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Rivera-Luna H, Kniha E, Muñoz P, Painean J, Balfanz F, Hering-Hagenbeck S, Prosl H, Walochnik J, Taubert A, Hermosilla C, Ebmer D. Non-invasive detection of Orthohalarachne attenuata (Banks, 1910) and Orthohalarachne diminuata (Doetschman, 1944) (Acari: Halarachnidae) in free-ranging synanthropic South American sea lions Otaria flavescens (Shaw, 1800). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:192-200. [PMID: 37575668 PMCID: PMC10422118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory mites of the genera Orthohalarachne and Halarachne (Acari: Halarachnidae) are causative agents of nasopharyngeal/nasopulmonary acariasis in pinnipeds and sea otters. Until now, these endoparasitic mites were mainly diagnosed via necropsies and invasive procedures. So far, non-invasive diagnostic techniques have neither been developed nor applied in free-ranging pinnipeds. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the halarachnid mite infestation status of free-ranging "urban" South American sea lions Otaria flavescens in the city of Valdivia, Chile. Therefore, non-invasive sampling methods were used in the current study, e. g. by observation-based sampling of freshly expectorated nasal mucus in the animal environment. Further, collection devices were developed for target-oriented sampling of sneezed nasal mucus, including sterile petri dishes and stretched clingfilms mounted on telescopic rods. Applying these techniques, 26 individual sputum samples were collected. 11.5% of sputum samples proved positive for halarachnid larvae (in total, n = 7), which were morphologically identified as Orthohalarachne attenuata (n = 2) or Orthohalarachne diminuata (n = 5). In one of the individual sea lion mucus samples, both Orthohalarachne species were detected, thereby confirming a patent co-infestation in vivo. 16S rDNA-based molecular identification of individual Orthohalarachne spp. larvae confirmed morphological findings. For the first time, we here molecularly characterized Orthohalarachne spp. on the basis of three gene regions [18S, 28S and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)]. Overall, current data include the successful application of non-invasive techniques to sample halarachnid mites from free-ranging synanthropic pinnipeds and contribute to the current knowledge on respiratory mites infesting South American sea lions by combining morphological and molecular methods to overcome challenges in species identification. This study should further serve as baseline study and calls for more research on occurrence, biology and health implications of orthohalarachnosis in free-living as well as captive pinnipeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Rivera-Luna
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Edwin Kniha
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalg. 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pamela Muñoz
- Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Javier Painean
- Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | | | | | - Heinrich Prosl
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Walochnik
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalg. 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - David Ebmer
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
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2
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Ebmer D, Kniha E, Strauss V, Kübber-Heiss A, Komornik L, Balfanz F, Hering-Hagenbeck S, Walochnik J, Gärtner U, Prosl H, Taubert A, Voracek T, Hermosilla C. First report of a severe nasopulmonary acariasis caused by Orthohalarachne diminuata Doetschmann, 1944 (Acari: Halarachnidae) in a captive South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY: PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2022; 19:248-256. [PMID: 36388725 PMCID: PMC9664340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Obligatory endoparasitic mites of the genera Halarachne Allman, 1847 and Orthohalarachne Newell, 1947 (Acari: Halarachnidae) parasitize different segments of the respiratory tract of marine mammals, including pinnipeds and sea otters, and infestations can cause asymptomatic to serious respiratory diseases. However, knowledge on biology, pathogenic potential and occurrence of halarachnid mites infesting pinnipeds, especially in captivity, is scarce. A two-year-old South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800) male, born and held at the Vienna Zoo, was anesthesized for routine pre-transport examinations, including computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage, and blood sampling. During the final phase of general anesthesia, the individual abruptly became apneic and died despite all attempts at resuscitation. At necropsy, 45 highly motile whitish millimeter-sized structures were macroscopically detected in the trachea, bifurcatio tracheae and main bronchi and were identified as adult stages of Orthohalarachne diminuata Doetschman, 1944 following morphological descriptions. After trepanation of the nasal cavity and sinus paranasalis, a total of 407 larval and 3 nymphal specimens distributed in clusters were detected. Macroscopically, sinus mucosa showed hyperemia and multiple petechial hemorrhages. Histopathological analyses of paranasal sinuses revealed mite cross-sections surrounded by sanioserous exudate and epithelial exfoliation. For the first time, O. diminuata was molecularly characterized and phylogenetically analyzed based