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Biomedical subjects

Stephen P Oliver

Publications and source records attributed to Stephen P Oliver.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Intramammary infections in heifers during early lactation following intramammary infusion of pirlimycin hydrochloride or penicillin-novobiocin at the first milking after parturition.

A study was conducted to determine whether intramammary antibiotic treatment of heifer mammary glands following the first milking after calving was effective for reducing the percentage of mammary quarters infected during early lactation. Jersey and Holstein heifers from two research herds were assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) no intramammary infusion following the first milking after parturition, (2) intramammary infusion of all quarters with pirlimycin hydrochloride following the first milking after parturition and (3) intramammary infusion of all quarters with novobiocin sodium plus penicillin G procaine following the first milking after parturition. Almost 93% of Jersey heifers (40/43) and 73.1% of quarters (125/171) were infected at the first milking. Almost 77% of quarters (33/43) were cured following treatment with pirlimycin, 61.8% (21/34) were cured following treatment with penicillin-novobiocin and 39.6% (19/48) of infections were eliminated spontaneously in the untreated control group. Significantly fewer infections were observed in pirlimycin or penicillin-novobiocin treated mammary glands of Jersey heifers during early lactation than in untreated control mammary glands. Almost 89% of Holstein heifers (32/36) and 52.8% of quarters (76/144) were infected at the first milking. About 57% (12/21) of quarters were cured following treatment with pirlimycin, 41.4% (12/29) were cured following treatment with penicillin-novobiocin and 23.1% (6/26) of infections were eliminated spontaneously in the untreated negative control group. Significantly fewer infections were observed in pirlimycin treated mammary glands of Holstein heifers during early lactation than in untreated control mammary glands. However, no significant differences were observed following penicillin-novobiocin treatment of Holstein heifers after the first milking of lactation compared with untreated control quarters. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp dysgalactiae were isolated most frequently in heifers from both herds.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Trafficking of Streptococcus uberis in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Results from our laboratory showed that Streptococcus uberis internalized bovine mammary epithelial cells by exploiting host cell cytoskeleton and signal transduction mechanisms. It was also shown that S. uberis survived intracellularly for up to 120 h and capable of transcytose bovine mammary epithelial cells. To define mechanisms and strategies used by S. uberis to move through host cells and survive intracellularly, internalization studies using specific inhibitors, double immunofluorescence labeling and confocal laser microscopy were conducted. When bovine mammary epithelial cells were treated with inhibitors of endocytic vesicle acidification, the number of intracellular S. uberis was similar to untreated controls. When selective inhibitors of lipid rafts/caveolae or receptor-mediated endocytosis were used, a significantly lower number of intracellular S. uberis was detected compared with untreated controls. However, when the effect of inhibitors of receptor-mediated endocytosis and lipid rafts/caveolae were compared, the latter induced the lowest S. uberis internalization values suggesting a preferential exploitation of caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Since caveloae-dependent intracellular trafficking does not include intravesicular acidification or lysosome fusion; these results suggest that by exploiting preferential intracellular trafficking pathways in bovine mammary epithelial cells, S. uberis avoids intracellular bactericidal mechanisms. Such a strategy would allow S. uberis to persist intracellularly and may explain how persistent intramammary infections occur.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Streptococcus uberis internalizes and persists in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Streptococcus uberis is one of the most important emerging bovine mastitis pathogens and chronic persistent intramammary infections (IMI) are often described. To define the ability of S. uberis to persist intracellularly, studies on time-dependent internalization and survival of S. uberis strains in bovine mammary epithelial cells were conducted. Two S. uberis strains (UT366 and UT888) and a Staphylococcus aureus strain used as positive control, all isolated from cows with clinical mastitis were cocultured with bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T) and persistent survival in host epithelial cells for extended periods (120 h) studied. Of S. uberis strains tested, UT366 showed highest internalization values at 60 min of incubation whereas at 8 h of incubation the corresponding values for UT888 were the highest. Of both strains of S. uberis tested, UT366 seems to internalize bovine mammary cells more efficiently initially, however, during the first 8 h, UT888 seems to survive intracellularly better than UT366. Results showed that both S. uberis strains could survive intracellularly up to 120 h without apparent loss of host cells viability. S. aureus internalized more efficiently than all strains tested and host cell death was observed after 72 h of incubation. These results indicate that S. uberis can survive within mammary epithelial cells for extended time without apparent loss of host cells viability. Intracellular persistence of S. uberis may be associated with the spread of the infection to deeper tissues and development of persistent IMI.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Identification, isolation, and partial characterization of a novel Streptococcus uberis adhesion molecule (SUAM).

