Search

This research investigated the presence of virulence genes encoding F41, K99, eae, Stx1, Stx2 and STa and the antimicrobial resistance of animal Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates. Clinical isolates (n:233) were evaluated from faecal samples of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, cats and dogs collected between the years of 2010 to 2015 from Turkey. Enterohaemorrahic E.coli (EHEC) O157:H7 was detected by using cefixime tellurite sorbitol MacConkey agar (CT-SMAC) and Wellcollex E. coli (Remel®). The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test was performed to detect the resistance pattern of the isolates to ampicillin, Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, ceftiofur, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. The results showed that 40% of the ruminant isolates were identified as Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) was detected in samples from cattle (0.9%) and sheep (12%). Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) was detected in samples from cattle (0.9%) and dogs (11.4%). EHEC O157:H7 was not detected any of the isolates. Among all E. coli isolates that carried at least one virulence gene, 8 (19%) were resistant to more than three antimicrobials, 7 (16.7%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial and 27 (64.3%) were susceptible to all antimicrobials.

The study was conducted in a herd (n: 244) in which goats (n: 206) and sheep (n:38) had a history of brucellosis in Bursa which is located in Northwestern of Turkey between the years 2012-2014. For the detection of Brucella spp. and the other zoonotic bacterial agents, semen samples were taken from Saanen goats (n: 35) and rams (n: 8). Samples were tested by routine diagnostic procedures and PCR. The serum samples of male animals were also tested for Brucellosis by C-ELISA and I-ELISA. The culture results represented Trueperella pyogenes (n:2), Pasteurella pneumotopica (n: 5), Esherichia coli (n: 3), Aeromonas salmonicida subs. Salmonicida (1), Brevundimonas vesicularis (n: 2) and Mycoplasma bovigenitalium (n: 1) and Mycoplasma arginini (n: 1) from semen samples. Rams had no symptoms due to epididymitis or epididymoorchitis in clinical examination, but two bucks showed orchitis and they were serologically positive for brucellosis. Also, one seronegative buck showed epididymitis in a flock. There were no statistically significant differences between the serologically positive and negative animals in an examination of semen samples in terms of their volume, concentration, mass activity, motility and defectivity rate for acrosome. Although 20 of the serum samples were negative for anti-Brucella antibody, 23 of them were serologically positive for brucellosis. As a result of this study, Brucellae were not detected by bacteriologically and molecularly while there were some positive serum samples for brucellosis. This could be attributed that these samples might have been collected from chronically infected animals in which animals generally do not shed the organisms. Therefore, it was thought that sampling with regular intervals might help for the definitive incidence of brucellosis.

Saksagan (Corvidae: Pica pica), Turkiye’nin kirsal ve sehirlesmis alanlarinda yaygin olarak bulunan bir kus turudur. Bu kuslar sehirlesmis alanlarda bulunduklarindan dolayi, evcil hayvanlar ve insanlarla iliskili bazi enfeksiyoz etkenleri tasima potansiyeline sahip olabilmektedir. Bu durumu belirlemek icin, bir yil suresince tibbi bakima muhtac bir halde hayvan hastanesine getirilen sekiz adet saksagan, ic parazitler ve bakteriler yonunden muayene edilmistir. Yapilan nekropside ic parazitik, sitolojik ve mikrobiyal muayeneyi takiben, ilave olarak ilgili organlarda histopatolojik muayeneler de yapilmistir. Nekropsiler sonucunda, iki helmint ve bir protozoondan olusan uc tur parazit (sirasiyla Passerilepis sp., Brachylaima sp. ve Isospora rochalimai) teshis edilmis ve bes tur bakteri izole edilmistir (Staphylococcus xylosus, S. sciuri, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella spp.). Histopatolojide subakut fokal mikotik pnomoni, kronik nonpurulent granulomatoz gastroenteritis, verminoz enteritis ve karacigerde paratifoid nodullerin varligi gozlenmistir. Belirlenen bu enfeksiyoz etkenler, diger hayvanlar ve insanlar icin potansiyel bir kontaminasyon kaynagi teskil edebilmektedir. Tespit edilen tum parazit ve bakteriler, Turkiye’nin yabani kuslarinin helmint ve bakteri faunasi icin ilk defa bildirilmektedir.