on its 16S rDNA. Our study constitutes the first record of a severe O. diminuata infestation in captive O. flavescens and one of the few host-parasite records in general. We present clinical data and pathological results, the first scanning electron microscopic images of a O. diminuata larval stage and discuss the etiology of this autochthonous infestation, possible transmission pathways and detrimental effects. Further studies on biology and pathogenic effects of halarachnid mites, as well as on the development of non-invasive sampling techniques are essentially required for a better understanding of (ortho-)halarachnosis in pinnipeds held in zoological gardens. First record of Orthohalarachne diminuata in a captive South American sea lion. One of the few host-parasite records. Autochthonous infestation, since infested animal was born in captivity. First scanning electron microscopic images of a O. diminuata larva. First molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of O. diminuata.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ebmer
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Corresponding author. Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Edwin Kniha
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalg. 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Verena Strauss
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstr. 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Kübber-Heiss
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstr. 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Komornik
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Julia Walochnik
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalg. 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Gärtner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385, Giessen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Prosl
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Voracek
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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Pesapane R, Archibald W, Norris T, Fontaine C, Halaska B, Duignan P, Javeed N, Miller M, Foley J. Nasopulmonary mites (Halarachnidae) of coastal Californian pinnipeds: Identity, prevalence, and molecular characterization. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 16:113-119. [PMID: 34485053 PMCID: PMC8403680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Mites from the family Halarachnidae Oudemans 1906 are obligate endoparasites that colonize the respiratory tracts of free-living and captive marine mammals. Infestations can range from mild to severe and result in respiratory tract irritation or impairment. Nasopulmonary acariasis was determined to be a contributing cause of death among several southern sea otters Enhydra lutris nereis Merriam 1904 in a longitudinal study of otter mortality, and proximity to Pacific harbor seals Phoca vitulina richardii Gray 1864 was a significant risk factor for sea otter infestation. Beyond scattered opportunistic reports, each halarachnid mite species' affinity for particular hosts and the extent of mite transmission between host species is poorly understood. We investigated the identity and prevalence of nasopulmonary mites from Pacific harbor seals, California sea lions Zalophus californianus Lesson 1828, northern elephant seals Mirounga angustirostris Gill 1866, northern fur seals Callorhinus ursinus Linnaeus 1758, and Guadalupe fur seals Arctocephalus philippii townsendi Merriam 1897 to complement published nasopulmonary mite findings from sympatric southern sea otters during a comparable timeframe. Halarachnid mite infestation was common among California sea lions (74.1%), northern fur seals (73.3%), and northern elephant seals (46.6%), but was less common among harbor seals (18.7%) and Guadalupe fur seals (8.8%). Observed host-mite relationships suggest a distinct host specificity, with genus Orthohalarachne infesting otariids, and genus Halarachne infesting phocids and lutrinids along the California coast. Harbor seals and southern sea otters were the primary hosts of H. halichoeri, but one nothern elephant seal was infested with both H. miroungae and a single H. halichoeri. We also present the first high-resolution SEM images for H. miroungae and O. attenuata and possible evidence for a new host record for H. halichoeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Pesapane
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Wiley Archibald
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Nadia Javeed
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, 1320D Tupper Hall, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Melissa Miller
- Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 151 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - Janet Foley
