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Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a zoonotic opportunistic pathogen, and also one of the common pathogenic bacteria causing mink pneumonia. The aim of this study was to get a better understanding of the whole-genome of multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae with K2 serotype in China. This study for the first time to analyze Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, resistance and virulence genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae in mink. Results: The isolate was Klebsiella pneumoniae with serotype K2 and ST6189 by PCR method. The string test was positive and showed high mucus phenotype. There was one plasmid with IncFIB replicons in the genome. The virulence factors including capsule, lipopolysaccharide, adhesin, iron uptake system, urease, secretory system, regulatory gene (rcsA, rcsB), determinants of pili adhesion, enolase and magnesium ion absorption related genes. The strain was multi-drug resistant. A total of 26 resistance genes, including beta-lactam, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, amide alcohols, macrolides, rifampicin, fosfomycin, vancomycin, diaminopyrimidines and polymyxin. Multidrug-resistant efflux protein AcrA, AcrB, TolC, were predicted in the strain. Conclusion: It was the first to identify that serotype K2 K. pneumonia with ST6189 isolated from mink in China. The finding indicated that hypervirulent and multi-drug resistant K. pneumoniae was exist in Chinese mink. The whole-genome of K. pneumoniae isolates have importance in mink farming practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bovine mastitis is a widespread disease affecting dairy cattle worldwide and it generates substantial losses for dairy farmers. Mastitis may be caused by bacteria, fungi or algae. The most common species isolated from infected milk are, among others, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci. The aim of this paper is to determine the frequency of occurrence of bacterial species in milk samples from cows with mastitis from three regions of Poland: the north-east, the south-west and the south. To this end 203 milk samples taken from cows with a clinical form (CM) of mastitis (n = 100) and healthy animals (n = 103) were examined, which included culture on an appropriate medium followed by molecular detection of E. coli, S. aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus uberis, as one of the most common species isolated from mastitis milk. Results: The results obtained indicated that S. uberis was the most commonly cultivated CM species (38%, n = 38), followed by S. aureus (22%, n = 22), E. coli (21%, n = 21) and S. agalactiae (18%, n = 18). Similar frequencies in molecular methods were obtained for S. uberis (35.1%) and S. aureus (28.0%). The variation of sensitivity of both methods may be responsible for the differences in the E. coli (41.0%, p = 0.002) and S. agalactiae (5.0%, p = 0.004) detection rates. Significant differences in composition of species between three regions of Poland were noted for E. coli incidence (p < 0.001), in both the culture and molecular methods, but data obtained by the PCR method indicated that this species was the least common in north-eastern Poland, while the culture method showed that in north-eastern Poland E. coli was the most common species. Significant differences for the molecular method were also observed for S. uberis (p < 0.001) and S. aureus (p < 0.001). Both species were most common in southern and south-western Poland. Conclusions: The results obtained confirm the need to introduce rapid molecular tests for veterinary diagnostics, as well as providing important epidemiological data, to the best of our knowledge data on Polish cows in selected areas of Poland is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was identified among the most relevant antimicrobial‐resistant (AMR) bacteria in the EU for cattle and horses in previous scientific opinions. Thus, it has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular criteria of Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on its eligibility to be listed, Annex IV for its categorisation according to disease prevention and control rules as in Article 9, and Article 8 for listing animal species related to the bacterium. The assessment has been performed following a methodology previously published. The outcome is the median of the probability ranges provided by the experts, which indicates whether each criterion is fulfilled (lower bound ≥ 66%) or not (upper bound ≤ 33%), or whether there is uncertainty about fulfilment. Reasoning points are reported for criteria with uncertain outcome. According to the assessment here performed, it is uncertain whether AMR S. aureus can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention according to Article 5 of the AHL (60–90% probability). According to the criteria in Annex IV, for the purpose of categorisation related to the