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Silva MF, Pereira G, Mateus L, da Costa LL, Silva E. Design of a multi-epitope-based vaccine candidate against Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis using a reverse vaccinology approach. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:144. [PMID: 38641595 PMCID: PMC11027316 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04006-x] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC), a worldwide distributed venereal disease caused by Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv), has a relevant negative economic impact in cattle herds. The control of BGC is hampered by the inexistence of globally available effective vaccines. The present in silico study aimed to develop a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Cfv through reverse vaccinology. RESULTS The analysis of Cfv strain NCTC 10354 proteome allowed the identification of 9 proteins suitable for vaccine development. From these, an outer membrane protein, OmpA, and a flagellar protein, FliK, were selected for prediction of B-cell and T-cell epitopes. The top-ranked epitopes conservancy was assessed in 31 Cfv strains. The selected epitopes were integrated to form a multi-epitope fragment of 241 amino acids, which included 2 epitopes from OmpA and 13 epitopes from FliK linked by GPGPG linkers and connected to the cholera toxin subunit B by an EAAAK linker. The vaccine candidate was predicted to be antigenic, non-toxic, non-allergenic, and soluble upon overexpression. The protein structure was predicted and optimized, and the sequence was successfully cloned in silico into a plasmid vector. Additionally, immunological simulations demonstrated the vaccine candidate's ability to stimulate an immune response. CONCLUSIONS This study developed a novel vaccine candidate suitable for further in vitro and in vivo experimental validation, which may become a useful tool for the control of BGC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Filipa Silva
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Pereira
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luísa Mateus
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Lopes da Costa
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Silva
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal.
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2
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Pena-Fernández N, Kortabarria N, Hurtado A, Ocejo M, Fort M, Pérez-Cobo I, Collantes-Fernández E, Aduriz G. Biochemical and molecular characterization of Campylobacter fetus isolates from bulls subjected to bovine genital campylobacteriosis diagnosis in Spain. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:131. [PMID: 38566185 PMCID: PMC10985941 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03970-8] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is caused by Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv) including its biovar intermedius (Cfvi). This sexually transmitted disease induces early reproductive failure causing considerable economic losses in the cattle industry. Using a collection of well-characterized isolates (n = 13), C. fetus field isolates (n = 64) and saprophytic isolates resembling Campylobacter (n = 75) obtained from smegma samples of breeding bulls, this study evaluated the concordance of the most used phenotypic (H2S production in cysteine medium and 1% glycine tolerance) and molecular (PCR) methods for the diagnosis of BGC and assessed possible cross-reactions in the molecular diagnostic methods. RESULTS Characterization at the subspecies level (fetus vs. venerealis) of C. fetus isolated from bull preputial samples using phenotypic and molecular (PCR targeting nahE and ISCfe1) methods showed moderate concordance (κ = 0.462; CI: 0.256-0.669). No cross-reactions were observed with other saprophytic microaerophilic species or with other Campylobacter species that can be present in preputial samples. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of discrepant isolates showed 100% agreement with PCR identification. For the differentiation of Cfv biovars, comparison of the H2S test (at 72 h and 5 days of incubation) and a PCR targeting the L-cysteine transporter genes showed higher concordance when H2S production was assessed after 5 days (72 h; κ = 0.553, 0.329-0.778 CI vs. 5 days; κ = 0.881, 0.631-1 CI), evidencing the efficacy of a longer incubation time. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the limitations of biochemical tests to correctly identify C. fetus subspecies and biovars. However, in the case of biovars, when extended incubation times for the H2S test (5 days) were used, phenotypic identification results were significantly improved, although PCR-based methods produced more accurate results. Perfect agreement of WGS with the PCR results and absence of cross-reactions with non-C. fetus saprophytic bacteria from the smegma demonstrated the usefulness of these methods. Nevertheless, the identification of new C. fetus subspecies-specific genes would help to improve BGC diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Pena-Fernández
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, Carretera de Oviedo, S/N, Villaviciosa, 33300, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, Derio, 48160, Spain
| | - Nekane Kortabarria
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, Derio, 48160, Spain
| | - Ana Hurtado
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, Derio, 48160, Spain
| | - Medelin Ocejo
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, Derio, 48160, Spain
| | - Marcelo Fort
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria S/N, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Iratxe Pérez-Cobo
- Central Veterinary-Animal Health Laboratory (LCV), Ctra. Madrid-Algete Km. 8.00, Algete, 28110, Spain
| | - Esther Collantes-Fernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria S/N, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, SALUVET-Innova S.L, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria S/N, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
| | - Gorka Aduriz
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, Derio, 48160, Spain.
