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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 -
Veterinary Sciences Feb 2024Different virulence variants of are involved in the etiology of porcine pleuropneumonia. The purpose of the present trial was examination of the virulence of the...
Different virulence variants of are involved in the etiology of porcine pleuropneumonia. The purpose of the present trial was examination of the virulence of the A-85/14 strain, the type strain of serovar 16, in an animal challenge experiment. Thirty 12-week-old piglets seronegative for were allocated into three trial groups each of 10 animals, and they were infected intranasally with 10, 10, or 10 colony forming units (cfu) of the strain, respectively. Clinical signs were recorded twice a day, and the animals were euthanized 6 days after the infection. Typical clinical signs and postmortem lesions of porcine pleuropneumonia were seen in the animals of each trial group; however, they were generally mild, and no significant differences could be seen between the three groups. Even 10 colony forming units of A-85/14 strain could induce clinical signs and lesions. Based on these results, the type strain of serovar 16 of must be regarded as a typical pathogenic strain of the species.
PubMed: 38393080
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020062 -
Journal of Bacteriology Mar 2024is an important respiratory pathogen that can cause porcine contagious pleuropneumonia (PCP), resulting in significant economic losses in swine industry. Microorganisms...
is an important respiratory pathogen that can cause porcine contagious pleuropneumonia (PCP), resulting in significant economic losses in swine industry. Microorganisms are subjected to drastic changes in environmental osmolarity. In order to alleviate the drastic rise or fall of osmolarity, cells activate mechanosensitive channels MscL and MscS through tension changes. MscL not only regulates osmotic pressure but also has been reported to secrete protein and uptake aminoglycoside antibiotic. However, MscL and MscS, as the most common mechanosensitive channels, have not been characterized in . In this study, the osmotic shock assay showed that MscL increased sodium adaptation by regulating cell length. The results of MIC showed that deletion of decreased the sensitivity of to multiple antibiotics, while deletion of rendered hypersensitive to penicillin. Biofilm assay demonstrated that MscL contributed the biofilm formation but MscS did not. The results of animal assay showed that MscL and MscS did not affect virulence . In conclusion, MscL is essential for sodium hyperosmotic tolerance, biofilm formation, and resistance to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, penicillin, and oxacillin. On the other hand, MscS is only involved in oxacillin resistance.IMPORTANCEBacterial resistance to the external environment is a critical function that ensures the normal growth of bacteria. MscL and MscS play crucial roles in responding to changes in both external and internal environments. However, the function of MscL and MscS in has not yet been reported. Our study shows that MscL plays a significant role in osmotic adaptation, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation of , while MscS only plays a role in antibiotic resistance. Our findings provide new insights into the functional characteristics of MscL and MscS in . MscL and MscS play a role in antibiotic resistance and contribute to the development of antibiotics for .
Topics: Animals; Swine; Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Virulence; Oxacillin; Sodium; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 38391161
DOI: 10.1128/jb.00429-23 -
Virulence Dec 2024(APP) is an important pathogen of the porcine respiratory disease complex, which leads to huge economic losses worldwide. We previously demonstrated that -producing...
(APP) is an important pathogen of the porcine respiratory disease complex, which leads to huge economic losses worldwide. We previously demonstrated that -producing bovine neutrophil β-defensin-5 (B5) could resist the infection by the bovine intracellular pathogen . In this study, the roles of synthetic B5 in regulating mucosal innate immune response and protecting against extracellular APP infection were further investigated using a mouse model. Results showed that B5 promoted the production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon (IFN)-β in macrophages as well as dendritic cells (DC) and enhanced DC maturation . Importantly, intranasal B5 was safe and conferred effective protection against APP via reducing the bacterial load in lungs and alleviating pulmonary inflammatory damage. Furthermore, in the early stage of APP infection, we found that intranasal B5 up-regulated the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17, and IL-22; enhanced the rapid recruitment of macrophages, neutrophils, and DC; and facilitated the generation of group 3 innate lymphoid cells in lungs. In addition, B5 activated signalling pathways associated with cellular response to IFN-β and activation of innate immune response in APP-challenged lungs. Collectively, B5 via the intranasal route can effectively ameliorate the immune suppression caused by early APP infection and provide protection against APP. The immunization strategy may be applied to animals or human respiratory bacterial infectious diseases. Our findings highlight the potential importance of B5, enhancing mucosal defence against intracellular bacteria like APP which causes early-phase immune suppression.
Topics: Humans; Swine; Animals; Cattle; Immunity, Innate; Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae; Lymphocytes; Lung; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Immunosuppression Therapy
PubMed: 38378464
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2316459 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023The vaginal microbiota plays a key role in animals' health. Understanding its diversity and composition and associated changes occurring through the reproductive cycle...
