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Catania S, Bottinelli M, Fincato A, Tondo A, Matucci A, Nai G, Righetti V, Abbate F, Ramírez AS, Gobbo F, Merenda M. Pathogenic avian mycoplasmas show phenotypic differences in their biofilm forming ability compared to non-pathogenic species in vitro. Biofilm 2024; 7:100190. [PMID: 38515541 PMCID: PMC10955283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas are known as the minimalist microorganisms in the microbes' world. Their minimalist nature makes them highly sensitive to the environmental conditions and limits their ability to survive for extended periods outside their animal host. Nevertheless, there are documented instances of mycoplasma transmission over significant distances and this phenomenon may be linked to relatively unexplored abilities of mycoplasmas, such as their capacity to synthesize biofilm-the predominant mode of bacterial growth in nature. The authors decided to establish a method aimed at inducing the clustering of mycoplasma planktonic cells within a biofilm in vitro and subsequently assess the capacity of certain avian mycoplasmas to synthesize a biofilm. A total of 299 avian mycoplasma isolates were included in the study, encompassing both pathogenic (Mycoplasma gallisepticum, M. synoviae, M. meleagridis, M. iowae) and non-pathogenic species (M. gallinaceum, M. gallinarum, M. iners and M. pullorum). The authors successfully demonstrated the feasibility of inducing avian mycoplasmas to synthetize in vitro a biofilm, which can be visually quantified. The only species that did not produce any biofilm was M. iowae. In general, the pathogenic mycoplasmas produced greater quantities of biofilm compared to the non-pathogenic ones. Furthermore, it was observed that the ability to produce biofilm appeared to vary, both qualitatively and quantitatively, not only among different species but also among isolates of a single species. Future studies will be necessary to determine whether biofilm production plays a pivotal epidemiological role for the pathogenic avian mycoplasmas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Catania
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
| | - Marco Bottinelli
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
| | - Alice Fincato
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
| | - Annalucia Tondo
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
| | - Andrea Matucci
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
| | - Giorgia Nai
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
| | - Verdiana Righetti
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
| | - Francesco Abbate
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - Ana S. Ramírez
- Unidad de Epidemiología y Medicina Preventiva, Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413, Arucas, Spain
| | - Federica Gobbo
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
| | - Marianna Merenda
- Unità Micoplasmi, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis (M. Gallisepticum, M. Synoviae), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060, Buttapietra, (VR), Italy
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Buni D, Kovács ÁB, Földi D, Bányai K, Bali K, Domán M, Wehmann E, Bradbury J, Bottinelli M, Catania S, Stefani E, Lysnyansky I, Kovács L, Grózner D, Gyuranecz M, Kreizinger Z. Development of molecular assays for the analysis of genetic relationships of Mycoplasma iowae. Vet Microbiol 2023; 287:109909. [PMID: 37925876 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Mycoplasma iowae is a worldwide spread and economically important avian pathogen that mostly infects turkeys. Currently, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) serves as the gold standard method for strain identification in M. iowae. However, additional robust genotyping methods are required to effectively monitor M. iowae infections and conduct epidemiological investigations. The first aim of this study was to develop genotyping assays with high resolution, that specifically target M. iowae, namely a multiple-locus variable number of tandem-repeats analysis (MLVA) and a core genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST) schema. The second aim was the determination of relationships among a diverse selection of M. iowae strains and clinical isolates with a previous and the newly developed assays. The MLVA was designed based on the analyses of tandem-repeat (TR) regions in the six serotype reference strains (I, J, K, N, Q and R). The cgMLST schema was developed based on the coding sequences (CDSs) common in 95% of the examined 99 isolates. The samples were submitted for a previously published MLST assay for comparison with the developed methods. Out of 94 TR regions identified, 17 alleles were selected for further evaluation by PCR. Finally, seven alleles were chosen to establish the MLVA assay. Additionally, whole genome sequence analyses identified a total of 676 CDSs shared by 95% of the isolates, all of which were included into the developed cgMLST schema. The MLVA discriminated 19 distinct genotypes (GT), while with the cgMLST assay 79 sequence types (ST) could be determined with Simpson's diversity indices of 0.810 (MLVA) and 0.989 (cgMLST). The applied assays consistently identified the same main clusters among the diverse selection of isolates, thereby demonstrating their suitability for various genetic analyses and their ability to yield congruent results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Buni
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary
| | - Áron Botond Kovács
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Földi
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Bányai
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, Budapest, Hungary; University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István utca 2., Budapest 1078, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Bali
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marianna Domán
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Enikő Wehmann
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Janet Bradbury
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Bottinelli
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
| | - Salvatore Catania
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Stefani
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
| | - Inna Lysnyansky
- Department of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel
| | - László Kovács
- University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István utca 2., Budapest 1078, Hungary; Poultry-Care Kft., Lehel út 21., Újszász 5052, Hungary
| | - Dénes Grózner
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary
| | - Miklós Gyuranecz
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, Budapest, Hungary; University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István utca 2., Budapest 1078, Hungary; MolliScience Kft., Március 15. utca 1, Biatorbágy 2051, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsa Kreizinger
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; MolliScience Kft., Március 15. utca 1, Biatorbágy 2051, Hungary.
