Molecular characterization of Rhodococcus equi isolates from horses in Poland: pVapA characteristics and plasmid new variant, 85-kb type V. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Witkowski, Lucjan; Rzewuska, Magdalena; Takai, Shinji; Chrobak-Chmiel, Dorota; Kizerwetter-Świda, Magdalena; Feret, Małgorzata; Gawryś, Marta; Witkowski, Maciej; Kita, Jerzy
• Is Part Of: BMC veterinary research. Volume 13:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Rhodococcosis -- Epidemiology -- PFGE -- Horse -- Plasmid profile; Veterinary medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.0890724
• DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-0954-2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-6148

Abstract

Abstract Background Rhodococcus equi is one of the most significant bacterial pathogens affecting foals up to 6 months of age worldwide. Rhodococcosis is present in Poland however information about molecular characterization ofR. equi isolates is scarce. This study describes molecular characterization ofRhodococcus equi infection on 13 horse breeding farms in Poland between 2001 and 2012. Samples were collected by tracheobronchial aspiration from pneumonic foals or during necropsy. TheR. equi isolates were genotyped by plasmid profiling and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results Totally, 58R. equi isolates were investigated. One isolate lost its plasmid. Among the 57 VapA-positive isolates, 48 contained 85-kb type I plasmid (82.8%), 8 contained 87-kb type I plasmid (13.8%). One isolate (1.7%) had a unique restriction cleavage pattern and the 2nd fragment ofEco RI digests of this plasmid DNA was about 2600 bases smaller than that of the 85 kb type I. This new plasmid variant was designated as the "85-kb type V". Among the 58 isolates typeable withVsp I-PFGE, ten PFGE clusters were detected. The majority of foals were infected mostly with isolates of low genetic diversity. Conclusions Most of clinical isolates ofR. equi from foals in Poland contain pVapA 85-kb type I and 87-kb type I similarly to the other European countries and the United States. However, the new variant of pVapA 85-kb type V was identified. The chromosomal variability was detected among some of the investigated isolates and the presence of farm-specific isolates might be possible.