland KL, Curtiss R. Membrane vesicles of Clostridium perfringens type A strains induce innate and adaptive immunity. Int J Med Microbiol 2014; 304:431-43. [PMID: 24631214 PMCID: PMC4285460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesicle shedding from bacteria is a universal process in most Gram-negative bacteria and a few Gram-positive bacteria. In this report, we isolate extracellular membrane vesicles (MVs) from the supernatants of Gram-positive pathogen Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). We demonstrated vesicle production in a variety of virulent and nonvirulent type A strains. MVs did not contain alpha-toxin and NetB toxin demonstrated by negative reaction to specific antibody and absence of specific proteins identified by LC-MS/MS. C. perfringens MVs contained DNA components such as 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA), alpha-toxin gene (plc) and the perfringolysin O gene (pfoA) demonstrated by PCR. We also identified a total of 431 proteins in vesicles by 1-D gel separation and LC-MS/MS analysis. In vitro studies demonstrated that vesicles could be internalized into murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells without direct cytotoxicity effects, causing release of inflammation cytokines including granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), which could also be detected in mice injected with MVs through intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. Mice immunized with C. perfringens MVs produced high titer IgG, especially IgG1, antibodies against C. perfringens membrane proteins. However, this kind of antibody could not provide protection in mice following challenge, though it could slightly postpone the time of death. Our results indicate that release of MVs from C. perfringens could provide a previously unknown mechanism to induce release of inflammatory cytokines, especially TNF-α, these findings may contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of C. perfringens infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlong Jiang
- Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Qingke Kong
- Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Kenneth L Roland
- Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Roy Curtiss
- Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
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36
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Timbermont L, De Smet L, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Parreira VR, Van Driessche G, Haesebrouck F, Ducatelle R, Prescott J, Deforce D, Devreese B, Van Immerseel F. Perfrin, a novel bacteriocin associated with netB positive Clostridium perfringens strains from broilers with necrotic enteritis. Vet Res 2014; 45:40. [PMID: 24708344 PMCID: PMC3992141 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-45-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens is associated with netB positive Clostridium perfringens type A strains. It is known that C. perfringens strains isolated from outbreaks of necrotic enteritis are more capable of secreting factors inhibiting growth of other C. perfringens strains than strains isolated from the gut of healthy chickens. This characteristic could lead to extensive and selective presence of a strain that contains the genetic make-up enabling to secrete toxins that cause gut lesions. This report describes the discovery, purification, characterization and recombinant expression of a novel bacteriocin, referred to as perfrin, produced by a necrotic enteritis-associated netB-positive C. perfringens strain. Perfrin is a 11.5 kDa C-terminal fragment of a 22.9 kDa protein and showed no sequence homology to any currently known bacteriocin. The 11.5 kDa fragment can be cloned into Escherichia coli, and expression yielded an active peptide. PCR detection of the gene showed its presence in 10 netB-positive C. perfringens strains of broiler origin, and not in other C. perfringens strains tested (isolated from broilers, cattle, sheep, pigs, and humans). Perfrin and NetB are not located on the same genetic element since NetB is plasmid-encoded and perfrin is not. The bacteriocin has bactericidal activity over a wide pH-range but is thermolabile and sensitive to proteolytic digestion (trypsin, proteinase K). C. perfringens bacteriocins, such as perfrin, can be considered as an additional factor involved in the pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis in broilers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Timbermont
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Research Group Veterinary Public Health and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
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The impact of Fusarium mycotoxins on human and animal host susceptibility to infectious diseases. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:430-52. [PMID: 24476707 PMCID: PMC3942744 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6020430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Contamination of food and feed with mycotoxins is a worldwide problem. At present, acute mycotoxicosis caused by high doses is rare in humans and animals. Ingestion of low to moderate amounts of Fusarium mycotoxins is common and generally does not result in obvious intoxication. However, these low amounts may impair intestinal health, immune function and/or pathogen fitness, resulting in altered host pathogen interactions and thus a different outcome of infection. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the impact of Fusarium mycotoxin exposure on human and animal host susceptibility to infectious diseases. On the one hand, exposure to deoxynivalenol and other Fusarium mycotoxins generally exacerbates infections with parasites, bacteria and viruses across a wide range of animal host species. Well-known examples include coccidiosis in poultry, salmonellosis in pigs and mice, colibacillosis in pigs, necrotic enteritis in poultry, enteric septicemia of catfish, swine respiratory disease, aspergillosis in poultry and rabbits, reovirus infection in mice and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus infection in pigs. However, on the other hand, T-2 toxin has been shown to markedly decrease the colonization capacity of Salmonella in the pig intestine. Although the impact of the exposure of humans to Fusarium toxins on infectious diseases is less well known, extrapolation from animal models suggests possible exacerbation of, for instance, colibacillosis and salmonellosis in humans, as well.
