Listeria monocytogenes prevalence and genomic diversity along the pig and pork production chain

The facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe invasive illness. This ubiquitous species is widely distributed in the environment, but infection occurs almost exclusively through ingestion of contaminated food. The pork production sector has been heavily affected by a series of L. monocytogenes-related foodborne outbreaks in the past around the world. Ready-to-eat (RTE) pork products represent one of the main food sources for strong-evidence listeriosis outbreaks. This pathogen is known to be present throughout the entire pig and pork production chain. Some studies hypothesized that the main source of contamination in final pork products was either living pigs or the food-processing environment. A detailed genomic picture of L. monocytogenes can provide a renewed understanding of the routes of contamination from pig farms to the final products. This review provides an overview of the prevalence, the genomic diversity and the genetic background linked to virulence of L. monocytogenes along the entire pig and pork production chain, from farm to fork.

Holistic integration of omics data reveals the drivers that shape the ecology of microbial meat spoilage scenarios

Background

The use of omics data for monitoring the microbial flow of fresh meat products along a production line and the development of spoilage prediction tools from these data is a promising but challenging task. In this context, we produced a large multivariate dataset (over 600 samples) obtained on the production lines of two similar types of fresh meat products (poultry and raw pork sausages). We describe a full analysis of this dataset in order to decipher how the spoilage microbial ecology of these two similar products may be shaped differently depending on production parameter characteristics.

Methods

Our strategy involved a holistic approach to integrate unsupervised and supervised statistical methods on multivariate data (OTU-based microbial diversity; metabolomic data of volatile organic compounds; sensory measurements; growth parameters), and a specific selection of potential uncontrolled (initial microbiota composition) or controlled (packaging type; lactate concentration) drivers.

Results

Our results demonstrate that the initial microbiota, which is shown to be very different between poultry and pork sausages, has a major impact on the spoilage scenarios and on the effect that a downstream parameter such as packaging type has on the overall evolution of the microbial community. Depending on the process, we also show that specific actions on the pork meat (such as deboning and defatting) elicit specific food spoilers such as Dellaglioa algida, which becomes dominant during storage. Finally, ecological network reconstruction allowed us to map six different metabolic pathways involved in the production of volatile organic compounds involved in spoilage. We were able connect them to the different bacterial actors and to the influence of packaging type in an overall view. For instance, our results demonstrate a new role of Vibrionaceae in isopropanol production, and of Latilactobacillus fuchuensis and Lactococcus piscium in methanethiol/disylphide production. We also highlight a possible commensal behavior between Leuconostoc carnosum and Latilactobacillus curvatus around 2,3-butanediol metabolism.

Conclusion

We conclude that our holistic approach combined with large-scale multi-omic data was a powerful strategy to prioritize the role of production parameters, already known in the literature, that shape the evolution and/or the implementation of different meat spoilage scenarios.

Identification by High-Throughput Real-Time PCR of 30 Major Circulating Listeria monocytogenes Clonal Complexes in Europe

Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous bacterium that causes a foodborne illness, listeriosis. Most strains can be classified into major clonal complexes (CCs) that account for the majority of outbreaks and sporadic cases in Europe. In addition to the 20 CCs known to account for the majority of human and animal clinical cases, 10 CCs are frequently reported in food production, thereby posing a serious challenge for the agrifood industry. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid and reliable method to identify these 30 major CCs. The high-throughput real-time PCR assay presented here provides accurate identification of these 30 CCs and eight genetic subdivisions within four CCs, splitting each CC into two distinct subpopulations, along with the molecular serogroup of a strain. Based on the BioMark high-throughput real-time PCR system, our assay analyzes 46 strains against 40 real-time PCR arrays in a single experiment. This European study (i) designed the assay from a broad panel of 3,342 L. monocytogenes genomes, (ii) tested its sensitivity and specificity on 597 sequenced strains collected from 24 European countries, and (iii) evaluated its performance in the typing of 526 strains collected during surveillance activities. The assay was then optimized for conventional multiplex real-time PCR for easy implementation in food laboratories. It has already been used for outbreak investigations. It represents a key tool for assisting food laboratories to establish strain relatedness with human clinical strains during outbreak investigations and for helping food business operators by improving their microbiological management plans. IMPORTANCE Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is the reference method for Listeria monocytogenes typing but is expensive and takes time to perform, from 3 to 5 days for laboratories that outsource sequencing. Thirty major MLST clonal complexes (CCs) are circulating in the food chain and are currently identifiable only by sequencing. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid and reliable method to identify these CCs. The method presented here enables the rapid identification, by real-time PCR, of 30 CCs and eight genetic subdivisions within four CCs, splitting each CC into two distinct subpopulations. The assay was then optimized on different conventional multiplex real-time PCR systems for easy implementation in food laboratories. The two assays will be used for frontline identification of L. monocytogenes isolates prior to whole-genome sequencing. Such assays are of great interest for all food industry stakeholders and public agencies for tracking L. monocytogenes food contamination.

