Molecular characterisation of ‘strangles’ outbreaks in the UK: the use of M-protein typing of Streptococcus equi ssp. equi.
Abstract: Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed and important infectious disease of horses worldwide. Very little is known about the temporo-spatial and molecular epidemiology of strangles. The disease is not notifiable in the UK and there are few published data on the geographical locations of outbreaks. Objective: To investigate whether typing of a surface protein (SeM) of Streptococcus equi ssp. equi (S. equi), the causative agent of strangles, is a useful epidemiological tool. Methods: The variable region of the SeM gene was amplified from 145 isolates of S. equi by PCR and sequenced. Different SeM gene alleles were assigned based on the SeM database, grouped into phylogenetic clusters using split decomposition analysis and plotted against the submitting veterinary practices. Results: In this study 21 S. equi SeM alleles were found, including 9 previously unidentified alleles and representing 4 phylogenetic groups. S. equi containing SeM alleles 9 and 7 were the most commonly isolated and there was a high number of low frequency alleles. The occurrence of an outbreak cluster in the north-west of the UK is also reported. Conclusions: Strangles outbreaks can be differentiated on the basis of their SeM allele sequences. The data provide further evidence of SeM mutation leading to the emergence of novel, but related SeM alleles that are geographically linked. Sequencing of the SeM gene is a useful tool for the elucidation of strangles epidemiology at a regional and a national level. Conclusions: This technique may allow differentiation or linkage of strangles outbreaks and as such may be an effective tool for local as well as national and international disease surveillance.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2010-08-26 PubMed ID: 21492215DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00177.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article is about a study that investigates the molecular details of ‘strangles’, an infectious disease in horses, using the typing of M-protein in UK outbreaks. The findings provide useful understanding for the regional, national and international epidemiology of the disease.
Objective and Methodology
- In this research, scientists aimed to understand if typing (classification) of a surface protein, called Streptococcus equi (S. equi), is a beneficial tool in understanding the epidemiology of strangles.
- To accomplish this, the variable region of the SeM gene was enlarged from 145 isolates of S. equi using a method called ‘PCR’ (Polymerase chain reaction), and then sequenced.
- The SeM gene alleles were designated based on data available in the SeM database. They were then grouped into phylogenetic clusters and plotted against the submitting veterinary practices.
Results and Findings
- In the course of the research, 21 variations of SeM alleles were discovered. Among these, nine were previously unidentified.
- The most commonly isolated types were S. equi SeM allele 9 and 7.
- There was also a high number of occurrences of ill-defined, low-frequency alleles.
- Interestingly, the occurrence of a unique cluster in the north-west of the UK was evident from the research.
Conclusion and Implications
- The study concluded that strangles outbreaks in horses can be differentiated on the basis of their SeM allele sequences.
- This differentiation gives further evidence of SeM gene mutation leading to the emergence of geographically linked, novel SeM alleles.
- The technological approach of sequencing the SeM gene proves to be an effective tool for understanding strangles epidemiology at a regional, a national level, and possibly an international level.
- In summary, the process may provide a way to differentiate or create links among strangles outbreaks. This suggests its potential application in disease surveillance, not just regionally but nationally and globally as well.
Cite This Article
APA
Ivens PA, Matthews D, Webb K, Newton JR, Steward K, Waller AS, Robinson C, Slater JD.
(2010).
Molecular characterisation of ‘strangles’ outbreaks in the UK: the use of M-protein typing of Streptococcus equi ssp. equi.
Equine Vet J, 43(3), 359-364.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00177.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Referral Hospital, The Royal Veterinary College, UK. philip@nixonequinevets.co.uk
MeSH Terms
- Alleles
- Animals
- Bacterial Proteins / genetics
- Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Phylogeny
- Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
- Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
- Streptococcus equi / genetics
- United Kingdom / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Rotinsulu DA, Ewers C, Kerner K, Amrozi A, Soejoedono RD, Semmler T, Bauerfeind R. Molecular Features and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Streptococcus equi ssp. equi Isolates from Strangles Cases in Indonesia. Vet Sci 2023 Jan 10;10(1).
- Mitchell C, Steward KF, Charbonneau ARL, Walsh S, Wilson H, Timoney JF, Wernery U, Joseph M, Craig D, van Maanen K, Hoogkamer-van Gennep A, Leon A, Witkowski L, Rzewuska M, Stefańska I, Żychska M, van Loon G, Cursons R, Patty O, Acke E, Gilkerson JR, El-Hage C, Allen J, Bannai H, Kinoshita Y, Niwa H, Becú T, Pringle J, Guss B, Böse R, Abbott Y, Katz L, Leggett B, Buckley TC, Blum SE, Cruz López F, Fernández Ros A, Marotti Campi MC, Preziuso S, Robinson C, Newton JR, Schofield E, Brooke B, Boursnell M, de Brauwere N, Kirton R, Barton CK, Abudahab K, Taylor B, Yeats CA, Goater R, Aanensen DM, Harris SR, Parkhill J, Holden MTG, Waller AS. Globetrotting strangles: the unbridled national and international transmission of Streptococcus equi between horses. Microb Genom 2021 Mar;7(3).
- Kasuya K, Tanaka N, Oshima F, Fujisawa N, Saito M, Tagami K, Niwa H, Sasai K. Genetic analysis of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi isolated from horses imported into Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2019 Jun 28;81(6):924-927.
- Tirosh-Levy S, Blum SE, Steward KF, Waller AS, Steinman A. Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in horses in Israel: seroprevalence and strain types. Vet Rec Open 2016;3(1):e000187.
- Javed R, Taku AK, Gangil R, Sharma RK. Molecular characterization of virulence genes of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in equines. Vet World 2016 Aug;9(8):875-81.
- Moloney E, Kavanagh KS, Buckley TC, Cooney JC. Lineages of Streptococcus equi ssp. equi in the Irish equine industry. Ir Vet J 2013;66(1):10.
- Abdul-Latif SAK, Yousif AA. Molecular study of Streptococcus equi isolated from horses with strangles in Iraq. Open Vet J 2025 Feb;15(2):731-737.
- Bekele D, Dessalegn B, Tadesse B, Abey SL. Streptococcus equi subspecies equi from strangles suspected equines: molecular detection, antibiogram profiles and risk factors. BMC Vet Res 2024 Aug 23;20(1):377.
- Soliman R, Yousef M, Gelil SA, Aboul-Ella H. Development of novel Streptococcus equi vaccines with an assessment of their immunizing potentials and protective efficacies. BMC Vet Res 2024 May 3;20(1):173.
- Moghaddam S, Lotfollahzadeh S, Salehi TZ, Hassanpour A, Manesh HT, Tamai IA. Molecular and sequencing study and identification of novel SeM-type in beta-hemolytic streptococci involving the upper respiratory tract in Iran. BMC Vet Res 2023 Oct 17;19(1):210.
- Thomas BA, Saylor RK, Taylor ZP, Rhodes DVL. Evaluating Trends in Strangles Outbreaks Using Temperature and Precipitation Data in the United States of America for 2018-2022. Pathogens 2023 Aug 29;12(9).
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