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, 1320D Tupper Hall, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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Volokhov DV, Zagorodnyaya TA, Shen Z, Blom J, Furtak VA, Eisenberg T, Fan P, Jeong KC, Gao Y, Zhang S, Amselle M. Streptococcus vicugnae sp. nov., isolated from faeces of alpacas ( Vicugna pacos) and cattle ( Bos taurus), Streptococcus zalophi sp. nov., and Streptococcus pacificus sp. nov., isolated from respiratory tract of California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 71. [PMID: 33999792 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Four novel independent strains of Streptococcus spp. were isolated from faeces of alpaca (SL1232T), cattle (KCJ4950), and from respiratory tract of wild California sea lions (CSL7508T, CSL7591T). The strains were indole-, oxidase- and catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile Gram-positive cocci in short and long chains, facultative anaerobes. The 16S rRNA gene of SL1232T and KCJ4950 shared 99.40-99.60% nucleotide similarity to strains of S. equinus, S. lutetiensis, S. infantarius, and the 16S rRNA gene of CSL7508T and CSL7591T demonstrated 98.72 and 98.92% similarity, respectively, to S. marimammalium. All other known Streptococcus species had the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of ≤95%. The genomes were sequenced for the novel strains. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis for strains SL1232T and KCJ4950, showed the highest similarity to S. equinus, S. lutetiensis, and S. infantarius with 85.21, 87.17, 88.47, 85.54, 87.47 and 88.89%, respectively, and strains CSL7508T and CSL7591T to S. marimammalium with 87.16 and 83.97%, respectively. Results of ANI were confirmed by pairwise digital DNA-DNA hybridization and phylogeny, which also revealed that the strains belong to three novel species of the genus Streptococcus. Phenotypical features of the novel species were in congruence with closely related members of the genus Streptococcus and gave negative reactions with the tested Lancefield serological groups (A-D, F and G). MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry supported identification of the species. Based on these data, we propose three novel species of the genus Streptococcus, for which the name Streptococcus vicugnae sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain SL1232T (=NCTC 14341T=DSM 110741T=CCUG 74371T), Streptococcus zalophi sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain CSL7508T (=NCTC 14410T=DSM 110742T=CCUG 74374T) and Streptococcus pacificus sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain CSL7591T (=NCTC 14455T=DSM 111148T=CCUG 74655T). The genome G+C content is 36.89, 34.85, and 35.34 % and draft genome sizes are 1906993, 1581094 and 1656080 bp for strains SL1232T, CSL7508T, and CSL7591T, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy V Volokhov
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Tatiana A Zagorodnyaya
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Zhenyu Shen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, 901 East Campus Loop, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich Buff Ring 58, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vyacheslav A Furtak
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Tobias Eisenberg
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 89-91, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Department of Veterinary Medicine, Schubertstrasse 60, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Peixin Fan
- Department of Animal Sciences, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kwangcheol Casey Jeong
- Department of Animal Sciences, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Yamei Gao
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Shuping Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, 901 East Campus Loop, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Megan Amselle
- American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, VA 20110, USA
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5
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Han X, Yang Y, Zhu Q, Wang X, Huang W. Clinical value of atomization therapy in children with bronchopneumonia. Minerva Pediatr (Torino) 2021; 74:94-96. [PMID: 33949829 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5276.21.06373-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Han
- ICU, Wuhan Asian Heart Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Yahui Yang
- Pediatrics, Wuhan Hankou Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingchun Zhu
- Medical Clinic, Air Force Health Care Center for Special Services Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinjing Wang
- Medical Clinic, Air Force Health Care Center for Special Services Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Medical Clinic, Air Force Health Care Center for Special Services Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China -
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Streptococcal Infections in Marine Mammals. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020350. [PMID: 33578962 PMCID: PMC7916692 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine mammals are sentinels for the marine ecosystem and threatened by numerous factors including infectious diseases. One of the most frequently isolated bacteria are beta-hemolytic streptococci. However, knowledge on ecology and epidemiology of streptococcal species in marine mammals is very limited. This review summarizes published reports on streptococcal species, which have been detected in marine mammals. Furthermore, we discuss streptococcal transmission between and adaptation to their marine mammalian hosts. We conclude that streptococci colonize and/or infect marine mammals very frequently, but in many cases, streptococci isolated from marine mammals have not been further identified. How these bacteria disseminate and adapt to their specific niches can only be speculated due to the lack of respective research. Considering the relevance of pathogenic streptococci for marine mammals as part of the marine ecosystem, it seems that they have been neglected and should receive scientific interest in the future.
