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Virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance of Pasteurella multocida isolated from poultry and swine

Abstract

Pasteurella multocida causes atrophic rhinitis in swine and fowl cholera in birds, and is a secondary agent in respiratory syndromes. Pathogenesis and virulence factors involved are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to detect 22 virulence-associated genes by PCR, including capsular serogroups A, B and D genes and to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of P. multocida strains from poultry and swine. ompH, oma87, plpB, psl, exbD-tonB, fur, hgbA, nanB, sodA, sodC, ptfA were detected in more than 90% of the strains of both hosts. 91% and 92% of avian and swine strains, respectively, were classified in serogroup A. toxA and hsf-1 showed a significant association to serogroup D; pmHAS and pfhA to serogroup A. Gentamicin and amoxicillin were the most effective drugs with susceptibility higher than 97%; however, 76.79% of poultry strains and 85% of swine strains were resistant to sulphonamides. Furthermore, 19.64% and 36.58% of avian and swine strains, respectively, were multi-resistant. Virulence genes studied were not specific to a host and may be the result of horizontal transmission throughout evolution. High multidrug resistance demonstrates the need for responsible use of antimicrobials in animals intended for human consumption, in addition to antimicrobial susceptibility testing to P. multocida.

Keywords
Pasteurellosis; Virulence factors; Multiplex-PCR; Antimicrobial susceptibility

Introduction

Pasteurella multocida is a normal inhabitant of the respiratory tract of healthy animals11 Samuel MD, Botzler RG, Wobeser GA. Avian cholera. In: Thomas NJ, Hunter DB, eds. Infectious Diseases ofWild Birds. 12th ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing; 2007:239-269.; however, it is an enigmatic pathogen known for being associated with a diversity of respiratory syndromes that can affect a range of host species.22 Wilkie IW, Harper M, Boyce JD, Adler B. Pasteurella multocida: diseases and pathogenesis. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2012;361:1-22. Moreover, it is either the primary causative agent or presents a major role in the evolution of certain diseases of economic impact, such as atrophic rhinitis in pigs and fowl cholera (FC) in avian species.22 Wilkie IW, Harper M, Boyce JD, Adler B. Pasteurella multocida: diseases and pathogenesis. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2012;361:1-22.

The variability of the clinical signs in cases of pasteurellosis is possibly explained by the alteration of the commensal relationship between host and bacteria, as well as by the presence of virulence factors that differ several variants of one species of this pathogenic microorganism.11 Samuel MD, Botzler RG, Wobeser GA. Avian cholera. In: Thomas NJ, Hunter DB, eds. Infectious Diseases ofWild Birds. 12th ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing; 2007:239-269.,33 Vieira MAM. Ilhas de patogenicidade. O Mundo da Saúde. 2009;33:406-414. Some molecular studies have been developed to identify genes related to virulence in P. multocida, but little is known regarding the virulence gene content between P. multocida strains in different animal hosts.44 Ewers C, Lübke-Becker A, Bethe A, Kiebling S, Filter M, Wieler LH. Virulence genotype of Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from different hosts with various disease status. Vet Microbiol. 2006;114:304-317.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958. The capsule is one of the major virulence factors identified in P. multocida,77 Harper M, Boyce JD, Adler B. Pasteurella multocida pathogenesis: 125 years after Pasteur. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2006;265:1-10. and the genes required for the synthesis and transport of these capsular types are encoded within a single region of the genome.88 Townsend KM, Boyce JD, Chung JY, Frost AJ, Adler B. Genetic organization of Pasteurella multocida cap Loci and development of a multiplex capsular PCR typing system. J Clin Microbiol. 2001;39:924-929. All strains can be classified into five different capsular types or serogroups (A, B, D, E and F) according to the presence of capsular antigens.77 Harper M, Boyce JD, Adler B. Pasteurella multocida pathogenesis: 125 years after Pasteur. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2006;265:1-10.