Tell me if you prefer bovine or poultry sectors and I'll tell you who you are: Characterization of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Mbandaka in France

Introduction

In north-western France, Salmonella enterica susp. enterica serovar Mbandaka (S. Mbandaka) is most frequently isolated from bovine and dairy samples. While this serovar most often results in asymptomatic carriage, for a number of years it has caused episodes of abortions, which have serious economic consequences for the sector. Interestingly, this serovar is also isolated from Gallus gallus in the same geographic zone. Despite its prevalence in bovines in north-western France, S. Mbandaka has not been broadly studied at the genomic level, and its prevalence and host adaptation are still not fully understood.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the genomic diversity of 304 strains of S. Mbandaka isolated from the bovine and poultry sectors in this area over a period of 5 years. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out and two approaches were followed to identify conserved genes and mutations related to host associations. The first approach targeted the genes compiled in the MEGARESv2, Resfinder, VFDB and SPI databases. Plasmid and phage contents were also investigated. The second approach refers to an in-house algorithm developed for this study that computes sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of accessory genes and core variants according to predefined genomes groups.

Results and discussion

All the analyzed strains belong to the multi-locus sequence type profile ST413, and the phylogenomic analysis revealed main clustering by host (bovine and poultry), emphasizing the circulation of 12 different major clones, of which seven circulate in poultry and five in the bovine sector in France and a likely food production chain adaptation of these clones. All strains present resistance determinants including heavy metals and biocides that could explain the ability of this serovar to survive and persist in the environment, within herds, and in food processing plants. To explore the wild animal contribution to the spread of this serovar in north-western France, we retrieved S. Mbandaka genomes isolated from wild birds from EnteroBase and included them in the phylogenomic analysis together with our collection. Lastly, screening of accessory genes and major variants allowed us to identify conserved specific mutations characteristic of each major cluster. These mutations could be used to design useful probes for food safety surveillance.

Contribution of omics to biopreservation: Toward food microbiome engineering

Biopreservation is a sustainable approach to improve food safety and maintain or extend food shelf life by using beneficial microorganisms or their metabolites. Over the past 20 years, omics techniques have revolutionised food microbiology including biopreservation. A range of methods including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and meta-omics derivatives have highlighted the potential of biopreservation to improve the microbial safety of various foods. This review shows how these approaches have contributed to the selection of biopreservation agents, to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action and of their efficiency and impact within the food ecosystem. It also presents the potential of combining omics with complementary approaches to take into account better the complexity of food microbiomes at multiple scales, from the cell to the community levels, and their spatial, physicochemical and microbiological heterogeneity. The latest advances in biopreservation through omics have emphasised the importance of considering food as a complex and dynamic microbiome that requires integrated engineering strategies to increase the rate of innovation production in order to meet the safety, environmental and economic challenges of the agri-food sector.

Large-scale multivariate dataset on the characterization of microbiota diversity, microbial growth dynamics, metabolic spoilage volatilome and sensorial profiles of two industrially produced meat products subjected to changes in lactate concentration and packaging atmosphere

Data in this article provide detailed information on the diversity of bacterial communities present on 576 samples of raw pork or poultry sausages produced industrially in 2017. Bacterial growth dynamics and diversity were monitored throughout the refrigerated storage period to estimate the impact of packaging atmosphere and the use of potassium lactate as chemical preservative. The data include several types of analysis aiming at providing a comprehensive microbial ecology of spoilage during storage and how the process parameters do influence this phenomenon. The analysis includes: the gas content in packaging, pH, chromametric measurements, plate counts (total mesophilic aerobic flora and lactic acid bacteria), sensorial properties of the products, meta-metabolomic quantification of volatile organic compounds and bacterial community metagenetic analysis. Bacterial diversity was monitored using two types of amplicon sequencing (16S rRNA and GyrB encoding genes) at different time points for the different conditions (576 samples for gyrB and 436 samples for 16S rDNA). Sequencing data were generated by using Illumina MiSeq. The sequencing data have been deposited in the bioproject PRJNA522361. Samples accession numbers vary from SAMN10964863 to SAMN10965438 for gyrB amplicon and from SAMN10970131 to SAMN10970566 for 16S.

