Escherichia coli O80 in Healthy Cattle: Absence of Shigatoxigenic and Enteropathogenic E. coli O80:H2 and (Phylo) Genomics of Non-Clonal Complex 165 E. coli O80.

The origin of human and calf infections by Shigatoxigenic (STEC) and enteropathogenic (EPEC) Escherichia coli O80:H2 is still unknown. The aim of this study was to identify E. coli O80 in healthy cattle with an emphasis on melibiose non-fermenting E. coli O80:H2. Faecal materials collected from 149 bulls at 1 slaughterhouse and 194 cows on 9 farms were tested with O80 antigen-encoding gene PCR after overnight growth in enrichment broths. The 53 O80 PCR-positive broths were streaked on different (semi-)selective agar plates. Five E. coli colonies from 3 bulls and 11 from 2 cows tested positive with the O80 PCR, but no melibiose non-fermenting E. coli was isolated. However, these 16 E. coli O80 were negative with PCR targeting the fliCH2, eae, stx1, stx2 and hlyF genes and were identified by WGS to serotypes and sequence types O80:H6/ST8619 and O80:H45/ST4175. They were phylogenetically related to E. coli O80:H6 and O80:H45 isolated from different animal species in different countries, respectively, but neither to STEC and EPEC O80:H2/ST301, nor to other serotypes of the clonal complex 165. As a conclusion, healthy adult cattle were not identified as a source of contamination of humans and calves by STEC or EPEC O80:H2.

Prevalence, virulence genes, and antimicrobial profiles of Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from healthy cattle in Tunisia.

INTRODUCTION: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 is associated with intestinal infection in humans and is considered an important cause of food-borne diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 in fecal samples of healthy cattle collected in slaughterhouses (n = 160) and from five farms (n = 100). METHODOLOGY: E. coli isolates were detected on MacConkey agar. A total of 236 E. coli isolates were recovered from fecal samples of healthy cattle. We used sorbitol MacConkey medium to detect non-sorbitol fermenting colonies. These bacteria were examined for the presence of O157:H7 antigen by latex agglutination. The isolation of E. coli O157:H7 has been confirmed with PCR amplification of rfbEO157 and fliCH7 specific genes for serogroup O157 and with multiplex PCR of stx1, stx2, eaeA, and ehxA. All isolates were examined for their susceptibility to 21 antibiotics by the disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Of the 236 E. coli isolates, 4.2% (10/236) were positive for STEC O157:H7. Shiga toxin gene (stx2) and ehxA were present in 70% of isolates, stx1 and eae were confirmed in 60% of the isolates. Other virulence factors screened (fimH, sfa/focDE, cdt3, traT, iutA, and hlyA) were present among the 10 isolates. All E. coli O157:H7 isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, cefepime, aztreonam, colistin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. All isolates belong to the phylo-group E. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle in Tunisia. Our finding proves the existence of STEC O157:H7 in healthy animals producing food for human consumption which could be a source of food-borne disease.

Identification of Five Serotypes of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli from Diarrheic Calves and Healthy Cattle in Belgium and Comparative Genomics with Shigatoxigenic E. coli.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) produce attaching/effacing (AE) lesions and cause non-bloody diarrhea in mammals. A minority of bovine EPEC belong to one of the ten classical serotypes of human and bovine AE-STEC. The purpose of this study was to identify five non-classical O serotypes (O123/186, O156, O177, O182, and O183) among bovine EPEC and to characterize their virulence repertoires by whole genome sequencing. Around 40% of the 307 EPEC from 307 diarrheic calves, 368 EPEC from 47 healthy cattle, and 131 EPEC from 36 healthy calves in dairy farms were analyzed. Serotype O177 was the most frequent among EPEC from diarrheic and healthy calves, while the O156 was the most frequent in healthy cattle. The genomic analysis identified different H serotypes, MLSTypes, and/or eae gene subtypes among the O156 and O177 EPEC, while the O182 was homogeneous. The virulence gene profiles of bovine EPEC were closely related to each other and to the profiles of ten bovine and human AE-STEC. These results emphasize the need for additional studies to identify more O:H serotypes of bovine EPEC and to elucidate their origin and evolution of EPEC with regard to AE-STEC belonging to the same O:H serotypes.