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3
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Viola MN, Elías IC, Signorini M, Molineri AI, Russo AM, Zimmer PA, Lozina LA, Gimenez JN. [Prevalence and geographical distribution of bovine sexually transmitted diseases in the province of Formosa, Argentina]. Rev Argent Microbiol 2024; 56:147-152. [PMID: 37945434 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2023.07.004] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) and bovine trichomonosis (BT) are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that affect bovine breeding herds, decreasing their reproductive efficiency. The objective of this work was to estimate the prevalence of these diseases and their temporal-spatial distribution in the province of Formosa, Argentina. The cross-sectional study conducted between 2018 and 2021 included a total of 15,571 bulls, inter-herd prevalence being 29.62% and 17.23% for BGC and BT, respectively. The prevalence of positive animals was 2.05% for BGC and 0.43% for BT. The temporal-spatial analysis of BGC showed two distinct spatial groupings, one group had a low risk of contracting the disease (RR = 0.13; p < 0.001; 2018-2021) while the other group had a high risk (RR = 2.84; p < 0.001; 2020-2021). BT had a high-risk group for the disease (RR = 35.24; p < 0.001; 2019). This study shows that STDs are endemic in the region, providing updated and valuable information as a tool for the health management of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Nair Viola
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia (CIT) Formosa, Formosa, Argentina.
| | - Iris Carolina Elías
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia (CIT) Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Signorini
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ana Ines Molineri
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ana María Russo
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia (CIT) Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
| | - Patricia Andrea Zimmer
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Agencia de Extensión Rural Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
| | - Laura Analía Lozina
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia (CIT) Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
| | - Juana Noemí Gimenez
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia (CIT) Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
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4
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García JA, Farace PD, Gioffre AK, Romeo F, Verna A, Mendez MA, Morsella C, Aller JF, Signorini M, Paolicchi FA. Bovine campylobacteriosis in heifer: pathogenesis study and insights in the conventional and molecular diagnosis in an experimental bovine model and field cases. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:113-124. [PMID: 37548875 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10193-z] [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: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Campylobacter fetus spp. is a bacterium associated to reproductive losses in cattle worldwide. It is a venereal infectious disease known as bovine campilobacteriosis, with high impact mainly in countries with extensive production systems. Here, we show pathogenesis and diagnostic methods for Campylobacter fetus detection in cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) samples from heifers experimentally infected and field cases from herds with low reproductive performance by campylobacteriosis infection. Bacterial culture, direct immunofluorescence test and qPCR were used as diagnostic methods to evaluate detection of C. fetus. In the experimental model 30 Aberdeen Angus and crossbred heifers and 4 Aberdeen Angus bulls for natural mating were assigned to 3 groups experimentally challenged with C. fetus subsp. fetus (Cff), C. fetus subsps venerealis (Cfv) and C. fetus subsp venerealis biovar intermedius (Cfvi), respectively, and a negative control group, all followed for 9 months. Also, field samples of CVM and aborted fetuses were recollected from seven beef cattle farms. Bacteriological culture had the higher C. fetus detection rate in CVM being the most appropriate, followed by qPCR (with commercial extraction DNA kit), direct immunofluorescence test and qPCR (with in-house extraction DNA method), in both, experimental model and field cases. From experimental model after natural mating, 62.5% and 25% heifers got pregnant from Cff and Cfvi groups, respectively, while from Cfv no pregnancy was detected. The strain more frequently detected was Cfvi, followed by Cff and Cfv. Colonization of Cff in female genital tract with high number of carriers and presence in aborted fetuses was evidenced, suggesting a high risk to bovine reproductive health. Bacteriemia was not detected after genital infection. Given the low detection rate of either test, we suggest the use of both, PCR based methods and bacterial culture could result in higher detection rate in farms with endemic campylobacteriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A García
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, 7620, Argentina.
