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P Boerlin

Publications and source records attributed to P Boerlin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Acquisition of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Newport and Escherichia coli in the turkey poult intestinal tract.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Newport resistant to the extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) and other antimicrobials causes septicemic salmonellosis in humans and animals and is increasingly isolated from humans, animals, foods, and environmental sources. Mechanisms whereby serovar Newport bacteria become resistant to ESCs and other classes of antimicrobials while inhabiting the intestinal tract are not well understood. The present study shows that 25.3% of serovar Newport strains isolated from the turkey poult intestinal tract after the animals were dosed with Escherichia coli harboring a large conjugative plasmid encoding the CMY-2 beta-lactamase and other drug resistance determinants acquired the plasmid and its associated drug resistance genes. The conjugative plasmid containing the cmy-2 gene was transferred not only from the donor E. coli to Salmonella serovar Newport but also to another E. coli serotype present in the intestinal tract. Laboratory studies showed that the plasmid could be readily transferred between serovar Newport and E. coli intestinal isolates. Administration of a single dose of ceftiofur, used to prevent septicemic colibacillosis, to 1-day-old turkeys did not result in the isolation of ceftiofur-resistant E. coli or Salmonella serovar Newport. There was a remarkable association between serotype, drug resistance, and plasmid profile among the E. coli strains isolated from the poults. This study shows that Salmonella serovar Newport can become resistant to ESCs and other antibiotics by acquiring a conjugative drug resistance plasmid from E. coli in the intestines.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Brucellosis and Q-fever seroprevalences of nomadic pastoralists and their livestock in Chad.

As a part of a research-and-action partnership between public health and veterinary medicine, the relationships between the seroprevalences of brucellosis and Q-fever in humans and livestock were evaluated in three nomadic communities of Chad (Fulani cattle breeders, and Arab camel and cattle breeders). Nomad camps were visited between April 1999 and April 2000. A total of 860 human and 1637 animal sera were tested for antibodies against Brucella spp., and 368 human and 613 animal sera for Coxiella burnetii. The same indirect ELISA was used for livestock and human sera, and the test characteristics for its use on human sera were evaluated. Twenty-eight people were seropositive for brucellosis (seroprevalence 3.8%). Brucella seroprevalence was higher in cattle (7%) than other livestock, and brucellosis seropositivity was a significant factor for abortion in cattle (OR=2.8). No correlation was found between human brucellosis serostatus and camp proportions of seropositive animals. Q-fever-seropositive blood samples were taken from 11 Arab camel and 4 Arab cattle breeders (seroprevalence 1%). Being a camel breeder was associated with Q-fever seropositivity in humans (OR=9). Camels had the highest Q-fever seroprevalence (80%) among livestock species. Although there was high-risk human behaviour for the acquisition of brucellosis and Q-fever from livestock through raw-milk consumption (98%) and contact with placentas of livestock (62%), we concluded that seroprevalences in humans were relatively low (likely due to limited active foci in livestock).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Immunohistochemical localization of Clostridium perfringens beta2-toxin in the gastrointestinal tract of horses.

Clostridia-associated intestinal disease in horses was generally reported to be due to infection with Clostridium perfringens type A, which harbors the cpa-encoded alpha-toxin. A recent study demonstrated a high incidence of beta2-toxigenic C. perfringens in horses suffering or dying from typhlocolitis, suggesting that this novel type of C. perfringens might play an important role in typhlocolitis and possibly other equine intestinal diseases. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the presence of the beta2-toxin in tissues of the equine gastrointestinal tract. Monospecific polyclonal antibodies against recombinant beta2-toxin were produced in rabbits and used to demonstrate the beta2-toxin in sections of the gastrointestinal tract by immunohistochemical methods. Sections from 69 horses were stained and beta2-toxin was observed immunohistochemically in 40 animals. Sections from the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine were positive. Immunopositivity for beta2-toxin was significantly associated with presence of beta2-toxigenic bacteria. This investigation demonstrates local production of beta2-toxin and suggests that immunohistochemistry using antitoxin antibodies represents a useful diagnostic method in those cases where isolation of bacteria and polymerase chain reaction typing is not feasible. Although the association between the presence of beta2-toxin and development of gastrointestinal disease in horses remains uncertain, the findings of this study indicate that the potential causal relationship warrants further investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in patients with diarrhoea in Switzerland.