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Cornax I, Zulk J, Olson J, Fulde M, Nizet V, Patras KA. Novel Models of Streptococcus canis Colonization and Disease Reveal Modest Contributions of M-Like (SCM) Protein. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9010183. [PMID: 33467030 PMCID: PMC7829700 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus canis is a common colonizing bacterium of the urogenital tract of cats and dogs that can also cause invasive disease in these animal populations and in humans. Although the virulence mechanisms of S. canis are not well-characterized, an M-like protein, SCM, has recently identified been as a potential virulence factor. SCM is a surface-associated protein that binds to host plasminogen and IgGs suggesting its possible importance in host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we developed in vitro and ex vivo blood component models and murine models of S. canis vaginal colonization, systemic infection, and dermal infection to compare the virulence potential of the zoonotic S. canis vaginal isolate G361 and its isogenic SCM-deficient mutant (G361∆scm). We found that while S. canis establishes vaginal colonization and causes invasive disease in vivo, the contribution of the SCM protein to virulence phenotypes in these models is modest. We conclude that SCM is dispensable for invasive disease in murine models and for resistance to human blood components ex vivo, but may contribute to mucosal persistence, highlighting a potential contribution to the recently appreciated genetic diversity of SCM across strains and hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Cornax
- Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (I.C.); (J.O.); (V.N.)
| | - Jacob Zulk
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Joshua Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (I.C.); (J.O.); (V.N.)
| | - Marcus Fulde
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre of Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (I.C.); (J.O.); (V.N.)
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kathryn A Patras
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Correspondence:
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Pinho MD, Foster G, Pomba C, Machado MP, Baily JL, Kuiken T, Melo-Cristino J, Ramirez M. Streptococcus canis Are a Single Population Infecting Multiple Animal Hosts Despite the Diversity of the Universally Present M-Like Protein SCM. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:631. [PMID: 30984150 PMCID: PMC6450190 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus canis is an animal pathogen which occasionally causes infections in humans. The S. canis M-like protein (SCM) encoded by the scm gene, is its best characterized virulence factor but previous studies suggested it could be absent in a substantial fraction of isolates. We studied the distribution and variability of the scm gene in 188 S. canis isolates recovered from companion animals (n = 152), wild animal species (n = 20), and humans (n = 14). Multilocus sequence typing, including the first characterization of wildlife isolates, showed that the same lineages are present in all animal hosts, raising the possibility of extensive circulation between species. Whole-genome analysis revealed that emm-like genes found previously in S. canis correspond to divergent scm genes, indicating that what was previously believed to correspond to two genes is in fact the same scm locus. We designed primers allowing for the first time the successful amplification of the scm gene in all isolates. Analysis of the scm sequences identified 12 distinct types, which could be divided into two clusters: group I (76%, n = 142) and group II (24%, n = 46) sharing little sequence similarity. The predicted group I SCM showed extensive similarity with each other outside of the N-terminal hypervariable region and a conserved IgG binding domain. This domain was absent from group II SCM variants found in isolates previously thought to lack the scm gene, which also showed greater amino acid variability. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the possible host interacting partners of the group II SCM variants and their role in virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos D Pinho
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Constança Pomba
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel P Machado
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Johanna L Baily
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thijs Kuiken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - José Melo-Cristino
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Ramirez
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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9