| | - Pablo D Farace
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IABIMO INTA-CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea K Gioffre
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IABIMO INTA-CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Romeo
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, 7620, Argentina
| | - Andrea Verna
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, 7620, Argentina
| | - María A Mendez
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, 7620, Argentina
| | - Claudia Morsella
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, 7620, Argentina
| | - Juan F Aller
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, 7620, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Signorini
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA - CONICET), Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Fernando A Paolicchi
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, 7620, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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5
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Siqueira FM, Breyer GM, De Carli S, Lopes CE, Dias ME, da Silva MERJ, Moni C, Zitelli LC, Borsato M, Gomes R, Lopes FPN, Moraes RC, Cattáneo M, Sosa R, Pessoa GA, de Freitas Costa E. A cross-sectional study on Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis prevalence and associated factors in Brazilian southern cattle farms. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:3291-3297. [PMID: 37688687 PMCID: PMC10689683 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01119-7] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cattle farming is a major livestock activity with economic relevance in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. However, this activity is still considered of intermediate to low technological level, and in this region, there are few epidemiologic reports of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv), the causative agent of bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC). Thus, we designed a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence and Cfv-associated factors in cattle farms in RS, Brazil. In total, 99 farms were randomly selected to participate in the survey. Preputial mucus samples from selected bulls were collected twice (within a 15-day interval) and subjected to Cfv molecular detection. A farm was considered positive when at least one sample was positive for Cfv. Our findings indicate that the farm-level Cfv prevalence in RS is 67.67%. On average, the chance of a farm using natural service to be Cfv-positive increased approximately twice compared to farms that do not use natural service. We also determined that Cfv routine tests reduce the chance of a farm being positive by 92%. Therefore, both Cfv detection tests and the reduction of natural services decrease the chance of a farm being positive for Cfv. Finally, we conclude that Cfv is widely spread in Southern Brazil cattle farms and it is urgent the implementation of control measures to reduce Cfv prevalence in the target population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciele Maboni Siqueira
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Merker Breyer
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Silvia De Carli
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cassiane E Lopes
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda Dias
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda Rocha Jacques da Silva
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Camila Moni
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Larissa Caló Zitelli
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Rogers Gomes
- Laboratorios Microsules Uruguay S.A, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Francisco Paulo Nunes Lopes
- Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation From Rio Grande Do Sul State, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rosane Collares Moraes
- Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation From Rio Grande Do Sul State, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Ruben Sosa
- Laboratorios Microsules Uruguay S.A, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Gilson Antonio Pessoa
- Embryolab-Animal Embryology Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical (DCGA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduardo de Freitas Costa
- Department of Epidemiology, Bio-Informatics and Animal Models, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
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Diagnostic Strategies for Ruminant Populations. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2023; 39:21-31. [PMID: 36731998 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Veterinarians may be asked to assess the presence, absence, or prevalence of a disease in an animal population or to compare the effects of management factors on disease status or production performance. The scope of diagnostic investigations in ruminant populations is often limited by the availability of time, money, and animal handling infrastructure. Selecting the correct number and type of animals to sample maximizes the benefits of the investigation, while minimizing costs. To meet the objectives of the study, the veterinarian must understand the statistical elements that need to be considered to calculate the appropriate sample size.
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7
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García JA, Farace P, Gioffré AK, Morsella C, Méndez MA, Acuña J, Aller JF, Signorini M, Paolicchi FA. Bovine campylobacteriosis in bulls: insights in the conventional and molecular diagnosis. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:459-467. [PMID: 36562912 PMCID: PMC9943827 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00892-1] [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: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter fetus is a gram-negative motile bacterium, with two subspecies relevant to cattle health: C. fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv) and C. fetus subsp. fetus (Cff). Both subspecies are associated with reproductive losses in cattle. In this study, we evaluated the identification of C. fetus for the diagnosis of bovine campylobacteriosis through bacteriological culture, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and molecular tests in preputial smegma (PS) samples of three Angus bulls challenged with Cfv, Cfv biovar intermedius (Cfvi) or Cff, respectively, in an experiment imitating the natural infection. Two DNA extraction protocols were tested (in-house thermal extraction and commercial kit). Aspiration and scraping collection for PS were compared by conventional tests. Additionally, bacteremia was also evaluated in blood samples. Bulls were challenged by natural mating with heifers that had been experimentally infected with C. fetus subspecies; which led to infection. The Cfv- and Cfvi-bulls