Impact of cleaning and disinfection procedures on microbial ecology and Salmonella antimicrobial resistance in a pig slaughterhouse

To guarantee food safety, a better deciphering of ecology and adaptation strategies of bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella in food environments is crucial. The role of food processing conditions such as cleaning and disinfection procedures on antimicrobial resistance emergence should especially be investigated. In this work, the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella and the microbial ecology of associated surfaces communities were investigated in a pig slaughterhouse before and after cleaning and disinfection procedures. Salmonella were detected in 67% of samples and isolates characterization revealed the presence of 15 PFGE-patterns belonging to five serotypes: S.4,5,12:i:-, Rissen, Typhimurium, Infantis and Derby. Resistance to ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and/or chloramphenicol was detected depending on serotypes. 16S rRNA-based bacterial diversity analyses showed that Salmonella surface associated communities were highly dominated by the Moraxellaceae family with a clear site-specific composition suggesting a persistent colonization of the pig slaughterhouse. Cleaning and disinfection procedures did not lead to a modification of Salmonella susceptibility to antimicrobials in this short-term study but they tended to significantly reduce bacterial diversity and favored some genera such as Rothia and Psychrobacter. Such data participate to the construction of a comprehensive view of Salmonella ecology and antimicrobial resistance emergence in food environments in relation with cleaning and disinfection procedures.

Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serotype Derby, Associated with the Pork Sector in France

In the European Union, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Derby is the most abundant serotype isolated from pork. Recent studies have shown that this serotype is polyphyletic. However, one main genomic lineage, characterized by sequence type 40 (ST40), the presence of the Salmonella pathogenicity island 23, and showing resistance to streptomycin, sulphonamides, and tetracycline (STR-SSS-TET), is pork associated. Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of a strain from this lineage isolated in France.

Polyphyletic Nature of Salmonella enterica Serotype Derby and Lineage-Specific Host-Association Revealed by Genome-Wide Analysis

In France, Salmonella Derby is one of the most prevalent serotypes in pork and poultry meat. Since 2006, it has ranked among the 10 most frequent Salmonella serotypes isolated in humans. In previous publications, Salmonella Derby isolates have been characterized by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles revealing the existence of different pulsotypes and AMR phenotypic groups. However, these results suffer from the low discriminatory power of these typing methods. In the present study, we built a collection of 140 strains of S. Derby collected in France from 2014 to 2015 representative of the pork and poultry food sectors. The whole collection was characterized using whole genome sequencing (WGS), providing a significant contribution to the knowledge of this underrepresented serotype, with few genomes available in public databases. The genetic diversity of the S. Derby strains was analyzed by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). We also investigated AMR by both genome and phenotype, the main Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI) and the fimH gene sequences. Our results show that this S. Derby collection is spread across four different lineages genetically distant by an average of 15k SNPs. These lineages correspond to four multilocus sequence typing (MLST) types (ST39, ST40, ST71, and ST682), which were found to be associated with specific animal hosts: pork and poultry. While the ST71 and ST682 strains are pansusceptible, ST40 isolates are characterized by the multidrug resistant profile STR-SSS-TET. Considering virulence determinants, only ST39 and ST40 present the SPI-23, which has previously been associated with pork enterocyte invasion. Furthermore, the pork ST682 isolates were found to carry mutations in the fimH sequence that could participate in the host tropism of this group. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrates the polyphyletic nature of the Salmonella serotype Derby and provides an opportunity to identify genetic factors associated with host adaptation and markers for the monitoring of these different lineages within the corresponding animal sectors. The recognition of these four lineages is of primary importance for epidemiological surveillance throughout the food production chains and constitutes the first step toward refining monitoring and preventing dispersal of this pathogen.