Molecular Prevalence and Phylogenetic Characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Healthy Cattle

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the molecular prevalence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon in healthy cattle. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 50 cattle in Sivas between October 2017 and March 2018 and genomic DNA (gDNA) isolations were performed. gDNA isolates were processed by Nested PCR specifically amplifying ITS rRNA gene region to identify E. bieneusi. ITS rRNA region of E. bieneusi positive isolates were sequenced for genotyping and phylogenetic analyzes. Obtained sequences were assembled with appropriative genetic software, then phylogenetic relationships were revealed. Results: According to Nested PCR analyses, 29 (19.3%) out of totally examined samples were found positive for E. bieneusi. As a result of the sequence analyses, five distinct genotypes were determined. The most frequent genotype ERUSS1 and the other ERUSS2-4 genotypes were characterized as close to each other, which was reported for the first time in the world. Two isolates were determined in N genotype that was reported from cattle in Germany and were more different from the other genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the genotypes characterized in the study belonged to the genogroup 2. Conclusion: First molecular epidemiological data on E. bieneusi in cattle from Turkey were obtained with this study.

Peritoneal fluid collection in healthy cattle and evaluation of changes in cell morphology during storage in refrigerated and non-refrigerated samples / Colheita do fluido peritoneal de bovinos sadios e verificação das alterações na morfologia celular quando mantido refrigerado ou à temperatura ambiente

This study aimed to evaluate the appropriate sites of abdominocentesis for peritoneal fluid collection in cattle and to investigate the time of cell viability in vitro, comparing three methods of sample conservation. Twenty-one healthy cattle (19 females and 2 males) were subjected to a laparocentesis procedure to obtain peritoneal fluid, with punctures in three defined sites: left cranial, right cranial, and right caudal. The total peritoneal fluid collected was divided into three aliquots and maintained under three preservation conditions: room temperature (26°C), refrigeration (4°C), and room temperature (26°C) with the addition of 1µL of 10% formaldehyde per 1mL of peritoneal fluid. The peritoneal fluid analysis performed immediately after collection consisted of: physical examination (color, appearance, volume, and specific gravity), biochemical measures (pH, total protein, fibrinogen, creatinine, and glucose), and cellularity (total and differential counts). The determination of proteins and the examination of cells were repeated in each separate aliquot at two, four, six, and eight hours after harvest. Data were analyzed through repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman test. The harvest was productive in 67% of cattle. The left cranial and the right cranial puncture sites were the most appropriate. Peritoneal fluid analyzed after collection, the total protein concentration ranged from 1.4 to 3.6g/dL, and number of leukocytes ranged from 54 to 1,322 cells/µL; 60 to 95% of leukocytes were lymphocytes. The protein concentration decreased, but the absolute values of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and segmented neutrophils did not change up to eight hours after collection, independent of the maintenance method. Cell lysis was delayed by cooling, and the addition of formaldehyde did not help preserve the integrity of cellular morphology. Laparocentesis is a safe and secure procedure in cattle and maybe more productive when performed in specific sites on the left or right sides of the cranial abdominal wall. Peritoneal fluid samples may be analyzed with reliable results for up to eight hours after collection when kept refrigerated and for up to six hours when kept at room temperature.(AU)