level of prevention and control as in Article 9 of the AHL, the AHAW Panel concluded that the bacterium does not meet the criteria in Sections 1, 2 and 4 (Categories A, B and D; 1–5%, 5–10% and 10–33% probability of meeting the criteria, respectively) and the AHAW Panel was uncertain whether it meets the criteria in Sections 3 and 5 (Categories C and E, 33–90% and 60–90% probability of meeting the criteria, respectively). The animal species to be listed for AMR S. aureus according to Article 8 criteria include mainly mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mink urinary tract disease (MUTD) often presents as urolithiasis and/or cystitis and is known as an important cause of mortality in mink kits during the early growth season. Antimicrobial flock treatment has been routinely applied as preventive/therapeutic protocol on Danish mink farms with increased mortality associated with MUTD. The therapeutic effect of this treatment strategy has not previously been investigated. In this study, we applied controlled parallel group treatment trials to assess the effect of sulfadiazine/trimethoprim and amoxicillin treatment on mortality associated with MUTD in mink kits. On farm A, eight mink kits were diagnosed with MUTD post mortem in the treatment group (n = 1920, sulfadiazine/trimethoprim treatment: 30 mg/kg, q 24 h, P.O for 5 days) compared to 16 in the untreated control group (n = 1920). No significant difference in mortality associated with MUTD were found between the treatment and the control group using the Fisher's exact test (P = 0.15). Treatment group 2 (n = 1920, amoxicillin treatment: 14 mg/kg q 24 h, P.O for 5 days) and treatment group 3 (n = 2088, amoxicillin treatment: 7.5 mg/kg q 24 h, P.O for 5 days) were investigated on farm B. Eight and four mink kits were diagnosed with MUTD post mortem in group 2 and 3, respectively. No difference between occurrence of MUTD were found between the control group and treatment group 2 (P = 0.42) or treatment group 3 (P = 0.75). No significant difference between final body weights or weight gain were found between treatment and control weighing groups on farm A or B. In conclusion, antimicrobial treatment administered in the feed showed no significant effect on weight gain or mortality associated with MUTD on the farms included in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food are collected annually by the EU Member States (MSs), jointly analysed by the EFSA and the ECDC and reported in a yearly EU Summary Report. The annual monitoring of AMR in animals and food within the EU is targeted at selected animal species corresponding to the reporting year. The 2018 monitoring specifically focussed on poultry and their derived carcases/meat, while the monitoring performed in 2019 specifically focused on pigs and calves under 1 year of age, as well as their derived carcases/meat. Monitoring and reporting of AMR in 2018/2019 included data regarding Salmonella, Campylobacter and indicator Escherichia coli isolates, as well as data obtained from the specific monitoring of presumptive ESBL‐/AmpC‐/carbapenemase‐producing E. coli isolates. Additionally, some MSs reported voluntary data on the occurrence of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in animals and food, with some countries also providing data on antimicrobial susceptibility. This report provides an overview of the main findings of the 2018/2019 harmonised AMR monitoring in the main food‐producing animal populations monitored, in related carcase/meat samples and in humans. Where available, data monitoring obtained from pigs, calves, broilers, laying hens and turkeys, as well as from carcase/meat samples and humans were combined and compared at the EU level, with particular emphasis on multidrug resistance, complete susceptibility and combined resistance patterns to critically important antimicrobials, as well as Salmonella and E. coli isolates possessing ESBL‐/AmpC‐/carbapenemase phenotypes. The outcome indicators for AMR in food‐producing animals such as complete susceptibility to the harmonised panel of antimicrobials in E. coli and the prevalence of ESBL‐/AmpC‐producing E. coli have been also specifically analysed over the period 2015–2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the carriage rate of coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) in wild birds and to characterize recovered isolates. Tracheal samples from 324 wild birds, obtained in different Spanish regions during 2015–2016, were screened for CoPS carriage. The antimicrobial resistance profile and the virulence gene content were investigated. Molecular typing was performed by spa, agr, MLST, SCCmec, and S. delphini group classification. CoPS were recovered from 26 samples of wild birds (8.3%), and 27 isolates were further characterized. Two CoPS species were detected: S. aureus (n = 15; eight cinereous vultures and seven magpies) and S. delphini (n = 12; 11 cinereous vultures and one red kite). Thirteen S. aureus were methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and the remaining two strains were methicillin-susceptible (MSSA). Twelve MRSA were mecC-positive, typed as t843-ST1583/ST1945/ST1581/ST1571 (n = 11) and t1535-ST1945 (n = 1) (all of clonal-complex CC130); they were susceptible to the non-β-lactams tested. The remaining MRSA strain carried the mecA gene, was typed as t011-ST398-CC398-agrI-SCCmec-V, and showed a multiresistance phenotype. MSSA isolates were ascribed to lineages ST97-CC97 and ST425-CC425. All S. aureus lacked the studied virulence genes (lukS/F-PV, tst, eta, etb, and etd), and the IEC type E (with scn and sak genes) was detected in four mecC-positive and one MSSA isolates. S. delphini strains were methicillin-susceptible but showed resistance to at least one of the antimicrobials tested, with high penicillin (75%, with blaZ gene) and tetracycline [58%, with tet(K)± tet(L)] resistance rates. All S. delphini isolates presented the virulence genes lukS-I, siet, and se-int, and four carried the clindamycin-resistance lnu(A) gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The problem of transmission of intestinal microorganisms to tissues occurs when intestinal epithelial cells do not adhere tightly (tight junction), which is caused by improper nutrition, usually associated with poor mucosal status. The impact on maintaining its proper condition in the case of animals also depends on the proper preparation and fragmentation of the ingredients of the feed. Intestinal microbiota disorders are increasingly indicated as one of the causes of many autoimmune, neurodevelopmental and metabolic diseases. However, there are no studies indicating damage to the intestinal barrier of animals resulting in the penetration of microorganisms from the gastrointestinal tract directly into the bloodstream which may result in the development of chronic inflammation. Case presentation: On a mink (Neovison vison) farm with a foundation stock of 4,000 females, abscesses were observed in the head, followed by progressive deaths. Antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin and clavulanic acid added to the animals' feed was not successful. Macroscopic and microscopic changes indicated local suppurative inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue with the presence of purulent fistulas. Microbiological analysis showed a significant increase in Escherichia coli in all samples taken from the abscesses. The results indicate the migration of intestinal bacteria through disturbance of the permeability of the intestinal barrier and their transfer to the blood. Symptoms were alleviated in all animals following changes in the feed components and in feed particle size. Conclusions: It is necessary to take into account the possibility of transmission of intestinal bacteria in the etiology of inflammatory diseases in animals. Conducting more research in this field will improve the understanding of the relationship between intestinal microbes and the health of the body as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pre-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is a severe syndrome, with world-wide occurrence, affecting farmed mink (Neovison vison) kits during the lactation period. Kits affected by PWD often display clinical signs such as: yellow-white diarrhea, greasy skin, and dehydration. In severe cases the kits eventually die. It is common practice to treat PWD using antimicrobials; however the effect is not well documented. Due to the multifactorial etiology of PWD vaccine development is not feasible. The role played by the immune status of the mink kits with respect to their susceptibility to PWD is not well studied. To elucidate the possible association between PWD and total IgG serum concentration in young kits we analyzed blood collected from kits from 100 litters on two mink farms during the same breeding period, one farm being a case farm with high prevalence of PWD, and the other being a control farm with no cases of PWD. Results: Kits affected by PWD had a significantly reduced weight gain compared to unaffected control kits. Litters born later in the breeding period came down with PWD at an earlier age than litters born at the start of the breeding period. We found that PWD affected kits had significantly lower concentrations of serum IgG compared to unaffected kits at 13–15 days of age (the last blood sampling point of the study). Conclusion: The results in this study suggest that PWD affected kits less efficiently absorbed IgG from maternal milk or had a lower intake of maternal milk, potentially contributing to the exacerbation of disease. A lower intake of IgG and/or less absorption from maternal milk could also pre-dispose kits for PWD. Future studies will be needed to elucidate if the circulating level of IgG is directly related to protection against disease and to investigate if administration of IgG could be helpful in alleviating and/or preventing PWD in mink kits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]