Although the strains are generally susceptible to the majority of antimicrobials,99 Huang TM, Lin TL, Wu CC. Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance of chicken Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Pasteurella multocida isolates. Avian Dis. 2009;53:89-93. the increased incidence of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria has been widely reported in the last several decades.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958. Compared with human specific pathogens, even less data are available on resistance patterns in pathogens exclusively found in food animals.1010 Wassenaar TM, Silley P.Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacteria: lessons learned from host-specific pathogens. Anim Health Res Rev. 2008;9:177-186. However, the knowledge and the control of antibiotic treatment in P. multocida are important, because the antimicrobial use may select resistant strains, increasing their prevalence.1111 Babetsa M, Sandalakis V Vougidou C, et al. Tetracycline resistance genes in Pasteurella multocida isolates from bovine, ovine, caprine and swine pneumonic lungs originated from different Greek prefectures. Afr J Microbiol Res. 2012;6:3917-3923. Moreover, the use of antibiotics in the control of pasteurellosis, as well as the development of serotype-specific vaccines, requires surveys in each geographical area.1212 Kehrenberg C, Schulze-Tanzil G, Martel JL, Chaslus-Dancla E, Schwarz S. Antimicrobial resistance in Pasteurella and Mannheimia: epidemiology and genetic basis. Vet Res. 2001;32:323-339. But studies related to the performance of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in P. multocida strains of avian origin are rare in Brazil.1313 Rigobelo EC, Blackall PJ, Maluta RP, de Ávila FA. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Pasteurella multocida isolated from chickens and Japanese quails in Brazil. Braz J Microbiol. 2013;44:161-164. Our objective was to determine whether strains of P. multocida isolated from cases of FC and from pigs with respiratory problems in southern Brazil vary in their repertoire of 22 virulence genes, and to assess the susceptibility of the strains to eight antimicrobial agents.

Materials and methods

Strains of P. multocida

Ninety-six strains of P. multocida previously isolated of clinical cases in southern Brazil were selected. After the diagnosis was confirmed, two colonies of each strain plated on blood agar were selected and stored in 1 mL of defibrinated sheep blood at a temperature of −80 °C. The reactivation and preliminary tests to confirm the presence of pure samples were conducted according to Glisson et al.1414 Glisson JR, Sandhu TS, Hofacre CL. Pasteurellosis, avibacteriosis, gallibacteriosis, riemerellosis and pseudotuberculosis. In: Dufour-Zavala L, ed. A Laboratory Manual for the Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Avian Pathogens. 5th ed. Athens, GA: American Association of Avian Pathologists; 2008:12-18. Of the strains selected, 58% (56/96) were isolated from the liver or heart of chickens/turkeys and 42% (40/96) from the lung of pigs that were being raised for human consumption.

Detection of virulence-associated genes

An aliquot of BHI after an overnight incubation (1 mL) was selected for DNA extraction using the commercial kit NucleoSpin ®Tissue (MachereyNagel ®, Düren, Germany). Initially, a PCR protocol for species-specific amplification of the kmt gene was performed, as described by Townsend et al.1515 Townsend KM, Frost AJ, Lee CW, Papadimitriou JM, Dawkins HJS. Development of PCR assays for species- and type-specific identification of Pasteurella multocida isolates. J Clin Microbiol. 1998;36(4):1096-1100. Fifteen genes associated with virulence (ompH, oma87, sodA, sodC, hgbA, hgbB, exBD-tonB, nanB, nanH, ptfA, pfhA, toxA), including the genes for capsule molecular typing of serogroup A (hyaD-hyaC), B (bcbD) and D (dcbF), were surveyed according to the multiplex PCR protocols standardized by Furian et al.1616 Furian TQ, Borges KA, Pilatti RM, Almeida C, Nascimento VP. Identification of the capsule type of Pasteurella multocida isolates from cases of fowl cholera by multiplex PCR and comparison with phenotypic methods. Braz J Poultry Sci. 2014;16:31-36.,1717 Furian TQ, Borges KA, Rocha SLS, et al. Detection of virulence-associated genes of Pasteurella multocida isolated from cases of fowl cholera by multiplex-PCR. Pesqui Vet Bras. 2013;33:177-182. An additional seven genes (hsf-1, pmHAS, fur, psl, ompA, plpB, tadD) were surveyed according to protocols described by Ewers et al.44 Ewers C, Lübke-Becker A, Bethe A, Kiebling S, Filter M, Wieler LH. Virulence genotype of Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from different hosts with various disease status. Vet Microbiol. 2006;114:304-317. and Tang et al.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958. with modifications. Reference strains of P. multocida (ATCC 15742, ATCC 12945 and ATCC 12946) were selected as positive controls. Members of the Pasteurellaceae family (Riemerella anatipestifer ATCC 11845, Mannheimia haemolytica ATCC 29694 and Pasteurella gallinarum ATCC 13360) were used as negative controls.