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os locais adequados de laparocentese para a colheita de fluido peritoneal de bovinos e estabelecer o tempo de viabilidade celular in vitro, comparando três métodos de conservação. Vinte e um bovinos hígidos (19 fêmeas e 2 machos) foram submetidos ao procedimento de laparocentese para obtenção de fluido peritoneal, com punção em três pontos definidos: cranial esquerdo, cranial direito e caudal direito. O volume total do líquido peritoneal foi dividido em três alíquotas mantidas sob três métodos de conservação: temperatura ambiente (26°C); refrigeração (4°C); e temperatura ambiente (26°C) com adição de 1µL de formol 10% para cada 1mL de líquido peritonial. A análise do líquido peritoneal realizada imediatamente após sua obtenção consistiu em: exames físico (cor, aspecto, volume e densidade); bioquímicos (pH, proteína total, fibrinogênio, creatinina e glicose); e da celularidade (contagens total e diferencial). A determinação de proteínas e o exame da celularidade foram repetidos, em cada alíquota separada, as duas, quatro, seis e oito horas após a colheita. Análise de variâncias de medidas repetidas ou teste de Friedman foram empregados para avaliação ao longo do tempo. A colheita foi produtiva em 67% dos bovinos e os locais de punção craniais esquerdo e direito foram os mais adequados. A concentração de proteína total variou de 1,4 a 3,6g/dL e o número de leucócitos de 54 a 1.322 células/µL, com predomínio de linfócitos (60 a 95% das células) no fluido peritoneal analisado logo após a colheita. A concentração de proteínas diminuiu, mas os valores absolutos de leucócitos, de linfócitos e de neutrófilos segmentados não se modificaram até oito horas após a colheita, independente do método de manutenção das amostras. A lise celular foi retardada pela refrigeração e a adição de formol não contribuiu para preservar a integridade da morfologia celular. A laparocentese é um procedimento seguro e de execução fácil em bovinos sendo mais produtiva quando realizada em locais específicos à esquerda ou à direita craniais da parede abdominal. Amostras de fluido peritoneal podem ser analisadas com resultados confiáveis quando mantidas refrigeradas por até oito horas após a colheita e quando mantidas à temperatura ambiente por até seis horas.(AU)

Effect of high-fat diet and growth stage on the diversity and composition of intestinal microbiota in healthy bovine livestock.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the composition of bacteria in the bovine rectum and their functions during growth, in relation to different diets. Fecal samples were collected from 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month cattle fed high-fat diet, and healthy female parents fed regular diet. Total DNA was amplified (V3-V4 of 16S rRNA) and submitted to barcode-DNA pyrosequencing. Intestinal microbiota profiles and functions were then analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 114 512 operational taxonomic units were detected from the 1 802 243 sequences obtained. In 6-month-old and female parent groups, the top three abundant phyla were Bacteroidetes (37.6%, 32.2%), Firmicutes (34.4%, 48.2%) and Proteobacteria (9.1%, 6.3%); in the 12-, 18- and 24-month groups, they were Proteobacteria (45.5%, 47.1%, 38.8%), Firmicutes (27.4%, 22.2%, 20.1%) and Bacteroidetes (14.9%, 19.4%, 17.7%), respectively. Paludibacter and Desulfopila in abundance showed negative (P < 0.001) and positive (P < 0.05) correlation, respectively, to cattle weight gain through metagenomic functional prediction of methane, cysteine and methionine metabolism. Meanwhile, cofactor/vitamin and amino acid metabolic processes were significantly higher in bacteria from the regular diet group than high-fat diet groups, with markedly lower cellular processes and signaling, and reduced glycan biosynthesis and metabolism (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The 6-month cattle and female parents shared similar intestinal bacteria; the community structure of fecal microbiota was significantly affected by high-fat diet in older cattle. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Animal trypanosomosis in clinically healthy cattle of north Cameroon: epidemiological implications.

BACKGROUND: The control of animal trypanosomosis consists, amongst other things, of the punctual treatment of new cases, primarily diagnosed by pastoralists on the basis of clinical signs. This practice suggests that many apparently healthy infected animals are left untreated. In this study animal trypanosomosis in clinically healthy zebu cattle was evaluated, the distribution of the vectors established and the epidemiological implications discussed. METHODS: In 2014 two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in the Cambeef ranch. A total of 866 blood samples were collected from cattle in different sites: 549 in the dry season and 317 in the rainy season. The blood samples were subjected to parasitological examination using the buffy coat method and to PCV determination. An entomological survey on animal trypanosomosis vectors was undertaken during tsetse flies caught were identified and the mid-gut of each living non-teneral tsetse fly was examined for infections using a microscope. RESULTS: An overall trypanosomosis prevalence of 9% was found in the cattle examined. There were significantly (P < 0.05) more trypanosome infected cattle in the dry season than the rainy season. Trypanosome-infected cattle had significantly (P < 0.05) lower Body Condition Scores (BCS) and Packed Cell Volumes (PCV) in the dry season than in the rainy season. Anemia was positively correlated with trypanosome infection. The likelihood for an animal to be parasitologically free of trypanosome infection was at least three times as high in the Gudali breed as compared with the white and red Fulani breeds. Species of trypanosomes identified were Trypanosoma vivax (73.23%), Trypanosoma congolense (15.49%) and Trypanosoma brucei (11.27%). A total of 390 tsetse flies and 103 tabanids were trapped. Two species of tsetse flies were identified: Glossina tachinoides (33.59%) and G. morsitans submorsitans (41%). Nine of the 194 non-teneral flies were infected with trypanosomes. CONCLUSION: Carriers of trypanosomes are present amongst apparently healthy cattle in the study site. Attempts to successfully reduce the population of reservoir trypanosomes within herds and control the disease will need to consider mass screening once every year and this should be associated with drug sensitivity tests.

