Phenotypical assays and partial sequencing of the hsp60 gene for identification of Streptococcus equi.
Abstract: Strangles is an acute and contagious disease characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract of horses. The etiological agent of strangles is the bacteria S. equi subsp. equi, which belongs to the Lancefield group C. Opportunistic agents from the same group are frequently isolated from horses with strangles and may induce mistaken diagnoses. Among the subspecies of S. equi, the phenotypic features are almost undistinguishable; however, the pathogenic potential is widely differentiated. The aim of this study was to characterize S. equi isolates obtained from clinical samples of strangles by phenotypic tests and to analyze the partial sequences obtained from fragments of the hsp60 gene. In this work, 26 strains of Streptococcus spp. isolated from horse clinical samples were analyzed. By phenotypical assays, 18 were characterized as S. equi subsp. equi, five as S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, two as S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, and one as Streptococcus sp. However 21 isolates were identified as S. equi subsp. equi and five as S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus by DNA sequencing. The sequencing of the partial hsp60 gene was demonstrated to be an alternative method to analyze and differentiate strains of Streptococcus spp. In addition, this method can be useful as a discriminatory tool for characterization of atypical isolates.
Publication Date: 2007-05-04 PubMed ID: 17486411DOI: 10.1007/s00284-005-0458-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article focuses on distinguishing and identifying strains of the bacterial infection in horses known as ‘Strangles’, by conducting phenotypic tests and DNA sequencing of the hsp60 gene. The study explores the discrepancies in diagnoses due to the similar characteristics of opportunistic agents within the similar group.
Background of the Study and Goals
- Known as ‘Strangles’, this acute and contagious disease characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract in horses is caused by the bacteria called S. equi subsp. equi, belonging to the Lancefield group C.
- Subspecies of S. equi, despite having similar phenotypical features, vary largely in their pathogenic potentials.
- The aim of the research was to distinguish and identify the S. equi isolates obtained from clinical samples of strangles, using both phenotypic tests and analysis of partial sequences obtained from fragments of the hsp60 gene.
Methodology and Results
- A total of 26 strains of Streptococcus spp isolated from horse clinical samples were analyzed as part of the research study.
- Phenotypical assays characterized 18 strains as S. equi subsp. equi, five as S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, two as S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, and one as Streptococcus sp.
- However, DNA sequencing indicated a different identification with 21 isolates identified as S. equi subsp. equi and five as S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus.
Conclusions and Insights
- Hence, the relative discrepancy between results from phenotypical assays and DNA sequencing highlighted the limitations of phenotype as a means of accurate diagnosis.
- In contrast, sequencing of the partial hsp60 gene was shown to be a reliable alternative method for analyzing and differentiating the strains of Streptococcus spp.
- The study concludes that this method could provide a useful tool to distinguish atypical isolates, potentially improving the accuracy of diagnoses.
Cite This Article
APA
Sá e Silva M, da Costa MM, de Avila Botton S, Barretta C, Groff AC, de Vargas AC.
(2007).
Phenotypical assays and partial sequencing of the hsp60 gene for identification of Streptococcus equi.
Curr Microbiol, 54(5), 331-334.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-005-0458-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bacterial Proteins / genetics
- Chaperonin 60 / genetics
- DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial / genetics
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phenotype
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
- Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
- Streptococcus equi / classification
- Streptococcus equi / genetics
- Streptococcus equi / isolation & purification
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This article includes 16 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Garner C, Stephen C, Pant SD, Ghorashi SA. Comparison of PCR-HRM, colorimetric LAMP and culture based diagnostic assays in the detection of endometritis caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in mares. Vet Res Commun 2023 Jun;47(2):495-509.
- 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.
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