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38
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Allaart JG, van Asten AJ, Gröne A. Predisposing factors and prevention of Clostridium perfringens-associated enteritis. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2013; 36:449-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2013.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Identification of accessory genome regions in poultry Clostridium perfringens isolates carrying the netB plasmid. J Bacteriol 2013; 195:1152-66. [PMID: 23292780 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01032-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is an economically important disease of poultry caused by certain Clostridium perfringens type A strains. NE pathogenesis involves the NetB toxin, which is encoded on a large conjugative plasmid within a 42-kb pathogenicity locus. Recent multilocus sequence type (MLST) studies have identified two predominant NE-associated clonal groups, suggesting that host genes are also involved in NE pathogenesis. We used microarray comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to assess the gene content of 54 poultry isolates from birds that were healthy or that suffered from NE. A total of 400 genes were variably present among the poultry isolates and nine nonpoultry strains, many of which had putative functions related to nutrient uptake and metabolism and cell wall and capsule biosynthesis. The variable genes were organized into 142 genomic regions, 49 of which contained genes significantly associated with netB-positive isolates. These regions included three previously identified NE-associated loci as well as several apparent fitness-related loci, such as a carbohydrate ABC transporter, a ferric-iron siderophore uptake system, and an adhesion locus. Additional loci were related to plasmid maintenance. Cluster analysis of the CGH data grouped all of the netB-positive poultry isolates into two major groups, separated according to two prevalent clonal groups based on MLST analysis. This study identifies chromosomal loci associated with netB-positive poultry strains, suggesting that the chromosomal background can confer a selective advantage to NE-causing strains, possibly through mechanisms involving iron acquisition, carbohydrate metabolism, and plasmid maintenance.
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Labuscagne A, Spencer BT, Picard JA, Williams MC. An investigation to determine the cause of haemorrhagic enteritis in commercial pig grower units in the northern parts of South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2012; 83:19. [PMID: 23327139 DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v83i1.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 10/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Necropsies were performed on 36 grower pigs that died peracutely on farms in the northern parts of South Africa. All these pigs were suffering from haemorrhagic enteritis and suspected toxaemia. Samples of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were taken for histopathological examination and a section of ileum was collected for microbiological examination from each animal. Histological lesions characteristic of enterotoxigenic Clostridium infection were found. Large, Gram-positive bacilli were sometimes abundant in sections and mucosal smears of the intestine. However, only 40% of the cultures were positive for Clostridium perfringens.
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Uzal F, Diab S, Blanchard P, Moore J, Anthenill L, Shahriar F, Garcia J, Songer J. Clostridium perfringens type C and Clostridium difficile co-infection in foals. Vet Microbiol 2012; 156:395-402. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Timbermont L, Haesebrouck F, Ducatelle R, Van Immerseel F. Necrotic enteritis in broilers: an updated review on the pathogenesis. Avian Pathol 2011; 40:341-7. [PMID: 21812711 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2011.590967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis and related subclinical disease have become economically significant problems for the broiler industry. Fortunately, scientific interest in this topic has grown: new C. perfringens virulence factors have been discovered and new insight gained about the pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis. It has been shown that alpha toxin, for a long time thought to be the key virulence factor, is not essential for the development of the disease. Moreover, it is now clearly established that only certain C. perfringens strains are capable of inducing necrotic enteritis under specific conditions that predispose to the disease and they constitute only a minority in the intestinal tract of healthy chickens. A novel pore-forming toxin, NetB, has been identified in these virulent avian C. perfringens strains. Using a gene knockout mutant, it has been shown that NetB is a critical virulence factor in the pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis in broilers. In addition to toxin production, other factors have been described that contribute to the ability of certain C. perfringens strains to cause necrotic enteritis in broilers. It has been suggested that proteolytic enzymes play an important role in the initial stages of necrotic enteritis since the villi are first affected at the level of the basement membrane and the lateral domain of the enterocytes. In field outbreaks of necrotic enteritis, a single clone of C. perfringens is dominant in intestines of all affected birds, as opposed to the mixture of different C. perfringens strains that can be isolated from healthy bird intestines. It has been proposed that bacteriocin production is responsible for the dominance of a single strain in necrotic enteritis cases. Furthermore, it has been shown that virulent strains are more able to adhere to extracellular matrix molecules than non-virulent strains. The current knowledge on the pathogenesis of the disease has been summarized in this short review.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Timbermont