This study presents the clinical findings, treatment results, and gross pathology of Trueperella pyogenes–associated interdigital necrobacillosis in captive goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa). Four male and two female gazelles presented with weight loss, front limb swelling, and persistent lameness despite antibiotic treatment. The animals were reluctant to bear weight on the affected limbs, and the diagnosis of interdigital necrobacillosis was made based on physical exam, bacteriologic evaluation, and radiographic imaging. In all cases, the interdigital skin and subcutaneous tissues were affected in both forelimbs. Exungulation (loss of the hoof) occurred in one female gazelle. Despite aggressive topical and systemic treatment, the two female gazelles died. Gross pathology detected abscesses in the heart, lung, and liver. T. pyogenes was isolated as the major pathogen. This is the first report of interdigital necrobacillosis caused by T. pyogenes in Gazella subgutturosa.

A single-tube multiplex real-time PCR targeting the nuclease (nuc) gene and subsequent high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) were used to identify 13 different Staphylococcus species. The nuc gene was targeted due to its low intraspecies variation and the greater interspecies variation than the 16S rRNA gene in Staphylococcus. We used HRMA software that can store and compare HRMA profiles from different runs as long as the runs contain the same reference reaction. Thus, we reduced the 14 PCRs to 2 different PCRs, one targeting the unknown sequence and the other targeting the reference sequences to screen 13 different Staphylococcus species. The specificity of the developed method was tested on 16 different Staphylococcus reference strains and 115 different field strains that were isolated from the milk of cattle with subclinical mastitis. We conclude that the method can be used to quickly and cost-effectively differentiate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) from other Staphylococcus species (S. epidermidis, S. lugdunensis, S. schleiferi, S. hyicus, S. chromogenes, S. lentus, S. haemolyticus, S. xylosus, S. saprophyticus, S. warneri, S. simulans and S. hominis).

Several conventional methods for treatment of soil are available for engineers. The most widely used method includes solution/grout, but they alter the ground pH level and could be toxic. In order to avoid the potential environmental harms and make use of naturally occurring microorganisms, biological methods to improve the engineering properties of soils have been intensely studied. This article presents the results of a research project in which Sporosarcina pasteurii (formerly known as Bacillus pasteurii) was used to induce biological cementation in loose sand medium. The bacteria was injected into sand, which led to the development of cementation (calcium carbonate crystal) between sand grains. The calcification was observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and molecular typing of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in food-producing animals and retail meat in Fargo, North Dakota. A two-step enrichment followed by culture methods were used to isolate S. aureus from 167 nasal swabs from animals, 145 samples of retail raw meat, and 46 samples of deli meat. Positive isolates were subjected to multiplex polymerase chain reaction in order to identify the genes 16S rRNA, mecA, and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing were used for molecular typing of S. aureus strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the broth microdilution method. The overall prevalence of S. aureus was 37.2% (n = 133), with 34.7% (n = 58) of the animals positive for the organism, and the highest prevalence observed in pigs (50.0%) and sheep (40.6%) (p < 0.05); 47.6% (n = 69) of raw meat samples were positive, with the highest prevalence in chicken (67.6%) and pork (49.3%) (p < 0.05); and 13.0% (n = 6) of deli meat was positive. Five pork samples (7.0%) were positive for MRSA, of which three were ST398 and two were ST5. All exhibited penicillin resistance and four were multidrug resistant (MDR). The Panton-Valentine Leukocidin gene was not detected in any sample by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The most common clones in sheep were ST398 and ST133, in pigs and pork both ST398 and ST9, and in chicken ST5. Most susceptible S. aureus strains were ST5 isolated from chicken. The MDR isolates were found in pigs, pork, and sheep. The presence of MRSA, MDR, and the subtype ST398 in the meat production chain and the genetic similarity between strains of porcine origin (meat and animals) suggest the possible contamination of meat during slaughtering and its potential transmission to humans. College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources College, North Dakota State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University

