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Suzuki Y, Takahashi K, Ishitsuka T, Sugiyama M, Sasaki Y, Kakuda T, Takai S, Naito I, Kohara J. Experimental infection of goats with pVAPN-harboring Rhodococcus equi causes latent infection in the lymph nodes. Vet Microbiol 2024; 295:110132. [PMID: 38838383 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi has recently been identified in various animals, including ruminants. Several studies have highlighted the emergence of pVAPN-harboring strains, isolated from multiple abscesses, in the liver and lungs of ruminants. Epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that pVAPN-harboring strains are pathogenic in ruminants. This study aims to replicate the disease in goats through experimental infection. Intravenous administration of the pVAPN-harboring strain (Yokkaichi), pVAPA-harboring strain (ATCC33701), and pVAPN-cured strain (Yokkaichi_P-), each at 1.0 × 107 CFU/head, was conducted in 24-month-old goats (n = 1 per group). During the observation period, goats treated with Yokkaichi or ATCC33701 exhibited transient increases in body temperature and white blood cell count, alongside a decrease in body weight from the administration day. Conversely, goats treated with Yokkaichi_P- displayed no significant changes in these values. The Yokkaichi-treated goat demonstrated a >10-fold increase in anti-VapN antibody titers from 11 to 14 days postadministration, whereas the other two goats exhibited no variation in anti-VapA and VapN antibody titers. Pathological autopsy analysis of organs harvested 28 days postadministration revealed no characteristic lesions on gross examination. However, the inoculated strain (vapN-positive R. equi) was exclusively recovered from the tracheobronchial lymph node in the Yokkaichi-treated goat. Immunohistochemistry detected a VapN-positive reaction in the tracheobronchial lymph node, confirming latent infection despite the absence of dramatic suppurative lesions seen in ruminants. Overall, this study highlights the latent infection in lymph nodes induced by the pVAPN-harboring strain, despite the absence of overt pathological manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Suzuki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan.
| | - Kei Takahashi
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Toko Ishitsuka
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugiyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yukako Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Shinji Takai
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Ikunori Naito
- Animal Health Group, Animal Research Center, Hokkaido Research Organization, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Junko Kohara
- Animal Health Group, Animal Research Center, Hokkaido Research Organization, Hokkaido, Japan
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Takai S, Mizuno Y, Suzuki Y, Sasaki Y, Kakuda T, Kirikae T. [Rhodococcus equi infections in humans: an emerging zoonotic pathogen]. Nihon Saikingaku Zasshi 2024; 79:15-24. [PMID: 38382971 DOI: 10.3412/jsb.79.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi is a facultative intracellular gram-positive coccobacillus which is a well-known cause of foal pneumonia and/or enteritis in equine veterinary medicine. More than 300 cases of R. equi infection have been reported since the first description of human disease in 1968. Most patients who become infected with R equi are immunocompromised, such as those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), recipients of organ transplantation, and patients receiving cancer treatment. However, there are increasing reports of the immunocompetent hosts. The pathogenicity of R. equi has been attributed to the presence of plasmid-encoded virulence-associated proteins (Vap). To date, three host-associated virulence plasmid types of R. equi have been identified as follows: the circular pVAPA and pVAPB, related, respectively, to equine and porcine isolates in 1991 and 1995, and a recently described linear pVAPN plasmid associated with bovine and caprine strains in 2015. More recently, these three plasmid types have been re-found in the human isolates which were isolated during 1980s to 1990s. Not only horses, but also pigs, goats, cattle and their environment should be considered as a potential source of R. equi for humans. In this review, we shed light on the current understanding of R. equi as an emerging zoonotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Takai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | | | - Yasunori Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Yukako Sasaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Teruo Kirikae
- Department of Microbiome Research, Department of Microbiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
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Suzuki Y, Takai S, Morizane Y, Yasuda K, Takahashi K, Ishitsuka T, Sasaki Y, Otsuka M, Kato S, Madarame H, Sugiyama M, Kawaguchi H, Kakuda T. Development of monoclonal antibodies against Rhodococcus equi virulence-associated protein N and their application to pathological diagnosis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0072923. [PMID: 37800907 PMCID: PMC10714782 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00729-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Rhodococcus equi can cause infection in ruminants, and its pathogenicity is suggested to be associated with VapN. Despite its wide distribution, no immunological diagnostic method has been developed for VapN-producing R. equi. Against this background, we attempted to develop monoclonal antibodies targeting VapN and assess their application in immunostaining. In the study, mice were immunized with recombinant VapN, and cell fusion and cloning by limiting dilution permitted the generation of three antibody-producing hybridomas. The utility of the antibodies produced from the hybridomas in immunostaining was demonstrated using an infected mouse model, and the antibodies were further applied to previously reported cases of R. equi infection in goats and cattle. Although the 4H4 antibody induced the strongest reactions, the reactivity of two other antibodies was improved by antigen retrieval. Our monoclonal antibodies will be utilized to support the definitive diagnosis of suspected R. equi infection, including cases that were previously missed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Suzuki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Shinji Takai
