Occurrence, antibiotic resistance and molecular characterisation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens in Tunisia.

1. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are associated with disease outbreaks which cause a public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of STEC strains, their virulence factors, phylogenetic groups and antimicrobial resistance profiles in broiler chickens.2. A total of 222 E.coli isolates were collected from the caecum of chickens intended to be slaughtered. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested against 21 antimicrobial agents and ESBL phenotype was assessed by double-disk synergy test. The presence of STEC virulence genes stx1, stx2,eaeA and ehxA was detected by PCR. The identification of STEC serogroups was realised by PCR amplification. Additive virulence genes, phylogenetic groups and integrons were examined among the STEC isolates.3. Out of 222 E.coli isolates, 72 (32%) were identified as STEC strains and the most predominant serogroups were O103, O145 and O157. Shiga toxin gene 1 (stx1) was found in 84.7% (61/72) of the STEC strains, and eae and stx2 were detected in 38.8% and 13.8%, respectively. The ESBL phenotype was documented in 48.6% (35/72) of isolates. Most of the isolates (90.3%) carried class 1 integron with the gene cassette encoding resistance to trimethoprim (dfrA) and streptomycin (aadA) in 31.9% of the isolates. Class 2 integron was identified in 36.1% of isolates.4. Broilers can be considered as a reservoir of STEC strains which have high virulence factors and integrons that might be transmitted to other chickens, environments and humans. It is important to undertake surveillance and efficient control measures in slaughterhouses and farms to control measures of STEC bacteria.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Salmonella enterica Serovar Eppendorf Circulating in Chicken Farms in Tunisia.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Eppendorf, with antigenic formula 1,4,12,[27]:d:1,5, is an infrequent serovar. However, 14% (20 of 142) of the isolates recovered during June-July 2012 in chicken farms in Tunisia belonged to S. Eppendorf. These isolates were analysed for resistance and virulence profiles. None of them were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested, while 70%, 60%, 50%, 50%, 20% and 5% were resistant to sulphonamides (sul1, sul2 and sul3), streptomycin (aadA1-like), trimethoprim (dfrA1-like), nalidixic acid (GyrA Asp87 →Asn and not identified), gentamicin (not identified) and ampicillin (blaTEM -1-like). About 30% of the isolates showed decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and carried the qnrB gene; 65% of the isolates were multidrug resistant and contained class 1 integrons with sul1 or sul3 in the 3' conserved segment. The orgA, ssaQ, mgtC, siiD and sopB virulence genes located on SPI1 to SPI5 and the fimbrial bcfC gene were present in all isolates; the sopE1 and sodC1 carried by prophages were variably detected; however, the prophage gipA gene and the spvC gene of serovar-specific virulence plasmids were absent. Altogether, ten resistance and three virulence profiles were identified. Typing of the isolates with XbaI- and BlnI-PFGE supports a close relationship, although they appear to be evolving under selective pressure probably caused by antimicrobial use in chicken husbandry. As far as we know, this is the first study investigating the molecular bases of antimicrobial drug resistance, the virulence gene content and the PFGE profiles of S. Eppendorf. The epidemiological surveillance of this serovar would be necessary to evaluate its possible impact on human health, particularly in Tunisia and other African countries where it was already reported.

Safety and technological properties of bacteriocinogenic enterococci isolates from Tunisia.

AIMS: To investigate the safety and technological traits of previously isolated bacteriocinogenic enterococci strains for potential use as starter/adjunct cultures in foods. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-five bacteriocinogenic enterococci strains previously isolated from different origins in Tunisia were screened for safety. Twenty-two strains did not harbour the genes coding for virulence traits, were susceptible to relevant antibiotics such as vancomycin, and tested negative for haemolysis, histamine production, gelatinase activity and DNase activity. These strains were further assessed for some technological properties, demonstrating low milk-acidifying ability, low proteolytic activity, high peptidolytic activity and diacetyl production in milk. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that 22 bacteriocinogenic enteroccoci strains did not present virulence features and could be safely applied in food preservation. Some strains also showed good technological potential as adjunct/protective cultures in milk fermentation and cheese production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is one of very few studies that identified safe Enterococcus strains capable of producing a wide variety of enterocins against different spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms that have good potential for application as adjunct/protective cultures in foods.

