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Veterinary World Jan 2024is a zoonotic pathogen that is highly associated with contact between live pigs and raw pig material. In view of the recent reports of human infections in Malaysia,...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
is a zoonotic pathogen that is highly associated with contact between live pigs and raw pig material. In view of the recent reports of human infections in Malaysia, epidemiological data on the status of in the human population, especially among people working closely with pigs and/or raw pork, should be provided. The aim of this study was to detect among individuals working in the swine industry in several major pig production areas in Peninsular Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Demographic information, exposure determinants, and oral swabs were collected from swine personnel, including farmers, butchers, and veterinarians. Oral swabs were subjected to bacterial isolation and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for detection.
RESULTS
The study included 40 participants working in the swine industry, with a predominant representation of males (62.5%) and Malaysian Chinese individuals (60.0%) who consumed pork (92.5%). Notably, none of the participants reported consuming raw or partially cooked pork. In spite of their occupational exposure risk, none of the oral swabs showed positive results for infection.
CONCLUSION
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report and detection study of using oral swabs obtained from swine personnel in Peninsular Malaysia.
PubMed: 38406356
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.1-7 -
Vaccines Jan 2024() is a zoonotic pathogen with multiple serotypes, and thus, multivalent vaccines generating cross-protection against infections are urgently needed to improve animal...
() is a zoonotic pathogen with multiple serotypes, and thus, multivalent vaccines generating cross-protection against infections are urgently needed to improve animal welfare and reduce antibiotic abuse. In this study, we established a systematic and comprehensive epitope prediction pipeline based on immunoinformatics. Ten candidate epitopes were ultimately selected for building the multi-epitope vaccine (MVSS) against infections. The ten epitopes of MVSS were all derived from highly conserved, immunogenic, and virulence-associated surface proteins in . In silico analyses revealed that MVSS was structurally stable and affixed with immune receptors, indicating that it would likely trigger strong immunological reactions in the host. Furthermore, mice models demonstrated that MVSS elicited high titer antibodies and diminished damages in serotype 2 and Chz infection, significantly reduced sequelae, induced cytokine transcription, and decreased organ bacterial burdens after triple vaccination. Meanwhile, anti-rMVSS serum inhibited five important serotypes in vitro, exerted beneficial protective effects against infections and significantly reduced histopathological damage in mice. Given the above, it is possible to develop MVSS as a universal subunit vaccine against multiple serotypes of infections.
PubMed: 38400121
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020137 -
Comparative Genome Analysis of Two Serotype 8 Strains Identifies Two New Virulence-Associated Genes.Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Feb 2024is an important zoonotic pathogen that can cause meningitis and septicemia in swine and humans. Among numerous pathogenic serotypes, serotype 8 has distinctive...
is an important zoonotic pathogen that can cause meningitis and septicemia in swine and humans. Among numerous pathogenic serotypes, serotype 8 has distinctive characteristics such as a high detection rate and causing multi-host infection. There is no complete genome of serotype 8 strains so far. In this study, the complete genome of two serotype 8 strains, virulent strain 2018WUSS151 and non-virulent strain WUSS030, were sequenced. Comparative genomic analysis showed that the homology of the two genomes reaches 99.68%, and the main difference is the distinctive prophages. There are 83 genes unique to virulent strain 2018WUSS151, including three putative virulence-associated genes (PVGs). Two PVGs, and are passenger genes in ISSsu2 family transposons that are able to form circular DNA intermediates during transposition, indicating the possibility of horizontal transmission among strains. The deletion mutant of PVGs or attenuated the virulence of serotype 2 virulent SC070731 in a mouse infection model, confirming their role in virulence. These findings contribute to clarifying the genomic characterization of serotype 8 and pathogenesis.
PubMed: 38396540
DOI: 10.3390/ani14040572 -
Medicine Feb 2024The epidemiology of acute bacterial meningitis varies among settings, areas, and times. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics, the causative...