were positive for at least 9 months. Although Cff is not considered a venereal strain, in this study it was transmissible to bull from heifers experimentally infected, as evidenced by its colonization and persistence in the preputial cavity for 5 to 6 months. This finding suggests a potential risk of dissemination within herds. The results obtained by bacteriological culture or direct immunofluorescence (DIF) showed no significant differences, regardless the sampling device used (aspiration with Cassou pipette, metal and plastic scraper). C. fetus qPCR, on the other hand, yielded better results with an in-house DNA extraction method than with a commercial kit (75% vs 66.6%). Furthermore, qPCR diagnosis was more efficient than culture (66.6%) or DIF (56%). Bacteremia in whole blood samples was negative by qPCR and bacteriological culture in all samples. Altogether, this study demonstrated the transmission of Cff from heifers to bull and also showed that PCR-based methods are promising for the diagnosis of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis from clinical samples of PS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A García
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS, INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Pablo Farace
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IABIMO, INTA-CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea K Gioffré
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IABIMO, INTA-CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia Morsella
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS, INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María A Méndez
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS, INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Joaquín Acuña
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS, INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan F Aller
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS, INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Signorini
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA - CONICET), Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Fernando A Paolicchi
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS, INTA-CONICET), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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8
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Silva MF, Kienesberger S, Pereira G, Mateus L, Lopes-da-Costa L, Silva E. Molecular diagnosis of bovine genital campylobacteriosis using high-resolution melting analysis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:969825. [PMID: 36160264 PMCID: PMC9501873 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.969825] [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: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC) is a worldwide spread venereal disease of cattle caused by Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv). Although several real-time PCR assays were developed for Cfv identification, most target mobile genetic elements, which may lead to false-positive diagnosis. In this study, a real-time PCR assay coupled with High-Resolution Melting analysis (HRM) was developed for the identification of Campylobacter fetus subspecies and application in BGC diagnosis. Two HRM assays targeting different single nucleotide polymorphisms were validated using 51 C. fetus strains, including 36 Cfv and 15 C. fetus subsp. fetus (Cff). The specificity was assessed in 50 preputial samples previously tested as negative for C. fetus and in 24 strains from other Campylobacter species. The analytical sensitivity was determined with ten-fold dilutions of Cfv genome copies and in preputial samples spiked with Cfv cells. Both HRM assays accurately identified the 51 C. fetus strains, showing 100% concordance with the previous identification. C. fetus subspecies identification by HRM showed concordant results with the glycine test in 98.0% of the isolates. No amplification was obtained in C. fetus negative preputial samples as well as in strains from other Campylobacter species. The assays were able to detect 102 genome copies of Cfv, while for preputial washing samples the limit of detection was 103 CFU/mL. These novel HRM assays represent a highly specific and sensitive tool for the identification of C. fetus subspecies and show potential for direct use in bull preputial samples for BGC diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Filipa Silva
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sabine Kienesberger
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gonçalo Pereira
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luísa Mateus
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Lopes-da-Costa
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Silva
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Elisabete Silva,
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9
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Cantón GJ, Moreno F, Fiorentino MA, Hecker YP, Spetter M, Fiorani F, Monterubbianesi MG, García JA, Altamiranda EG, Cirone KM, Louge Uriarte EL, Verna AE, Marin M, Cheuquepán F, Malena R, Morsella C, Paolicchi FA, Morrell EL, Moore DP. Spatial-temporal trends and economic losses associated with bovine abortifacients in central Argentina. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:242. [PMID: 35907064 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03237-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this work are, firstly, to provide the geolocalization of cases of bovine abortion with definitive diagnosis and, secondly, to estimate the economic losses due to the most frequent abortifacients diagnosed agents in cattle in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The total beef and dairy cattle population at risk of abortion is 8,358,186 and 538,076, respectively. In beef cattle, the overall risk of abortion was estimated at 4.5% for all pregnancies, where 27.9% are due to Campylobacter fetus, Neospora caninum, Leptospira spp., Brucella abortus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus with economic losses of US$ 440 per abortion, being the annual loss to the beef industry of US$ 50,144,101. In dairy cattle, there was an 8.0% risk of suffering abortion, 26.1% produced by the same abortigenic agents. The economic losses were estimated at US$ 1,415 per abortion, which equals a total loss of US$ 17,298,498 for the dairy industry in the region. The results of this study show that infectious causes are highly prevalent in Buenos Aires province, and they caused severe economic impacts in the dairy and beef industries. Furthermore, changes in temporal trends of infectious abortion occurrence were detected, probably related to the inclusion of molecular diagnostic techniques with more sensitivity or different epidemiological or husbandry conditions in the region analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán J Cantón
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.
