Genome sequence of Dichelobacter nodosus JKS-07B isolate from J&K, India associated with virulent footrot of sheep.

INTRODUCTION: Virulent footrot of sheep caused by Dichelobacter nodosus is associated with tremendous economic losses due to recurrent treatment costs and increased culling rates. This organism being a fastidious anaerobe is difficult to isolate on ordinary media that does not support its growth. The D. nodosus serogroup B isolate described in the present study has been used in the preparation of the whole-cell killed vaccine against footrot in India. D. nodosus serogroup B is the predominant serogroup involved in virulent footrot (lesion score 4) in India as well as in many sheep-rearing countries of the globe. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted using wizard Genomic DNA purification kit. The whole genome of the D. nodosus strain B was sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform and annotated according to functional gene categories. Annotations were performed using in-house developed Perl scripts using Nr/Nt database, uniprot, Pfam, KEGG, Panther DB, and GO database. RESULT: The assembled genome size is 1.311,533 Mb and GC content is 44.38. A total of 1215 protein-coding genes, 44tRNA and 7 rRNA were identified. The genome shows 98.63% sequence homology with the reference genome. However, 21 new genes have been identified in this genome. The information will provide insights into the various genes and regulators necessary for D. nodosus growth and survival. DISCUSSION: The genome information of this serogroup B of D. nodosus isolate involved in 85-90% cases of virulent footrot of sheep in India provides further insights for improvement of the killed vaccine (B serogroup) developed recently in India. For the development of an efficacious vaccine against virulent footrot, it is essential to know the serological diversity as well as the virulent status of the strains of the D. nodosus. This serogroup isolate is a potential vaccine candidate to mitigate ovine footrot in India as the majority of virulent footrot cases belong to serogroup B of D. nodosus.

Methicillin resistance genes and in vitro biofilm formation among Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine mastitis in India.

INTRODUCTION: Biofilms, an assemblage of microbial cells irreversibly associated with a surface and enclosed in a matrix of polysaccharide material pose serious health challenges, resulting in high economic losses. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections and ability to form biofilms in dairy animals is of emerging concern for livestock and public health owing to their association with serious infections. The present study was undertaken to examine the presence of methicillin resistance genes among the biofilm forming Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cases of acute and subacute bovine mastitis. A total of 150 mastitic milk samples referred to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Shuhama (Aulesteng) SKUAST-K were screened in present study. The methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates were also screened for in vitro biofilm forming ability. RESULTS: A total of 80 (53.33%) S. aureus isolates were recovered from cases of bovine mastitis of which 20 (25%) were methicillin (mecA) gene positive. Of the 20 mecA positive isolates, 20% were positive for SCCmec I, 35% for SCCmec IV and 45% for SCCmec V subtypes. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing of MRSA revealed complete resistance towards methicillin and other pencillin group of antibiotics. CONCLUSION: A significant correlation was observed between in vitro biofilm formation and presence of methicillin resistance gene in S aureus isolates recovered from acute and subacute mastitis. The Staphylococcus aureus isolates positive for methicillin resistance gene (mecA) were either strong or moderate biofilm formers.

Draft genome sequence of Dichelobacter nodosus JKS-07 serogroup E from India.

OBJECTIVES: Dichelobacter nodosus is an anaerobic bacterium with fastidious growth requirements that is the principal cause of footrot associated with lameness in sheep and goats. In India, D. nodosus serogroups B and E have been recorded as major causes of footrot. Here we report the draft genome sequence of a D. nodosus serogroup E strain (JKS-07) from a case of virulent footrot in India. METHODS: The whole genome of the D. nodosus JKS-07 serogroup E was sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform and was annotated according to functional gene categories. De novo genome assembly and annotation were performed using Perl scripts developed in-house using the Nr/Nt and UniProt databases. RESULTS: The assembled genome is 1389350bp and contains 1301 genes. The genome has 45 tRNAs and 9 rRNAs. The draft genome sequence will provide insight into the various genes and regulators involved in D. nodosus growth and survival. CONCLUSION: Information on the genome of the D. nodosus serogroup E strain is important bearing in mind the fact that both serogroups B and E are associated with virulent footrot, either alone or frequently together. In order to develop an efficacious vaccine against virulent footrot, it is essential to know the serological diversity as well as the virulence status of the D. nodosus strains. Serogroups B and E are potential vaccine candidates to mitigate ovine footrot in India.