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Author(s): Linto Antony[sup.1,2] , Melissa Behr[sup.1] , Donald Sockett[sup.3] , Dale Miskimins[sup.1] , Nicole Aulik[sup.3] , Jane Christopher-Hennings[sup.1,2] , Eric Nelson[sup.1,2] , Marc W. Allard[sup.4] and Joy Scaria[sup.1,2] Introduction Nontyphoidal [...], Salmonella enterica serotype Heidelberg is primarily a poultry adapted serotype of Salmonella that can also colonize other hosts and cause human disease. In this study, we compared the genomes of outbreak associated non-outbreak causing Salmonella ser. Heidelberg strains from diverse hosts and geographical regions. Human outbreak associated strains in this study were from a 2015 multistate outbreak of Salmonella ser. Heidelberg involving 15 states in the United States which originated from bull calves. Our clinicopathologic examination revealed that cases involving Salmonella ser. Heidelberg strains were predominantly young, less than weeks-old, dairy calves. Pre-existing or concurrent disease was found in the majority of the calves. Detection of Salmonella ser. Heidelberg correlated with markedly increased death losses clinically comparable to those seen in herds infected with S. Dublin, a known serious pathogen of cattle. Whole genome based single nucleotide polymorphism based analysis revealed that these calf isolates formed a distinct cluster along with outbreak associated human isolates. The defining feature of the outbreak associated strains, when compared to older isolates of S. Heidelberg, is that all isolates in this cluster contained Saf fimbrial genes which are generally absent in S. Heidelberg. The acquisition of several single nucleotide polymorphisms and the gain of Saf fimbrial genes may have contributed to the increased disease severity of these Salmonella ser. Heidelberg strains. Keywords: Salmonella Heidelberg, Outbreak, Genomic epidemiology, SNP, Fimbrial gene, Adhesion, Invasiveness, Multidrug resistance more...

Author(s): Milton Thomas[sup.1,2] , Gavin John Fenske[sup.1,2] , Linto Antony[sup.1,2] , Sudeep Ghimire[sup.1,2] , Ronald Welsh[sup.3] , Akhilesh Ramachandran[sup.3] and Joy Scaria[sup.1,2] Background Salmonella enterica is the leading cause of [...], The aim of this study was to generate a reference set of Salmonella enterica genomes isolated from wildlife from the United States and to determine the antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene profile of the isolates from the genome sequence data. We sequenced the whole genomes of 103 Salmonella isolates sampled between 1988 and 2003 from wildlife and exotic pet cases that were submitted to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Among 103 isolates, 50.48% were from wild birds, 0.9% was from fish, 24.27% each were from reptiles and mammals. 50.48% isolates showed resistance to at least one antibiotic. Resistance against the aminoglycoside streptomycin was most common while 9 isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant having resistance against more than three antibiotics. Determination of virulence gene profile revealed that the genes belonging to csg operons, the fim genes that encode for type 1 fimbriae and the genes belonging to type III secretion system were predominant among the isolates. The universal presence of fimbrial genes and the genes encoded by pathogenicity islands 1-2 among the isolates we report here indicates that these isolates could potentially cause disease in humans. Therefore, the genomes we report here could be a valuable reference point for future traceback investigations when wildlife is considered to be the potential source of human Salmonellosis. Keywords: Wildlife, Salmonellosis, Whole genome sequencing, Antimicrobial resistance, Salmonella virulence, Foodborne pathogen more...