| | - Fabiana Moreno
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - María A Fiorentino
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Yanina P Hecker
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Maximiliano Spetter
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Franco Fiorani
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - María G Monterubbianesi
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Juan A García
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Erika González Altamiranda
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Karina M Cirone
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Enrique L Louge Uriarte
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Andrea E Verna
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Maia Marin
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Felipe Cheuquepán
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Rosana Malena
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Claudia Morsella
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Fernando A Paolicchi
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Eleonora L Morrell
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Dadin P Moore
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
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10
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Pena-Fernández N, Cano-Terriza D, García-Bocanegra I, Horcajo P, Vázquez-Arbaizar P, Cleofé-Resta D, Pérez-Arroyo B, Ortega-Mora LM, Collantes-Fernández E. Prevalence of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis, Associated Risk Factors and Spatial Distribution in Spanish Beef Cattle Based on Veterinary Laboratory Database Records. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:750183. [PMID: 34957276 PMCID: PMC8692666 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.750183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is a sexually transmitted disease that causes early reproductive failure in natural breeding cattle that are managed extensively. The aim of this study was to assess the BGC prevalence in Spain from 2011 to 2019 using data collected cross-sectionally from the diagnostic reports issued by the SALUVET veterinary diagnostic laboratory from a total of 5,182 breeding bulls from 1,950 herds managed under “dehesa” systems (large herds within fenced pastures and all-year breeding season) or mountain systems (smaller herds with seasonal breeding management and grazing in communal mountain pastures). Infection was detected by PCR in 7.7 and 12.2% of the bulls and herds tested, respectively. The “dehesa” herd management system (OR = 2.078, P = < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.55–1.77), bovine trichomonosis status of the herd (OR = 1.606, P = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.15–2.22), and bulls ≥3 years old (OR = 1.392, P = 0.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.92) were identified as risk factors associated with Campylobacter fetus venerealis infection. We also studied the high-risk areas for circulation of the infection in extensive beef cattle herds in Spain, showing four significant clusters in “dehesa” areas in the south-western provinces of the country and a fifth cluster located in a mountain area in northern Spain. The results obtained in the present study indicate that BGC is endemic and widely distributed in Spanish beef herds. Specifically, “dehesa” herds are at greater risk for introduction of Cfv based on relatively high local prevalence of the infection and the use of specific management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Pena-Fernández
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, Villaviciosa, Spain.,Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pilar Horcajo
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Vázquez-Arbaizar
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET)-Innova S.L. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Darío Cleofé-Resta
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bárbara Pérez-Arroyo
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET)-Innova S.L. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Collantes-Fernández
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Animal Health and Zoonoses Group (SALUVET)-Innova S.L. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Seong YJ, Lee SH, Kim EJ, Choi YH, Kim TJ, Lee WG, Heo JY. Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis meningitis associated with a companion dog in a young adult: a case report. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1280. [PMID: 34961472 PMCID: PMC8711199 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-07007-5] [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] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Campylobacter spp., common commensals in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, especially poultry, can cause acute gastrointestinal illness in humans through animal-to-human transmission. Although Campylobacter fetus, especially subspecies fetus, rarely leads to systemic infections such as bacteremia in immunocompromised patients, it is unclear whether Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis (Cfv) causes infectious diseases in humans. Case presentation A 28-year-old man with a history of chronic alcoholism visited the emergency department with weakness of the left extremities. The patient was clinically diagnosed with community-acquired bacterial meningitis. The organism from the blood culture was subsequently identified as Campylobacter fetus. On phylogenetic analysis, the 16S rRNA sequence showed 99.93% similarity with other Cfv 16S rRNA sequences. The patient had no exposure to identifiable sources except for close contact with a companion dog, which could have been a possible source of transmission. Conclusions This case suggests that Cfv could lead to human systemic infections such as meningitis and that companion animals, in addition to well-known animal hosts, could be sources of transmission. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-07007-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeol Jung Seong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 Worldcup-ro, Youngtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hun Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Honam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jin Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 Worldcup-ro, Youngtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hwa Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 Worldcup-ro, Youngtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Joon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Wee Gyo Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 Worldcup-ro, Youngtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16499, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung Yeon Heo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 Worldcup-ro, Youngtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16499, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Carli SD, Dias ME, da Silva MERJ, Breyer GM, Siqueira FM. Survey of beef bulls in Brazil to assess their role as source of infectious agents related to cow infertility. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 34:54-60. [PMID: 34617862 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211050636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor reproductive performance in beef cattle caused by infectious agents results in major financial losses as a result of reduced pregnancy rates and extended calving intervals. Bulls can be subclinical chronic carriers of bacterial and protozoal agents involved in cow infertility, such as Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis, Ureaplasma diversum, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma bovis, and Tritrichomonas foetus. Bulls harbor these microorganisms in their preputial crypts and transmit the agents to cows during natural mating. To obtain an overview of the etiologic agents in the preputial mucus of bulls, we aimed to identify, by PCR assay, C. fetus subsp. venerealis, M. bovis, U. diversum, M. bovigenitalium, and T. foetus in Brazilian bulls from farms with high infertility rates. We collected preputial mucus from 210 bulls on 18 beef cattle farms in Brazil between 2019 and 2020. We found at least one of the infectious agents that we were studying in bulls on 16 of the 18 beef cattle farms tested. We detected at least one infectious agent from 159 of 210 (76%) bulls tested, namely C. fetus subsp. venerealis, M. bovis, U. diversum, M. bovigenitalium, and T. foetus in 87 (55%), 84 (53%), 45 (28%), 28 (18%), and 1 (0.6%) animal, respectively. We found 95 bulls (60%) positive for only 1 etiologic agent (single infection) and 64 bulls (40%) carried multiple agents. Our results demonstrate the occurrence of bacterial and protozoal infectious agents that may be related to infertility in Brazilian beef cattle herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia D Carli
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria E Dias
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria E R J da Silva
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriela M Breyer
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Franciele M Siqueira
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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13
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Isolation of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis from seminal vesicle of a naturally challenged bull. Vet Res Commun 2021; 45:447-452. [PMID: 34478009 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-021-09823-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Campylobacter fetus is a well-recognized pathogen that affects reproductive rate in cattle. In the present study, two Angus bulls were kept (39 days) separately with a group of heifers experimentally infected with Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv) and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis biovar intermedius (Cfvi), respectively. Each bull resulted infected post-mating by its respective strain (Cfv and Cfvi). Semen samples collected from each bull at days 39, 82, 132 and 269 resulted positive for C. fetus by bacteriological culture and/or direct immunofluorescence (DIF) test, and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from colonies isolated. Diagnosis resulted better with bacteriological culture (100%) compared to DIF (37,5%). Campylobacter fetus was isolated from seminal vesicle and preputial mucosa by bacteriological culture and confirmed by PCR and DIF test from colonies previously isolated from these tissues (day 276). Microscopic lesions detected in both bulls showed moderate diffuse subepithelial lymphoplasmacytic postitis. None of the seminal vesicle presented relevant microscopic lesions. To our knowledge this is the first report of isolation of C. fetus from seminal vesicles in a bull. The experimental model herein described, mimicks the natural infection and constitutes a promising alternative for future studies of campylobacteriosis in cattle.