The amplification reactions were performed in a thermocycler (Swift MaxPro Thermal CyclerESCO Technologies®, Hatboro, Pennsylvania, USA). Electrophoresis of the amplified products was carried out in a 1% or 1.5% agarose gel (Invitrogen Ultrapure ™ Agarose ®, Carlsbad, California, USA) stained with ethidium bromide, after which the amplified products were photo documented (AlphaDigDoc Pro – Alpha Innotech®, San Leandro, CA, USA). All protocols were repeated three times in parallel with the relevant positive and negative controls.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing

All of the strains were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility by the disk diffusion method according to the performance standards M31–A3 of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).1818 CLSI (Clinicai and Laboratory Standards Institute). Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk and Dilution Susceptibility Testsfor Bacteria Isolatedfrom Animals - Document M31-A3. Wayne, PA: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2008. Each sample was tested against 8 antimicrobial agents (Oxoid ®): erythromycin (15 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), amoxicillin (10 µg), sulphaquinoxaline (300 µg), tetracycline (30 µg), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (1.25–23.75 µg), ceftiofur (30 µg) and enrofloxacin (5 µg). Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 were selected as quality control strains. The interpretation of results was based on the breakpoints provided by the CLSI guidelines.1919 CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute). Methods for Antimicrobial Dilution and Disk Susceptibility Testing of Infrequently Isolated or Fastidious Bacteria - Document M45-A2. Wayne, PA: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2010.,2020 CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute). Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk and Dilution Susceptibility Testsfor Bacteria Isolatedfrom Animals; Second Informational Supplement - Document VET01-S2. Wayne, PA: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2013.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies of the virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. Chi-square ( χ2) and Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate the given pair of genes and to determine the association between the genes and the host species of isolation. Comparisons of gene proportions within groups of the same function were made by McNemar's test. Statistical testing was performed with SPSS software (Statistical Package for Social Sciences), and p values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Distribution of virulence genes

The absolute and relative frequencies of the virulence-associated genes are presented in Table 1. The majority of the virulence-associated genes are regularly distributed among P. multocida strains. The genes associated to outer membrane proteins (ompH, oma87, plpB, psl), adhesion (ptfA), iron mebatolism (exbD-tonB, fur, hgbA), sialidases (nanB) and dismutases (sodA, sodC) were detected in more than 90% of the strains of both hosts.

Table 1
The distribution of 22 virulence associated genes of Pasteurella multocida detected by PCR according to host species.

The genes hyaD-hyaC, dcbF and bcbD are associated with capsular biosynthesis of P. multocida specific to serogroups A, D and B, respectively. Over 90% of the strains belonged to serogroup A in both host species, and there was a strong significant difference compared to dcbF (p < 0.001). Two strains of avian origin were not identified in any of the three capsular types. More than 90% of the strains were positive for genes encoding outer membrane proteins (ompH, oma87, psl, plpB) in both host species. However, ompA was detected in 61% of avian strains with a significantly lower occurrence (p < 0.001) than that observed for the other genes in the same functional group. Similarly, hgbB showed a lower percentage (58%) than other genes involved in iron metabolism among the swine strains (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between exbD-tonB, fur and hgbA (p > 0.05). The genes encoding sialidases (nanH, nanB), dismutases (sodA, sodC) and hyaluronan synthase (pmHAS) also showed frequencies close to or higher than 90% and differences within the groups were not significant (p > 0.05).

A higher variation of frequencies was observed among the adhesins. The gene ptfA encoding a subunit of type IV fimbriae was significantly higher in both host species (p < 0.001) compared to pfhA and hsf-1, which encode a filamentous hemagglutinin and an autotransport adhesin, respectively. Additionally, the frequency of pfhA exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to tadD in both hosts. On the other hand, a significant difference between tadD and hsf-1 frequencies (p < 0.001) was only observed among strains isolated from pigs.

The association between virulence genes and serogroups

The association between virulence genes and serogroups is presented in Table 2. Some virulence genes exhibited distinctive associations with serogroup A and serogroup D. The genes toxA and hsf-1 are positively associated with serogroup D, and the genes pmHAS and pfhA with serogroup A. On the other hand, a negative association of pmHAS, pfhA and tadD with serogroup D was observed, as well as of hsf-1 with serogroup A.

