Characterization of Salmonella dublin and Salmonella typhimurium (Copenhagen) isolates from cattle

Genomic and phenotypic comparison of two variants of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg isolated during the 2015-2017 multi-state outbreak in cattle

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Heidelberg (Salmonella Heidelberg) has caused several multistate foodborne outbreaks in the United States, largely associated with the consumption of poultry. However, a 2015-2017 multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak was linked to contact with dairy beef calves. Traceback investigations revealed calves infected with outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg exhibited symptoms of disease frequently followed by death from septicemia. To investigate virulence characteristics of Salmonella Heidelberg as a pathogen in bovine, two variants with distinct pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns that differed in morbidity and mortality during the multistate outbreak were genotypically and phenotypically characterized and compared. Strain SX 245 with PFGE pattern JF6X01.0523 was identified as a dominant and highly pathogenic variant causing high morbidity and mortality in affected calves, whereas strain SX 244 with PFGE pattern JF6X01.0590 was classified as a low pathogenic variant causing less morbidity and mortality. Comparison of whole-genome sequences determined that SX 245 lacked ~200 genes present in SX 244, including genes associated with the IncI1 plasmid and phages; SX 244 lacked eight genes present in SX 245 including a second YdiV Anti-FlhC(2)FlhD(4) factor, a lysin motif domain containing protein, and a pentapeptide repeat protein. RNA-sequencing revealed fimbriae-related, flagella-related, and chemotaxis genes had increased expression in SX 245 compared to SX 244. Furthermore, SX 245 displayed higher invasion of human and bovine epithelial cells than SX 244. These data suggest that the presence and up-regulation of genes involved in type 1 fimbriae production, flagellar regulation and biogenesis, and chemotaxis may play a role in the increased pathogenicity and host range expansion of the Salmonella Heidelberg isolates involved in the bovine-related outbreak.

Comparison of cell invasion, macrophage survival and inflammatory cytokines profiles between Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Dublin from Brazil

AIMS

This study compared the capacity of strains of Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Dublin isolated in Brazil to invade epithelial cells, to be internalized by and survive within macrophages, and to stimulate cytokine release in vitro.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Both serovars infected 75 and 73% Caco-2 (human) and MDBK (bovine) epithelial cells respectively. Salmonella Dublin and S. Enteritidis (i) were internalized at the respective rates of 79·6 and 65·0% (P ≤ 0·05) by U937 (human) macrophages, and 70·4 and 66·9% by HD11 (chicken) macrophages; and (ii) multiplied at the respective rates of 3·2- and 2·7-fold within U937 cells, and 1·9- and 1·1-fold (P ≤ 0·05) within HD11 cells respectively. Seventy per cent of 10 S. Dublin strains stimulated IL-8 production, while 70% of S. Enteritidis strains enhanced production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF in Caco-2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with S. Enteritidis, S. Dublin had stronger ability to survive within macrophages and induced weak cytokine production, which may explain the higher incidence of invasive diseases caused by S. Dublin in humans.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study compared S. enterica serovars Enteritidis and Dublin to provide comparative data about the profile of the two serovars in cells from humans, the common host and their respective natural animal hosts and vice versa in order to check the differences between these two phylogenetically closely related serovars that share antigenic properties but present different phenotypic behaviours.

Detection of Salmonella from animal sources in South Africa between 2007 and 2014

Retrospective laboratory-based surveillance was conducted on Salmonella serotypes isolated from various animal species from 2007 to 2014 at the Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute, South Africa. During the surveillance period, 1229 salmonellae isolations were recorded. Around 108 different serotypes were recovered from nine different food and non-food animal host species. The three most common serotypes were Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Heidelberg (n = 200), Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Enteritidis (n = 170) and Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Typhimurium (n = 146). These were followed by Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Anatum (n = 62) and Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Infantis (n = 57). Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Schwarzengrund and Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Muenchen were recovered in 50 and 48 cases, respectively. Of the total number of isolations recorded during the period under review, 871 (70.8%) occurred in poultry and other birds, 162 (13.2%) in horses, 116 (9.4%) in cattle, 26 (2.1%) in sheep and goats, 22 (1.8%) in rhinoceroses, 16 (1.3%) in pigs, 8 (0.6%) in crocodiles, 6 (0.5%) in cats and 6 (0.5%) in leopards. Food animals accounted for 83.5% of the total isolations, with cattle and poultry representing approximately 72.7%. Forty-two (3.4 %) isolates were found from non-food animals that include rhinoceroses (n = 22), crocodiles (n = 8), leopards (n = 6) and cats (n = 6). Salmonella Heidelberg was the most frequently isolated serotype, whereas S. Typhimurium had the widest zoological distribution. Clinical laboratory isolation of different Salmonella serotypes from various hosts may aid in recognising the threat to livestock, public and environmental health. Moreover, it may also highlight the potential zoonotic and food safety risk implications of the detected Salmonella serotypes.