The vaginal microbiota plays a key role in animals' health. Understanding its diversity and composition and associated changes occurring through the reproductive cycle represents valuable knowledge to disclose the mechanisms leading to dysbiosis and eventually to infection. Even if the human vaginal microbiota has been thoroughly studied, scarce research has been conducted on the vaginal microbiota of livestock. In this study, 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing was performed on vaginal samples of ten nulliparous ewes at three different sampling points: before the estrus synchronization protocol (T0), at the time of estrus before mating (Testrus), and the day of the pregnancy diagnosis (Tpreg). Preputial samples from the three males collected pre and post-mating were also analyzed. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the most abundant phyla in vaginal samples. The most abundant genera were , , and . Vaginal microbiota biodiversity decreased during pregnancy. Tenericutes ( spp.) increased significantly at Tpreg in both pregnant and non-pregnant ewes. Differences were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant ewes at Tpreg where pregnant ewes had a significantly higher abundance of spp. and spp. Ewes that were diagnosed with pregnancy at Tpreg showed a decreased abundance of gram-negative bacteria such as Bacteroidales, Campylobacterales, and Enterobacteriales. In addition, a significant decrease in the relative abundances of genera within Firmicutes, such as (Lactobacillales), (Lactobacillales), and an uncultured bacteria W5053 from Family XI (Firmicutes, Clostridiales) was observed in non-pregnant ewes at Tpreg. The four most abundant phyla in the rams' prepuce were the same as in the ewes' vagina. The most abundant genus was . No major differences were observed in the ram's preputial microbiota between pre and post-mating samples. Nevertheless, the differences in the taxonomic composition of ewes' vaginal microbiota between Testrus and Tpreg could be explained by the exposure to the preputial microbiota. This study offers new insights into the effects of several key steps of the ewe's reproductive cycle such as estrus-synchronization protocol, mating, and pregnancy on ovine vaginal microbiota. The knowledge of the microbiota dynamics during the reproductive cycle can help improve the reproductive outcomes of dams by identifying biomarkers and putative probiotics.
PubMed: 38274751
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1224910 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023, the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, poses a significant threat to global swine populations due to its high prevalence, mortality rates, and substantial...
INTRODUCTION
, the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, poses a significant threat to global swine populations due to its high prevalence, mortality rates, and substantial economic ramifications. Understanding the pathogen's defense mechanisms against host-produced reactive oxygen species is crucial for its survival, with OxyR, a conserved bacterial transcription factor, being pivotal in oxidative stress response.
METHODS
This study investigated the presence and role of OxyR in serovar 1-12 reference strains. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted on an oxyR disruption mutant to delineate the biological activities influenced by OxyR. Additionally, specific assays were employed to assess urease activity, catalase expression, ApxI toxin secretion, as well as adhesion and invasion abilities of the oxyR disruption mutant on porcine 3D4/21 and PT cells. A mice challenge experiment was also conducted to evaluate the impact of oxyR inactivation on virulence.
RESULTS
OxyR was identified as a conserved regulator present in serovar 1-12 reference strains. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the involvement of OxyR in multiple biological activities. The oxyR disruption resulted in decreased urease activity, elevated catalase expression, enhanced ApxI toxin secretion-attributed to OxyR binding to the apxIBD promoter-and reduced adhesion and invasion abilities on porcine cells. Furthermore, inactivation of oxyR reduced the virulence of in a mice challenge experiment.
DISCUSSION
The findings highlight the pivotal role of OxyR in influencing the virulence mechanisms of . The observed effects on various biological activities underscore OxyR as an essential factor contributing to the pathogenicity of this bacterium.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Swine; Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae; Catalase; Virulence; Urease; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 38268788
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1324760 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024(APP) is responsible for causing Porcine pleuropneumonia (PCP) in pigs. However, using vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and control this disease has become more...
(APP) is responsible for causing Porcine pleuropneumonia (PCP) in pigs. However, using vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and control this disease has become more difficult due to increased bacterial resistance and weak cross-immunity between different APP types. Naringin (NAR), a dihydroflavonoid found in citrus fruit peels, has been recognized as having significant therapeutic effects on inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system. In this study, we investigated the effects of NAR on the inflammatory response caused by APP through both in vivo and in vitro models. The results showed that NAR reduced the number of neutrophils (NEs) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and decreased lung injury and the expression of proteins related to the NLRP3 inflammasome after exposure to APP. In addition, NAR inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) P65 in porcine alveolar macrophage (PAMs), reduced protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1, and reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by APP. Furthermore, NAR prevented the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex by reducing protein interaction between NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC. NAR also inhibited the potassium (K) efflux induced by APP. Overall, these findings suggest that NAR can effectively reduce the lung inflammation caused by APP by inhibiting the over-activated NF-κB/NLRP3 signalling pathway, providing a basis for further exploration of NAR as a potential natural product for preventing and treating APP.
Topics: Animals; Swine; NF-kappa B; Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Inflammasomes; Caspase 1; Flavanones
PubMed: 38256101
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021027 -
World Journal of Hepatology Dec 2023Periodontitis has been associated with various liver diseases. However, the relevance of periodontitis in the progression of decompensated cirrhosis remains...