Population Genetic Structure of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated From the Pig and Pork Production Chain in France

Listeria monocytogenes is an ubiquitous pathogenic bacterium, transmissible to humans through the consumption of contaminated food. The pork production sector has been hit hard by a series of L. monocytogenes-related food poisoning outbreaks in France. An overview of the diversity of strains circulating at all levels of the pork production chain, from pig farming (PF) to finished food products (FFP), is needed to identify the contamination routes and improve food safety. Until now, no typing data has been available on strains isolated across the entire pig and pork production chain. Here, we analyzed the population genetic structure of 687 L. monocytogenes strains isolated over the last 20 years in virtually all the French départements from three compartments of this production sector: PF, the food processing environment (FPE), and FFP. The genetic structure was described based on Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) clonal complexes (CCs). The CCs were obtained by mapping the PFGE profiles of the strains. The distribution of CCs was compared firstly between the three compartments and then with CCs obtained from 1106 strains isolated from other food production sectors in France. The predominant CCs of pig and pork strains were not equally distributed among the three compartments: the CC37, CC59, and CC77 strains, rarely found in FPE and FFP, were prevalent in PF. The two most prevalent CCs in the FPE and FFP compartments, CC9 and CC121, were rarely or never detected in PF. No CC was exclusively associated with the pork sector. Three CCs (CC5, CC6, and CC2) were considered ubiquitous, because they were observed in comparable proportions in all food production sectors. The two most prevalent CCs in all sectors were CC9 and CC121, but their distribution was disparate. CC9 was associated with meat products and food products combining several food categories, whereas CC121 was not associated with any given sector. Based on these results, CC121 is likely able to colonize a larger diversity of food products than CC9. Both CCs being associated with the food production suggests, that certain processing steps, such as slaughtering or stabilization treatments, favor their settlement and the recontamination of the food produced.

Reduced susceptibilities to biocides and resistance to antibiotics in food-associated bacteria following exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds

AIMS

Our aim was to assess the effects of step-wise exposure to didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) on the antimicrobial (antibiotics and biocides) susceptibilities of food-associated bacterial strains.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Adaptive responses of bacterial strains were investigated by exposing the strains daily to increasing subinhibitory concentrations of DDAC for 7 days. Following adaptation to DDAC, a threefold increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for this biocide was observed in 48% of the Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes strains, and 3% of the Salmonella strains. Reduced susceptibility to other biocides was found with the most important increase in MIC for benzalkonium chloride (BC) and a commercial biocide formulation (Galox Horizon) containing DDAC and glutaraldehyde, for all species except Salmonella. Increase in antibiotic MIC values was more pronounced in E. coli in terms of antibiotic numbers and of magnitude (from 4- to 32-fold increase) and, to a lesser extent, in Salmonella strains. Most of these strains had acquired resistance to ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of exposure to DDAC on biocides and antibiotics susceptibilities depend upon the bacteria species.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Extensive use of DDAC at subinhibitory concentrations may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and may represent a public health issue.

Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Subtyping Database for FoodborneSalmonella entericaSerotype Discrimination

Nontyphoid Salmonella is one of the main causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and is responsible for 65% of reported outbreaks of foodborne diseases in France. Serotyping is widely used for isolate preliminary identification, but it poorly discriminates strains. Rapid, efficient molecular subtyping tools have therefore been developed for the investigation of outbreaks. We evaluated the performance of the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) method for discrimination of 31 Salmonella serotypes frequently isolated in France. We set up a genomic database of Salmonella strains isolated from food, animals, the environment, and humans to improve the management of contamination and reactions to foodborne disease outbreaks. We studied 1128 isolates by PFGE, according to the standardized PulseNet protocol. We identified 452 PFGE patterns, 67.5% of which corresponded to a single isolate. The ability of this method to distinguish between isolates was estimated by calculating the Simpson index and the 95% confidence interval. Values obtained ranged between 0.33 (0.11-0.54) to 0.99 (0.96-1.00), depending on serotype. Epidemiological information about isolates was used for analyses of intra- and interserotype diversity results and for determining whether PFGE patterns were linked to the source of the isolate. Clustering analysis of the PFGE patterns obtained confirmed that serotype and PFGE genotype were closely linked. Some PFGE patterns were identified as major patterns, each of these patterns being found in at least 10 isolates. The database generated has already proved its effectiveness in epidemiological investigations in livestock production and foodborne outbreaks.

