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M Jacques

Publications and source records attributed to M Jacques.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Compositions of maple sap microflora and collection system biofilms evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

The bacterial microflora of maple sap and biofilms in collection system tubing were studied through the use of bacterial counts, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of surfaces and the analysis of 16S rRNA gene by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Samples were taken at five times during the 2002 and 2003 seasons in order to follow the changes in the microflora of this complex ecosystem. Bacterial counts showed the growth of bacterial populations as the season advanced. These populations were mainly composed of psychrotrophic bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. SEM results confirmed the suspected presence of biofilms on the inner surfaces of tubing samples. Bacterial colonization and biofilm formation progressively increased during the season for both lateral and main line surfaces, and biofilms were mainly composed of rod shape bacteria. The bacterial microflora profiles obtained for sap and corresponding biofilm by DGGE showed up to 12 major bands. The Shannon-Weaver index of diversity (H) calculated from DGGE bands were statistically higher for sap samples compared to biofilm. The diversity index was relatively stable or increasing for lateral line sap and biofilm samples during the season while the diversity index for sap and biofilm samples of the main line showed a decreasing profile as the season progressed. Sequence analysis of major DGGE bands revealed the predominance of bacteria from the genera Pseudomonas, Rahnella and another, unidentified genus. The results describe the composition of sap collection system microflora as well as the formation of biofilms and will be useful for further studies on factors affecting maple product quality.

Acer↗

Biofilm formation and biocides sensitivity of Pseudomonas marginalis isolated from a maple sap collection system.

The susceptibility of planktonic and biofilm cells of Pseudomonas marginalis toward four commonly used biocides at different temperatures (15 and 30 degrees C) and biofilm growth times (24 and 48 h) was assessed. Using the MBEC biofilm device, biofilm production in maple sap was shown to be highly reproducible for each set of conditions tested. Biofilm formation was influenced by growth temperature and time. A temperature of 15 degrees C and incubation time of 24 h yielded fewer CFU per peg and showed fewer adhered cells and typical biofilm structures, based on scanning electron microscopy observations as compared with other conditions. Minimal biofilm eradication concentration values for P. marginalis were significantly greater (P. < 0.001) than were MBCs for planktonic cells and for every biocide tested, with the exception of minimal biofilm eradication concentration values for peracetic acid at 15 degrees C and 24 h. Sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid sanitizers were able to eliminate P. marginalis biofilms at lower concentrations as compared with hydrogen peroxide- and quaternary ammonium-based sanitizers (P < 0.001). According to the results obtained, sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid sanitizers would be more appropriate for maple sap collection system sanitation.

Acer↗

Identification of the bacterial community of maple sap by using amplified ribosomal DNA (rDNA) restriction analysis and rDNA sequencing.

The bacterial community of maple sap was characterized by analysis of samples obtained at the taphole of maple trees for the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Among the 190 bacterial isolates, 32 groups were formed according to the similarity of the banding patterns obtained by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). A subset of representative isolates for each ARDRA group was identified by 16S rRNA gene fragment sequencing. Results showed a wide variety of organisms, with 22 different genera encountered. Pseudomonas and Ralstonia, of the gamma- and beta-Proteobacteria, respectively, were the most frequently encountered genera. Gram-positive bacteria were also observed, and Staphylococcus, Plantibacter, and Bacillus were the most highly represented genera. The sampling period corresponding to 50% of the cumulative sap flow percentage presented the greatest bacterial diversity according to its Shannon diversity index value (1.1). gamma-Proteobacteria were found to be dominant almost from the beginning of the season to the end. These results are providing interesting insights on maple sap microflora that will be useful for further investigation related to microbial contamination and quality of maple products and also for guiding new strategies on taphole contamination control.

Acer↗

Isolation and characterization of a capsule-deficient mutant of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1.