High inhibition of Paenibacillus larvae and Listeria monocytogenes by Enterococcus isolated from different sources in Tunisia and identification of their bacteriocin genes.

UNLABELLED: A total of 300 isolates of Enterococcus, from different sources including faeces of poultry, cow and sheep, raw milk, ricotta cheese and water, in Tunisia, were screened for their antibacterial activity. Amongst them, 59 bacteriocin-producing strains were detected and identified by molecular methods. Genes encoding for entA, entP, entB, entL50A/B, AS-48 and bac31 bacteriocins were targeted by PCR. The bacteriocin-producing strains were assigned to the species Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus mundtii and Enterococcus durans, respectively, 34, 19, 3, 2 and 1 isolates. Antimicrobial activity was specifically observed against different spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, Listeria ivanovii, Escherichia coli, Ent. faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Paenibacillus larvae. The inhibitory activity was totally lost after proteinase K treatment, thereby revealing the proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial compound. Only three bacteriocin genes, namely entP, entA and entL50A/B were detected in the isolates included in this study. Enterocins A and P were the most frequent genes and they were found in 55 (93.2%) and 39 isolates (66.1%), respectively, followed by enterocin L50A/B present in 27 isolates (45.7%). These newly identified bacteriocin-producing enterococci have the potential to be used in bio-preservation of food as well as biological control of foulbrood disease. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Enterococci possess interesting properties not only for the food industry, but also for animal and human health. The antimicrobial potential of these bacteria includes principally bacteriocin-like molecules. With the aim of identifying bacteriocinogenic strains, a collection of 300 enterococci isolated from different origins were screened and their spectrum of action, as well as the gene encoding the bacteriocin, was determined. Fifty-nine bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus showed high activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood. Enterocins A, P and L50A/B were found in various combinations. The most important finding of this study is the growth inhibition of P. larvae due to bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus, which opens up the possibility to use these strains to control the disease in honeybees.

[First serological study of the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) in Tunisia]. / Première étude sérologique de la prévalence d'Anaplasma phagocytophilum chez le dromadaire (Camelus dromedarius) en Tunisie.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dromedary (Camelus dromedarius). Sera of 226 healthy dromedaries from three regions of Tunisia (Sidi Bouzid, Bouficha and Douz) were tested by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA). The overall infection rate was estimated at 29.2%. The study of risk factors showed that region, age, gender, presence of ticks and types of breeding had no influence on the seroprevalence of A. phagocytophilum. This study indicates for the first time in Tunisia that dromedary may be involved in the natural cycle of A. phagocytophilum.

[Epidemiological and clinical studies of ovine caseous lymphadenitis]. / Contribution à l'étude épidémiologique et clinique de la lymphadénite caséeuse chez les ovins.

A field survey was undertaken, to determine epidemiological, clinical and biological data on Ovine Caseous Lymphadenitis disease in 54 flocks originated from Sfax area in Tunisia. The mean morbidity rate of the cutaneous form was 5.1%. This form affected sheep over 3 months and under 2 years old. On the other hand, the mean morbidity rate of the visceral form, encountered in abattoirs, was 11.02%. The clinical aspect of the superficial (or cutaneous) form was often corresponding to one abscess, located particularly in the lymphatic nodes of the animal's head; while visceral (or internal) form of the disease was represented by the presence of a unique abscess found in the pulmonary lymphatic nodes. The macroscopic aspect of lesions showed that the size of abscess was comprised between 4 and 10 cm in diameter. At the cut, colour of the pus was white yellowish to yellow greyish with a fluid or a thick aspect like onion peels; pus was microscopic. Lesions were characterised by a fibrous shell, a pyogenic membrane and a necrotic center. Bacteriological research revealed that Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was the pathogen the most frequently isolated, followed by Staphylococcus aureus subsp anaerobius which was particularly found in sheep aged between 3 months and 2 years old.

[Use of antibiotics in food animals]. / Utilisation des antibiotiques chez les animaux de rente.

The authors present in this paper a review on a major problem which is less evoked in Tunisia and concerns the use of antibiotics in Veterinary Medicine for reared animals for human consumption. Antibiotics are often mis used; this is true for the practitioner as well as for the breeder. The rules of antibiotic associations and their related problems are also discussed. Specific recommendations to Tunisian users are suggested; the pharmaceutical industry, the veterinarian and the breeder. Each from its side must contribute to the preservation of this valuable therapeutic tool.