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yuri Morizane
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yasuda
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Kei Takahashi
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Toko Ishitsuka
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yukako Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Mikihiro Otsuka
- The Gifu Central Livestock Hygiene Service Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Satoru Kato
- The Gifu Central Livestock Hygiene Service Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroo Madarame
- Laboratory of Small Animal Clinics, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugiyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kawaguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Aomori, Japan
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Takai S, Suzuki Y, Sasaki Y, Kakuda T, Ribeiro MG, Makrai L, Witkowski L, Cohen N, Sekizaki T. Short review: Geographical distribution of equine-associated pVAPA plasmids in Rhodococcus equi in the world. Vet Microbiol 2023; 287:109919. [PMID: 38000208 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Virulent Rhodococcus equi strains expressing virulence-associated 15-17 kDa protein (VapA) and having a large virulence plasmid (pVAPA) of 85-90 kb containing vapA gene are pathogenic for horses. In the last two decades, following pVAPA, two host-associated virulence plasmid types of R. equi have been discovered: a circular plasmid, pVAPB, associated with porcine isolates in 1995, and a recently detected linear plasmid, pVAPN, related to bovine and caprine isolates. Molecular epidemiological studies of R. equi infection in foals on horse-breeding farms in Japan and many countries around the world have been conducted in the last three decades, and the epidemiological studies using restriction enzyme digestion patterns of plasmid DNAs from virulent isolates have shown 14 distinct pVAPA subtypes and their geographical preference. This short review summarizes previous reports regarding equine-associated pVAPA subtypes in the world and discusses their geographic distribution from the standpoint of horse movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Takai
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.
| | - Yasunori Suzuki
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Yukako Sasaki
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Márcio Garcia Ribeiro
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - László Makrai
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Hungária krt. 23-25, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lucjan Witkowski
- Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Noah Cohen
- Equine Infectious Disease Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tsutomu Sekizaki
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Fatal Infection in an Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) Caused by Pathogenic Rhodococcus equi. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101303. [PMID: 35625149 PMCID: PMC9137691 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Serious consequences of septicemic bacterial infections include the formation of purulent and pyogranulomatous inflammation resulting in abscesses in inner organs. Different bacteria are known to cause these infections in livestock. In this study, we report in detail on a case of a fatal Rhodococcus (R.) equi infection in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos), to our knowledge, for the first time. R. equi is a member of the actinomycetes, a bacterial group known to contain several pathogenic bacteria. R. equi primarily affects equine foals and other domestic animals, but also humans, which renders this bacterium a zoonotic agent. The rhodococcal infection of the alpaca reported herein caused septicemia, resulting in emaciation and severe lesions in the lungs and heart. The onset of infection was presumably caused by aspiration pneumonia, resulting in abscesses exclusively in the lungs. The R. equi isolate proved to be pathogenic, based on the virulence gene vapA encoding the virulence-associated protein A. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed a susceptibility to doxycycline, erythromycin, gentamycin, neomycin, rifampicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and vancomycin. This report of an R. equi infection in an alpaca makes clear that we still have knowledge gaps about bacterial infectious diseases in alpacas and potential zoonotic impacts. Therefore, the determination of pathogenic, zoonotic bacteria in alpacas is essential for treatment and preventive measures with respect to sustaining the health, welfare and productivity of this camelid species. Abstract Rhodococcus (R.) equi is a pathogen primarily known for infections in equine foals, but is also present in numerous livestock species including New World camelids. Moreover, R. equi is considered an emerging zoonotic pathogen. In this report, we describe in detail a fatal rhodococcal infection in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos), to our best knowledge, for the first time. The alpaca died due to a septicemic course of an R. equi infection resulting in emaciation and severe lesions including pyogranulomas in the lungs and pericardial effusion. The onset of the infection was presumably caused by aspiration pneumonia. R. equi could be isolated from the pyogranulomas in the lung and unequivocally identified by MALDI-TOF MS analysis and partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the rpoB gene. The isolate proved to possess the vapA gene in accordance with tested isolates originating from the lungs of infected horses. The R. equi isolates revealed low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC values) for doxycycline, erythromycin, gentamycin, neomycin, rifampicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and vancomycin in antibiotic susceptibility testing. Investigations on the cause of bacterial, especially fatal, septicemic infections in alpacas are essential for adequately addressing the requirements for health and welfare issues of this New World camelid species. Furthermore, the zoonotic potential of R. equi has to be considered with regard to the One Health approach.