The capsular polysaccharides (CPS) play a major role in pathogenicity of Actinobacillus pleuroIpneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia. The purpose of the present study was to isolate a mutant in CPS biosynthesis by using a mini-Tn 10 transposon mutagenesis system and evaluate its adherence to host cells. One mutant apparently did not possess CPS as it did not react with a monoclonal antibody against A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 capsular antigen. Absence of capsule was confirmed by flow cytometry and also by transmission electron microscopy after polycationic ferritin labelling. The site of insertion of the mini-Tn 10 was determined and found to be in the cpxC gene. Its gene product, CpxC, is a protein involved in polysaccharide transport across the cytoplasmic membrane during CPS biosynthesis. Use of piglet tracheal frozen sections indicated that the CPS mutant adhered significantly (P=0.0001) more than the parent strain. The non-capsular mutant was less virulent in pigs compared to the parent strain and showed no mortality in experimentally infected pigs. The CPS mutant was however resistant to pig serum. This CPS mutant is the first A. pleuropneumoniae mutant in a CPS transport gene. It is also the first time that adherence of a CPS mutant of A. pleuropneumoniae is evaluated. Our observations indicate that capsular polysaccharides of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 are not involved in adherence to piglet tracheal frozen sections but rather mask, at least in part, the adhesive functions.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae surface polysaccharides: their role in diagnosis and immunogenicity.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is an important pig pathogen that is responsible for swine pleuropneumonia, a highly contagious respiratory infection. Knowledge of the importance, composition and structural determination of the major antigens involved in virulence provides crucial information that could lead to the development of a rationale for the production of specific serodiagnostic tools as well as vaccine development. Thus, efforts have been devoted to study mainly A. pleuropneumoniae virulence determinants with special emphasis on the Apx toxins (for A. pleuropneumoniae RTX toxins). In comparison, little attention has been given to the surface polysaccharides, which include capsular polysaccharides (CPS) and cell-wall lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Here, we review current knowledge on CPS and LPS of A. pleuropneumoniae used as diagnostic tools to monitor the infection and as immunogens for inclusion in vaccine preparations for animal protection.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

Evaluation of the hemoglobin-binding activity of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae using fluorescein-labeled pig hemoglobin and flow cytometry.

In the present study, the hemoglobin (Hb)-binding activity of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was examined using fluorescein-labeled pig Hb and flow cytometry. Comparison of the Hb-binding activity of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 strain 4074 grown under iron-restricted conditions with cells grown under iron-sufficient conditions indicated that iron-restriction in A. pleuropneumoniae promotes the expression of Hb receptors, and that Hb-binding activity is, at least in part, iron-repressible. Hb-binding activity was also observed in representative strains of A. pleuropneumoniae belonging to serotypes 1 and 2. In addition, A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 LPS or capsule isogenic mutants were tested in flow cytometry in order to understand the influence of surface polysaccharides on Hb-binding activity. Experiments with an acapsulated mutant indicated that surface molecules with Hb-binding activity are more exposed at the cell surface in the absence of capsular polysaccharides. However, the Hb-binding activity of LPS mutants analyzed in this study was unchanged compared to the parent strain. The outer membrane proteins profile of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 grown under iron-restricted or iron-sufficient conditions was also evaluated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Iron-regulated outer membrane proteins were observed under iron-restricted growth conditions which suggests that one or more of these outer membrane proteins may play a role in the Hb-binding activity detected by flow cytometry.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

Inhibition of adherence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae to porcine respiratory tract cells by monoclonal antibodies directed against LPS and partial characterization of the LPS receptors.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of porcine fibrinohemorrhagic necrotizing pleuropneumonia. We have previously identified the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as the major adhesin of A. pleuropneumoniae involved in adherence to porcine respiratory tract cells. In the present study, adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae to porcine tracheal frozen sections was inhibited by homologous monovalent Fab fragments produced from monoclonal antibodies 5.1 G8F10 and 102-G02 directed, respectively, against the A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 or serotype 2 O-antigens. These results confirm the important role played by LPS in adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae and suggest that these adhesins might represent good vaccine candidates. We also investigated the presence of A. pleuropneumoniae receptors in tracheal cell preparations from piglets of four different breeds. Using Far-Western binding assays, we identified proteins recognized by whole cells of A. pleuropneumoniae reference strains for serotype 1 and 2, and local isolates belonging to the same serotypes, and also recognized by extracted LPS from both reference strains. We confirmed the proteinaceous nature of these LPS-binding molecules by their staining with Coomassie brilliant blue, sensitivity to proteinase K digestion, resistance to sodium m-periodate oxidation, and their inability to stain with glycoprotein-specific reagents. Four low-molecular-mass bands (14-17 kDa) seemed to correspond to histones. We also identified proteins at Mr 38,500 that could represent putative receptors for A. pleuropneumoniae LPS in swine respiratory tract cells.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae↗

Postantibiotic and physiological effects of tilmicosin, tylosin, and apramycin at subminimal and suprainhibitory concentrations on some swine and bovine respiratory tract pathogens.