Table 2
The absolute and relative frequencies (%) of virulence associated genes detected by PCR according to serogroups A and D of Pasteurella multocida.

The combination of genes among P. multocida regardless of host species of isolation is shown in Table 3. In addition to the high frequencies exhibited by the majority of selected genes, there was a significant association in the combination of virulence genes in 45 situations. The combinations between plpB and exbD-tonB, tadD and hgbB, and ompA and hsf-1 indicate a strong significant association (p < 0.001), as shown in Table 3. Each of the genes, except tadD, presented a significant association (p < 0.001) for both host species and in this case cannot be selected as species-specific markers.

Table 3
The percentage of virulence-associated genes in pairs among 96 strains of Pasteurella multocida analyzed.

Antimicrobial susceptibility

The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of P. multocida strains are described in Table 4. No drug was effective in inhibiting the growth of 100% of the poultry strains, but strains of this group showed a higher susceptibility to 80% of the antimicrobials tested, with the exception of enrofloxacin and sulphaquinoxaline. Only amoxicillin and gentamicin inhibited the growth of more than 80% of porcine strains. For the purpose of this study, multidrug-resistance (MDR) was defined as acquired non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories.2121 Magiorakos AP, Srinivasan A, Carey RB, et al. Multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant bacteria: an international expert proposal for interim standard definitions for acquired resistance. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18:268-281. 36.58% of the porcine strains were multi-resistant, while 19.64% of the poultry strains were resistant to three or more drugs in different categories. The highest percentages of resistance observed, regardless of the host origin, were related to sulphaquinoxaline.

Table 4
The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Pasteurella multocida strains by disk diffusion test according to host species.

Discussion

The serogroup classification of P. multocida according the capsular typing is used for studies on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the agent. The biological basis of this phenomenon is unknown, but it suggests that the capsule is related to the pathogenesis of the individual diseases and to host predilection of particular serogroups.2222 Chung JY, Zhang Y, Adler B. The capsule biosynthetic locus of Pasteurella multocida A:1. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1998;166: 289-296. It is known that in addition to the specific relation to certain diseases and species, there is a dominant geographical distribution of the capsular types in some cases. However, these relations have shown variations in recent years.2323 Borowski SM, Barcellos D, Morés N. Pasteurelose pulmonar. In: Sobestiansky J, Barcellos D, eds. Doencas dos suínos. Goiânia: Cânone Editorial; 2007:177-181. Serogroup classification is rare in Brazil, especially with strains of P. multocida isolated from poultry. Type A, identified in 91% of the avian strains, is the major serogroup found in this host, and similar results were observed in other studies.2424 Shivachandra SB, Kumar AA, Gautam R, Singh VP, Saxena MK, Srivastava SK. Identification of avian strains of Pasteurella multocida in India by conventional and PCR assays. Vet J. 2006;172:561-564.,2525 Jabbari AR, Esmaelzadeh M, Moazeni Jula GR. Polymerase chain reaction of Pasteurella multocida capsules isolated in Iran. Iran J Vet Res. 2006;7:50-55. Only 5% of the avian strains were classified in capsular types D and none in type B, which is also present in birds, as well as type F. The occurrence of these serogroups is considered rare.2626 Davies RL, MacCorquodale R, Baillie S, Caffrey B. Characterization and comparison of Pasteurella multocida strains associated with porcine pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis. J Med Microbiol. 2003;52(Pt 1):59-67. Likewise, capsular type A was also prevalent among strains from swine (92%), which demonstrates a variable prevalence of the serogroups in cases of respiratory disease according to the geographic region.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958.,2727 Davies RL, MacCorquodale R, Caffrey B. Diversity of avian Pasteurella multocida strains based on capsular PCR typing and variation of the OmpA and OmpH outer membrane proteins. Vet Microbiol. 2003;91:169-182.