The aim of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli isolated from cattle, goats, sheep, cats, and dogs in Turkey. Twenty nonreplicate E. coli isolates (chosen on the basis of RAPD pattern) from food-producing animals were selected for the study. To identify phenotypic differences between isolates, the sum of the MIC values of 14 antimicrobials was calculated; values ranged from 565 to 2520 mu g/mL, indicating the diversity in antimicrobial resistance present in the panel of isolates. PCR and qRT-PCR were used to characterize the presence and expression levels of known molecular mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance. The number of E. coli isolates having single, double, and triple topoisomerase mutations was 2, 10, and 5, respectively. Moreover, the number of qnrA -, qnrS -, oqxB -, and aac(6') Ib-cr-containing E. coli isolates was 1, 4, 1, and 17, respectively. Increased expression of acrB and soxS was detected in 2 and 9 isolates, respectively. The results of this study show a wide range of different mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli isolates in Turkey. European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) - BM0701

Different clones of methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus have been found in humans as well as in animals and retail meat. However, more information about the genetic characteristics and similarities between strains is needed. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize Staphylococcus aureus from humans, and to compare their characteristics with isolates of animal origin. A total of 550 nasal swabs were taken from healthy humans, and S. aureus was isolated and identified. Positive S. aureus isolates were subjected to molecular typing and susceptibility testing. In addition, 108 MRSA isolates recovered from clinical patients in the state of North Dakota and 133 S. aureus isolates from animals and meat previously analyzed were included. The nasal carriage of S. aureus in healthy people was 7.6% and, in general, clones were genetically diverse. None of the S. aureus strains obtained from healthy people were mecA-or PVL-positive. A total of 105 (97.2%) MRSA isolates from clinical cases harbored the mecA gene and 11 (10.2%) isolated from blood stream infections harbored the PVL gene. The most common resistance profile among S. aureus from healthy people was penicillin, and from clinical cases were erythromycin-penicillin-ciprofloxacin. The rate of multidrug resistance (MDR) was 70% in humans. Most of the S. aureus harboring mecA and PVL genes were identified as ST5 and ST8, and exhibited MDR. However, S. aureus isolates of animal origin used for comparison exhibited a lower rate of MDR. The most common resistance profiles in isolates of animal origin were penicillin-tetracycline and penicillin-tetracycline-erythromycin, in animals and raw meat, respectively. The ST5 was also found in animals and meat, with ST9 and ST398 being the major clones. The genetic similarity between clones from humans and meat suggests the risk of spread of S. aureus in the food chain. Dean's Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Dean's Office, College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources College, North Dakota State University

WOS: 000442755200007, Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a highly contagious viral skin disease that is typically self-limited. Treatment options include topical antiseptics, such as KMNO4, local antibiotics and systemic antibiotics to prevent secondary skin infections. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the lincomycin/spectinomycin combination and dexpanthenol (Dxp) in goat kids with CE. The study was conducted at a Saanen dairy goat farm in Bursa, Turkey. The owner of the goat herd inquired at the veterinary hospital about the appearance of granulomatous lesions on the muzzles of goat kids. In this study, 24 goat kids (1-month-olds) were used. All animals were subjected to the same conditions. Blood and papule samples were taken from the animals' lips, muzzle and buccal mucosa for virological analysis. Swab samples were taken from the lesions for culture and antibiogram. The animals were divided into three groups. Lesions were clinically scored at days 1, 7 and 15 according to a modified previously used scoring system. Goat kids were equally grouped on the basis of lesions on the buccal mucosa, lips and muzzle. The animals in group A received 15 mg/kg lincomycin/spectinomycin combination (Lypectin*, Vilsan) intramuscularly for 3 consecutive days, group B received 20 mg/kg Dxp (Bepanthen* amp, Bayer, Germany) intramuscularly for 3 consecutive days, and group C received 0.9% NaCl (2 ml), the control treatment. Clinical recoveries were almost equal in all groups, but by day 14, group A showed better recovery than group B and group C. Both study groups also showed better results than the control group for all days. In conclusion, we believe that the lincomycin/spectinomycin combination or dexpanthenol can be useful in the supplementary treatment of CE in goat kids.