The antimicrobial activity of tilmicosin, tylosin, and apramycin on some important gram-negative swine and bovine pathogens namely, Pasteurella multocida, Pasteurella haemolytica, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae were studied in vitro. The effect of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and sub-MICs (1/4, 1/2 MIC) on bacterial growth was evaluated. The presence of tilmicosin, tylosin and apramycin in the medium decreased the rate of growth of the bacterial strains tested using drug concentrations as low as 1/4 MIC. The postantibiotic effect (PAE) which is the suppression of optimal bacterial growth that persists after a short exposure (2 h) of microorganisms to an antibiotic was studied by exposure of bacteria to drugs at 1/4, 1/2, 1, 4 and 8 times MIC. The duration of PAEs increased with rising concentration for all drugs tested but at concentrations below the MIC, tilmicosin showed more significant PAEs than tylosin or apramycin against P. multocida and A. pleuropneumoniae. Tilmicosin and tylosin caused PAEs of up to 8 h when used at 8 times the MIC, while apramycin caused PAEs of up to 5 h when used at this concentration. Sub-MICs of either tilmicosin, tylosin, or apramycin had no effect on P. multocida dermonecrotic toxin production. However sub-MICs of tylosin, or apramycin significantly reduced the haemolytic activity of A. pleuropneumoniae and affected the capsular material production of this isolate and of one isolate of P. multocida (type A). The in vitro effect of tilmicosin, tylosin, and apramycin (even when used at sub-MIC levels) on growth, production of capsular material, and haemolytic activity might impair the virulence of some of the microorganisms studied. In addition to the effects of these drugs on some putative virulence factors, we suggest that the strong PAEs caused by tilmicosin, tylosin, and apramycin may also contribute to the in vivo efficacy of these drugs.

Animals↗

Binding of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae lipopolysaccharides to glycosphingolipids evaluated by thin-layer chromatography.

The binding profile of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1 and 2 to various glycosphingolipids was evaluated by using thin-layer chromatogram overlay. A. pleuropneumoniae whole cells recognized glucosylceramide (Glcbeta1Cer), galactosylceramide (Galbeta1Cer) with hydroxy and nonhydroxy fatty acids, sulfatide (SO(3)-3Galbeta1Cer), lactosylceramide (Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1Cer), gangliotriaosylceramide GgO3 (GalNAcbeta1-4Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1Cer), and gangliotetraosylceramide GgO4 (Galbeta1-3GalNAcbeta1-4Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1Cer) glycosphingolipids. We observed no binding to globoseries, globotriaosylceramide Gb3, globoside Gb4, or Forssman Gb5 glycosphingolipids or to gangliosides GM1, GM2, GM3, GD1a, GD1b, GD3, and GT1b. The A. pleuropneumoniae strains tested also failed to detect phosphatidylethanolamine or ceramide. Interestingly, extracted lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of serotype 1 and serotype 2 as well as detoxified LPS of serotype 1 showed binding patterns similar to that of whole bacterial cells. Binding to GlcCer, GalCer, sulfatide, and LacCer, but not to GgO3 and GgO4 glycosphingolipids, was inhibited after incubation of the bacteria with monoclonal antibodies against LPS O antigen. These findings indicate the involvement of LPS in recognition of three groups of glycosphingolipids: (i) GlcCer and LacCer, where glucose is probably an important saccharide sequence required for LPS binding; (ii) GalCer and sulfatide glycosphingolipids, where the sulfate group is part of the binding epitope of the isoreceptor; and (iii) GgO3 and GgO4, where GalNacbeta1-4Gal disaccharide represents the minimal common binding epitope. Taken together, our results indicate that A. pleuropneumoniae LPS recognize various saccharide sequences found in different glycosphingolipids, which probably represents a strong virulence attribute.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae↗

Characterization of a periplasmic ATP-binding cassette iron import system of Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae.