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Takai S, Sudo M, Sakai M, Suzuki K, Sasaki Y, Kakuda T, Suzuki Y. Isolation of Rhodococcus equi from the gastrointestinal contents of earthworms (family Megascolecidae). Lett Appl Microbiol 2021; 74:27-31. [PMID: 34608644 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13577] [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: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi was isolated from the gastrointestinal contents of earthworms (family Megascolecidae) and their surrounding soil collected from pastures of two horse-breeding farms in Aomori Prefecture, outdoor pig pens, forest in Towada campus, orange groves and forest where wild boars (Sus scrofa) are established in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture. The number of R. equi in the lower gastrointestinal contents of 23 earthworms collected from our campus was significantly larger than that of the upper gastrointestinal content. The mean numbers of R. equi from the gastrointestinal contents of earthworms collected from the various places were 2·3-fold to 39·7-fold more than those of the surrounding soil samples. In all, 1771 isolates from the earthworms and 489 isolates from the soil samples were tested for the presence of vapA and vapB genes using polymerase chain reaction. At the horse-breeding farm N, 9 of the 109 isolates (8·3%) from the earthworms and 7 of the 106 isolates (6·6%) from the soil samples were positive for the vapA gene. At the University's forest, one of the 250 isolates (0·4%) from the gastrointestinal contents of the earthworm was positive for the vapB gene. These results revealed that R. equi can be found in significant quantities in the gastrointestinal contents of earthworms, suggesting that they act as an accumulator of R. equi in the soil environment and as a source or reservoir of animal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Takai
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
| | - M Sudo
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
| | - M Sakai
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
| | - K Suzuki
- Hikiiwa Park Center, Tanabe, Japan
| | - Y Sasaki
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
| | - T Kakuda
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
| | - Y Suzuki
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
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Żychska M, Witkowski L, Klementowska A, Rzewuska M, Kwiecień E, Stefańska I, Czopowicz M, Szaluś-Jordanow O, Mickiewicz M, Moroz A, Bonecka J, Kaba J. Rhodococcus equi-Occurrence in Goats and Clinical Case Report. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091141. [PMID: 34578172 PMCID: PMC8472617 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Rhodococcus equi infection is commonly known in equine medicine to cause frequently fatal rhodococcosis. Infections in other species and people are also reported. Clinical manifestation in goats is relatively similar to horses and humans, but data regarding bacterium prevalence are scarce. Thus, the study aimed to estimate the occurrence of R. equi in goats. Methods: During post mortem examination, submandibular, mediastinal, and mesenteric lymph nodes were collected. Standard methods were used for bacteria isolation and identification. Results: A total of 134 goats were examined, and 272 lymph node samples were collected. R. equi was isolated from four animals. All four isolates carried the choE gene, and one also had traA and pVAPN plasmid genes. Conclusions: To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first report of R. equi occurrence and genetic diversity in goats. The results may help create a model for treating rhodococcosis in other animal species and assessing the role of meat contamination as a potential source of human infection. This research should be considered a pilot study for further application of the goat as a model of R. equi infection in horses and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Żychska
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Ż.); (A.K.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Lucjan Witkowski
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Ż.); (A.K.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-593-6111
| | - Agnieszka Klementowska
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Ż.); (A.K.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Magdalena Rzewuska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.); (E.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Ewelina Kwiecień
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.); (E.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Ilona Stefańska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.); (E.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Michał Czopowicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Ż.); (A.K.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Olga Szaluś-Jordanow
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (O.S.-J.); (J.B.)