Although the majority of virulence genes presented a similar distribution between serogroups, some were significantly associated with a specific capsular type, such as pfhA with serogroup A. Tang et al.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958. reported the presence of pfhA in 25% of strains from serogroup A, and only in 3.1% of the strains from type D. Similar results were obtained by Ewers et al.44 Ewers C, Lübke-Becker A, Bethe A, Kiebling S, Filter M, Wieler LH. Virulence genotype of Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from different hosts with various disease status. Vet Microbiol. 2006;114:304-317. that analyzed 289 strains isolated from various host species. The positive association of pfhA and capA is not likely due to a physical linkage, as the genes are separated by approximately 839 kb in the genome of P. multocida strain Pm70. Hypothetically, a capA positive clone may have acquired pfhA by horizontal gene transfer and achieved an advantage to survive within the host.55 Bethe A, Wieler LH, Selbitz HJ, Ewers C. Genetic diversity of porcine Pasteurella multocida strains from the respiratory tract of healthy and diseased swine. Vet Microbiol. 2009;139: 97-105. The toxA gene, encoding a dermonecrotic toxin (PMT – P. multocida toxin), presented a significant association to serogroup D (p < 0.05). This toxin induces osteolysis in the turbinate bones and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of progressive atrophic rhinitis.2727 Davies RL, MacCorquodale R, Caffrey B. Diversity of avian Pasteurella multocida strains based on capsular PCR typing and variation of the OmpA and OmpH outer membrane proteins. Vet Microbiol. 2003;91:169-182. Although toxA is associated with serogroup D,2828 Dziva F, Christensen H, van Leengoed LA, Mohan K, Olsen JE. Differentiation of Pasteurella multocida isolates from cases of atrophic rhinitis in pigs from Zimbabwe by RAPD and ribotyping. Vet Microbiol. 2004;102:117-122. other studies have detected it in strains of serogroup A isolated from different hosts.2929 Shayegh J, Atashpaz S, Hejazi MS. Virulence genes profile and typing of ovine Pasteurella multocida. Asian J Anim Vet Adv. 2008;3:206-213. Tang et al.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958. also observed the positive association of hsf-1 with serogroup D and the negative association of pmHAS with the same serogroup. On the other hand, pmHAS was significantly associated with serogroup A. The hyaluronan synthase PmHAS is a dual-action synthase that transfers alternating units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the formation of hyaluronic acid, the major type A capsular material.3030 DeAngelis PL, Gunay NS, Toida T, Mao WJ, Linhardt RJ. Identification of the capsular polysaccharides of Type D and F Pasteurella multocida as unmodified heparin and chondroitin, respectively. Carbohydr Res. 2002;337:1547-1552.

The high frequency of virulence genes analyzed was also observed in other studies with strains from both hosts.44 Ewers C, Lübke-Becker A, Bethe A, Kiebling S, Filter M, Wieler LH. Virulence genotype of Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from different hosts with various disease status. Vet Microbiol. 2006;114:304-317.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958. A similar distribution of certain genes, regardless of host species or P. multocida serotype, may suggest the selection of factors that present cross-protection as candidates for vaccine development. Some of these antigens potentially serve as vaccine candidates.3131 Kasten RW, Carpenter TE, Snipes KP, Hirsh DC. Detection of Pasteurella multocida-specific DNA in turkey flocks by use of the polymerase chain reaction. Avian Dis. 1997;41:676-682.,3232 Bosch M, Garrido ME, Pérez de Rozas AM, Badiola I, Barbé J, Llagostera M. Pasteurella multocida contains multiple immunogenic haemin- and haemoglobin-binding proteins. Vet Microbiol. 2004;99:103-112. As an example, porins are generally conserved among species and have high immunogenicity.3333 Lee J, Kim YB, Kwon M. Outer membrane protein H for protective immunity against Pasteurella multocida. J Microbiol. 2007;45(2):179-184. However, studies with experimental infection frequently show variable results in animal protection.3333 Lee J, Kim YB, Kwon M. Outer membrane protein H for protective immunity against Pasteurella multocida. J Microbiol. 2007;45(2):179-184.,3434 Okay S, Õzcengiz E, Gürsel I, Õzcengiz G. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the recombinant Pasteurella lipoprotein E and outer membrane protein H from Pasteurella multocida A:3 in mice. Res Vet Sci. 2012;93:1261-1265.