Review of pathogenesis and diagnostic methods of immediate relevance for epidemiology and control of Salmonella Dublin in cattle

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin (S. Dublin) receives increasing attention in cattle production. It is host-adapted to cattle, and leads to unacceptable levels of morbidity, mortality and production losses in both newly and persistently infected herds. Cattle health promoting institutions in several countries are currently constructing active surveillance programmes or voluntary certification programmes, and encourage control and eradication of S. Dublin infected cattle herds. There is a need to understand the underlying pathogenesis of the infection at both animal and herd level to design successful programmes. Furthermore, knowledge about and access to diagnostic tests for use in practice including information about test accuracy and interpretation of available diagnostic test methods are requested. The aim is to synthesise the abundant literature on elements of pathogenesis and diagnosis of immediate relevance for epidemiology and control of S. Dublin at animal and herd level. Relatively few in vivo studies on S. Dublin pathogenesis in cattle included more than a few animals and often showed varying result. It makes it difficult to draw conclusions about mechanisms that affect dissemination in cattle and that might be targets for control methods directed towards improving resistance against the bacteria, e.g. new vaccines. It is recommended to perform larger studies to elucidate dose-response relationships and age- and genetic effects of immunity. Furthermore, it is recommended to attempt to develop faster and more sensitive methods for detection of S. Dublin for diagnosis of infectious animals.

Animal contact as a source of human non-typhoidal salmonellosis

Non-typhoidal Salmonella represents an important human and animal pathogen world-wide. Most human salmonellosis cases are foodborne, but each year infections are also acquired through direct or indirect animal contact in homes, veterinary clinics, zoological gardens, farm environments or other public, professional or private settings. Clinically affected animals may exhibit a higher prevalence of shedding than apparently healthy animals, but both can shed Salmonella over long periods of time. In addition, environmental contamination and indirect transmission through contaminated food and water may complicate control efforts. The public health risk varies by animal species, age group, husbandry practice and health status, and certain human subpopulations are at a heightened risk of infection due to biological or behavioral risk factors. Some serotypes such as Salmonella Dublin are adapted to individual host species, while others, for instance Salmonella Typhimurium, readily infect a broad range of host species, but the potential implications for human health are currently unclear. Basic hygiene practices and the implementation of scientifically based management strategies can efficiently mitigate the risks associated with animal contacts. However, the general public is frequently unaware of the specific disease risks involved, and high-risk behaviors are common. Here we describe the epidemiology and serotype distribution of Salmonella in a variety of host species. In addition, we review our current understanding of the public health risks associated with different types of contacts between humans and animals in public, professional or private settings, and, where appropriate, discuss potential risk mitigation strategies.

Antibiotic resistance in food-borne bacterial contaminants in Vietnam

This study was conducted to examine the rate of contamination and the molecular characteristics of enteric bacteria isolated from a selection of food sources in Vietnam. One hundred eighty raw food samples were tested; 60.8% of meat samples and 18.0% of shellfish samples were contaminated with Salmonella spp., and more than 90% of all food sources contained Escherichia coli. The isolates were screened for antibiotic resistance against 15 antibiotics, and 50.5% of Salmonella isolates and 83.8% of E. coli isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Isolates were examined for the presence of mobile genetic elements conferring antibiotic resistance. Fifty-seven percent of E. coli and 13% of Salmonella isolates were found to contain integrons, and some isolates contained two integrons. Sequencing results revealed that the integrons harbored various gene cassettes, including aadA1, aadA2, and aadA5 (resistance to streptomycin and spectinomycin), aacA4 (resistance to aminoglycosides), the dihydrofolate reductase gene cassettes dhfrXII, dfrA1, and dhfrA17 (trimethoprim resistance), the beta-lactamase gene bla(PSE1) (ampicillin resistance), and catB3 (chloramphenicol resistance). Plasmids were also detected in all 23 antibiotic-resistant Salmonella isolates and in 33 E. coli isolates. Thirty-five percent of the Salmonella isolates and 76% of the E. coli isolates contained plasmids of more than 95 kb, and some of the isolates contained two large plasmids. Conjugation experiments showed the successful transfer of all or part of the antibiotic resistance phenotypes among the Salmonella and E. coli food isolates. Our results show that enteric bacteria in raw food samples from Vietnam contain a pool of mobile genetic elements and that the transfer of antibiotic resistance can readily occur between similar bacteria.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and characterization of Salmonella isolates from processed bison carcasses