The possible role of Brucella spp. in 65 abortion cases, 55 from sheep and 10 from goats, occurring in the birth seasons of 2004 and 2005 in northwestern Turkey was investigated. Colony morphology, agglutination by acriflavin, H2S production, CO2 requirement, dye sensitivity in thionin, basic fuchsin, growth characteristics in streptomycin, lysis with Tbilisi phage, and agglutination with monospecific A- and M antisera were examined for identification and biotyping. The isolates from 21 of 55 sheep and 1 of 10 goat abortion cases were identified as Brucella melitensis. Biotyping revealed that 14, 6, and 1 of 22 Brucella spp. were B. melitensis biotype 3, B. melitensis biotype 1, and B. melitensis biotype 2, respectively. One strain isolated from a sheep abortion case was H2S- producing and was identified as atypical B. melitensis. Kuzeybatı Türkiye’de 2004-2005 yılları arasındaki iki kuzulama döneminde 55 adet koyun ve 10 adet keçi olmak üzere toplam 65 atık vakası Brucella spp. yönünden incelendi. İzolatların tür ve biyotip identifikasyonları için koloni morfolojisi, akriflavin ile aglütinasyon, H2S üretimi, CO2 gereksinimi, tiyonin ve basik fuksin varlığında üreme, Tbilisi fajı ile lizis, streptomisinli besi yerinde üreme, monospesifik A ve M antiserumlarla aglütinasyon özellikleri incelendi. Çalışmada kullanılan 55 koyun atığının 21 adedi, 10 keçi atığının 1 adedi Brucella melitensis olarak identifiye edildi. Biyotiplendirme sonucunda, 22 izolatın 14, 6 ve 1 adedinin sırasıyla Brucella melitensis biyotip 3, B. melitensis biyotip 1 B. melitensis biyotip 2 olduğu ortaya kondu. Koyun orijinli bir adet izolatın ise H2S üretimi yönünden pozitif olduğu saptandı ve atipik B.melitensis olarak değerlendirildi.

Between 2002 and 2007, 75 strains of Brucella abortus were isolated from aborted bovine fetuses collected from several regions of Turkey. The isolates were all identified as B abortus biovar 3 by conventional methods. However, when they were analysed by enhanced amos-ery pcr, a 5·4 kb deletion, different from that in the Tulya strain ( B abortus biovar 3, atcc 23450), was identified in all of them. As a result, they were subtyped as B abortus biovar 3b.

The objective of this work was to investigate the bactericidal activity of enrofloxacin against gyrA mutant and qnr-containing Escherichia coli isolates from animals. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of gyrA mutant and qnr-containing E coli isolates ranged from 1 mu g/ml to 32 mu g/ml for enrofloxacin. Time-kill experiments were performed using selected E coli isolates. For the time-kill experiments, the colony counts were determined by plating each diluted sample onto plate count agar and an integrated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics area measure (log ratio area) was applied to the colony-forming units (cfu) data. In general, enrofloxacin exhibited bactericidal activity against all the gyrA mutant E coli isolates at all concentrations greater than four times the MIC. However, the bactericidal activity of enrofloxacin for all the qnr-containing E coli isolates was less dependent on concentration. The results of the present study indicated that the genetic mechanism of resistance might account for the different bactericidal activities of enrofloxacin observed for the gyrA mutant and the qnr-containing E coli isolates. Therefore, in addition to MIC assays, genetic mechanism-based pharmacodynamic models should be used to provide accurate predictions of the effects of drugs on resistant bacteria. European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) (BM0701)

This paper describes a case of fibrinopurulent epididymitis and orchitis in a Merino ram owing to Brucella melitensis biovar 3, detected by histopathology, bacteriology, and PCR. Gross lesions included enlargement of the scrotum by abundant fibrinous exudate and adhesions between testicular tunics. Histopathologic lesions were characterized by epididymal abscesses and testicular atrophy. B. melitensis was cultured from the exudate as well as the internal organs of the ram. After conventional biotyping procedures were applied, the isolate was identified as B. melitensis biovar 3. The isolate was also confirmed as Brucella spp. by genus-specific PCR.