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Matucci A, Stefani E, Tondo A, Righetti V, Bottinelli M, Gavazzi L, Merenda M, Catania S. Isolation and characterization of an atypical Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain showing a new mgc2 variant. Vet Microbiol 2023; 282:109768. [PMID: 37148622 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is an important pathogen of the poultry industry able to cause chronic respiratory disease in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys. Despite the application of biosecurity measures and the availability of vaccines for chickens, monitoring systems routinely applied for MG detection are still essential for infection control. Pathogen isolation is time-consuming and not suitable for rapid detection, albeit it is a compulsory step for genetic typing and antimicrobial susceptibility evaluation of single strains. The mgc2 gene is a species-specific molecular target adopted by most of the PCR protocols available for MG diagnosis, which are also included in the WOAH Terrestrial Manual. We describe the case of an atypical MG strain, isolated in 2019 from Italian turkeys, characterized by an mgc2 sequence not detectable by common endpoint PCR primers. Considering the potential risk of false negative results during diagnostic screenings with the endpoint protocol, the authors propose an alternative mgc2 PCR endpoint protocol, named MG600, which should be considered as a further diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Matucci
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy.
| | - E Stefani
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
| | - A Tondo
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
| | - V Righetti
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
| | - M Bottinelli
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
| | - L Gavazzi
- Company Veterinarian, Gesco, S. Vittore di Cesena, Forlì-Cesena 47522, Italy
| | - M Merenda
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
| | - S Catania
- Mycoplasma Unit, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Mycoplasmosis, SCT-1, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Bovolino 1/C, Buttapietra, Verona 37060, Italy
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Gobbo F, Zanardello C, Bottinelli M, Budai J, Bruno F, De Nardi R, Patregnani T, Catania S, Terregino C. Silent Infection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b in a Commercial Chicken Broiler Flock in Italy. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081600. [PMID: 35893671 PMCID: PMC9329940 DOI: 10.3390/v14081600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
From October 2021 to January 2022, different incursions of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus) occurred in several Italian regions with its main diffusion in Densely Poultry Populated Areas (DPPAs) of north-eastern Italy. Monitoring and control activities applied in the affected area clearly evidenced that turkeys and broilers were the most affected species, although several flocks of broilers at times resulted HPAIV H5N1 infected in absence of increased mortality and/or clinical signs. Thus, an approach based on sampling dead birds was adopted in the broiler sector to improve the early detection of infection; this protocol allowed us to confirm that 15 farms were HPAIV-infected with birds ready to be delivered to the slaughterhouse. The aim of this report is to describe the results of the diagnostic activities carried out in one HPAIV H5N1-infected broiler farm, three days after laboratory confirmation during the pre-movement testing without showing increased mortality or clinical signs. Thus, clinical signs, daily cumulative mortality rate (CMR), virus shedding, seroconversion, pathobiology of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV as well as Avian Influenza Viruses (AIVs) environmental contamination were thoroughly examined in the infected holding. Such in-depth investigation demonstrated low infection prevalence in live birds, low environmental contamination, no seroconversion for AIVs, gross and microscopic findings compatible with systemic infection with peracute death in H5N1 HPAIV-infected birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Gobbo
- National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (J.B.); (F.B.); (C.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8084288
| | - Claudia Zanardello
- Histopathology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy;
| | - Marco Bottinelli
- Avian Medicine Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060 Buttapietra, VR, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Jane Budai
- National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (J.B.); (F.B.); (C.T.)
| | - Francesca Bruno
- National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (J.B.); (F.B.); (C.T.)
| | - Roberta De Nardi
- Veterinary Services, Local Health Unit “AULSS 9 Scaligera”, 37057 Verona, VR, Italy; (R.D.N.); (T.P.)
| | - Tommaso Patregnani
- Veterinary Services, Local Health Unit “AULSS 9 Scaligera”, 37057 Verona, VR, Italy; (R.D.N.); (T.P.)
| | - Salvatore Catania
- Avian Medicine Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 37060 Buttapietra, VR, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Calogero Terregino
- National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (J.B.); (F.B.); (C.T.)