Seventeen Salmonella enterica serovar Hadar isolates recovered from bison were found to possess a range of virulence genes and resistance to tetracycline, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole, and streptomycin simultaneously. A 1-kb class 1 integron containing the aadA1 gene was identified in all isolates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis found that all isolates were closely related, indicating the possibility of cross-contamination during processing.

Class 1 integrons in Dutch Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin isolates from clinical cases of bovine salmonellosis

Fifty-nine Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin (Salmonella Dublin) isolates from clinical cases of bovine salmonellosis between 1993 and 2004 were tested for their susceptibility to 15 antimicrobial agents and the presence of class 1 integrons. Integrons were further analyzed by conserved segment PCR-RFLP. DNA sequencing was used to identify the inserted gene cassette. Twelve (20.3%) isolates were multidrug-resistant. A combination of resistance against chloramphenicol, streptomycin and sulphonamides was the most common phenotype observed. Multidrug-resistance (MDR) was found to be strongly associated with the presence of integrons, since a class 1 integron with the aadA1 gene cassette encoding resistance to streptomycin and spectinomycin was found in all 12 multidrug-resistant isolates. The presence of the aadA1 gene in Salmonella Dublin has not been reported before. None of the integron carrying Salmonella Dublin isolates could transfer its antimicrobial resistance to E. coli K12 by conjugation. Analysis of plasmid profiles and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns showed at least some clonality among the Salmonella Dublin isolates, but 11 different types could be distinguished based on both XbaI and BlnI-PFGE patterns. Thus, the Dutch Salmonella Dublin strains were closely related but not clonal.

Petrobactin is the primary siderophore synthesized by Bacillus anthracis str. Sterne under conditions of iron starvation

The siderophores of Bacillus anthracis are critical for the pathogen's proliferation and may be necessary for its virulence. Bacillus anthracis str. Sterne cells were cultured in iron free media and the siderophores produced were isolated and purified using a combination of XAD-2 resin, reverse-phase FPLC, and size exclusion chromatography. A combination of 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy and ESI-MS/MS fragmentation were used to identify the primary siderophore as petrobactin, a catecholate species containing unusual 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate moieties, previously only identified in extracts of Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus. A secondary siderophore was observed and structural analysis of this species is consistent with that reported for bacillibactin, a siderophore observed in many species of bacilli. This is the first structural characterization of a siderophore from B. anthracis, as well as the first characterization of a 3,4-DHB containing catecholate in a pathogen.

Molecular analysis of Salmonella isolates recovered from processed Turkey carcasses

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of some virulence characteristics associated with Salmonella isolates recovered from processed turkey carcasses in the Midwestern region of the United States. A total of 94 Salmonella isolates recovered from turkey carcasses from two processing plants (A and B) were examined to determine the prevalence of invA, pagC, and spvC genes. Bioassays also were used to evaluate aerobactin and colicin production. All isolates (100%) were positive for the presence of invA and pagC but were negative for spvC. Overall, 19.1% of all isolates tested were positive for aerobactin production, and 25.5% of all isolates were positive for colicin. Aerobactin and colicin production differed among isolates recovered from the two plants; more isolates from plant B produced these compounds. The Salmonella isolates examined in this study possess significant potential for causing human illness.

Investigation of the genetic diversity among isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin from animals and humans from England, Wales and Ireland

AIMS

To assess the degree of genetic diversity among animal Salmonella Dublin UK isolates, and to compare it with the genetic diversity found among human isolates from the same time period.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred isolates (50 human and 50 animal) were typed using plasmid profiling, XbaI-pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and PstI-SphI ribotyping. Antimicrobial resistance data to 16 antibiotics was presented, and the presence of class-I integrons was investigated by real-time PCR. Seven different plasmid profiles, 19 ribotypes and 21 PFGE types were detected. A combination of the three methods allowed clear differentiation of 43 clones or strains. Eighteen isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial; five of them were multi-resistant and of these, only three presented class I integrons.