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14
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Haas DJ, Barbieri JDM, Dorneles EMS, Lage AP. Chemotactic behavior of Campylobacter fetus subspecies towards cervical mucus, bovine placenta and selected substances and ion. Anim Reprod 2021; 18:e20210008. [PMID: 34394754 PMCID: PMC8356073 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0008] [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] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemotaxis of C. fetus subsp. venerealis and C. fetus subsp. fetus was determined in the presence of bovine cervical mucus and bovine placental extract. Some reported substances and ion in those materials, such amino acids, ferrous iron, hormones, sugars and organic acids were also investigated. Bovine cervical mucus, bovine placenta extracts and some substances and ion of these materials namely L–fucose, L– aspartate, L–glutamate, L–serine, ferrous iron, fumarate, pyruvate and succinate were chemoattractants. The chemottraction was significantly larger in higher concentrations of the tested substances and ion and significant differences among tested strains were also observed. Meso-erythritol and hormones bovine placental lactogen, 17β-estradiol, and progesterone did not elicit chemotactical response. In conclusion, this chemotactic behavior may guide the C. fetus navigation in the bovine host's genital tract and be an important cofactor of tissue tropism for this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionei Joaquim Haas
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Jonata de Melo Barbieri
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | - Andrey Pereira Lage
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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15
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Farace PD, Irazoqui JM, Morsella CG, García JA, Méndez MA, Paolicchi FA, Amadio AF, Gioffré AK. Phylogenomic analysis for Campylobacter fetus ocurring in Argentina. Vet World 2021; 14:1165-1179. [PMID: 34220118 PMCID: PMC8243670 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.1165-1179] [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] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Campylobacter fetus is one of the most important pathogens that severely affects livestock industry worldwide. C. fetus mediated bovine genital campylobacteriosis infection in cattle has been associated with significant economic losses in livestock production in the Pampas region, the most productive area of Argentina. The present study aimed to establish the genomic relationships between C. fetus strains, isolated from the Pampas region, at local and global levels. The study also explored the utility of multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) as a typing technique for C. fetus. Materials and Methods: For pangenome and phylogenetic analysis, whole genome sequences for 34 C. fetus strains, isolated from cattle in Argentina were downloaded from GenBank. A local maximum likelihood (ML) tree was constructed and linked to a Microreact project. In silico analysis based on MLST was used to obtain information regarding sequence type (ST) for each strain. For global phylogenetic analysis, a core genome ML-tree was constructed using genomic dataset for 265 C. fetus strains, isolated from various sources obtained from 20 countries. Results: The local core genome phylogenetic tree analysis described the presence of two major clusters (A and B) and one minor cluster (C). The occurrence of 82% of the strains in these three clusters suggested a clonal population structure for C. fetus. The MLST analysis for the local strains revealed that 31 strains were ST4 type and one strain was ST5 type. In addition, a new variant was identified that was assigned a novel ST, ST70. In the present case, ST4 was homogenously distributed across all the regions and clusters. The global analysis showed that most of the local strains clustered in the phylogenetic groups that comprised exclusively of the strains isolated from Argentina. Interestingly, three strains showed a close genetic relationship with bovine strains obtained from Uruguay and Brazil. The ST5 strain grouped in a distant cluster, with strains obtained from different sources from various geographic locations worldwide. Two local strains clustered in a phylogenetic group comprising intercontinental Campylobacter fetus venerealis strains. Conclusion: The results of the study suggested active movement of animals, probably due to economic trade between different regions of the country as well as with neighboring countries. MLST results were partially concordant with phylogenetic analysis. Thus, this method did not qualify as a reliable subtyping method to assess C. fetus diversity in Argentina. The present study provided a basic platform to conduct future research on C. fetus, both at local and international levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Daniel Farace
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IABIMO INTA-CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Matías Irazoqui
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria-INTA, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Claudia Graciela Morsella
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología-Grupo de Sanidad Animal. Unidad Integrada INTA-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Agustín García
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología-Grupo de Sanidad Animal. Unidad Integrada INTA-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Alejandra Méndez
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología-Grupo de Sanidad Animal. Unidad Integrada INTA-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Alberto Paolicchi
- Laboratorio de Bacteriología-Grupo de Sanidad Animal. Unidad Integrada INTA-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ariel Fernando Amadio
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria-INTA, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Andrea Karina Gioffré