The ability to attach to the host cell surface has been considered an important virulence strategy in many bovine mammary gland pathogens, including Streptococcus uberis. Research conducted in our laboratory lead to the identification of an S. uberis adhesion molecule (SUAM) with affinity for bovine lactoferrin (LF) and delineation of its role in adherence of S. uberis to bovine mammary epithelial cells. Using a selected bacterial surface protein extraction protocol and affinity chromatography, a 112-kDa protein that had a similar molecular mass and the LF affinity as one of the identified S. uberis LBP described by Fang and Oliver in 1999 was found. To further characterize SUAM, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of this protein was elucidated. A protein query versus translated database TBLASTN search of the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI), non-redundant database, nr, with the LBP N-terminal amino acid sequence showed no significant similarity with previous entries. Antibodies directed against SUAM and a 17 amino acid long N-terminal sequence (pep-SUAM) inhibited adherence to and internalization of S. uberis UT888 into bovine mammary epithelial cells. Data presented suggests that we have discovered a novel bacterial protein involved in the pathogenesis of this economically important mastitis pathogen.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed2006

Physiologic and molecular markers for detection of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serotype O26 strains.

Knowledge of physiologic/phenotypic and genetic variation of Escherichia coli O157 and its tight clonality was the basis for development of successful detection protocols for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157:H7/H. Phenotypic and genetic characteristics of diarrheagenic E. coli O26 isolates from different geographical regions may differ as indicated by representative reports from all continents. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on STEC O26, a pathogen whose emergence predates that of other STEC, including O157:H7/H-. The overall objectives are to integrate information available from peer-reviewed literature on the clinical and public health significance of STEC O26 worldwide, and to highlight phenotypic and genetic markers that could be used for routine detection of this pathogen. Our ultimate goal is to render information that will allow quick, accurate, and specific detection of STEC O26 genotypic variants worldwide, so as to aid with control of this pathogen. The information herein will be invaluable to a variety of scientists that include epidemiologists and microbiologists (medical, veterinary, food, and environmental) with interest in STEC O26--a zoonotic and emerging foodborne pathogen.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of enterotoxin and toxic shock syndrome toxin genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk of cows with mastitis.

Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk of cows with mastitis were evaluated for the prevalence of 16 enterotoxin genes (sea-see and seg-seq) and toxic shock syndrome toxin gene (tsst-1). Of 78 S. aureus examined, 73 (93.6%) were positive for one or more enterotoxin genes and these were divided into 36 groups by the presence of different enterotoxin genes. Enterotoxin genes including sen (84.6%), sem (71.8%), sei (60.3%) and sed (52.6%) were found frequently, while seg (24.4%), seq (16.7%), seo (12.8%), and seb (1.3%) were found at lower frequencies. Toxic shock syndrome toxin (tsst-1) gene was detected in 20 (25.6%) isolates and was always found in combination with other enterotoxin genes. The majority (88.5%) harbored more than one enterotoxin gene in different combinations. Eight S. aureus isolates (10.3%) were positive for sed, sei, sem, and sen; six (7.7%) possessed sed, seg, sei, sem, sen, and tsst-1; five (6.4%) had sei, sem, and sen; and four (5.1%) had sei, and sen. One isolate was positive for seb along with other SE genes including sed, seh, sem, sen, seq, and tsst-1. None of the isolates carried other enterotoxin genes (sea, sec, see, sej, sek, sel, and sep). PFGE profiles revealed 15 distinct pulsotypes among the 78 S. aureus isolates evaluated. PFGE and enterotoxin gene profiles did not match with each other because a single pulsotype carried different combinations of enterotoxin genes. The majority of S. aureus isolated from milk of mastitic cows carried newly described SE genes sem, sen and sei along with classical SE genes, sed and tsst-1. This is the first report describing the high prevalence of newly described enterotoxin genes, sem and sen in S. aureus from bovine mastitis. The high prevalence of enterotoxin genes and tsst-1 in S. aureus may be important as it is relevant to udder pathogenicity and food hygiene.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Potential of antimicrobial agents to inhibit fungi to aid isolation of Campylobacter.