Assessment of the rind microbial diversity in a farmhouse-produced vs a pasteurized industrially produced soft red-smear cheese using both cultivation and rDNA-based methods

AIMS

The diversity of the surface flora of two French red-smear soft cheeses was examined by cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent methods to assess their composition and to evaluate the accuracy of both approaches.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Culture-independent methods used involved 16S ribosomal DNA gene cloning and sequencing and single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP). The culture-dependent method used involved direct culture and macroscopic observation, polymerase chain reaction of the 16S rRNA gene from DNA extracted from single colonies followed by complete sequencing of the gene. Only few species were recovered by both approaches either in the pasteurized and the farmer cheese. A large diversity of isolates or 16S rDNA sequences related to marine bacteria was identified at the surface of both cheeses.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that all three techniques were informative and complementary to allow a more accurate representativeness of the cheese surface biodiversity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Cultivation and molecular methods have to be combined in order to obtain an extended view of the bacterial populations of complex ecosystems.

Does smearing inoculum reflect the bacterial composition of the smear at the end of the ripening of a French soft, red-smear cheese?

The microbial community composition and dynamics during the production of a French soft, red-smear cheese were investigated. The colonization efficiency of the smearing inoculum was followed, and the parts played by the inoculum used and the resident microflora were tentatively estimated. Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) was applied to 2 productions of a soft, red-smear cheese produced by the same dairy plant at 4-mo intervals. Microbial composition of the different cheese samples analyzed was found to be reproducible from one production to another. However, the composition of the surface flora of both cheeses at the end of the ripening did not reflect the composition of the smearing inoculum used, qualitatively as well as quantitatively. These results were confirmed by those obtained when assessing the microbial composition of the culturable flora by the spread plate technique. The inoculum used by the industry had low resiliency potentialities against colonization of cheeses by resident organisms. Therefore, fitness and colonization potential of smearing inocula should be carefully assessed by the industry before use. The use of Arthrobacter strains as part of the smearing inoculum should be evaluated.

Taxonomic characterization of nine strains isolated from clinical and environmental specimens, and proposal of Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum sp. nov

Nine unidentified Gram-positive, lipophilic corynebacteria were isolated from clinical and food samples and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. The bacteria were distinguished from Corynebacterium species with validly published names by biochemical tests, fatty acid content and whole-cell protein analysis. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated unambiguously that the nine strains were related phylogenetically to the species ‘Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum’ and represented a distinct subline within the genus Corynebacterium. On the basis of both phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, the formal description of Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of C. tuberculostearicum is Medalle XT (=LDC-20T=CIP 107291T=CCUG 45418T=ATCC 35529T).

Antimicrobial resistance profiling and DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF) of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in human, poultry and porcine samples from the Cork region of Ireland

Antimicrobial resistance (R) typing and DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF) of a random collection of 84 Irish thermophilic Campylobacter isolates is described. The collection included human, veterinary (porcine) and poultry isolates cultured between 1996 and 1998 in the Cork region of Ireland. Biochemical and molecular methods were used to identify Campylobacter jejuni and Camp. coli. Many of these isolates were simultaneously resistant to several common antimicrobial agents. In particular, resistance to ampicillin, spectinomycin, sulphafurazole and tetracycline was common. A total of 74 DAF profiles was identified among the study collection, showing a high degree of diversity. Dendrogram analysis of the DNA patterns identified three main clusters at the 50% similarity level, which included two clusters of Camp. coli and a third containing a mixture of Camp. jejuni and Camp. coli.

Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat: studies on immune regulation

To study immunoregulation of chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (CR-EAE) in Lewis rats, we adoptively transferred concanavalin A-activated lymph node cells (LNC) or splenocytes, from hind footpad-inoculated donors at the onset (day 11), or recovery (day 16), of the first attack. Popliteal LNC, especially from day 16 donors, provided significant and dose-dependent, but incomplete, protection of recipients from encephalitogenic challenge; maximal mean delay in EAE onset was 10 days later than controls, with subsequent paralysis reduced more than 6-fold. In contrast, particularly from day 11 donors, superficial inguinal LNC recipients developed actively induced disease of normal severity up to 4 days earlier than CR-EAE controls. Furthermore day 11 EAE splenocytes, but not day 16 ones, adoptively transferred disease into 50-88% of naive recipients. In separate studies, we demonstrated unresponsiveness to active induction of disease in all rats re-challenged during stable late remission, as well as in a minority of animals pretreated with antigen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. These results suggest an organ-dependent and time-dependent balance between effector and suppressor populations in the model.