| | - Marcin Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Ż.); (A.K.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Agata Moroz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Ż.); (A.K.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Joanna Bonecka
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (O.S.-J.); (J.B.)
| | - Jarosław Kaba
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Ż.); (A.K.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.); (J.K.)
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Sangkanjanavanich N, Kakuda T, Suzuki Y, Sasaki Y, Takai S. Identification of genes required for the fitness of Rhodococcus equi during the infection of mice via signature-tagged transposon mutagenesis. J Vet Med Sci 2021; 83:1182-1190. [PMID: 34108307 PMCID: PMC8437726 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular bacterium that causes pyogranulomatous pneumonia in foals and immunocompromised people. In the present study, signature-tagged transposon mutagenesis was applied for the negative selection of R. equi mutants that cannot survive in vivo. Twenty-five distinguishable plasmid-transposon (plasposon) vectors by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), each containing a unique oligonucleotide tag, were constructed and used to select the transposon mutants that have in vivo fitness defects using a mouse systemic infection model. Of the 4,560 transposon mutants, 102 mutants were isolated via a real-time PCR-based screening as the mutants were unable to survive in the mouse model. Finally, 50 single transposon insertion sites were determined via the self-cloning strategy. The insertion of the transposon was seen on the virulence plasmid in 15 of the 50 mutants, whereas the remaining 35 mutants had the insertion of transposon on the chromosome. The chromosomal mutants contained transposon insertions in genes involved in cellular metabolism, DNA repair and recombination, gene regulation, non-ribosomal peptide synthesis, and unknown functions. Additionally, seven of the chromosomal mutants showed a reduced ability to multiply in the macrophages in vitro. In this study, we have identified several biosynthetic pathways as fitness factors associated with the growth within macrophages and survival in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuttapone Sangkanjanavanich
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Yasunori Suzuki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Yukako Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Shinji Takai
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
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NAKAO S, ISHIZUKA S, KAWASHIMA G, NAKAGAWA R, SASAKI Y, KAKUDA T, SUZUKI Y, TAKAI S. Re-examination of Virulence of Rhodococcus equi Isolates from an Infected Goat and Its Environmental Soil in Okinawa Reported in 2015. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.12935/jvma.73.582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Go KAWASHIMA
- Kitasato University, School of Veterinary Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | - Shinji TAKAI
- Kitasato University, School of Veterinary Medicine
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Takai S, Sawada N, Nakayama Y, Ishizuka S, Nakagawa R, Kawashima G, Sangkanjanavanich N, Sasaki Y, Kakuda T, Suzuki Y. Reinvestigation of the virulence of Rhodococcus equi isolates from patients with and without AIDS. Lett Appl Microbiol 2020; 71:679-683. [PMID: 32920889 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi emerged as a zoonotic pathogen of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients over the last three decades. Two virulence plasmid types of R. equi, pVAPA and pVAPB associated with equine and porcine isolates, have been recognized, and more recently, pVAPN, a novel host-associated virulence plasmid in R. equi, was found in bovine and caprine isolates. We reinvestigated 39 previously reported isolates of R. equi from patients with and without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by detecting vapA, vapB and vapN using PCR and plasmid profiling. After excluding one isolate that could not be cultured from frozen storage, eight isolates carried a virulence plasmid encoding vapA (pVAPA), 10 carried a virulence plasmid encoding vapB (pVAPB), seven carried a virulence plasmid encoding vapN (pVAPN) and 13 were negative for those genes. Of the 29 isolates from patients with AIDS, 7, 10 and 5 harboured pVAPA, pVAPB and pVAPN respectively. Among nine isolates from patients without AIDS, one and two harboured pVAPA and pVAPN respectively. This study demonstrated that pVAPN-positive R. equi existed in human isolates before 1994 and reaffirmed that equine-associated pVAPA-positive, porcine-associated pVAPB-positive and bovine- or caprine-associated pVAPN-positive R. equi are widely spread globally. Because domestic animals might be major sources of human infection, further research is needed to reveal the prevalence of pVAPN-positive R. equi infection in cattle and goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Takai
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - N Sawada
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - Y Nakayama
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - S Ishizuka