The epidemiology of acute bacterial meningitis varies among settings, areas, and times. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics, the causative organisms and their antibiotic susceptibility, and the outcomes of patients with acute bacterial meningitis in Thai adults. This retrospective study included hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis at Siriraj Hospital during January 2002-December 2016. Of 390 patients, the median age was 48 years, 51% were male, and 80% had at least 1 underlying illness. Over half (54%) of patients had community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CBM), and 46% had nosocomial bacterial meningitis (NBM). The triad of acute bacterial meningitis (fever, headache, and neck stiffness) was found in 46% of CBM and 15% of NBM (P < .001). The causative organisms were identified in about half (53%) of patients. Most study patients (73%) received antibiotic treatment before the CSF collection. Causative organisms were identified more frequently in CBM (P < .001). Gram-positive cocci were more prevalent in CBM (P < .001), whereas Gram-negative bacilli were more common in NBM (P < .001). Streptococcus agalactiae (29%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (12%), and Streptococcus suis (11%) were most common in CBM, and all of them were sensitive to third-generation cephalosporins. Acinetobacter baumannii (19%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16%), and Staphylococcus aureus (11%) were the most common organisms in NBM, and antibiotic-resistant isolates were frequently found among these organisms. Ceftriaxone monotherapy and meropenem plus vancomycin were the most common empiric antibiotic in CBM and NBM, respectively. Mortality was 19% among CBM and 23% among NBM (P = .338). HIV infection, alcoholism, pneumonia, shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation were independent predictors of mortality. Mortality remains high among adults with acute bacterial meningitis in Thailand. A clinical practice guideline for acute bacterial meningitis should be developed that is based on local epidemiology and microbiology data.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Adolescent; Middle Aged; Female; Thailand; Retrospective Studies; HIV Infections; Meningitis, Bacterial; Bacteria; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Tertiary Care Centers
PubMed: 38394527
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037301 -
Veterinary Sciences Feb 2024One of the main challenges for the sustainability and productivity of the Spanish swine industry is health instability, resulting in significant economic losses....
One of the main challenges for the sustainability and productivity of the Spanish swine industry is health instability, resulting in significant economic losses. Information on the main swine diseases which affect the Spanish pig industry could help in optimizing the efforts within control programs. This study determined the frequency of occurrence of the main diseases in Spain and the main control tool used, based on perceptions from veterinarians and consultants in a specific survey. Results showed that () , and coccidia are the most frequent pathogens in the gestation and lactation phase, whereas the most important were Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV). In the nursery phase, the most frequent were , and PRRSV, the latter being the most important for the participants. Finally, in the fattening phase, PRRSV and were the most frequent and important pathogen, respectively. Statistical differences among responses were detected with respect to the location and the gestation and lactation phases by farm size. Regarding the tools used for controlling the diseases, vaccination was the main strategy in all production phases, except in the fattening period, in which antibiotherapy was the most common response from the participants. Finally, the improvement of management practices was the most proposed tool, suggesting its importance within control programs.
PubMed: 38393102
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020084 -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2024Streptococcus suis () is a common gram-positive bacterium in pigs. Its natural infection sites are the upper respiratory tract (especially tonsils and nasal cavity),...
BACKGROUND
Streptococcus suis () is a common gram-positive bacterium in pigs. Its natural infection sites are the upper respiratory tract (especially tonsils and nasal cavity), reproductive tract and digestive tract of pigs. It is a new emerging human and animal disease. A co-morbid pathogen that can cause serious infections in humans, including meningitis, sepsis, septic arthritis, and sometimes deafness. No cases have been reported in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 50-year-old male patient who had Worked as a butcher in a slaughterhouse for 20 years. Admitted to the hospital due to abdominal pain, joint pain, fever, and headache.His condition rapidly worsened causing altered consciousness, drowsiness and developed hearing loss. induced pyogenic meningitis complicated by arthritis was suspected based on the results of biochemical and culture analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing, The patient's symptoms significantly improved after treatment with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, meropenem, and linezolid, as well as supportive therapies including steroids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and his hearing improved significantly.After about 2 years of follow-up, the hearing was significantly better than before, but hearing impairment still remained.