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Bottinelli M, Stefani E, Matucci A, Dal Prà M, Capello K, Zotti A, Catania S. Isolation of Mycoplasma iowae in turkey flocks with skeletal abnormalities: a retrospective study. Avian Pathol 2021; 50:1-8. [PMID: 33856239 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2021.1914816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma iowae, a pathogen affecting the turkey industry, is commonly associated with decreased hatchability and leg abnormalities in young progeny. This Mycoplasma was in the spotlight more in the past than today since its prevalence has been decreasing over time. Reports of M. iowae in turkeys showing reduced growth performances, leg problems and skeletal abnormalities are scarce although there is no report whether this pathogen has been completely eradicated in commercial turkeys. Additionally, there are no comprehensive epidemiological data available on M. iowae prevalence in any country. Therefore, we carried out a retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence of the infection and any correlation between necropsy findings and M. iowae presence in Italian turkeys between 2011 and 2012. Necropsy was performed on 101 dead turkey submissions presented for diagnostic purposes. Fifty-six submissions (55.4%) tested positive for M. iowae, most of which (69.6%) were between 4 and 7 weeks of age. Skeletal abnormalities were observed in 36 cases (35.6%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that the probability of finding a M. iowae-positive submission was four times higher if the animals showed skeletal abnormalities (OR = 4.48, IC 95%: 1.66-12.15). This is the first retrospective, cross-sectional study on M. iowae field outbreaks in commercial turkeys. These results suggest that M. iowae should be considered as a differential diagnosis when skeletal abnormalities are observed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSM. iowae was found in more than half of the turkey groups analysed.M. iowae was likely to be detected if skeletal abnormalities were present in the studied turkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bottinelli
- Mycoplasma Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, SCT1, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Stefani
- Mycoplasma Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, SCT1, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Andrea Matucci
- Mycoplasma Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, SCT1, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Mauro Dal Prà
- Mycoplasma Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, SCT1, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Katia Capello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, SCS4 Epidemiologia analitica e biostatistica, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zotti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute (MAPS), Università degli Studi di Padova Agripolis, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Salvatore Catania
- Mycoplasma Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, SCT1, Verona, VR, Italy
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Catania S, Bottinelli M, Fincato A, Gastaldelli M, Barberio A, Gobbo F, Vicenzoni G. Evaluation of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations for 154 Mycoplasma synoviae isolates from Italy collected during 2012-2017. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224903. [PMID: 31697761 PMCID: PMC6837496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is a highly prevalent bacterial species in poultry causing disease and severe economic losses. Antibiotic treatment is one of the control strategies that can be applied to contain clinical outbreaks in MS-free flocks, especially because this bacterium can be transmitted in ovo. It becomes, then, very important for veterinarians to know the antibiotic susceptibility of the circulating strains in order to choose the most appropriate first-line antibiotic molecule as a proactive role in fighting antibiotic resistance. We evaluated the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, tylosin, tilmicosin, spiramycin, tiamulin, florfenicol and lincomycin for MS isolates collected between 2012 and 2017 in Italy. A total of 154 MS isolates from different poultry commercial categories (broiler, layer, and turkey sectors) was tested using commercial MIC plates. All MS isolates showed very high MIC values of erythromycin (MIC90 ≥8 μg/mL) and enrofloxacin (MIC90 ≥16 μg/mL). MIC values of doxycycline and oxytetracycline obtained were superimposable to each other with only a one-fold dilution difference. Discrepancies between MIC values of tylosin and tilmicosin were observed. Interestingly, seven isolates showed very high MIC values of lincomycin and tilmicosin, but not all of them showed very high MIC values of tylosin. Most of the MS isolates showed low MIC values of spiramycin, but seven strains showed a MIC ≥16 μg/mL. In the observation period, the frequency of the different MIC classes varied dependently on the tested antibiotic. Interestingly, tilmicosin MICs clearly showed a time-dependent progressive shift towards high-concentration classes, indicative of an on-going selection process among MS isolates. Until standardized breakpoints become available to facilitate data interpretation, it will be fundamental to continue studying MIC value fluctuations in the meantime in order to create a significant database that would facilitate veterinarians in selecting the proper drug for treating this impactful Mycoplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Catania
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale Dell’Università 10, Legnaro (PD), Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Marco Bottinelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale Dell’Università 10, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Alice Fincato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale Dell’Università 10, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Michele Gastaldelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale Dell’Università 10, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Antonio Barberio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale Dell’Università 10, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Federica Gobbo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale Dell’Università 10, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Gaddo Vicenzoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale Dell’Università 10, Legnaro (PD), Italy