The present study was conducted between October 1996 and October 1998 to estimate the frequency of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli among outpatients with diarrhoea in Switzerland. Among 3,041 subjects studied, 16 (0.5%) verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infections were identified. Eleven cases were in infants and children </= 6 years of age. In 15 cases, a verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli strain was isolated. These strains belonged to 11 different serotypes, and only two were serogroup O157. In five cases, the infection was probably acquired outside Switzerland. Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli apparently play a minor role in the aetiology of diarrhoeal disease in adult outpatients in Switzerland, but they are important pathogens in preschool children in whom the most severe symptoms are observed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[The necrotizing enteritis by Clostridium perfringens type C in piglets: II. Molecular epidemiology study].

Investigations were performed on shedding of C. perfringens in sows from four different pig farms. In two farms where no outbreaks of necrotizing enteritis had been observed, no strains of C. perfringens producing beta-toxin were detected in the faeces of sows. In contrast, C. perfringens strains producing beta-toxin were detected in sows on both farms suffering outbreaks of acute necrotizing enteritis. Strains of C. perfringens producing beta-toxin were invariably positive for the beta 2-toxin gene. However, strains carrying the beta 2-toxin gene only (i.e. negative for beta-toxin) were present in animals on all farms with roughly similar frequencies (mean 28.2% carriers). Some sows carried C. perfringens strains of both toxin genotypes simultaneously. Whereas these data further support the role of betatoxin as a cause of necrotizing enteritis, the role of beta 2-toxin in intestinal disease of piglets remains unclear. To establish the role of faecal shedding vs. environmental contamination as reservoirs of C. perfringens type C, strains were isolated from teats and feedlot trough swabs (toxin genotype beta/beta 2), as well as from fodder (genotype beta 2). However, sows carried this pathogen intermittently and in small numbers. This renders an individual, reliable diagnosis of carrier sows very difficult. Ribotyping of 34 C. perfringens isolates of different toxin genotypes showed five distinct profiles. Different toxin genotypes can belong to the same ribotype, and the same toxin genotype can be present in different ribotypes. Thus, even if a majority (79.4%) of strains investigated in a limited geographic region belonged to ribotype 1, ribotyping offered discrimination of strains beyond toxin typing.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A Swiss case-control study to assess Neospora caninum-associated bovine abortions by PCR, histopathology and serology.

Neospora caninum is one of the most frequent infectious organisms causing abortion in cattle worldwide. The present case-control study was designed to assess the importance of bovine neosporosis for causing abortion in Swiss cattle and to identify selected risk factors. Infection was primarily diagnosed by a N. caninum-specific PCR and serology, complemented with histopathology and immunohistochemistry. A total of 113 case and 113 corresponding control-farms were studied for 1.5 year. During this time period, 242 abortions were reported and referred for bacteriological, virological, parasitological and pathohistological examinations. N. caninum was detected by PCR in the brains of 21% of all aborted fetuses. Microscopic lesions indicative for cerebral protozoa infection were detected in 84% of PCR-positive fetal brains. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) was demonstrated in 7% of the cases, and bacterial infections were detected in 4% of the abortions. One or more N. caninum-abortions occurred in 20% of the herds (41 case-farms and 3 control-farms). Serological examination of aborting mother cows revealed a significantly higher percentage of N. caninum-seropositive animals (44%) in comparison to the prevalence in a randomly selected population (12%). However, in eight cases (4% of all investigated abortions) seronegative cows aborted N. caninum PCR-positive fetuses, and in 50 cases the fetus remained negative although the respective mother cow was N. caninum-seropositive. Repetitive serological investigations (at a 3-12 months interval) of 3551 cows from case- and control-farms showed a decrease of the overall N. caninum-seroprevalence from 17 to 12%. Ninety out of 3008 seronegative animals were converted to N. caninum-seropositivity. Conversely, 212 out of 543 initially seropositive animals became seronegative for their second serum sample. The obtained data underlined the importance of N. caninum as a causative agent for abortion in Swiss cattle. Furthermore, PCR was confirmed to be a valuable diagnostic tool for the primary diagnosis of N. caninum in aborted fetuses. On the other hand, the value of serology appears to be hampered by the temporal instability of N. caninum antibody concentrations in adult cattle, including especially seronegativity of some individual animals. Thus, seronegativity in a mother cow or heifer does not exclude N. caninum-associated abortions.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2001

Transmission of opportunistic pathogens in a veterinary teaching hospital.

Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from infected surgical wounds and other types of infections in a veterinary teaching hospital were typed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. A first cluster of infections with a multiresistant A. baumannii strain was observed in dogs and cats in 1998-1999. This strain disappeared after cleaning and disinfection of the companion animals intensive care unit. It was followed in 2000 by a second multiresistant strain, which caused another cluster of infections and was also transmitted to a patient in the nearby horse clinic. Transmission of a multiresistant E. faecium strain between two cats with surgical wound infections was also observed during the same period. No multiresistant S. intermedius strain was observed during this time and transmission of this organism between patients did not seem to occur. The present study demonstrates the potential for hospital nosocomial resistance problems in veterinary medicine similar to those encountered in human medicine. The results suggest that the epidemiology of nosocomial infections with A. baumannii and E. faecium may differ from that of S. intermedius infections and that preventive measures may have to be adapted to the problem organism.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed2001

Molecular epidemiology and genetic linkage of macrolide and aminoglycoside resistance in Staphylococcus intermedius of canine origin.

A collection of 77 Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from dogs and cats in Switzerland was examined for resistance to erythromycin. Resistance profiles for 14 additional antibiotics were compared between erythromycin-resistant and susceptible isolates. A resistance prevalence of 27% for erythromycin was observed in the population under study. Complete correlation between resistance to erythromycin, and to spiramycin, streptomycin, and neomycin was observed. The erythromycin-resistant isolates all had a reduced susceptibility to clindamycin when compared to the erythromycin-susceptible isolates. Both constitutive and inducible resistance phenotypes were observed for clindamycin. Ribotyping showed that macrolide-aminoglycoside resistance was randomly distributed among unrelated strains. This suggests that this particular resistance profile is not related to a single bacterial clone but to the horizontal transfer of resistance gene clusters in S. intermedius populations. The erythromycin-resistant isolates were all carrying erm(B), but not erm(A), erm(C), or msr(A). The erm(B) gene was physically linked to Tn5405-like elements known as resistance determinants for streptomycin, streptothricin, neomycin and kanamycin. Analysis of the region flanking erm(B) showed the presence of two different groups of erm(B)-Tn5405-like elements in the S. intermedius population examined and of elements found in Gram-positive species other than staphylococci. This strongly suggests that erm(B) or the whole erm(B)-Tn5405-like elements in S. intermedius originate from other bacterial species, possibly from enterococci.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed2001

Antimicrobial growth promoter ban and resistance to macrolides and vancomycin in enterococci from pigs.

Ninety-six enterococcus isolates from fecal samples of pigs receiving tylosin as an antimicrobial growth promoter and 59 isolates obtained in the same farms 5 to 6 months after the ban of antimicrobial growth promoters in Switzerland were tested for susceptibility to nine antimicrobial agents. A clear decrease in resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, and tetracycline was visible after the ban. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium belonged to the same clonal lineage as vancomycin-resistant isolates previously isolated from Danish pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[The current antimicrobial resistance situation in Swiss veterinary medicine].