The aim of this study were to detect the gyrA, parC and marR mutations and qnr genes (qnrA, qnrB and qnrS) in 120 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from animals. European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests, respectively, were used to determine fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance, and molecular methods were used to detect the mutations and the genes. E coli isolates with an MIC of >= 8 mg/l had mutation at Ser-80 in parC in addition to mutations at Ser-83, Asp-87 or both in gyrA. The nucleotide change was detected in marR (Ser-3 -> Asn, Ala-53 -> Glu, Gly-103 -> Ser, Tyr-137 -> His). Only four E coli isolates (3.3 per cent) contained qnrA and qnrS, and qnrB was not detected. Two E coli isolates from healthy calves also contained qnrA and qnrS. The MICs of enrofloxacin and danofloxacin for qnr-containing E coli isolates ranged from 32 mg/l to 256 mg/l. The results of this study indicated that the FQ-resistant E coli isolates presented an alteration in gyrA (Ser-83 -> Leu, Asp-87 -> Asn) and parC (Ser-80 -> Ile) with high MICs (8-256 mg/l), and there was a low prevalence of qnr genes among E coli isolated from animals. European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) - BM0701

TOXIC epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare dermatological disorder characterised by widespread erythema, necrosis and bullous detachment of the epidermis and mucous membranes, resulting in exfoliation of the skin and possibly leading to sepsis and/or death (Lyell 1956, Lebargy and others 1997). The epithelium of the gut and airways can also be affected, causing clinical signs such as profuse diarrhoea and respiratory distress. Studies conducted in human beings have revealed that detachment of the epidermis is a result of disseminated apoptosis of keratinocytes and that the death of these cells is most likely caused by cytotoxic lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages (Paul and others 1996). TEN in human beings is most commonly a drug-induced disease caused by antibiotics (such as sulfonamids, macrolides, penicillins, ampicillin and some quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), antiepileptic drugs and NSAIDs. However, the disorder has other potential aetiologies in human beings, including Mycoplasma pneumonia infection, malignancy and vaccinations (Fournier and others 1995, Tay and others 1996). M pneumonia -related TEN cases in human beings are usually milder than drug-induced ones, and generally only 10 per cent of the skin is involved (Tay and others 1996). The pathophysiology of TEN has not been fully elucidated, but it has been suggested that this disease is an immune-related cytotoxic reaction that destroys keratinocytes expressing a foreign antigen (Paul and others 1996). TEN is a clinical diagnosis confirmed by histopathological analysis of skin lesions. There are only two reports regarding TEN in cattle (Yeruham and others 1999a, b). These studies reported cases of TEN in calves; however, because no underlying cause for disease was detected, the cases were classified as idiopathic (Yeruham and others 1999b). This short communication describes an association …

The aim of this study was to detect Brucella in samples from aborted fetuses of sheep and cattle in Turkey using PCR and bacteriological analysis, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR. Organ homogenates from 38 aborted fetuses of cattle and 56 aborted fetuses of sheep were tested. All organ homogenates were cultured for bacteriological analysis, and all of the homogenates and the Brucella isolates obtained by culture were examined with a commercial PCR kit. On bacteriological analysis, Brucella species were found in 30 (31.9 per cent) of the 94 organ homogenates, eight (21.1 per cent) of which were from cattle and 22 (39.3 per cent) from sheep. Using PCR, a total of 29 (30.9 per cent) homogenates were positive for Brucella species, eight (21.1 per cent) of which were from cattle and 21 (37.5 per cent) from sheep. Compared with the bacteriological method, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the PCR kit used in this study were 83 per cent and 94 per cent, respectively.