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IABIMO INTA-CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Nadin-Davis SA, Chmara J, Carrillo CD, Amoako K, Goji N, Duceppe MO, Devenish J. A comparison of fourteen fully characterized mammalian-associated Campylobacter fetus isolates suggests that loss of defense mechanisms contribute to high genomic plasticity and subspecies evolution. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10586. [PMID: 33628630 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter fetus is currently classified into three main subspecies, but only two of these, C. fetus subspecies fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis originate principally from ruminants where they inhabit different niches and cause distinct pathogenicity. Their importance as pathogens in international trade and reporting is also different yet the criteria defining these properties have never been fully substantiated nor understood. The situation is further compromised because the ability to differentiate between these two closely related C. fetus subspecies has traditionally been performed by phenotypic characterisation of isolates, methods which are limited in scope, time-consuming, tedious, and often yield inconsistent results, thereby leading to isolate misidentification. The development of robust genetic markers that could enable rapid discrimination between C. fetus subsp. fetus and subsp. venerealis has also been challenging due to limited differences in the gene complement of their genomes, high levels of sequence repetition, the small number of closed genome sequences available and the lack of standardisation of the discriminatory biochemical tests employed for comparative purposes. To yield a better understanding of the genomic differences that define these C. fetus strains, seven isolates were exhaustively characterised phenotypically and genetically and compared with seven previously well characterised isolates. Analysis of these 14 C. fetus samples clearly illustrated that adaption by C. fetus subsp. venerealis to the bovine reproductive tract correlated with increasing genome length and plasticity due to the acquisition and propagation of several mobile elements including prophages, transposons and plasmids harbouring virulence factors. Significant differences in the repertoire of the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats)-cas system of all C. fetus strains was also found. We therefore suggest that a deficiency in this adaptive immune system may have permitted the emergence of extensive genome plasticity and led to changes in host tropism through gene disruption and/or changes in gene expression. Notable differences in the sub-species complement of DNA adenine methylase genes may also have an impact. These data will facilitate future studies to better understand the precise genetic differences that underlie the phenotypic and virulence differences between these animal pathogens and may identify additional markers useful for diagnosis and sub-typing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan A Nadin-Davis
- Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - John Chmara
- Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Kingsley Amoako
- National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Noriko Goji
- National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Marc-Olivier Duceppe
- Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - John Devenish
- Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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17
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Abdel-Glil MY, Hotzel H, Tomaso H, Linde J. Phylogenomic Analysis of Campylobacter fetus Reveals a Clonal Structure of Insertion Element IS Cfe1 Positive Genomes. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:585374. [PMID: 33281781 PMCID: PMC7688749 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.585374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Subspecies of the species Campylobacter fetus are associated with specific host niches including mammals and reptiles. Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus is a zoonotic pathogen infecting humans. Infections can vary from an acute intestinal illness to severe systemic infections, with sheep and cattle as major reservoirs. In contrast, Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis causes bovine genital campylobacteriosis, which leads to abortion in cattle and a high economic burden for the farmers. Therefore, high-quality molecular subtyping is indispensable for interventional epidemiology. We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 283 Campylobacter fetus strains from 18 countries and compared several methods for Campylobacter fetus subtyping, including WGS, multilocus sequence typing, PCR assays, and the presence of the insertion element ISCfe1. We identified a highly clonal clade (designated as clade 1) that harbors the insertion sequence ISCfe1. The presence of this insertion sequence is an essential diagnostic tool for the identification of the subspecies Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis, serving as a target for several PCR assays. However, we have found a high sequence variability for the ISCfe1 besides the presence of ISCfe1-paralogues in certain other genomes (n = 7) which may cause incorrect diagnostic results. Clade 1 seems to be the cattle-specific clade of this species. We propose that only this clade might be designated as Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis as it harbors the ISCfe1 marker sequence, which is a major target for molecular methods currently used for Campylobacter fetus subspecies identification. Fostering this proposal, we defined eleven stable nucleotide markers specific for this clade. Additionally, we developed a bioinformatics toolbox for the fast identification of this clade based on WGS data. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that WGS can be used for Campylobacter fetus subtyping overcoming limitations of current PCR and MLST protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Y Abdel-Glil