The nucleotide sequence of the pathogenic spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae bit (for "Brachyspira iron transport") genomic region has been determined. The bit region is likely to encode an iron ATP-binding cassette transport system with some homology to those encountered in gram-negative bacteria. Six open reading frames oriented in the same direction and physically linked have been identified. This system possesses a protein containing ATP-binding motifs (BitD), two hydrophobic cytoplasmic membrane permeases (BitE and BitF), and at least three lipoproteins (BitA, BitB, and BitC) with homology to iron periplasmic binding proteins. These periplasmic binding proteins exhibit lipoprotein features. They are labeled by [(3)H]palmitate when tested in recombinant Escherichia coli, and their signal peptides are typical for substrates of the type II secretory peptidase. The FURTA system and Congo red assay indicate that BitB and BitC are involved in iron binding. The Bit system is detected only in B. hyodysenteriae and is absent from B. innocens and B. pilosicoli.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Isolation and characterization of mini-Tn10 lipopolysaccharide mutants of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has previously been identified as the major adhesin of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae involved in adherence to porcine respiratory tract cells. The purpose of the present study was to isolate and characterize mutants in LPS biosynthesis by using a mini-Tn10 transposon mutagenesis system. Seven mutants appeared to possess a rough LPS (among which two had similar Southern blot profiles) while one mutant (#5.1) expressed the high-molecular-mass LPS, but as visualized by Tricine SDS-PAGE, showed an additional band in the core-lipid A region. The LPS mutants showed sensitivity to pig serum to various degrees, while the parent strain was serum-resistant. Use of piglet frozen tracheal sections indicated that, surprisingly, the rough LPS mutants adhered similarly or in greater numbers than the parent strain. However, the LPS mutant #5.1 adhered significantly less than the parent strain and was also less virulent in pigs. The gene affected by mini-Tn10 in LPS mutant #5.1 is galU, the structural gene for UTP-alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, involved in LPS core biosynthesis. Complementation analysis confirmed that the phenotypic characteristics of LPS mutant #5.1 are the result of the inactivation of the galU gene. Our data suggest that although the presence of O-antigen does not seem to be essential, an intact core-lipid A region might be required for adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae to porcine respiratory tract cells. To the best of our knowledge, these mutants represent the first isogenic mutants of A. pleuropneumoniae defective in LPS biosynthetic genes.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

Adhesin-receptor interactions in Pasteurellaceae.

The ability of bacteria to adhere to mucosal epithelium is dependent on the expression of adhesive molecules or structures, called adhesins, that allow attachment of the organisms to complementary molecules on mucosal surfaces, the receptors. Important human and animal pathogens are found among the Pasteurellaceae family which includes Haemophilus, Actinobacillus, and Pasteurella organisms. The purpose of this paper is to review the adhesin-receptor systems found in Pasteurellaceae, with an emphasis on recent developments in this specific area. Most of these organisms can employ multiple molecular mechanisms of adherence (or multiple adhesins) to initiate infection. Indeed, a wide variety of adhesins are expressed by members of the Pasteurellaceae, and different proteins (e.g. fimbriae, fibrils, outer membrane proteins) as well as polysaccharides (lipooligosaccharides, lipopolysaccharides, capsular polysaccharides) were clearly shown to play an important role in adherence. In many instances, these adhesins have proved to represent good vaccine candidates. Surprisingly, the receptors on host mucosal surfaces have yet been identified in very few cases.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Immunochemical characterization of an IgG-binding protein of Streptococcus suis.

Several bacterial species express surface proteins with affinity for the constant region (Fc) of immunoglobulin (Ig) of different animal species. Previous studies from our group have reported the presence of an IgG-binding protein in various serotypes of Streptococcus suis. This molecule was also shown to bind in a non-immune fashion chicken IgY and to our knowledge this characteristic is unique. In the present study, by dot-blotting, we showed that the native protein, obtained by affinity chromatography, reacted more strongly with IgG from various animal species than the denatured material. Using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the affinity of the native 60-kDa protein (previously identified as a 52-kDa protein) towards IgG of various animal species was compared to pig IgG. Bovine, goat and human IgG were able to compete effectively with pig IgG whereas chicken IgY constituted a poor competitor. Peptide mapping analysis using denatured protein indicated that pig and bovine IgG recognized the same proteolytic fragment whereas chicken IgY did not. The smallest proteolytic fragment that retained the binding activity towards the IgG of the different animal species tested had a molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa. Fragments with Mr < 40 kDa showed specific binding activities. That is, the smallest fragment binding pig and bovine IgG had a Mr of 30 kDa whereas for goat and human IgG a fragment of less than 16 kDa still showed binding activity. Finally, we observed that antisera raised against a heat-shock protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa reacted with the 60-kDa S. suis protein indicating that the S. suis 60-kDa protein is a member of the 60-kDa hsp family that possesses the characteristic of binding in a non-immune way mammalian IgG and chicken IgY.

Animals↗

Cloning and characterization of a dextranase gene (dexS) from Streptococcus suis.

A gene (dexS) coding for a Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 dextranase (DexS) was detected in a recombinant gene library constructed in phage lambda ZapII, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Sequence comparison showed that the dexS gene product had significant similarities with enzymes which hydrolyze glucose polymers. Moreover, conserved amino acids that are suggested to be part of the active site of the glucosidases are also found in DexS. The dexS gene, adjacent to the gene encoding a S. suis IgG-binding protein, encoded a protein of approximately 62 kDa which exhibited DexS activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Description of an albumin binding activity for Streptococcus suis serotype 2.

