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Current microbiology2009; 58(4); 399-403; doi: 10.1007/s00284-009-9370-6

Molecular characterization of Rhodococcus equi from horse-breeding farms by means of multiplex PCR for the vap gene family.

Abstract: This study evaluated the molecular characteristics of Rhodococcus equi isolates obtained from horses by a multiplex PCR assay that amplifies the vap gene family (vapA, -B, -C, -D, -E, -F, -G, and -H). A total of 180 R. equi isolates were studied from four different sources, namely healthy horse feces (112), soil (12), stalls (23), and clinical isolates (33) from horse-breeding farms. The technique was performed and confirmed by sequencing of amplified vap gene family controls. Thirty-two (17.8%) of the R. equi isolates were positive for the vapA gene and carried at least three other vap genes. All 147 isolates from equine feces, stalls, and soil failed to demonstrate any genes associated with virulence-inducing proteins. About 32 (97.0%) out of the 33 clinical equine isolates tested positive for the multiplex PCR assay for the vap gene family. They demonstrated six molecular profiles: 100% featured the vapA, vapD, and vapG genes, 86.6% vapF, 76.6% vapH, 43.3% vapC, 36.6% vapE, and none vapB. The most frequent molecular profile was vap A, -D, -F, G, and -H, where this profile was present in 37.5% of the strains. Moreover, there was no molecular epidemiological pattern for R. equi isolates that uniquely mapped to each horse-breeding farm studied. Our proposed technique allows the identification of eight members of the vap gene family (vapA, B, -C, -D, -E, -F, -G, and -H). It is a practical and efficient method of conducting clinical and epidemiological studies on R. equi isolates.
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Publication Date: 2009-02-10 PubMed ID: 19205798DOI: 10.1007/s00284-009-9370-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article discusses a study that used multiplex PCR to assess the genetic characteristics of Rhodococcus equi bacteria isolated from horses and their environment. By doing so, the researchers were able to identify different profiles of virulence-associated protein (vap) genes in different isolates, without finding a unique pattern specific to each breeding farm.

Overview of Research Methods and Findings

  • The researchers used a technique called multiplex PCR, which stands for polymerase chain reaction. This technique provides a way to amplify specific sections of DNA, in this case the vap gene family in Rhodococcus equi bacteria.
  • The researchers applied this technique on 180 isolates of R. equi obtained from four different sources: healthy horse feces, soil, stalls, and clinical isolates from sick horses from horse-breeding farms.
  • To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the PCR technique, the researchers also conducted sequencing on the amplified DNA samples as a form of control.

Specific Findings Regarding the vap Gene Family

  • About 18% of the R. equi isolates carried the vapA gene along with at least three other members of the vap gene family.
  • All isolates from healthy equine feces, stalls, and soil did not show any genes associated with virulence-inducing proteins.
  • Almost all (97%) of the clinical isolates from diseased horses tested positive for the vap gene family.
  • The researchers were able to identify six different molecular profiles among these clinical isolates based on the presence of different vap genes.

Implications of the Research Findings

  • The research findings represent significant progress in identifying genetic markers of R. equi bacteria, a common cause of pneumonia in foals.
  • However, the researchers did not find a unique molecular epidemiological pattern for R. equi from each horse-breeding farm, suggesting that strain differences are not strictly farm-specific.
  • The proposed method is efficient for identifying members of the vap gene family and may be used for future clinical and epidemiological studies on R. equi isolates.

Cite This Article

APA
Monego F, Maboni F, Krewer C, Vargas A, Costa M, Loreto E. (2009). Molecular characterization of Rhodococcus equi from horse-breeding farms by means of multiplex PCR for the vap gene family. Curr Microbiol, 58(4), 399-403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-009-9370-6

Publication

Current microbiology
ISSN: 1432-0991
NlmUniqueID: 7808448
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 58
Issue: 4
Pages: 399-403

Researcher Affiliations

Monego, Fernanda
  • Medicina Veteirnaria Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. fernandamonego@hotmail.com
Maboni, Franciele
    Krewer, Cristina
      Vargas, Agueda
        Costa, Mateus
          Loreto, Elgion

            MeSH Terms

            • Actinomycetales Infections / epidemiology
            • Actinomycetales Infections / microbiology
            • Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
            • Animals
            • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
            • Brazil / epidemiology
            • Breeding
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / microbiology
            • Horses / microbiology
            • Humans
            • Manure / microbiology
            • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
            • Molecular Epidemiology
            • Multigene Family / genetics
            • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
            • Rhodococcus equi / genetics
            • Rhodococcus equi / isolation & purification
            • Rhodococcus equi / pathogenicity
            • Soil Microbiology
            • Virulence / genetics
            • Virulence Factors / genetics

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 6 times.
            1. Trevisani MM, Hanna ES, Oliveira AF, Cardoso SA, Roque-Barreira MC, Soares SG. Vaccination of Mice with Virulence-Associated Protein G (VapG) Antigen Confers Partial Protection against Rhodococcus equi Infection through Induced Humoral Immunity. Front Microbiol 2017;8:857.
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