In preliminary studies conducted to isolate thermophilic Campylobacter spp. from cull dairy cow fecal samples, growth of fungal strains on Abeyta-Hunt-Bark agar and charcoal cefoperazone desoxycholate agar (CCDA) interfered with isolation of target bacteria. Concentrations of antifungal substances in the agar media were not effective in suppressing growth of antibiotic resistant fungi. The objective of the current study was to determine the efficacy of supplemental antimicrobial agents to inhibit growth of fungi of fecal origin on Campylobacter isolation media where microbial growth is overwhelmed by fungi. The inhibitory effect of rifampicin and seven antimycotic agents--cycloheximide, 5-fluorouracil, 5-fluorocytosine, sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, nystatin, and amphotericin B--was evaluated. Antimicrobial agents were added singly or combined at concentrations ranging from 12.3 to 227 mg/L. Incubation was conducted at 42 degrees C for 24-48 h in gas jars (CO2+H2). The most effective antibiotic combinations that inhibited fungal growth without affecting Campylobacter growth were CCDA selective supplement SR155E with amphotericin B (59.5 or 114 mg/L) or a mixture of rifampicin, 5-fluorocytosine, and nystatin (119 or 227 mg/L each). Results of the present study indicate that addition of supplemental antifungal agents in the presence of antibiotics such as rifampicin may enhance suppression of fungal overgrowth on Campylobacter isolation agar media.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Application of SYBR green real-time PCR assay for specific detection of Salmonella spp. in dairy farm environmental samples.

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a SYBR Green 1 real-time PCR method for the specific detection of Salmonella spp. in dairy farm environmental samples. Previously reported 119-bp invA gene was selected for specificity, and 124 Salmonella spp. including type strains and 116 non-Salmonella strains were evaluated. All Salmonella strains tested were invA-positive and all non-salmonella strains yielded no amplification products. The melting temperature (Tm=79 degrees C) was consistently specific for the amplicon. Correlation coefficients of standard curves constructed using the threshold cycle (C(T)) versus copy numbers of Salmonella Enteritidis showed good linearity in broth (R2=0.994; slope=3.256) and sterilized milk (R2=0.988; slope=3.247), and the minimum levels of detection were >10(2) and >10(3) colony forming units (CFU)/ml, respectively. To validate the real-time PCR assay, an experiment was conducted with both spiked and naturally contaminated samples. Lagoon water, feed/silage, bedding soil, and bulk tank milk samples obtained from dairy farms were spiked with 10(0) to 10(5) CFU/ml of Salmonella Enteritidis. Sensitivities for detecting Salmonella in these sources were 10(3) to 10(4) CFU/ml of inoculums in broth without enrichment. Detection limits were reduced to <10 CFU/ml of inoculum in broth after 18 h enrichment. Ninety-three environmental samples including fecal slurry, feed/silage, lagoon water, drinking water, bulk tank milk, farm soil, and bedding soil were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella by real-time PCR, results were compared with those obtained by conventional culture methods. All samples analyzed were negative for Salmonella by both real-time PCR and standard culture method. No false positive or false negative results were detected.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Antimicrobial resistance and class 1 integrons in pathogenic Escherichia coli from dairy farms.

The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and class 1 integrons, including integron-associated genes, in 24 Escherichia coli isolates from dairy farms. Escherichia coli isolates (n = 14) from dairy cows with mastitis (ECDM), Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) O157:H7 from cull dairy cow fecal samples (n = 9) and bulk tank milk (n = 1) were evaluated for sensitivity to 19 antimicrobial agents used commonly in human and/or veterinary medicine. Multiplex PCR was used to determine presence of genes associated with class 1 integrons (intI1, qacEDelta1, and sulI1). Class 1 integrons were found only in eight of 10 isolates (one STEC O157:H7 and seven ECDM) that demonstrated antimicrobial resistance, and seven of these were resistant to two or more antimicrobial agents. Eight of 10 STEC O157:H7 and six of 14 ECDM were susceptible to all commonly used antibiotics. Five ECDM demonstrated multiple resistances to four or more antibiotics. Most of the 24 isolates examined exhibited resistance against sulfamethoxazole, followed by streptomycin and tetracycline. STEC O157:H7 strains had less prevalence of antibiotic resistance and integron carriage than ECDM. The multiplex PCR method developed for detection of intI1, qacEDelta1, and sulI1 can be used routinely for monitoring presence of these genes. Class 1 integrons were found in eight of 10 E. coli strains that demonstrated antimicrobial resistance; seven of these were resistant to two or more antibiotics. It appears that integrons played a role in the incidence of antimicrobial resistance of the strains used in this study.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Phenotypic and genetic markers for serotype-specific detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 strains from North America.