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Pathology and epidemiology of nasopulmonary acariasis ( Halarachne sp.) in southern sea otters ( Enhydra lutris nereis). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 9:60-67. [PMID: 31011527 PMCID: PMC6463542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Halarachne sp. nasal mites infest harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) in California, but little is known about the pathophysiology of these infestations, or risk factors for exposure. To investigate these questions, a retrospective case-control study was performed using necropsy data from 70 mite-infested sea otters, and 144 non-infested controls. Case records for sea otters examined by pathologists from February 1999 through May 2015 were examined to assess risk factors for infestation, and lesions associated with nasopulmonary acariasis. Animals with a history of captive care within 10 days of death or carcass recovery were 3.2 times more likely to be infested with nasopulmonary mites than those with no history of recent rehabilitation. Sea otters stranding within 1 km of Elkhorn Slough in Monterey Bay were 4.9 times more likely to be infested with nasal mites than other areas; this site is characterized by high sea otter contact with sympatric harbor seals (a common host for Halarachne sp.), and a comparatively large population of rehabilitated and released sea otters. Aged adult otters were 9.4 times more likely to be infested than younger animals, and sea otters with nasopulmonary acariasis were 14.2 times more likely to have upper respiratory inflammation than un-infested animals. Additional findings in otters with nasopulmonary acariasis included lower respiratory tract bacterial infections, presence of medium-sized and/or fresh nose wounds at necropsy (indicators of recent face-to-face interaction between otters during copulation or fighting), and turbinate bone erosion. Our findings, although preliminary, suggest that captive rehabilitation and close contact with harbor seals could facilitate nasopulmonary mite transmission to sea otters. We also identified a high-risk zone for nasopulmonary acariasis in sea otters. We also provide preliminary data to suggest that nasopulmonary mite infestations can cause significant respiratory pathology in sea otters. Our data illustrates that nasopulmonary mites can be pathogenic for sea otters. High mite loads were associated with captive care, fresh nose wounds, and females. Mite-infested otters were 14 times more likely to have nasopharyngeal inflammation. Aged adult otters were 9 times more likely to be infested than other age groups. Otters hospitalized within 10 days of death were 3 times more likely to be infested.
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Pesapane R, Dodd E, Javeed N, Miller M, Foley J. Molecular characterization and prevalence of Halarachne halichoeri in threatened southern sea otters ( Enhydra lutris nereis). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2018; 7:386-390. [PMID: 30370218 PMCID: PMC6199184 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
Parasitism, particularly in concert with other sublethal stressors, may play an important, yet underappreciated role in morbidity and mortality of threatened species. During necropsy of southern sea otters (Enhydra lutra nereis) from California submitted to the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center's Sea Otter Necropsy Program between 1999 and 2017, pathologists occasionally observed nasopulmonary mites infesting the respiratory tracts. Infestation was sometimes accompanied by lesions reflective of mite-associated host tissue damage and respiratory illness. Our objectives were to estimate prevalence of nasopulmonary mites, determine the taxonomic identity of the observed mites, and create a DNA reference for these organisms in southern sea otters as an aid in population management. Using unique morphological characteristics discerned via light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we identified the mites as Halarachne halichoeri, a species typically associated with harbor seals (Phoca vitiluna). The 18S, 16S, 28S and ITS1-2 genetic regions were sequenced and submitted to GenBank. We observed H. halichoeri mites in 25.6% (95% CI 19.9-33.4%). of southern sea otters from a subset of necropsies performed between 2012 and 2017. This is the first documentation of H. halichoeri in southern sea otters and is suggestive of parasite exchange between sea otters and harbor seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Pesapane
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, 1320D Tupper Hall, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Erin Dodd
- Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 151 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
| | - Nadia Javeed
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, 1320D Tupper Hall, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Melissa Miller
- Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 151 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
| | - Janet Foley
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, 1320D Tupper Hall, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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