CONCLUSION
Streptococcus suis is endemic in pork-consuming and pig-raising countries, but can occur throughout the world, especially among individuals with occupational exposure to pigs and/or pork, such as slaughterhouse workers, butchers, farmers, etc. Strengthen science education among key groups. This case was diagnosed as Streptococcus suis meningitis combined with arthritis. However, abdominal pain in the early stage of the disease is very rare and is easy to be misdiagnosed. It is necessary to identify whether it is complicated by peritonitis. For hearing loss caused by Streptococcus suis infection, the use of hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatment has obvious therapeutic effects.
PubMed: 38375100
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S416341 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Multidrug-resistant infections are a major threat to the poultry industry. Effective alternatives to antibiotics are urgently needed to prevent these infections and...
Multidrug-resistant infections are a major threat to the poultry industry. Effective alternatives to antibiotics are urgently needed to prevent these infections and limit the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The aim of the study was to produce by chemical synthesis a set of enterocins of different subgroups of class II bacteriocins and to compare their spectrum of inhibitory activity, either alone or in combination, against a panel of twenty isolates. Enterocins A, P, SEK4 (class IIa bacteriocins), B (unsubgrouped class II bacteriocin), and L50 (class IId leaderless bacteriocin) were produced by microwave-assisted solid-phase peptide synthesis. Their antimicrobial activity was determined by agar well diffusion and microtitration methods against twenty isolates and against other pathogens. The FIC of different combinations of the selected enterocins was calculated in order to identify combinations with synergistic effects. The results showed that synthetic analogs of L50A and L50B were the most active against . These peptides also showed the broadest spectrum of activity when tested against other non-clostridial indicator strains, including , methicillin-resistant , , , , , as well as Gram-negative bacteria ( and ), among others. The selected synthetic enterocins were combined on the basis of their different mechanisms of action, and all combinations tested showed synergy or partial synergy against . In conclusion, because of their high activity against and other pathogens, the use of synthetic enterocins alone or as a consortium can be a good alternative to the use of antibiotics in the poultry sector.
Topics: Clostridium perfringens; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Bacteriocins; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Bridged-Ring Compounds
PubMed: 38338877
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031597 -
BMC Biology Feb 2024Ribosomal protein SA (RPSA) of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) can transfer from the cytosol to the cell surface and act as a receptor for some...
BACKGROUND
Ribosomal protein SA (RPSA) of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) can transfer from the cytosol to the cell surface and act as a receptor for some pathogens, including Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2), a zoonotic pathogen causing meningitis in pigs and humans. We previously reported that SS2 virulence factor enolase (ENO) binds to RPSA on the cell surface of HBMECs and induces apoptosis. However, the mechanism that activates RPSA translocation to the cell surface and induces ENO-mediated HBMEC apoptosis is unclear.
RESULTS
Here, we show that RPSA localization and condensation on the host cell surface depend on its internally disordered region (IDR). ENO binds to the IDR of RPSA and promotes its interaction with RPSA and vimentin (VIM), which is significantly suppressed after 1,6-Hexanediol (1,6-Hex, a widely used tool to disrupt phase separation) treatment, indicating that ENO incorporation and thus the concentration of RPSA/VIM complexes via co-condensation. Furthermore, increasing intracellular calcium ions (Ca) in response to SS2 infection further facilitates the liquid-like condensation of RPSA and aggravates ENO-induced HBMEC cell apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Together, our study provides a previously underappreciated molecular mechanism illuminating that ENO-induced RPSA condensation activates the migration of RPSA to the bacterial cell surface and stimulates SS2-infected HBMEC death and, potentially, disease progression. This study offers a fresh avenue for investigation into the mechanism by which other harmful bacteria infect hosts via cell surfaces' RPSA.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Swine; Streptococcus suis; Endothelial Cells; Serogroup; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Brain; Apoptosis; Ribosomal Proteins; Streptococcal Infections
PubMed: 38331785
DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01835-y -
Veterinary Research Feb 2024Streptococcus suis is a gram-positive bacterium that causes meningitis, septicemia, endocarditis, and other disorders in pigs and humans. We obtained 42 and 50 S. suis...
