Resistance to selected beta-lactam antibiotics.

Susceptibility in vitro and trends in resistance to antimicrobials were determined by a dilution micromethod in a group of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica and Escherichia coli isolates from clinical cases of cattle and swine diseases in the Czech Republic from 2007 to 2011. A high susceptibility of pig and cattle respiratory pathogens to antimicrobials was found, with the exception of the moderate prevalence of M. haemolytica resistance to ampicillin. In contrast to respiratory pathogens, low susceptibility of E. coli of pig and cattle isolates to ampicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was noted. Regarding resistance trends, an increase in levels of resistance among E. coli isolates to ampicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was identified, but the resistance of respiratory isolates was low, with the exception of M. haemolytica. For the period of 2007-2011, there was a significant and almost continuous increase in sales (compared with population correction unit) of ceftiofur, cefquinome and other beta lactams for pigs. Consumption peaked in 2010. In the case of amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid, data showed a significant decrease in sales from 2007 to 2008, followed by a period of fluctuation. In cattle, within the groups of 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and for the whole group of other betalactams for the period of 2007-2011, there was a significant and almost continuous increase in sales (compared with population correction unit). Consumption peaked in 2010. In the case of ceftiofur, there was a huge increase noted from 2010. In the case of amoxicillin in combination with betalactamase inhibitor (clavulanic acid) data shows a significant decrease from 2007 to 2008, followed by a period of fluctuation in sales.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolates from clinical outbreaks of porcine respiratory diseases.

Limited data regarding the susceptibility of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae to antimicrobials has been published during recent years. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of MICs for the isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae from diseased pigs in the Czech Republic between 2007 and 2009. A total of 242 isolates were tested for susceptibility to 16 antimicrobial agents by a broth microdilution method. A low degree of resistance was observed for florfenicol (0.8%), amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (0.8%), tilmicosin (1.2%), tiamulin (1.7%) and ampicillin (3.3%), whereas resistance to tetracycline was detected more frequently, 23.9% of isolates. Interestingly, resistance to florfenicol has not yet been reported in any study investigating antimicrobial resistance of A. pleuropneumoniae. By PCR the presence of the floR gene was confirmed in all florfenicol resistant isolates.

Comparison of different doses of antigen for intradermal administration in pigs: the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae model.

The intensity of antibody responses and level of protection against challenge infection induced by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) were compared in piglets vaccinated intramuscularly with different vaccination doses of a subunit vaccine. Secondary antibody responses to APP exotoxins induced by the intradermally administered diluted vaccines did not differ from those induced by undiluted vaccines administered either intradermally or intramuscularly. The level of protection measured by the clinical course of challenge infection to the extent of lung lesions was significantly higher in animals vaccinated with a three-time diluted vaccine in comparison with animals that were administered intramuscularly or intradermally with the most concentrated or the most diluted vaccines.

Systemic and local antibody responses after experimental infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in piglets with passive or active immunity.

The objectives of the present study was to describe different dynamics of humoral immune responses to experimental infection in piglets of different stages of infection and immunity. Two groups of piglets originating from non-immune (group 1) and immune (group 2) sows at the age of 3 weeks were subdivided as follows: a half of each group of piglets was exposed to a low-dose infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) strain 9. At the age of 8 weeks, all four groups of piglets were challenged with a high infection dose of APP of the same strain. Isotype characterization of the specific antibodies in sera and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) to a lipopolysaccharide was carried out, besides monitoring clinical signs and post-mortem examinations. A typical primary immune response was observed in specific antibody-free piglets infected with a challenge infection. Colostrum-derived immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies persisted in sera and BALF of piglets up to the age of 8 weeks. However, they did not prevent induction of specific-primary antibody response, either in 8 or 4 weeks of age, when levels of specific colostrum-derived antibodies were still high. It was demonstrated by the increase of specific IgM antibodies in sera. The infection induced an increase in the levels of IgA antibodies in BALF regardless the severity of infection and presence of specific colostrum-derived antibodies. The specific antibodies of IgG isotype increased only in BALF from piglets without colostrum-derived antibodies.

Experimental Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection in piglets with different types and levels of specific protection: immunophenotypic analysis of lymphocyte subsets in the circulation and respiratory mucosal lymphoid tissue.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) infection in piglets results in severe and fatal fibrinous hemorrhagic necrotizing pneumoniae. The aim of our study was to analyze changes in lymphocyte subset distribution in peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and tracheobronchal lymph nodes (TLN) in non-immune piglets upon a challenge with a high dose of APP and to compare the quality of such changes in unprotected piglets with counterparts exhibiting specific immunity mediated by high titers of colostrum-derived APP-specific antibodies and/or a low dose APP infection in the early postnatal period. Challenge with APP resulted in a massive increase in CD8-negative gammadelta T-cells in parallel with a reduction in numbers of CD3-CD8low cells in BALF independent of the type and level of immunity and this seems to be a general phenomenon associated with experimental infection. An increase in B-lymphocyte numbers in TLN was another characteristic feature accompanying APP infection in all experimental groups. In piglets with colostrum-derived APP-specific antibodies, this was associated with higher relative numbers of IgM+CD2+ lymphocytes in TLN, while B-cells with the CD2- surface phenotype apparently expanded in the absence of passive humoral immunity.