Phenotypic and genetic markers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26 from North America were used to develop serotype-specific protocols for detection of this pathogen. Carbohydrate fermentation profiles and prevalence of gene sequences associated with STEC O26 (n = 20) were examined. Non-STEC O26 (n = 17), E. coli O157 (n = 20), E. coli O111 (n = 22), and generic E. coli (n = 21) were used as comparison strains. Effects of supplements: cefixime-tellurite, 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide (MUG) and chromogenic additives (5-bromo4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-Gal), 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-glucuronide (X-GlcA) and o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG), added to isolation agar media were examined. Tests for presence of gene sequences encoding beta intimin (eae beta), Shiga toxin 1 and 2 (stx1 and stx2), H7 flagella (flicCh7), enterohemolysin (ehlyA), O26 somatic antigen (wzx), and high pathogenicity island genes (irp2 and fyuA) were conducted using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of XbaI restriction endonuclease genomic DNA digests was used to establish clonality among E. coli O26 strains. Of the 26 carbohydrates tested, only rhamnose had diagnostic value. Rhamnose non-fermenters included STEC O26 (100%), non-STEC O26 (40%), generic E. coli (29%), E. coli O111 (23%), and E. coli O157 (0%). Rhamnose non-fermenting colonies growing on Rhamnose-McConkey agar supplemented with X-GlcA, X-Gal, or ONPG, respectively, were blue, white, or faint yellow, whereas rhamnose-fermenters were red. Blue colonies from X-GlcA-containing media were the most well-defined and easiest to pick for further tests. All STEC O26 were MUG-fluorescent, while STEC O157 (n = 18) were non-fluorescent. E. coli O111 and generic E. coli strains were either MUG-positive or-negative. Serotype-specific detection of STEC O26 was achieved by selecting cefixime-tellurite-resistant, MUG-fluorescent, rhamnose-nonfermenting colonies, which carried stx1, eae beta, irp2, and wzx gene sequences. STEC O26 prevalence in dairy farm environmental samples determined using the developed isolation and genetic detection protocols was 4%. PFGE indicated the presence of one major cluster of E. coli O26 with 72-100% DNA fragment-length digest similarity among test strains. The serotype-specific detection methods described herein have potential for routine application in STEC O26 diagnosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Problems in isolation of Campylobacter jejuni from frozen-stored raw milk and bovine fecal samples: genetic confirmation using multiplex PCR.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of various protocols for the isolation of Campylobacter jejuni from bulk tank milk and bovine fecal samples that were stored frozen for varying times, and to develop a rapid DNA-based protocol that distinguishes C. jejuni from other thermophilic Campylobacter spp. The pathogen was recovered from fecal samples that had been stored for 96-251 days at -20 degrees C with glycerol as the cryopreservative. In a separate study, C. jejuni-positive bovine fecal samples were stored at 5 degrees C for up to 70 days without compromising subsequent recovery of the pathogen. However, the pathogen could not be recovered from pathogenpositive fecal samples stored with or without glycerol (5 mL/11 g sample) for 21 days at -20 degrees C. Bolton broth (BB) and Bolton broth with 5% blood (BBB), containing BB supplement, were used for enrichment. Bacterial isolation was achieved by streaking from BB and BBB, and filtering from BBB onto blood-free charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (CCDA). The use of BB for the recovery of Campylobacter was more sensitive than BBB, and streaking achieved better isolation rates than filtration. Multiplex PCR incorporating thermophilic Campylobacter-specific 23S rRNA and C. jejuni-specific hippuricase gene sequences was used to confirm C. jejuni. All 265 bulk tank milk samples analyzed were negative for C. jejuni, whereas five of 411 (1.2%) fecal samples tested positive. This is the first report that has used a combination of sequences of the two genes in a multiplex format to identify C. jejuni to the species level. The method described has potential for routine use in the detection of thermophilic Campylobacter in farm environmental samples as well as other samples.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of Escherichia coli Isolates from humans, food, and farm and companion animals for presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli virulence markers.