Preventive and therapeutic effects of cyclosporin and valine2-dihydro-cyclosporin in chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat

Cyclosporin (CS) and valine2-dihydro-cyclosporin [(Val2)DH-CS] were tested in adult Lewis rats with chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (CR-EAE), induced by the immunization of guinea-pig spinal cord emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. The drugs were given orally for 15 or 35 days, at 12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg/day, starting either on the day of sensitization (preventive treatment) or at one of three subsequent times (therapeutic treatment): the onset of the first attack (protocol A); the onset of the first spontaneous remission (protocol B); and the onset of the second attack (protocol C). Used therapeutically in protocol A, at doses above 12.5 mg/kg/day, both drugs prolonged remission past the end of therapy in more than two-thirds of the treated animals, compared to less than 10% of controls. Trends were similar under protocols B and C. Disease developing after preventive treatment with either drug was predominated by chronic and hyperacute attacks, in contrast to the relapsing course of controls. This pattern was also the result after CS was given therapeutically, whereas (Val2)DH-CS in such circumstances eliminated all further attacks in the majority of rats (58-86% at 25 mg/kg/day) and only minimal disease occurred in the remainder. We conclude that both drugs, in this model, are beneficial during administration; however, in contrast to CS, (Val2)DH-CS possesses an important, curative action when applied therapeutically.

Mast cell degranulation as a major event in the effector phase of delayed-type hypersensitivity induced by cloned helper T cells

A kinetic study (0-72 h) was performed on the cellular composition of the exudate in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) induced by the injection of cloned helper T cells into the footpad of C57BL/6J mice. In this model the reaction was maximal at 24 h, as assessed by local swelling. After an initial phase of inflammatory cell infiltration, we observed pronounced degranulation of mast cells, occurring at 15-19 h. Administration of antihistamines shortly before this time significantly inhibited the increase in footpad thickness at 24 h, suggesting mast cell mediators as a major cause of swelling in DTH. Furthermore, a new arrival of inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils, was clearly correlated with mast cell degranulation. The latter, which might function to suppress local reactions, persisted as the only intact cell type after 48 h. Supplementary examination of peripheral blood smears showed successive peaks of neutrophils (at 3 h), monocytes (at 15 h) and finally eosinophils (after 20 h). These results suggest a local and systemic cascade in DTH which depends on mast cell degranulation for its full expression.

Changes of neurotransmitter systems in chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in rat brain and spinal cord

Catecholamine and indoleamine neurotransmitters, together with some of their precursors and metabolites, were determined using HPLC in three brain and two spinal cord regions of Lewis rats with chronic relapsing allergic encephalomyelitis and of control rats injected with complete Freund's adjuvant. Three attacks and two recovery phases were investigated. Changes are found mainly in the spinal cord. In the lumbosacral region both 5-hydroxytryptamine and noradrenaline are reduced during the entire course of the disease, whereas in the craniothoracal region 5-hydroxytryptamine is unchanged and only noradrenaline is reduced during the attacks, returning to normal during the first recovery. The precursors tyrosine and tryptophan are greatly elevated during the first two attacks in both regions. The 5-hydroxytryptamine turnover marker 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid is increased in the first attack in both regions, then it decreases in the later stages, indicating destruction of nerve fibers. On the fourth and seventh days after inoculation values are generally not significantly different from controls in all regions. The possible correlation of neurochemical results with neurological signs is discussed.

Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat

Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (CR-EAE) was induced in rats with an emulsion of guinea-pig spinal cord tissue (GPSC) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) enriched with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RA (Tbc). 78% of the sensitized rats developed a CR-EAE showing 2 to 3 clinical relapses during the first 40 days. After 60-80 days, approximately half of the rats with CR-EAE had a further relapse which was followed by complete recovery in only 35% of the cases. The remaining 65% of these animals showed a progressive state of the disease, characterized by paralysis or severe motor deficit, eventually leading to death. CR-EAE in rats showed some similarities to multiple sclerosis in man (MS) and it may be a useful model for the study of this disease.