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Rampacci E, Masi M, Origgi FC, Stefanetti V, Bottinelli M, Selleri P, Coletti M, Passamonti F. First molecular detection of ball python nidovirus in Italy - Short communication. Acta Vet Hung 2019; 67:127-134. [PMID: 30922084 DOI: 10.1556/004.2019.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the presence of ferlavirus, ball python nidovirus and bacteria in 32 tracheobronchial lavages from ball pythons raised in captivity and affected by respiratory disease. A touchdown reverse transcription polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect ball python nidovirus RNA targeting a 260-bp portion of the ORF1a gene, while a nested RT-PCR was applied to identify RNA targeting the 518-bp ferlavirus partial L gene. RT-PCR positive products were submitted for Sanger's sequencing and phylogeny reconstruction. Bacteriological examinations were performed to diagnose a possible bacterial involvement. BLAST analysis revealed that the nucleotide sequences of the six (18.8%) RT-PCR positive amplicons were 90-97% identical to the partial sequence of the ORF1a gene of the recently described ball python nidovirus. All tested snakes were negative for ferlavirus. Thirteen out of 32 samples (40.6%) were bacteriologically positive. Respiratory tract diseases can be a substantial problem for snake breeders, considering the rapid transmission of respiratory pathogens. The results and published studies show that ball python nidovirus is circulating in python collections and could be linked to suboptimal management practices. Surveillance programs are desirable as part of the routine snake health assessment. Tracheobronchial lavage is a fast, practical, cost-effective procedure for sample collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rampacci
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Masi
- 2 Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Carlo Origgi
- 3 Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Valentina Stefanetti
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Bottinelli
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Coletti
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Passamonti
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
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Rampacci E, Bottinelli M, Stefanetti V, Hyatt DR, Sgariglia E, Coletti M, Passamonti F. Antimicrobial susceptibility survey on bacterial agents of canine and feline urinary tract infections: Weight of the empirical treatment. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2018; 13:192-196. [PMID: 29408407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This work characterised the antimicrobial susceptibility of uropathogens isolated from empirically treated dogs and cats. Within-household transmission of uropathogens can involve humans and companion animals. Knowledge on the prevalence and susceptibility pattern of isolates from canine and feline urine samples and the impact of prior antimicrobial treatment is important to prevent the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted selecting antibiotic-treated companion animals. Urine samples were collected by cystocentesis and were submitted to an Italian diagnostic laboratory over a 2-year period (2013-2015). The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was analysed both using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and a formula to help select rational antimicrobial therapy. RESULTS Gram-negative bacteria were clearly prevalent. Gentamicin had the highest impact factors. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and doxycycline appeared to be the most effective compounds against Gram-positive infections, whilst marbofloxacin may be a useful option against Gram-negative urinary tract infections (UTIs) as well as doxycycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in cats and dogs, respectively. Consulting published studies, a comparable overall trend regarding bacterial species incriminated in canine and feline UTIs and their susceptibilities seems likely, despite different circumstances where the studies were conducted. CONCLUSIONS Companion animals are potential reservoirs of drug-resistant uropathogens. Judicious use of antibiotics is necessary to maintain the efficacy of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine. Antimicrobial susceptibility monitoring programmes are therefore essential to facilitate the choice of antimicrobial agent that is most likely to be effective, particularly in cases of prior antimicrobial treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rampacci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - Marco Bottinelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, SCT1, Verona and Vicenza 37135, Italy
| | | | - Doreene R Hyatt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1682, USA