Streptococcus suis is a gram-positive bacterium that causes meningitis, septicemia, endocarditis, and other disorders in pigs and humans. We obtained 42 and 50 S. suis isolates from lesions of porcine endocarditis and palatine tonsils, respectively, of clinically healthy pigs in Japan; we then determined their sequence types (STs) by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), cps genotypes, serotypes, and presence of classical major virulence-associated marker genes (mrp, epf, and sly). The 42 isolates from endocarditis lesions were assigned to a limited number of STs and clonal complexes (CCs). On the other hand, the 50 isolates from tonsils were diverse in these traits and seemingly in the degree of virulence, suggesting that tonsils can accommodate a variety of S. suis isolates. The goeBURST full algorithm using tonsil isolates obtained in this study and those retrieved from the database showed that major CCs as well as many other clusters were composed of isolates originating from different countries, and some of the STs were very similar to each other despite the difference in country of origin. These findings indicate that S. suis with not only different but also similar mutations in the genome have survived in tonsils independently across different geographical locations. Therefore, unlike the lesions of endocarditis, the tonsils of pigs seemingly accommodate various S. suis lineages. The present study suggests that S. suis acquired its diversity by natural mutations during colonization and persistence in the tonsils of pigs.
Topics: Humans; Swine; Animals; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Palatine Tonsil; Streptococcus suis; Streptococcal Infections; Swine Diseases; Endocarditis
PubMed: 38321502
DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01270-5 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023is a major pathogen for swine and human. Here we aimed to know the rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in invasive isolates recovered along Spain between 2016 -...
INTRODUCTION
is a major pathogen for swine and human. Here we aimed to know the rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in invasive isolates recovered along Spain between 2016 - 2021 and elucidate their genetic origin.
METHODS
Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed for 116 isolates of different genetic backgrounds and geographic origins against 18 antibiotics of 9 families. The association between AMR and genotypes and the origin of the isolates were statistically analyzed using Pearson´s chi-square test and the likelihood ratio. The antimicrobial resistant genes were identified by whole genome sequencing analysis and PCR screenings.
RESULTS
High AMR rates (>80%) were detected for tetracyclines, spectinomycin, lincosamides, and marbofloxacin, medium (20-40%) for sulphonamides/trimethoprim, tiamulin, penicillin G, and enrofloxacin, and low (< 20%) for florfenicol, and four additional β-lactams. The occurrence of multidrug resistance was observed in 90% of isolates. For certain antibiotics (penicillin G, enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, tilmicosin, and erythromycin), AMR was significantly associated with particular sequence types (STs), geographic regions, age of pigs, and time course. Whole genome sequencing comparisons and PCR screenings identified 23 AMR genes, of which 19 were previously reported in ((3')-IIIa, , aac(6')-Ie-(2'')-Ia, (B), (A/E), (D), (C), (B), (E), (F), (M), (O), (O/W/32/O), (W)), and 4 were novel ((2'')-IIIa, (47), (T)). These AMR genes explained the AMR to spectinomycin, macrolides, lincosamides, tiamulin, and tetracyclines. Several genes were located on mobile genetic elements which showed a variable organization and composition. As AMR gene homologs were identified in many human and animal pathogens, the resistome of has a different phylogenetic origin. Moreover, AMR to penicillin G, fluoroquinolones, and trimethoprim related to mutations in genes coding for target enzymes (, , and . Bioinformatic analysis estimated traits of recombination on target genes, also indicative of gene transfer events.
CONCLUSIONS
Our work evidences that is a major contributor to AMR dissemination across veterinary and human pathogens. Therefore, control of AMR in should be considered from a One Health approach in regions with high pig production to properly tackle the issue of antimicrobial drug resistance.
Topics: Animals; Swine; Humans; Streptococcus suis; Spectinomycin; Enrofloxacin; Spain; Phylogeny; Streptococcal Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Lincosamides; Penicillin G; Trimethoprim; Tetracyclines; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Diterpenes
PubMed: 38317790
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1329632