This study was undertaken to investigate the binding activity of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 to albumin. Using flow cytometry we observed a binding activity of S. suis to albumin for virulent as well as for avirulent isolates. Western immunoblots analysis revealed that a 39-kDa S. suis protein was responsible, at least in part, for this binding activity. This protein showed high N-terminal homology (95.6% for the first 23 residues) with a group A Streptococcus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, the addition of albumin to the culture broth resulted in an increase in the virulence of S. suis strains in mice. These results suggest that an interaction with albumin could play a role in the pathogenesis of S. suis serotype 2 infections.

Albumins↗

Mutations in the f165(1)A and f165(1)E fimbrial genes and regulation of their expression in an Escherichia coli strain causing septicemia in pigs.

Transposon (TnphoA) mutagenesis was used to study the expression of F165(1) fimbriae, related to Prs fimbriae, in the pathogenic Escherichia coli strain 5131 (O115:K "V165":F165). This strain causes septicemia in swine and also expresses F165(2) fimbriae, related to F1C. Adhesin-defective mutants from the wild-type pathogenic strain were produced and TnphoA insertions were localized either in the f165(1)A gene, which encodes the major fimbrial subunit or in the f165(1)E, gene, which encodes a minor fimbrial subunit. TnphoA gene fusions were used to measure expression of F165(1) fimbrial genes. Similar pattern of regulation of expression was observed in both f165(1)A and f165(1)E genes. Optimal expression of F165(1) fimbriae was obtained on solid minimal medium. Production of F165(1) fimbriae was negatively regulated by addition of glucose, leucine or alanine to the media, by growth at 18 degrees C, and by pH above or below 7.0.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of LPS mutants of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1.

The major adhesin of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, has been previously identified as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The purpose of the present study was to isolate and characterize A. pleuropneumoniae LPS mutants. Screening of LPS mutants was performed with colony dot and sensitivity to novobiocin. One mutant obtained by colony dot (F19) and one mutant selected for its increased sensitivity to novobiocin (33.1) did not react with a monoclonal antibody against A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 O-antigen compared with the parent strain. Mutants F19 and 33.1 did not express high-molecular-mass LPS bands as determined in silver-stained SDS-PAGE gels. The core-lipid A region of mutant 33.1 and of the parent strain had similar relative mobilities and reacted with serum from a pig experimentally infected with the serotype 1 reference strain of A. pleuropneumoniae, while the same region in mutant F19 showed faster migration and did not react with this serum. Use of piglet tracheal frozen sections indicated that mutant F19 was able to adhere to piglet trachea as well as the parent strain, while mutant 33.1 adhered [half as much as] the parent strain. Finally, both LPS mutants were markedly less virulent in mice than the parent strain. Taken together, our observations support the idea that LPS is an important virulence factor of A. pleuropneumoniae.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae↗

Evaluation of protective efficacy of an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 lipopolysaccharide-protein conjugate in mice.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia. The major adhesin of A. pleuropneumoniae has previously been identified as a lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and more recently, we demonstrated that high molecular mass LPS were involved in A. pleuropneumoniae adherence to porcine respiratory tract cells. We postulated that immunization with a LPS-based vaccine may confer a protective immunity. The high molecular mass O-polysaccharides obtained after acid hydrolysis and chromatographic separation were conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a protein carrier. Groups of mice were injected twice with the following antigen preparations: whole-cell preparation, outer membrane preparation, O-polysaccharide-BSA conjugate, hydrolyzed LPS and phenol/water extracted LPS. A combination of different adjuvants was also used during these immunization procedures to induce a stronger immunological response to the polysaccharide antigen. Two weeks after the second injection, the mice were challenged intranasally with either homologous A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 strain or a serotype 5 strain. The highest survival rate, up to 80%, compared to the control groups (P < 0.05), was recorded when the mice were injected twice with 15 micrograms of carbohydrates of O-polysaccharide-BSA conjugate mixed with the saponin-derived adjuvant Quil A. Survival rates of between 60 and 70%, twice those observed in the control groups immunized with PBS, were recorded in mice injected with the O-polysaccharide-BSA conjugate mixed with other adjuvant preparations such as alhydrogel, peanut oil and Freund's incomplete adjuvant. However, the protection induced by the conjugate antigen preparation was serotype specific, because mice challenged with a serotype 5 strain were killed. Taken together, these results confirm the important role of A. pleuropneumoniae LPS in pathogenesis.

Actinobacillus Infections↗