| | - Elisa Sgariglia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - Mauro Coletti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Passamonti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Bottinelli M, Passamonti F, Rampacci E, Stefanetti V, Pochiero L, Coletti M, Rueca F, Hyatt DR, Schnee C. DNA microarray assay and real-time PCR as useful tools for studying the respiratory tract Mycoplasma populations in young dairy calves. J Med Microbiol 2017; 66:1342-1349. [PMID: 28868997 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE With more than 120 species, the genus Mycoplasma is one of the largest taxa in the class Mollicutes, a group of micro-organisms that are characterized by apparent simplicity and to which important animal pathogens belong. Mycoplasmabovis is the most frequently identified pathogenic Mycoplasma in cattle; however, the prevalence of other Mycoplasma species living in calves' airways is poorly understood. The aim of this work was to characterize the respiratory tract mycoplasma populations in calves on one of the largest dairy farms in Italy using a real-time PCR assay and a DNA microarray assay. METHODOLOGY A total of 49 nasal swabs and 49 trans-tracheal aspirations from non-vaccinated veal calves were analysed. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples and then tested using a real-time PCR targeting the oppD gene of M. bovis and a DNA microarray that was able to identify more than 70 Mycoplasma species. RESULTS Forty-two out of 49 calves tested positive for Mycoplasma spp. (85.7 %). None of the samples tested positive for M. bovis. A majority (73.5 %) of the 98 samples tested positive for M. dispar, while 8 samples tested positive for M. bovirhinis (8.2 %). CONCLUSION Our results expand our knowledge regarding the diversity of Mycoplasma populations in the respiratory airways of very young veal calves and add data regarding M. bovis prevalence in the Italian cattle population. However, the importance of these species in the respiratory diseases of calves still remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bottinelli
- Veterinary Medicine Department, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Passamonti
- Veterinary Medicine Department, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisa Rampacci
- Veterinary Medicine Department, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Stefanetti
- Veterinary Medicine Department, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Coletti
- Veterinary Medicine Department, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Rueca
- Veterinary Medicine Department, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Doreene R Hyatt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Christiane Schnee
- Laboratory/Working Group Chlamydiae and Mycoplasmas, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
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Rampacci E, Passamonti F, Bottinelli M, Stefanetti V, Cercone M, Nannarone S, Gialletti R, Beccati F, Coletti M, Pepe M. Umbilical infections in foals: microbiological investigation and management. Vet Rec 2017; 180:543. [PMID: 28314783 DOI: 10.1136/vr.103999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the bacteria involved in equine omphalitis and their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs, and consequently to provide guidelines concerning the most suitable treatment protocol in accordance with the clinical, ultrasound and laboratory findings. Forty foals aged between one and 30 days were evaluated in the course of this investigation. An ultrasound examination of all umbilical remnants was carried out carefully in all foals; umbilical swabs were collected for bacteriological examination, and blood samples were collected for blood culture from 19 foals with fever and abnormal blood values. Bacterial omphalitis was observed in 95 per cent of foals and bacterial septicaemia was diagnosed in 11 cases. Enterobacteria and coccoid Gram-positive bacteria were isolated more frequently than Serratia marcescens, Pantoea agglomerans and Trueperella pyogenes Omphalectomy was performed in 77.5 per cent of the foals examined; the remainder were treated only medically with antimicrobial drugs as recommended by antibiotic susceptibility testing performed for all bacteria isolated. Antibiotic therapy was successful in all foals that only received medical treatment; nevertheless, omphalectomy was performed in most cases particularly in situations of clinical decline despite antibiotic therapy and when involvement of umbilical vein, fever and joint disorders were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rampacci
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - F Passamonti
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - M Bottinelli
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - V Stefanetti
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - M Cercone
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - S Nannarone
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - R Gialletti
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - F Beccati
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - M Coletti
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - M Pepe
- Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
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Bottinelli M, Rampacci E, Stefanetti V, Marenzoni ML, Malmlov AM, Coletti M, Passamonti F. Serological and biomolecular survey on canine herpesvirus-1 infection in a dog breeding kennel. J Vet Med Sci 2016; 78:797-802. [PMID: 26726105 PMCID: PMC4905834 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.15-0543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine herpesvirus-1 (CaHV-1) is a globally distributed pathogen causing reproductive, respiratory, ocular and neurological disorders in adult dogs and neonatal death in puppies. This pathogen is considered poorly immunogenic, and neutralizing antibodies are found for only a short time following exposure. Further, seroprevalence can be affected by several epidemiological factors. A virological survey was conducted in a high-density population breeding kennel in Central Italy. There were several factors predisposing animals to CaHV-1 infection, such as age, number of pregnancies, experience with mating and dog shows, cases of abortion, management and environmental hygiene. Serum neutralization (SN) and nested PCR assays were used to estimate prevalence of CaHV-1. None of the submitted samples tested positive for nested PCR, and none of the sera tested CaHV-1 positive. No association was observed between antibody titers and risk factors, and no sign of viral reactivation was detected in either males or females. These results suggest that CaHV-1 is not circulating within this kennel and that further studies are needed in order to better understand the distribution of the virus within Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bottinelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia (PG), Italy
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