VapB type 8 plasmids in Rhodococcus equi isolated from the small intestine of pigs and comparison of selective culture media. (2nd August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lara, G.H.B.; Takai, S.; Sasaki, Y.; Kakuda, T.; Listoni, F.J.P.; Risseti, R.M.; de Morais, A.B.C.; Ribeiro, M.G.
• Is Part Of: Letters in applied microbiology. Volume 61:Number 3(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 310
• Publication Date: 2015-08-02
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.12458
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-8254

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="lam12458-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="lam12458-sec-1001" sec-type="section"> <p>The virulence‐plasmid profile of <italic>Rhodococcus equi</italic> strains isolated from <italic>Suidae</italic> and humans is similar. Recent evidence suggests that the consumption of pork products contaminated with faeces might be a potential source of <italic>R. equi</italic> infections in humans, mainly to patients with rhodococcosis without history of contact with pigs or pig farms. This study investigated the virulence‐associated genes (<italic>vapA</italic> and <italic>vapB</italic>) and plasmid profiles of <italic>R. equi</italic> among the 150 samples of small intestinal content obtained from slaughtered pigs. In addition, all samples were subjected to microbiological culture in conventional sheep blood agar and CAZ‐NB, TCP and TVP selective media. A total of 40 (26·7%) of the samples recovered <italic>R. equi</italic>, with two samples recovering isolates harbouring the VapB type 8 plasmid. Among the 150 pigs sampled herein, CAZ‐NB was considered the best selective medium for the isolation of <italic>R. equi</italic> from faeces. Our results provide evidence that the contamination of slaughtered pig carcasses with pathogenic <italic>R. equi</italic> might occur through faeces, representing a public health concern. Furthermore, this study is the first description of <italic>R. equi</italic> strains carrying the VapB plasmid in the gut of pigs.</p> </sec> <sec id="lam12458-sec-1002" sec-type="section"> <title>Significance and Impact of the Study</title> <p>Intermediately virulent (VapB) is a common plasmid‐type harboured by <italic>R. equi</italic> isolated from pigs and humans with AIDS. Curiously, humans with rhodococcosis usually have no history of contact with pigs or pig farms. Virulence‐plasmid profile of 40 <italic>R. equi</italic> isolated among 150 small intestine content samples from pigs revelled two carrying isolates with the VapB type‐8 plasmids. Moreover, comparison of three selective culture media shows that CAZ‐NB was the best. Our results provide evidence that contamination of slaughtered pig carcasses with pathogenic <italic>R. equi</italic> might occur through faeces, representing a public health concern. Furthermore, <italic>R. equi</italic> carrying VapB type‐8 plasmids types are described for the first time in the gut of the pig.</p> </sec> </abstract>