Immunosuppressive effect of cyclosporin A in two lymphocyte transfer models in rats: comparison of in vivo and in vitro treatment

The immunosuppressive effect of CS-A was first studied in the assay for local GvHR. 3 X 10(6) viable spleen cells from LEW rats were injected into one foot pad of LEW X BN hybrids and both PLN were weighed 7 days later. Treatment of the recipients with 3 doses of 50 mg/kg/day of CS-A suppressed this local GvHR. The effect was more pronounced when treatment started at the time of cell transfer rather than a few days before peak response. In vitro incubation of the cellular inoculum with CS-A also prevented local GvHR. Histology of the PLN confirmed the quantitative results expressed by the PLN index. CS-A was further investigated in the EAE model in LEW rats. It protected rats sensitised with spinal cord emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant for as long as they were treated with CS-A. Treatment delayed until after the appearance of EAE also markedly improved their condition. Oral treatment of recipients with 50 mg/kg/day CS-A prevented the development of adoptive EAE following the transfer of lymphoid cells conditioned in vitro. The presence of 0.1-1.0 microgram CS-A in the medium of the sensitised lymphoid cells also inhibited the adoptive transfer of EAE. Finally, if the cells for the adoptive transfer were derived from CS-A-treated sensitised donors, they failed to induce EAE. Histological examination supported the symptomatic findings.

The effects of fractions (chalones) obtained from lymphoid organs on the immune response in vivo

Aqueous extracts of calf and pig lymphoid organs were prepared and fractionated by means of gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. These fractions, which had been previously assessed on mitogen-stimulated mouse spleen lymphocytes and other cells in vitro, were tested for their in vivo activity on humoral (haemolytic PFC in mice) and on cell-mediated immunity (skin allograft survival in mice, lymph node weight assay in rats, and systemic GvH-reaction in mice). None of these several fractions elicited either biologically significant or reproducible inhibitory effects. In particular, two fractions, a high and a small molecular weight fraction which were strongly inhibitory in vitro, remained without any chalone-like activity in these in vivo assays. Our results therefore failed to support the existence of a lymphocyte chalone.

In-vivo effects of anti-inflammatory and other drugs on granulocyte emigration in the rabbit skin collection chamber

A method for measuring localised leukocyte mobilisation under in-vivo conditions with a plastic skin collection-chamber adapted to the rabbit ear was used for assessing the effects of anti-inflammatory and other agents on granulocyte emigration. Studies on the effect of oral drug administration to rabbits indicated that most anti-inflammatory drugs, two cystostatic agents (cyclophosphamide and colchicine), but none of the other compounds exhibiting antihistaminc, beta-adrenolytic or neuroleptic properties, significantly inhibited granulocyte mobilisation. The results after topical application of some of these agents into the chamber correlated well with those obtained after oral treatment. This technique may thus prove useful in selecting new compounds inhibiting granulocyte mobilisation in acute inflammatory reactions.

Effects of the new anti-lymphocytic peptide cyclosporin A in animals

The fungus metabolite cyclosporin A is a small cyclic peptide acting as a novel antilymphocytic agent. It is effective following either parenteral or oral administration in mice, rats and guinea-pigs. The suppressive effect after short and prolonged treatment on plaque-forming cells, the inhibition of the secondary humoral response and the reversibility of its effect on haemagglutinin formation is demonstrated. Cyclosporin A inhibits delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction to oxazolone (primary and secondary responses) in mice and to tuberculin in guinea-pigs. Its failure to suppress antibody synthesis to lipopolysaccharide antigens in nude mice suggests a selective effect on T cells. High doses of the compound affect the haemopoietic tissues very weakly as shown by the bone marrow and stem cell numbers in mice, which finding markedly contrasts with most other immunosuppressive and cytostatic drugs.

Biological effects of cyclosporin A: a new antilymphocytic agent

The fungus metabolite cyclosporin A is a small peptide acting as a novel antilymphocytic agent. It strongly depressed appearance of both direct and indirect plaque-forming cells and produced a clear dose-dependent inhibition of haemagglutinin formation in mice upon oral administration. Skin graft rejection in mice and graft-versus-host disease in mice and rats were considerably delayed by cycloporin A which also prevented the occurrence of paralysis in rats with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. This compound was not only highly effective in preventing development of Freund's adjuvant arthritis, but in addition improved the symptoms in rats with established arthritis, although it is inactive in acute inflammation. This new agent contrasts with other immunosuppressives and cytostatic drugs in its weak myelotoxicity. Experimental evidence suggests that cyclosporin A, rather than being cytostatic or lympholytic, affects an early stage of mitogenic triggering of the immunocompetent lymphoid cell.

Chemotaxis of rabbit macrophages in vitro: inhibition by drugs

Chemotaxis of rabbit macrophages was inhibited by phenylbutazone and sodium salicylate, but not by other antiinflammatory agents. Other inhibitory compounds were colchicine, vincristine, PHA, Con A, iodoacetic acid, cytochalasin B, and EDTA. Some of these in vitro results contrast apparently with in vivo effects.