The objective of this study was to characterize Escherichia coli isolates from dairy cows/feedlots, calves, mastitis, pigs, dogs, parrot, iguana, human disease, and food products for prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) virulence markers. The rationale of the study was that, isolates of the same serotypes that were obtained from different sources and possessed the same marker profiles, could be cross-species transmissible. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect presence of genes encoding Shiga toxin 1 and 2 (stx1 and stx2), H7 flagella (flicC), enterohemolysin (hly) and intimin (eaeA) in E. coli isolates (n = 400). Shiga toxin-producing isolates were tested for production of Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2 and enterohemolysin. Of the E. coli O157:H7/H- strains, 150 of 164 (mostly human, cattle, and food) isolates were stx+. Sixty-five percent of O157 STEC produced both Stx1 and Stx2; 32% and 0.7% produced Stx2 or Stx1, respectively. Ninety-eight percent of O157 STEC had sequences for genes encoding intimin and enterohemolysin. Five of 20 E. coli O111, 4 of 14 O128 and 4 of 10 O26 were stx+ . Five of 6 stx+ O26 and O111 produced Stx1, however, stx+ O128 were Stx-negative. Acid resistance (93.3%) and tellurite resistance (87.3%) were common attributes of O157 STEC, whereas, non-O157 stx+ strains exhibited 38.5% and 30.8% of the respective resistances. stx-positive isolates were mostly associated with humans and cattle, whereas, all isolates from mastitis (n = 105), and pigs, dogs, parrot and iguanas (n = 48) were stx-negative. Multiplex PCR was an effective tool for characterizing STEC pathogenic profiles and distinguished STEC O157:H7 from other STEC. Isolates from cattle and human disease shared similar toxigenic profiles, whereas isolates from other disease sources had few characteristics in common with the former isolates. These data suggest interspecies transmissibility of certain serotypes, in particular, STEC O157:H7, between humans and cattle.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed2003

Binding of host glycosaminoglycans and milk proteins: possible role in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus uberis mastitis.

The role of indirect binding of host proteins through glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on adherence and internalization of Streptococcus uberis to bovine mammary epithelial cells was evaluated. Preincubation of S. uberis with GAGs followed by incubation with fetal bovine serum (FBS), bovine milk or milk proteins resulted in greater adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into mammary epithelial cells than observed in untreated controls. Highest values were detected, when final incubation was done with milk. Greater adherence to and internalization into mammary epithelial cells were observed when heparin sulfate (HEP) and milk were used compared with any other GAG and FBS. When individual milk proteins were used, greatest adherence and internalization were observed when S. uberis strains were pretreated with HEP followed by treatment with beta-casein. The findings of this study illustrate a pathogenic strategy of S. uberis that may occur during the very early stages of infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Efficacy of extended pirlimycin therapy for treatment of experimentally induced Streptococcus uberis intramammary infections in lactating dairy cattle.

Streptococcus uberis is an important cause of mastitis in dairy cows throughout the world, particularly during the dry period, around the time of calving, and during early lactation. Strategies for controlling S. uberis mastitis have not received adequate research attention and are therefore poorly defined and inadequate. Objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of extended therapy regimens with pirlimycin for treatment of experimentally induced S. uberis intramammary infections in lactating dairy cows during early lactation and to evaluate the usefulness of the S. uberis experimental infection model for evaluating antimicrobial efficacy in dairy cows. The efficacy of extended pirlimycin intramammary therapy regimens was investigated in 103 mammary glands of 68 dairy cows that became infected following experimental challenge with S. uberis during early lactation. Cows infected with S. uberis in one or both experimentally challenged mammary glands were randomly allocated to three groups, representing three different treatment regimens with pirlimycin, including 2-day (n = 21 cows, 31 mammary quarters), 5-day (n = 21 cows, 32 quarters), and 8-day (n = 26 cows, 40 quarters). For all groups, pirlimycin was administered at a rate of 50 mg of pirlimycin hydrochloride via intramammary infusion. A cure was defined as an experimentally infected mammary gland that was treated with pirlimycin and was bacteriologically negative for the presence of S. uberis at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment. Experimental S. uberis intramammary infections were eliminated in 58.1% of the infected quarters treated with the pirlimycin 2-day regimen, 68.8% for the 5-day regimen, and 80.0% for the 8-day regimen. Significant differences (P <.05) in efficacy were observed between the 2-day and 8-day treatment regimens. The number of somatic cells in milk decreased significantly following therapy in quarters for which treatment was successful in eliminating S. uberis. However, there was no evidence to suggest that extended therapy with pirlimycin resulted in a greater reduction in somatic cell counts in milk than the 2-day treatment. The S. uberis experimental infection model was a rapid and effective means of evaluating antimicrobial efficacy during early lactation at a time when mammary glands are highly susceptible to S. uberis intramammary infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Identification of lactoferrin-binding proteins in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae and Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from cows with mastitis.

Three strains of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (S. dysgalactiae) and five strains of Streptococcus agalactiae were used to identify lactoferrin-binding proteins (LBPs). LBPs from extracted surface proteins were detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. All strains of S. dysgalactiae evaluated had 52- and 74-kDa protein bands. All strains of S. agalactiae evaluated had 52-, 70- and 110-kDa protein bands. In addition, a 45-kDa band was detected in two of five S. agalactiae strains evaluated. This study demonstrated that S. dysgalactiae and S. agalactiae of bovine origin contain two and three major LBPs, respectively.

Animals↗