BACKGROUND
Periodontitis has been associated with various liver diseases. However, the relevance of periodontitis in the progression of decompensated cirrhosis remains inconclusive. In particular, it is unclear whether the common periodontitis pathogens, () and (), can be detected not only in the oral mucosa but also in ascites and stool.
AIM
To investigate the significance of periodontitis, , and in cirrhosis patients with ascitic decompensation.
METHODS
This prospective study was conducted at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, a tertiary center in Northern Germany. A cohort of 27 patients with ascitic decompensated liver cirrhosis underwent dental examinations to assess the association between periodontitis and various clinical parameters of cirrhosis, as well as patient outcomes. PCR was used to test gingival samples, ascites, and stool for the presence of and . Gingival samples were collected by probing the deepest gum pocket of a sextant and wiping them on a cotton swab.
RESULTS
Periodontitis was diagnosed in 22 out of 27 (82%) ascite patients, which is significantly more common than in a control cohort of 100 unselected patients (59%, = 0.04). was detected in the gingiva of six patients, and one of them also had in their stool. However, was not found in the ascites of any patient. Five out of six patients with had periodontitis (83%). was not detected in any sample. Patients without periodontitis had a significantly higher mortality rate compared to those with periodontitis, and survival (Kaplan-Meier analysis) was longer in patients with periodontitis ( = 0.02). Transplant-free survival was also more common in patients with periodontitis compared to those without (63% 0%, = 0.02).
CONCLUSION
Decompensated cirrhotic patients frequently suffer from periodontitis. However, there was no evidence of the translocation of or into ascites. The survival of cirrhotic patients with periodontitis was not reduced.
PubMed: 38223419
DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i12.1325 -
PNAS Nexus Jan 2024Microbial communities in the intestinal tract are suggested to impact the ethiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The human microbiome might modulate...
Microbial communities in the intestinal tract are suggested to impact the ethiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The human microbiome might modulate neuroinflammatory processes and contribute to neurodegeneration in AD. However, the microbial compositions in patients with AD at different stages of the disease are still not fully characterized. We used 16S rRNA analyses to investigate the oral and fecal microbiota in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI; = 84), at-risk individuals (APOE4 carriers; = 17), and healthy controls ( = 50) and investigated the relationship of microbial communities and disease-specific markers via multivariate- and network-based approaches. We found a slightly decreased diversity in the fecal microbiota of patients with AD (average Chao1 diversity for AD = 212 [SD = 66]; for controls = 215 [SD = 55]) and identified differences in bacterial abundances including , , , and . The diversity in the oral microbiota was increased in patients with AD and at-risk individuals (average Chao1 diversity for AD = 174 [SD = 60], for at-risk group = 195 [SD = 49]). Gram-negative proinflammatory bacteria including , , and were dominant oral bacteria in patients with AD and MCI and the abundance correlated with the cerebrospinal fluid biomarker. Taken together, we observed a strong shift in the fecal and the oral communities of patients with AD already prominent in prodromal and, in case of the oral microbiota, in at-risk stages. This indicates stage-dependent alterations in oral and fecal microbiota in AD which may contribute to the pathogenesis via a facilitated intestinal and systemic inflammation leading to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
PubMed: 38205031
DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad427 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Currently, limited attention has been directed toward utilizing clinical cohorts as a starting point to elucidate alterations in the lower respiratory tract (LRT)...
BACKGROUND
Currently, limited attention has been directed toward utilizing clinical cohorts as a starting point to elucidate alterations in the lower respiratory tract (LRT) microbiota following influenza A virus (IAV) infection.
OBJECTIVES
Our objective was to undertake a comparative analysis of the diversity and composition of sputum microbiota in individuals afflicted by severe and critically ill influenza patients.
METHODS
Sputum specimens were procured from patients diagnosed with IAV infection for the purpose of profiling the microbiota using 16S-rDNA sequencing. To ascertain taxonomic differences between the severe and critically ill influenza cohorts, we leveraged Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe). Additionally, Spearman correlation analysis was employed to illuminate associations between sputum microbiota and influenza Ct values alongside laboratory indicators.
RESULTS
Our study encompassed a total cohort of 64 patients, comprising 48 within the severe group and 16 within the critically ill group. Intriguingly, exhibited significant depletion in the critically ill cohort (=0.031). The sputum microbiomes of the severe influenza group were hallmarked by an overrepresentation of , and , yielding ROC-plot AUC values of 0.71, 0.68, 0.60, 0.70, 0.70, and 0.68, respectively. Notably, exhibited an inverse correlation with influenza Ct values. Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP) manifested a positive correlation with and .
CONCLUSION
The outcomes of this investigation lay the groundwork for future studies delving into the connection between the LRT microbiome and respiratory disorders. Further exploration is warranted to elucidate the intricate mechanisms underlying the interaction between IAV and , particularly in disease progression.
Topics: Humans; Influenza, Human; Sputum; Critical Illness; Bacteroidetes; Influenza A virus; Microbiota
PubMed: 38188635
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1297946