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, Research Group Veterinary Public Health and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Rahimi S, Kathariou S, Grimes J, Siletzky R. Effect of direct-fed microbials on performance and Clostridium perfringens colonization of turkey poults. Poult Sci 2011; 90:2656-62. [DOI: 10.3382/ps.2011-01342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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Lee K, Lillehoj H, Jeong W, Jeoung H, An D. Avian necrotic enteritis: Experimental models, host immunity, pathogenesis, risk factors, and vaccine development. Poult Sci 2011; 90:1381-90. [DOI: 10.3382/ps.2010-01319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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He S, Zhou Z, Meng K, Zhao H, Yao B, Ringø E, Yoon I. Effects of dietary antibiotic growth promoter and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on production, intestinal bacterial community, and nonspecific immunity of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus female × Oreochromis aureus male)1. J Anim Sci 2011; 89:84-92. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2010-3032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Brady J, Hernandez-Doria JD, Bennett C, Guenter W, House JD, Rodríguez-Lecompte JC. Toxinotyping of necrotic enteritis-producing and commensal isolates ofClostridium perfringensfrom chickens fed organic diets. Avian Pathol 2010; 39:475-81. [DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2010.521141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Coursodon CF, Trinh HT, Mallozzi M, Vedantam G, Glock R, Songer J. Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin is produced in the intestines of broiler chicks inoculated with an alpha toxin mutant. Anaerobe 2010; 16:614-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2010.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2010] [Revised: 09/18/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Identification of novel pathogenicity loci in Clostridium perfringens strains that cause avian necrotic enteritis. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10795. [PMID: 20532244 PMCID: PMC2879425 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2010] [Accepted: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Type A Clostridium perfringens causes poultry necrotic enteritis (NE), an enteric disease of considerable economic importance, yet can also exist as a member of the normal intestinal microbiota. A recently discovered pore-forming toxin, NetB, is associated with pathogenesis in most, but not all, NE isolates. This finding suggested that NE-causing strains may possess other virulence gene(s) not present in commensal type A isolates. We used high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies to generate draft genome sequences of seven unrelated C. perfringens poultry NE isolates and one isolate from a healthy bird, and identified additional novel NE-associated genes by comparison with nine publicly available reference genomes. Thirty-one open reading frames (ORFs) were unique to all NE strains and formed the basis for three highly conserved NE-associated loci that we designated NELoc-1 (42 kb), NELoc-2 (11.2 kb) and NELoc-3 (5.6 kb). The largest locus, NELoc-1, consisted of netB and 36 additional genes, including those predicted to encode two leukocidins, an internalin-like protein and a ricin-domain protein. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Southern blotting revealed that the NE strains each carried 2 to 5 large plasmids, and that NELoc-1 and -3 were localized on distinct plasmids of sizes approximately 85 and approximately 70 kb, respectively. Sequencing of the regions flanking these loci revealed similarity to previously characterized conjugative plasmids of C. perfringens. These results provide significant insight into the pathogenetic basis of poultry NE and are the first to demonstrate that netB resides in a large, plasmid-encoded locus. Our findings strongly suggest that poultry NE is caused by several novel virulence factors, whose genes are clustered on discrete pathogenicity loci, some of which are plasmid-borne.
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Disease producing capability of netB positive isolates of C. perfringens recovered from normal chickens and a cow, and netB positive and negative isolates from chickens with necrotic enteritis. Vet Microbiol 2010; 146:76-84. [PMID: 20537820 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis is a serious disease of chickens and turkeys caused by Clostridium perfringens. Recently, a pore forming toxin of C. perfringens, called NetB, was reported and suggested to be critical to the development of necrotic enteritis. To investigate further the importance of NetB in the development of necrotic enteritis, toxin production and disease producing ability of (1) netB positive isolates recovered from normal chickens, (2) a netB positive isolate recovered from a cow, (3) netB negative isolates recovered from chickens with necrotic enteritis and (4) netB positive isolates recovered from chickens with necrotic enteritis, were examined. None of the netB negative isolates recovered from chickens with necrotic enteritis produced disease in challenged chickens. All netB positive isolates produced necrotic enteritis in challenged chickens, although there were substantial differences in the incidence and severity of lesions. Thus, one netB isolate produced severe lesions in 80% of challenged chickens, while another produced lesions in only 20% of challenged chickens, and these were very mild. The netB positive isolate from a cow, produced lesions in 90% of challenged chickens with severe lesions in 50%. While these findings would generally support the concept that netB is very important to development of necrotic enteritis, the finding that there was a wide range of virulence among the netB positive isolates suggests that other critical factors are also involved. This study has also demonstrated for the first time that C. perfringens strains from a mammalian species and from normal chickens, can cause necrotic enteritis in chickens.
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Feng Y, Gong J, Yu H, Jin Y, Zhu J, Han Y. Identification of changes in the composition of ileal bacterial microbiota of broiler chickens infected with Clostridium perfringens. Vet Microbiol 2010; 140:116-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2009] [Revised: 06/22/2009] [Accepted: 07/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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