Avaliação da interação de Escherichia coli enterohemorrágica (EHEC) pertencente ao sorotipo O157: H7 isoladas de bovinos assintomáticos e de doença humana com células enterocíticas humanas (linhagem Caco-2) / Evaluation of interaction of Enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC) 0157: H7 isolated from asymptomatic cattle and human disease with human enterocitic cells

Reconhecida como agente de doença humana em 1982, E.coli enterohemorrágica (EHEC) pode causar diarréia sanguinolenta, colite hemorrágica e síndrome hemolítica urêmica (SHU). EHEC constitui um subgrupo especialmente virulento das E.coli produtoras de toxina de Shiga (Stx). O fator crítico da sua virulência é a toxina Shiga, capaz de interromper a síntese proteica da célula eucariótica. São conhecidos dois subgrupos de Stx, Stx1 e Stx2. Stx1 possui duas variantes Stx1c e Stx1d. Stx2 possui muitas variantes. Estudos epidemiológicos sugerem que cepas com os perfis toxigênicos Stx2 ou Stx2/Stx2c seriam mais frequentemente associadas a pacientes com SHU. Além da expressão de Stx, EHEC do sorotipo O157:H7 colonizam a mucosa intestinal induzindo a formação de lesões denominadas ‘attaching/effacing’ (A/E). Para a produção da lesão A/E, é necessária a presença de uma ilha de patogenicidade cromossômica denominada LEE, composta por cinco operons, LEE 1 a LEE5. Em LEE 5 são codificadas a adesina intimina e o seu receptor Tir, o qual é translocado por um sistema de secreção tipo III (SSTT) e em LEE 4 são codificadas as proteínas secretadas EspA,B e D. Em EHEC O157:H7 são descritos muitos fatores de virulência, codificados em ilhas de patogenicidade, no cromossomo e no megaplasmídio pO157. Bovinos são o principal reservatório deste patógeno e alimentos de origem bovina e produtos contaminados com fezes de bovinos são causadores de surtos epidêmicos. Em nosso país EHEC O157:H7 é isolada do reservatório animal mas é muito rara a sua ocorrência em doença humana. Notamos que nas cepas bovinas predomina Stx2c, enquanto nas cepas humanas predomina o perfil toxigenico Stx2/Stx2c...

Recognized in 1982 as a human pathogen, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) causes bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). EHEC belonging to serotype O157:H7 are mostly important in North America, United Kingdom and Japan. Shiga toxin (Stx) is the critical factor of STEC. Stx is capable to interrupt the protein synthesis of the eukaryotic cell. Two subgroups of Stx are known, Stx1 and Stx2. Two variants of Stx1 are known (Stx1c and Stx1d), but several Stx2 variants have been described. Epidemiological studies suggest that STEC/EHEC strains carrying the toxigenic profiles Stx2 or Stx2/Stx2c are more frequently associated to HUS. Besides the expression of Stx, EHEC O157:H7 colonize the intestinal mucosa inducing the formation of characteristic histopathological lesions denominated “attaching/effacing” (A/E). To the production of A/E lesions, it is necessary the presence of a pathogenicity island called LEE (locus of enterocyte effacement), composed by five operons, LEE 1 to LEE5. An outer membrane adhesin (intimin) and its receptor Tir, which is translocated by a type three secretion sytem (TTSS), are both codified in LEE5 while the secreted proteins EspA, B and D, that constitute part of the SSTT, are codified in LEE4. Cattle are the main reservoir of this pathogen and foods of bovine origin and products contamined with bovine feces are common causes of epidemic outbreaks. In Brazil, EHEC O157:H7 can be isolated from the animal reservoir . Stx2c prevails among the bovine strains, while the toxigenic profiles Stx2 or Stx2/Stx2c are found among the human strains...