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Systematic and applied microbiology2003; 25(4); 498-506; doi: 10.1078/07232020260517625

Allisonella histaminiformans gen. nov., sp. nov. A novel bacterium that produces histamine, utilizes histidine as its sole energy source, and could play a role in bovine and equine laminitis.

Abstract: When cattle and horses are fed large amounts of grain, histamine can accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, and this accumulation can cause an acute inflammation of the hooves (laminitis). When ruminal fluid from dairy cattle fed grain supplements was serially diluted in anaerobic MRS medium containing histidine (50 mM), histamine was detected at dilutions as high as 10(-7). The histidine enrichments were then transferred successively in an anaerobic, carbonate-based medium (50 mM histidine) without glucose. The histamine producing bacteria could not be isolated from the rumens of cattle fed hay; however, histamine producing bacteria could be isolated the feces of cattle fed grain and the cecum of a horse. All of the histamine producing isolates had the same ovoid morphology. The cells stained Gram-negative and were resistant to the ionophore, monensin (25 microM). The doubling time was 110 min, and the yield was 1.5 mg cell protein per mmol histidine. The G+C content was 46.8%. Lysine was the only other amino acid used, but lysine did not allow growth if histidine was absent. Because carbohydrate and organic acid utilization was not detected, it appeared that the isolates used histidine decarboxylation as their sole mechanism of energy derivation. 16s rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the isolates were most closely related to low G+C Gram-positive bacteria (firmicutes), but similarities were < or = 94%. Because the most closely related bacteria (Dialister pneumonsintes, Megasphaera elsdenii and Selenomonas ruminantium) did not produce histamine from histidine, we propose that these histamine producing bacteria be assigned to a new genus, Allisonella, as Allisonella histaminiformans gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is MR2 (ATCC BAA610, DSM 15230).
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Publication Date: 2003-02-14 PubMed ID: 12583709DOI: 10.1078/07232020260517625Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article explores a newly identified bacteria, Allisonella histaminiformans, that produces histamine and uses histidine as its only energy source. The bacterium is found in the gut of grain-fed cattle and horses, and its presence can lead to inflammation of the hooves, or laminitis.

Context and Purpose of The Study

  • The researchers have detected accumulation of histamine in the gastrointestinal tract of grain-fed cattle and horses, leading to acute inflammation of the hooves, also known as laminitis.
  • In response to this concern, the study was conducted to understand the nature and behavior of the bacteria that produce this histamine.

Research Methodology

  • Their approach involved testing ruminal fluid from dairy cattle fed grain supplements. Serial dilution in an anaerobic Medium Reconstitution System (MRS) medium containing histidine identified the presence of histamine at high dilutions.
  • The bacteria were then transferred successively into a carbonate-based medium with histidine, but without glucose.
  • Observations revealed that the same ovoid-shaped, histamine producing bacteria could not be isolated in cattle fed hay but could be found in cattle fed grain and in the cecum of a horse.

Observations and Findings

  • The research identified a histamine-producing bacterium, which was Gram-negative, ionophore resistant, and had a doubling time of around 110 minutes.
  • The team found that this bacterium used histidine as its only energy source, yielding 1.5mg of cell protein per millimole of histidine.
  • The bacteria showed no detectable carbohydrate and organic acid utilization, indicating that they relied solely on histidine decarboxylation for energy derivation.
  • Gene sequencing showed that these bacteria were most closely related to low G+C Gram-positive bacteria (firmicutes), with similarities of less than or equal to 94%.

Conclusion

  • Given the distinct characteristics of these histamine-producing bacteria and their dissimilarity with other related bacteria (like Dialister pneumonsintes, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Selenomonas ruminantium), the researchers proposed to classify these bacteria as a new genus, Allisonella, with the species being Allisonella histaminiformans.
  • This new understanding could be crucial in managing and preventing laminitis in grain-fed cattle and horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Garner MR, Flint JF, Russell JB. (2003). Allisonella histaminiformans gen. nov., sp. nov. A novel bacterium that produces histamine, utilizes histidine as its sole energy source, and could play a role in bovine and equine laminitis. Syst Appl Microbiol, 25(4), 498-506. https://doi.org/10.1078/07232020260517625

Publication

Systematic and applied microbiology
ISSN: 0723-2020
NlmUniqueID: 8306133
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 4
Pages: 498-506

Researcher Affiliations

Garner, Matthew R
  • Section of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Flint, Joseph F
    Russell, James B

      MeSH Terms

      • Amino Acids / metabolism
      • Animals
      • Base Composition
      • Base Sequence
      • Cattle
      • Cattle Diseases / microbiology
      • Fatty Acids / analysis
      • Fatty Acids / metabolism
      • Foot Diseases / microbiology
      • Foot Diseases / veterinary
      • Gram-Positive Bacteria / classification
      • Gram-Positive Bacteria / isolation & purification
      • Gram-Positive Bacteria / metabolism
      • Gram-Positive Bacteria / pathogenicity
      • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
      • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / pathology
      • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / veterinary
      • Histamine / biosynthesis
      • Histidine / metabolism
      • Hoof and Claw / microbiology
      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
      • Horses
      • Inflammation / microbiology
      • Inflammation / veterinary
      • Phylogeny
      • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
      • Sequence Homology

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