Antimicrobial susceptibility data (n = 1501) and bacterial isolates (n = 258) of important bacterial pathogens from animals were collected in collaboration with eight Swiss laboratories from May 1999 to February 2000. Using these data, the antimicrobial resistance situation could be assessed for the following bacterial species: Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Haemophilus parasuis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Campylobacter jejuni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius, Streptococci, and enterococci. Differences in the distribution of resistance between animal species could be evidenced in E. coli and salmonella. Some resistance frequency data were compared with those obtained in 1980. A significant increase of resistance frequency was observed for several antibiotics. This includes in particular an increase of ampicillin, gentamicin, and cotrimoxazole resistance in E. coli. A similar increase was observed in salmonella for ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, and nalidixic acid. Staphylococci from dogs (S. intermedius and S. aureus) also presented a clear increase of resistance for penicillin, neomycin, sulfonamides, cotrimoxazole, and erythromycin. Finally, a comparison with data from abroad shows that the antibiotic resistance situation in Switzerland is relatively favorable.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Phylogenetic analysis of Pasteurella multocida subspecies and molecular identification of feline P. multocida subsp. septica by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Pasteurella multocida is commonly found in the oral cavity of cats and dogs. In humans it is known as an opportunistic pathogen after bites from these animals. Phenotypic identification of P. multocida based on biochemical reactions is often limited and usually only done on a species level, even though 3 subspecies are described. For molecular taxonomy and diagnostic purposes a phylogenetic analysis of the three subspecies of P. multocida based on their 16S rRNA (rrs) gene sequence was therefore carried out. We found P. multocida subsp. septica on a distinguished branch on the phylogenetic tree of Pasteurellaceae, due to a 1.5% divergence of its rrs gene compared to the two other, more closely related subspecies multocida and gallicida. This phylogenetic divergence can be used for the identification of P. multocida subsp. septica by rrs gene determination since they form a phylogenetically well isolated and defined group as shown with a set of feline isolates. Comparison to routine phenotypic identification shows the advantage of the sequence-based identification over conventional methods. It is therefore helpful for future unambiguous identification and molecular taxonomy of P. multocida as well as for epidemiological investigations.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Target genes for virulence assessment of Escherichia coli isolates from water, food and the environment.

The widespread species Escherichia coli includes a broad variety of different types, ranging from highly pathogenic strains causing worldwide outbreaks of severe disease to avirulent isolates which are part of the normal intestinal flora or which are well characterized and safe laboratory strains. The pathogenicity of a given E. coli strain is mainly determined by specific virulence factors which include adhesins, invasins, toxins and capsule. They are often organized in large genetic blocks either on the chromosome ('pathogenicity islands'), on large plasmids or on phages and can be transmitted horizontally between strains. In this review we summarize the current knowledge of the virulence attributes which determine the pathogenic potential of E. coli strains and the methodology available to assess the virulence of E. coli isolates. We also focus on a recently developed procedure based on a broad-range detection system for E. coli-specific virulence genes that makes it possible to determine the potential pathogenicity and its nature in E. coli strains from various sources. This makes it possible to determine the pathotype of E. coli strains in medical diagnostics, to assess the virulence and health risks of E. coli contaminating water, food and the environment and to study potential reservoirs of virulence genes which might contribute to the emergence of new forms of pathogenic E. coli.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2000

Molecular identification and epidemiological tracing of Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a baby.

We report a case of Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a 1-month-old baby exposed to close contact with two dogs and a cat but without any known history of injury by these animals. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the isolate from the baby allowed identification at the subspecies level and pointed to the cat as a possible source of infection. Molecular typing of Pasteurella isolates from the animals, from the baby, and from unrelated animals clearly confirmed that the cat harbored the same P. multocida subsp. septica strain on its tonsils as the one isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of the baby. This case stresses the necessity of informing susceptible hosts at risk of contracting zoonotic agents about some basic hygiene rules when keeping pets. In addition, this study illustrates the usefulness of molecular methods for identification and epidemiological tracing of Pasteurella isolates.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Evolution of virulence factors in Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

The major demonstrated or putative virulence factors of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are the Shiga toxins, products of the locus of enterocyte effacement, and products encoded by the EHEC-hemolysin plasmid. Molecular analysis shows that STEC acquired the majority of these virulence factors by horizontal transfer of genetic material. In the case of Shiga toxins, the phages encoding them are probably responsible for this transfer. For the locus of enterocyte effacement, however, it is not clear how often this transfer took place and which parts of the locus were involved in this transfer. The large EHEC-hemolysin plasmid is clearly a mosaic structure, which arose from multiple recombination events with foreign DNA. Two lineages of this plasmid can be distinguished, one of which is associated with chromosomally encoded virulence factors. Despite the wealth of information available, further comparative studies are needed to decipher definitively the evolution of virulence in STEC.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1999

Associations between virulence factors of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and disease in humans.