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Ash Sharqiyah, Egypt
| | - Helmut Hotzel
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Herbert Tomaso
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Jörg Linde
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
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Silva MF, Duarte A, Pereira G, Mateus L, Lopes-da-Costa L, Silva E. Assessment of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis molecular diagnosis using clinical samples of bulls. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:410. [PMID: 33121492 PMCID: PMC7596931 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02634-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv) is the pathogen responsible for Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC), a venereal disease of cattle associated with impaired reproductive performance. Although several PCR assays were developed to identify this pathogen, most of them are still poorly evaluated in clinical samples. This study evaluated real-time PCR assays for Cfv detection in preputial samples of bulls (n = 308). RESULTS The detection at the subspecies level (Cfv) compared four assays: two targeting ISCfe1 and two targeting parA gene. The detection at the species level (C. fetus) considered an assay targeting the nahE gene and a commercial kit for C. fetus identification. At the subspecies level, assays directed either to different targets (parA and ISCfe1), or to the same target (ISCfe1 or parA), showed a high percentage of disagreeing results. All samples positive at the subspecies level (n = 169) were negative in C. fetus detection assays, which strongly suggests the horizontal gene transfer of ISCfe1 and parA to other bacterial species. This was confirmed by microbiological isolation of three Campylobacter portucalensis strains responsible for false positive results. Sequences with a high level of identity with ISCfe1 and parA gene of Cfv were identified in C. portucalensis genome. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study reveals that PCR assays solely directed to a subspecies target originate a high rate of false positive results, due to the presence of parA and ISCfe1 homologous sequences in other bacterial species, namely of the genus Campylobacter. Although the specificity of these methods may be higher if applied to bulls from herds with clinical features of BGC or in other geographical regions, current PCR diagnosis should couple subspecies and species targets, and further research must be envisaged to identify Cfv specific molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Filipa Silva
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Duarte
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Pereira
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luísa Mateus
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Lopes-da-Costa
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Silva
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
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KARAKURT E, NUHOĞLU H, DAĞ S, GÜLMEZ SAĞLAM A, BEYTUT E, ŞAHİN M, OTLU S, ÇELEBİ Ö. Investigation of Campylobacteriosis in Abort Cases in Kars Province by Pathological, Immunohistochemical, PCR and Microbiological Methods. MEHMET AKIF ERSOY ÜNIVERSITESI VETERINER FAKÜLTESI DERGISI 2020. [DOI: 10.24880/maeuvfd.673903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Macías-Rioseco M, Silveira C, Fraga M, Casaux L, Cabrera A, Francia ME, Robello C, Maya L, Zarantonelli L, Suanes A, Colina R, Buschiazzo A, Giannitti F, Riet-Correa F. Causes of abortion in dairy cows in Uruguay. PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-6550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT: A case series study was conducted to determine the frequency of causes of abortion in dairy cattle in Uruguay. The sample size of 102 cases was composed of 53 fetuses, 35 fetuses with placentas, and 14 placentas without an associated fetus. All cases underwent gross and microscopic pathologic examinations as well as microbiological and serological testing. The etiology was determined in 54 (53%) of cases, 51 of which were caused by infectious agents. Within the observed 102 cases, 30 (29%) were caused by Neospora caninum, six (6%) by Coxiella burnetii and two (2%) by Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis. Bovine Parainfluenza-3 virus and Salmonella enterica serovar Newport caused one abortion each. Opportunistic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Mannheimia sp., Trueperella pyogenes, and Providencia stuartii) were associated with 11 abortions. In two cases the fetal death was attributed to dystocia, and in one case the fetus had a congenital mesothelioma. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection was identified in three fetuses; two of which were co-infected with and had typical lesions of N. caninum. No lesions were observed in the other fetus infected by BVDV. Leptospira interrogans was identified in one fetus without lesions. Despite the relatively low overall success rate in establishing an etiological diagnosis in cases of abortion in cattle, a systemic workup of bovine abortion is necessary to establish prevention and control strategies. This also facilitates monitoring and surveillance of reproductive diseases in dairy cattle, some of which represent a risk to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Macías-Rioseco
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Uruguay; Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay
| | - Caroline Silveira
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Uruguay; Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay
| | - Martin Fraga
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Uruguay
| | - Laura Casaux
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Uruguay; Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay
| | | | | | | | | | - Leticia Zarantonelli
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay; Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay
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