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of including canola meal (CM) in diets for weaning pigs challenged with a F18 strain of Escherichia coli on growth performance and gut health. A total of 36 individually housed weaned pigs (initial body weight [BW] = 6.22 kg) were randomly allotted to one of the three diets (12 pigs/diet). The three diets were corn– soybean meal (SBM)-based basal diet (control diet) and the basal diet with 0.3% zinc oxide, 0.2% chlortetracycline, and 0.2% tiamulin (antibiotic diet) or with 20% CM diet. The diets were fed in two phases: Phase 1: days 0 to 7 and Phase 2: days 7 to 20. All pigs were given an oral dose of 2 × 109 CFU of F18 strain of E. coli on day 7. Fecal score was assessed daily throughout the trial. Dietary antibiotics increased (P < 0.05) overall average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared by 48% and 47%, respectively. Dietary CM increased (P < 0.05) overall ADG and ADFI by 22% and 23%, respectively; but the ADG and ADFI values for CM-containing diet did not reach those for the antibiotics-containing diet. Dietary antibiotics reduced (P < 0.05) fecal score; however, dietary CM unaffected fecal score. Dietary antibiotics decreased (P < 0.05) liver weight per unit live BW by 16% at day 20, whereas dietary CM did not affect liver weight per unit live BW (29.2 vs. 28.6). Also, dietary antibiotics increased (P < 0.05) serum triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine levels for day 14, whereas dietary CM did not affect the serum level of these hormones. Dietary antibiotics reduced (P < 0.05) the number white blood cells and neutrophils by 38% and 43% at day 20, respectively, whereas dietary CM tended to reduce (P = 0.09) the number white blood cells by 19% at day 20. The number white blood cells for CM diet tended to be greater (P < 0.10) than that for antibiotics diet. The dietary antibiotics decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of individual volatile fatty acids and hence of total volatile fatty acid in cecum by 61% at day 20, whereas dietary CM decreased (P < 0.05) cecal butyric acid concentration by 61% and tended to reduce (P < 0.10) total volatile fatty acid concentration by 30% at day 20. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of 20% CM improved ADG and tended to reduce white blood cell counts. Thus, inclusion of CM in antibiotics-free corn-SBM-based diets for weaned pigs that are challenged with F18 strain of E. coli can result in their improved performance partly through a reduction of the inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Waterborne Escherichia coli are a major reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including but not limited to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) mechanisms. This study quantified and described ESBL- and KPC-producing E. coli in Northern Colorado from sewer water, surface water, and influent and effluent wastewater treatment sources. Total detected bacteria and E. coli abundances, and the percentages that contain ESBL and/or KPC, were compared between water sources. Seventy E. coli isolates from the various waters had drug resistance validated with a panel of 17 antibiotics using a broth microdilution assay. The diverse drug resistance observed across E. coli isolates was further documented by polymerase chain reaction of common ESBL genes and functional relatedness by PhenePlate assay-generated dendrograms (n=70). The total E. coli abundance decreased through the water treatment process as expected, yet the percentages of E. coli harboring ESBL resistance were increased (1.70%) in surface water. Whole-genome sequencing analysis was completed for 185 AMR genes in wastewater E. coli isolates and confirmed the presence of diverse AMR gene classes (e.g., beta-lactams and efflux pumps) in isolate genomes. This study completed surveillance of AMR patterns in E. coli that reside in environmental water systems and suggests a role for integrating both phenotypic and genotypic profiling beyond ESBL and KPC mechanisms. AMR screening via multiple approaches may assist in the prevention of drug-resistant E. coli spread from waters to animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Fifteen year old Sumatran tiger with interdigital pyoderma on right hind leg was confiremd by bacterial culture as Staphylococcus aureus. The animal was treated with antibiotic orally and topical wound dressing. The animal recovered successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Excessive alcohol use is thought to increase the risk of respiratory infections by impairing mucociliary clearance (MCC). In this study, we investigate the hypothesis that alcohol reduces the function of CFTR, the protein that is defective in individuals with cystic fibrosis, thus altering mucus properties to impair MCC and the airway's defense against inhaled pathogens., Methods: Sprague Dawley rats with wild type CFTR (+/+), matched for age and sex, were administered either a Lieber-DeCarli alcohol diet or a control diet with the same number of calories for eight weeks. CFTR activity was measured using nasal potential difference (NPD) assay and Ussing chamber electrophysiology of tracheal tissue samples. In vivo MCC was determined by measuring the radiographic clearance of inhaled Tc99 particles and the depth of the airway periciliary liquid (PCL) and mucus transport rate in excised trachea using micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT). The levels of rat lung MUC5b and CFTR were estimated by protein and mRNA analysis., Results: Alcohol diet was found to decrease CFTR ion transport in the nasal and tracheal epithelium in vivo and ex vivo . This decrease in activity was also reflected in partially reduced full-length CFTR protein levels but not, in mRNA copies, in the lungs of rats. Furthermore, alcohol-fed rats showed a significant decrease in MCC after 8 weeks of alcohol consumption. The trachea from these rats also showed reduced PCL depth, indicating a decrease in mucosal surface hydration that was reflected in delayed mucus transport. Diminished MCC rate was also likely due to the elevated MUC5b expression in alcohol-fed rat lungs., Conclusions: Excessive alcohol use can decrease the expression and activity of CFTR channels, leading to reduced airway surface hydration and impaired mucus clearance. This suggests that CFTR dysfunction plays a role in the compromised lung defense against respiratory pathogens in individuals who drink alcohol excessively. more...