Transcriptomics of Haemophilus (Glässerella) parasuis serovar 5 subjected to culture conditions partially mimetic to natural infection for the search of new vaccine antigens

11 p.Haemophilus (Glässerella) parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer’s disease in pigs. Control of this disorder has been traditionally based on bacterins. The search for alternative vaccines has focused mainly on the study of outer membrane proteins. This study investigates the transcriptome of H. (G.) parasuis serovar 5 subjected to in vitro conditions mimicking to those existing during an infection (high temperature and iron-restriction), with the aim of detecting the overexpression of genes coding proteins exposed on bacterial surface, which could represent good targets as vaccine candidates. The transcriptomic approach identified 13 upregulated genes coding surface proteins: TbpA, TbpB, HxuA, HxuB, HxuC, FhuA, FimD, TolC, an autotransporter, a protein with immunoglobulin folding domains, another large protein with a tetratricopeptide repeat and two small proteins that did not contain any known domains. Of these, the first six genes coded proteins being related to iron extraction. Six of the proteins have already been tested as vaccine antigens in murine and/or porcine infection models and showed protection against H. (G.) parasuis. However, the remaining seven have not yet been tested and, consequently, they could become useful as putative antigens in the prevention of Glässer’s disease. Anyway, the expression of this seven novel vaccine candidates should be shown in other serovars different from serovar 5.S

Serological survey of antibodies to Toxopasma gondii in Ardabil State, Iran

No Abstrac

Mycoplasmal mastitis in dairy cows in the Moghan region of Ardabil State, Iran : short communication

Mycoplasmas are an important and economically significant cause of mastitis in dairy cows in various parts of the world. The organisms are highly contagious, with the main reservoir of infection originating from cows with subclinical mastitis. In 1998 the 1st cases of bovine mastitis due to Mycoplasma bovis were diagnosed in Ardabil State, Iran. An investigation was carried out with the aim of establishing the extent of mycoplasma infections in dairy cows in Ardabil State. Milk samples obtained from 80 cows with clinical mastitis were cultured in the laboratory for the presence of mycoplasmas. Similarly, 48 bulk-tank milk samples were examined for the presence of mycoplasmas. A modified Hayflick broth was used to isolate the mycoplasmas and an immunoperoxidase test used for the species identification of the isolates. Mycoplasma bovis was isolated from 39 (48.75 %) of the clinical mastitis samples and from 48 of the bulk-tank milk samples tested. This indicated that mycoplasma udder infections were more prevalent in dairy cows in Ardabil State than previously thought

Molecular detection, typing, and virulence potential of <i>Salmonella</i> Serotypes isolated from poultry feeds

Salmonella contamination in poultry feed is one of the main issues in poultry industry and public health. The aim of the present study was molecular detection and typing of Salmonella serotypes isolated from poultry feeds. Moreover, we determined the antibiotic resistance pattern and the ability of biofilm formation in the serotypes. To this end, eighty feed samples were collected from aviculture depots. Salmonella serotypes were identified by culture and PCR methods. For serological identification, a slide agglutination test was used. BOXAIR and rep-PCR methods were applied to evaluate the diversity of serotypes. The disc diffusion method was performed to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of serotypes to sixteen antibiotics. Biofilm formation was also assessed by the microtiter-plate test. From a total of 80 feed samples, 30 samples were contaminated with Salmonella spp., which were divided into 5 different serotypes belonging to B, C, and D serogroups. BOXAIR-PCR (D value [DI] 0.985) and rep-PCR (DI 0.991) fingerprinting of isolates revealed 23 and 19 reproducible fingerprint patterns, respectively. A higher antibiotic resistance was observed to ampicillin and doxycycline (100% each), followed by chloramphenicol (83.33%) and tetracycline (73.33%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in all Salmonella serotypes. Half of the serotypes possessed the ability of biofilm formation with varied adhesion strengths. These results revealed the high and unexpected prevalence of Salmonella serotypes in poultry feed with MDR and biofilm formation ability. BOXAIR and rep-PCR revealed a high diversity of Salmonella serotypes in feeds and subsequently indicated variation in the source of Salmonella spp. The unknown sources harboring high diversity of Salmonella serotypes indicated poor control, which could cause problems for feed manufacturing