Associations between known or putative virulence factors of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and disease in humans were investigated. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis of a set of 237 isolates from 118 serotypes showed significant associations between the presence of genes for intimin (eae) and Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) and isolates from serotypes reported in humans. Similar associations were found with isolates from serotypes reported in hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) hemolysin gene was significantly associated with isolates from serotypes found in severe diseases in univariate analysis but not in multivariate logistic regression models. A strong association between the intimin and EHEC-hemolysin genes may explain the lack of statistical significance of EHEC hemolysin in these multivariate models, but a true lack of biological significance of the hemolysin in humans or in disease cannot be excluded. This result warrants further investigations of this topic. Multivariate analysis revealed an interaction between the eae and stx2 genes, thus supporting the hypothesis of the synergism between the adhesin intimin and Shiga toxin 2. A strong statistical association was observed between the stx2 gene and severity of disease for a set of 112 human isolates from eight major serotypes. A comparison of 77 isolates of bovine origin and 91 human isolates belonging to six major serotypes showed significant associations of the genes for Shiga toxin 1 and EspP protease with bovine isolates and an increased adherence on HEp-2 cell cultures for human isolates, particularly from diarrheic patients and healthy persons.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of PCR-based DNA fingerprinting techniques for the identification of Listeria species and their use for atypical Listeria isolates.

Four PCR-based DNA fingerprinting techniques were compared for their ability to identify at the species level a heterogeneous collection of isolates belonging to the six valid Listeria species. 16S rDNA-RFLP analysis identified all species and 16S rDNA-SSCP analysis identified almost all species. Also, isolates with unusual biochemical characteristics and/or unusual antigenic composition could be identified correctly. rRNA-intracistronic length polymorphism analysis suffered from high intraspecific variability, a limited number of fragments per profile, and small length differences between the spacers of different species. tRNA-intergenic length polymorphism analysis resulted in identification of all isolates but one, when fluorescent DNA capillary electrophoresis was used such that fragment length differences of 1 bp could be resolved. The four techniques yielded comparable results relevant to the taxonomy of Listeria. They all indicate a high degree of genetic relatedness between L. innocua and L. welshimeri, homogeneity of L. grayi, distinct but clear relatedness of L. grayi to the other Listeria species, a clear distinction between the two subspecies of L. ivanovii, and a clear distinction between Listeria isolates and isolates from closely related taxa or from species which are phenotypically difficult to distinguish from Listeria. New sequence determination of the 16S rRNA gene was necessary to obtain sequences in accordance with the findings of 16S rDNA-RFLP analysis.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed1998

Association of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli hemolysin with serotypes of shiga-like-toxin-producing Escherichia coli of human and bovine origins.

In this study we investigated whether the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) hemolysin gene ehxA could be used as an indicator of pathogenicity in Shiga-like-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (SLTEC) isolates. The isolates in a collection of 770 SLTEC strains of human and bovine origins were assigned to group 1 (230 human and 138 bovine SLTEC isolates belonging to serotypes frequently implicated in human disease), group 2 (85 human and 183 bovine isolates belonging to serotypes less frequently implicated in disease), and group 3 (134 bovine isolates belonging to serotypes not implicated in disease). PCR amplification was used to examine all of the SLTEC isolates for the presence of ehxA and the virulence-associated genes eae, slt-I, and slt-II. The percentages of human isolates in groups 1 and 2 that were positive for ehxA were 89 and 46%, respectively, and the percentages of bovine isolates in groups 1 to 3 that were positive for ehxA were 89, 51, and 52%, respectively. The percentages of human isolates in groups 1 and 2 that were positive for eae were 92 and 27%, respectively, and the percentages of bovine isolates in groups 1 to 3 that were positive for eae were 78, 15, and 19%, respectively. The frequencies of both ehxA and eae were significantly higher for group 1 isolates than for group 2 isolates. The presence of the ehxA gene was associated with serotype, as was the presence of the eae gene. Some serotypes, such as O117:H4, lacked both eae and ehxA and have been associated with severe disease, but only infrequently. The slt-I genes were more frequent in group 1 isolates than in group 2 isolates, and the slt-II genes were more frequent in group 2 isolates than in group 1 isolates. In a second experiment we determined the occurrence of the ehxA and slt genes in E. coli isolated from bovine feces. Fecal samples from 175 animals were streaked onto washed sheep erythrocyte agar plates. Eight E. coli-like colonies representing all of the morphological types were transferred to MacConkey agar. A total of 1, 080 E. coli isolates were examined, and the ehxA gene was detected in 12 independent strains, only 3 of which were positive for slt. We concluded that the ehxA gene was less correlated with virulence than the eae gene was and that EHEC hemolysin alone has limited value for screening bovine feces for pathogenic SLTEC because of presence of the ehxA gene in bovine isolates that are not SLTEC.

Animals↗