CONCLUSIONS

Ribotyping data suggest the existence of at least three very different clonal lines; the same distribution in well-defined groups was not evident from the PFGE data. The existence of a variety of clones in both animals and humans has been demonstrated. A few prevalent clones seem to be widely disseminated among different animal species and show a diverse geographical and temporal distribution. The same clones were found in animals and humans, which may infer that both farm and pet animals may act as potential vehicles of infection for humans. Some other clones seem to be less widely distributed. Clustering analysis of genomic fingerprints of Salmonella Dublin and Salm. Enteritidis isolates confirms the existence of a close phylogenetic relationship between both serotypes.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This paper describes the utility of a multiple genetic typing approach for Salm. Dublin. It gives useful information on clonal diversity among human and animal isolates.

Colicinogeny in local isolates of salmonellae and plasmid transfer studies

Colicinogeny was determined in local isolates of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis. Fourteen out of 35 S. typhimurium isolates of hospital origin were colicin producers whereas only one chicken isolate out of 82 S. enteritidis isolates of various origin (human, chicken or egg) produced colicin. A colicin producing, cephalothin (Cpt)- and piperacillin (Prl)-resistant local isolate of Salmonella havana (H32) harbored 4 plasmids of 54.0, 28.4, 2.7 and 1.9 kb. Upon curing its plasmids, the strain lost the ability to produce colicin and resistance to antibiotics and no longer expressed smooth lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The outer membrane protein (OMP) of 34.6 kDa was also lost. Using nalidixic acid (Nal)-resistant mutant of the cured strain in conjugation experiments, 10 out of 27 transconjugants were found to be resistant to Nal and Prl, 10 were resistant to Nal and Cpt and 7 showed Nal, Prl and Cpt resistance. Cpt and Prl resistance were determined by 54.0 and 28.4 kb plasmids, respectively. There was no direct correlation between plasmid contents and colicinogeny, LPS and OMP profiles.

Experimental salmonellosis in guinea-pigs: haematological and biochemical studies

Some haematological and biochemical parameters were studied in guinea-pigs infected intraperitoneally with Salmonella dublin 493 at 1 x 10(6) viable cells per animal. The infected animals showed a rise in temperature within 24 h, followed by depression and loss of body weight. On the 15th day post infection, haematological studies revealed a significant increase in the total leukocyte count due to both lymphocytosis and neutrophilia, and a decrease in the total erythrocyte count and haemoglobin concentration. There was also a significantly higher mean corpuscular volume and lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, indicating a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. The infection caused a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase activity and creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and globulin concentrations, and a decrease in albumin and triiodothyronine. There was no significant effect on serum total protein or on thyroxine, or in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the serum.

Salmonella enterica serotype Dublin infection: an emerging infectious disease for the northeastern United States

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Dublin (S. enterica Dublin) emerged for the first time in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio in 1988. Since that time this host-adapted serotype has spread throughout the veal- and dairy beef-raising operations in the region; very few dairy farms have experienced clinical S. enterica Dublin infections. This study details the epidemiology of the outbreaks in cattle. During the period 1988 through 1995, nine New York and four Pennsylvania counties have been affected; 13 different locations were involved in New York, and 10 were involved in Pennsylvania. The morbidity and mortality and seasonal distribution of outbreaks, which totaled 35, is described. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolates revealed that many of the strains were resistant to a number of commonly used drugs. Clinical case details and pathology information are provided, with a caution to clinicians and microbiologists presented with suspect animals, i.e., most cases occurred in older calves, which is atypical for salmonellosis for this region (calves were 8 or more weeks old) and presented as pneumonia and septicemia rather than the primarily diarrheal syndrome that is more typically recognized for the region. The epidemiology of cases is analyzed through cluster analysis of bacterial isolates and their fatty acid methyl ester profiles; at least six clones appeared in the region during the study period. Results of the epidemiology analysis are used to support a hypothesis regarding the source of S. enterica Dublin for the region and its manner of dissemination.