Molecular typing of VapA-positive Rhodococcus equi isolates from Jeju native horses, Korea.
Abstract: We recently demonstrated the presence of virulence-associated protein antigen (VapA)-positive Rhodococcus equi in Jeju Island, Korea. These bacteria contained one of two distinct plasmid types, a 90-kb type II plasmid, which has been found in isolates from the native Kiso horses of Japan, and a new variant, a 90-kb type V plasmid. However, the genotypic characters of the VapA-positive R. equi from Jeju native horses and their environments are poorly understood. Ninety-eight isolates from soil samples and 89 isolates from fecal samples were collected from five farms that breed or have bred Jeju native horses, and were tested for the presence of VapA by immunoblotting and PCR. Of the 98 soil isolates and 89 fecal isolates, seven and 13 were VapA-positive R. equi, respectively. In 2003, two Jeju foals died suddenly and were brought to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University, for postmortem examination. Pure cultures of R. equi were isolated from the lung lesions of both foals. Of the 16 clinical isolates, 14 were VapA-positive R. equi. Of the 34 VapA-positive clinical and environmental isolates, 16 contained the 90-kb type II plasmid and 18 contained a 90-kb type V plasmid. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of the VapA-positive isolates from Jeju horses and Kiso horses, containing the 90-kb type II plasmid, were compared and formed two distinct groups. Furthermore, 18 virulent isolates containing the 90-kb type V plasmid formed two distinct PFGE groups (of 16 and two isolates). These results demonstrate that two virulence plasmid types are widespread in R. equi in Jeju native horses. However, there is little diversity in the PFGE patterns of virulent isolates, suggesting the clonal spread of virulent R. equi. The PFGE pattern of the virulent R. equi isolates from Jeju native horses in Korea is not identical to those of Kiso native horses in Japan.
Publication Date: 2006-04-07 PubMed ID: 16598168DOI: 10.1292/jvms.68.249Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The article discusses a study conducted to identify different strains of a dangerous bacterium, Rhodococcus equi, present on Jeju Island, Korea. The researchers found two different strains in the bacteria, and their findings shed light on how the bacteria spread and diversify in native horses.
Study Objective
- The purpose of the study was to determine the genetic characteristics of Rhodococcus equi bacteria found in global horses and the environment on Jeju Island. The bacteria contains a virulence-associated protein antigen known as VapA. Two distinct plasmid types – 90-kb type II plasmid and a new variant, 90-kb type V plasmid, had been identified in previous studies but the specific type in the Jeju horses remained unknown.
Methods
- The researchers collected a total of 98 soil samples and 89 fecal samples from five different farms that bred Jeju native horses.
- The samples were tested for the presence of VapA-positive R. equi via immunoblotting and PCR tests.
- In addition, tissue cultures from the lung lesions of two foals who had died suddenly were also examined for the presence of the bacterium.
Results
- Out of 98 soil and 89 fecal samples, seven and 13 proved to be VapA-positive R. equi, respectively.
- Additionally, of the 16 clinical isolates from the dead foals, 14 were VapA-positive R. equi.
- Upon further examination of the 34 VapA-positive clinical and environmental isolates, it was determined that 16 had the 90-kb type II plasmid and 18 had the new variant, 90-kb V type plasmid.
- A comparison of these isolates with those from the native Kiso horses of Japan was made using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns.
- Results showed two distinct PFGE groups, suggesting that the strains of the bacteria found in the Jeju horses are not identical to those found in Japan.
Conclusions
- This study concludes that two distinct virulence plasmid types of VapA-positive Rhodococcus equi bacteria are widespread in the native horses of Jeju Island.
- The study also suggested a limited diversity in the PFGE patterns of virulent isolates, indicating a clonal spread of the bacterium. This could potentially be crucial in understanding how this bacteria spreads and evolves.
Cite This Article
APA
Son WG, Lee DS, Yamatoda N, Hatori F, Shimizu N, Kakuda T, Sasaki Y, Tsubaki S, Takai S.
(2006).
Molecular typing of VapA-positive Rhodococcus equi isolates from Jeju native horses, Korea.
J Vet Med Sci, 68(3), 249-253.
https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.68.249 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
MeSH Terms
- Actinomycetales Infections / epidemiology
- Actinomycetales Infections / microbiology
- Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
- Animals
- DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial / genetics
- Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / veterinary
- Feces / microbiology
- Genetic Variation
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Immunoblotting / veterinary
- Korea / epidemiology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Rhodococcus equi / genetics
- Rhodococcus equi / growth & development
- Rhodococcus equi / pathogenicity
- Soil Microbiology
- Virulence Factors / genetics
- Virulence Factors / isolation & purification
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Kalinowski M, Grądzki Z, Jarosz Ł, Adaszek Ł. Molecular analysis of the chromosomal 16S rRNA gene and vapA plasmid gene of Polish field strains of R. equi.. PLoS One 2018;13(9):e0204024.
- Witkowski L, Rzewuska M, Takai S, Chrobak-Chmiel D, Kizerwetter-Świda M, Feret M, Gawryś M, Witkowski M, Kita J. Molecular characterization of Rhodococcus equi isolates from horses in Poland: pVapA characteristics and plasmid new variant, 85-kb type V.. BMC Vet Res 2017 Jan 26;13(1):35.
- Kalinowski M, Grądzki Z, Jarosz Ł, Kato K, Hieda Y, Kakuda T, Takai S. Plasmid Profiles of Virulent Rhodococcus equi Strains Isolated from Infected Foals in Poland.. PLoS One 2016;11(4):e0152887.
- Witkowski L, Rzewuska M, Cisek AA, Chrobak-Chmiel D, Kizerwetter-Świda M, Czopowicz M, Welz M, Kita J. Prevalence and genetic diversity of Rhodococcus equi in wild boars (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Poland.. BMC Microbiol 2015 May 22;15:110.
- Tharavichitkul P, Wongsawan K, Takenami N, Pruksakorn S, Fongcom A, Gottschalk M, Khanthawa B, Supajatura V, Takai S. Correlation between PFGE Groups and mrp/epf/sly Genotypes of Human Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 in Northern Thailand.. J Pathog 2014;2014:350416.
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