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - R Nakagawa
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - G Kawashima
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - N Sangkanjanavanich
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Y Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - T Kakuda
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - Y Suzuki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
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Suzuki Y, Takahashi K, Takase F, Sawada N, Nakao S, Toda A, Sasaki Y, Kakuda T, Takai S. Serological epidemiological surveillance for vapN-harboring Rhodococcus equi infection in goats. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101540. [PMID: 32911379 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi causes suppurative pneumonia in foals aged 1-3 months; moreover, it has emerged as a pathogenic cause of zoonotic diseases. After the initial report of the ruminant-pathogenic factor VapN encoded by the novel virulence plasmid pVAPN, several reports have described ruminant infections caused by vapN-harboring R. equi. Herein, we conducted a serological epidemiological surveillance in goats at a breeding farm (Farm A) and characterized the vapN-harboring R. equi isolates from this farm. First, we established a simple screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant glutathione S-transferase-tagged VapN as an immobilized antigen. This method revealed that the VapN antibody titers were elevated in 12 of 42 goats. Subsequently, we attempted to isolate R. equi from the goat feces and soil of Farm A. choE+/vapN+R. equi was isolated from the feces of Goat No. 27 and a soil sample near the shed. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of five vapN-harboring R. equi strains isolated from Farm A in 2013 and 2019 were investigated and found to be the same except for the strain (OKI2019F1). However, no difference was observed in VapN expression and growth in macrophages among these vapN-harboring R. equi isolates. Our results revealed that some goats had histories of vapN-harboring R. equi infections, and two genomic types of vapN-harboring R. equi were found in isolates from Farm A. Ruminant-specific (pVAPN-carrying) R. equi might be an unrecognized pathogen in Japan and further studies are required to determine its prevalence and distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Suzuki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan.
| | - Kei Takahashi
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Takase
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Nozomi Sawada
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Satoko Nakao
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Animal Health, 3-1 Kanekadan, Uruma, Okinawa, 904-2241, Japan
| | - Ayako Toda
- Okinawa Yaeyama Livestock Hygiene Service Center, 1-2 Miyara, Ishigaki, Okinawa, 907-0243, Japan
| | - Yukako Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Shinji Takai
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Higashi 23-35-1, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
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Saied AA, Bryan LK, Bolin DC. Ulcerative, granulomatous glossitis and enteritis caused by Rhodococcus equi in a heifer. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019; 31:783-787. [PMID: 31347467 DOI: 10.1177/1040638719867120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi infection in horses is common and is characterized by pyogranulomatous pneumonia and ulcerative enterocolitis. R. equi clinical disease in cattle, however, is rare and typically manifests as granulomatous lymphadenitis discovered in the abattoir. A 19-mo-old female Santa Gertrudis had a history of intermittent inappetence and weight loss for a 3-mo period before euthanasia. Gross and histologic examination revealed severe, chronic, ulcerative, and granulomatous inflammation in the tongue, pharynx, and small intestine. Also, the heifer had severe, granulomatous pharyngeal and mesenteric lymphadenitis. Bacterial cultures from the ileum, tongue, and liver yielded numerous-to-moderate numbers of R. equi. PCR analysis of the isolate detected the linear virulence plasmid vapN, which is often identified in bovine isolates (traA- and vapN-positive). The bacteria also lack the circular plasmids vapA and vapB that are associated with virulence in horses and swine, respectively. We report herein an atypical and unusual clinical presentation of R. equi infection in cattle, which has zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad A Saied
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture Food & Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY (Saied, Bolin)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Bryan)
| | - Laura K Bryan
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture Food & Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY (Saied, Bolin)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Bryan)
| | - David C Bolin
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture Food & Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY (Saied, Bolin)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Bryan)
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