The ability of pathogens to obtain iron is a key feature during the infection process.3535 Ratledge C, Dover LG. Iron metabolism in pathogenic bacteria. Annu Rev Microbiol. 2000;54:881-941. The frequency of hgbB in avian strains was higher than the occurrence of 85% observed for Ewers et al.,44 Ewers C, Lübke-Becker A, Bethe A, Kiebling S, Filter M, Wieler LH. Virulence genotype of Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from different hosts with various disease status. Vet Microbiol. 2006;114:304-317. the only study that investigated its presence in this host. On the other hand, the gene was detected in only 58% of the strains from swine. Bethe et al.55 Bethe A, Wieler LH, Selbitz HJ, Ewers C. Genetic diversity of porcine Pasteurella multocida strains from the respiratory tract of healthy and diseased swine. Vet Microbiol. 2009;139: 97-105. detected hgbB in less frequency in diseased than in healthy animals, a result also found by Shayegh et al.,2929 Shayegh J, Atashpaz S, Hejazi MS. Virulence genes profile and typing of ovine Pasteurella multocida. Asian J Anim Vet Adv. 2008;3:206-213. who analyzed strains from ovine. In both studies, there is not thought to be a relationship between the presence of hgbB and pasteurellosis.

The majority of commensal and pathogenic bacteria that interact with eukaryotic hosts express adhesive molecules on their surfaces to promote interaction with host cell receptors.3636 Kline KA, Falker S, Dahlberg S, Normark S, Henriques-Normark B. Bacterial adhesins in host-microbe interactions. Cell Host Microbe. 2009;5:580-592. With the exception of ptfA that encodes a fimbrial subunit type IV,3737 Hatfaludi T, Al-Hasani K, Boyce JD, Adler B. Outer membrane proteins of Pasteurella multocida. Vet Microbiol. 2010;144:1-17. the other adhesin-related genes presented a frequency inferior to 65%. Studies show a variation in the frequency of adhesins and differ in interpretation regarding the relationship between the adhesin and the disease. Ewers et al.44 Ewers C, Lübke-Becker A, Bethe A, Kiebling S, Filter M, Wieler LH. Virulence genotype of Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from different hosts with various disease status. Vet Microbiol. 2006;114:304-317. observed a variation between 7 and 100% of pfhA according to the host species and related its presence to the occurrence of pasteurellosis in cattle. Similarly, Bethe et al.55 Bethe A, Wieler LH, Selbitz HJ, Ewers C. Genetic diversity of porcine Pasteurella multocida strains from the respiratory tract of healthy and diseased swine. Vet Microbiol. 2009;139: 97-105. connected pfhA with the occurrence of respiratory disease in swine. However, Shayegh et al.2929 Shayegh J, Atashpaz S, Hejazi MS. Virulence genes profile and typing of ovine Pasteurella multocida. Asian J Anim Vet Adv. 2008;3:206-213. detected a low frequency (18%) of the gene among ovine strains and did not relate it with pasteurellosis in this species.

Antibiotic therapy is still an effective tool in the treatment of infections caused by P. multocida, as the strains were susceptible to the majority of drugs commercially available. The high susceptibility of strains from both hosts to amoxicillin, gentamicin and ceftiofur was also observed in other studies in different countries,66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958.,99 Huang TM, Lin TL, Wu CC. Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance of chicken Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Pasteurella multocida isolates. Avian Dis. 2009;53:89-93.,3838 Yoshimura H, Ishimaru M, Endoh YS, Kojima A. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Pasteurella multocida isolated from cattle and pigs. J Vet Med B: Infect Dis Vet Public Health. 2001;48:555-560.,3939 Habrun B, Kompes G, Cvetnic Z, Spicic S, Miroslav B, Mitak M. Antimicrobial sensitivity of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus suis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolated from diagnostic samples from large pig breeding farms in Croatia. Vet Arhiv. 2010;80:571-583. as well as in Brazil with strains of porcine origin.4040 Borowski SM, Ikuta N, Lunge V,Fonseca A, Marques E, Cardoso M. Caracterizacão antigênica e fenotípica de cepas de Pasteurella multocida isoladas de pulmões de suínos com pneumonia e/ou pleurite. Pesqui Vet Bras. 2002;22:97-103.,4141 Soares TCS, Motta RG, Paes AC, Listoni FJP. Perfil de sensibilidade de amostras de Pasteurella multocida e Mannheimia haemolytica isoladas na região de Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil, no período de janeiro de 2000 a novembro de 2007. Vet Zootec. 2009;16:173-179. In contrast to other studies that report low activity of aminoglycosides,3838 Yoshimura H, Ishimaru M, Endoh YS, Kojima A. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Pasteurella multocida isolated from cattle and pigs. J Vet Med B: Infect Dis Vet Public Health. 2001;48:555-560. gentamicin was effective in the current study. Likewise, resistance to erythromycin generally observed4242 Shivachandra SB, Kumar AA, Biswas A, Ramakrishnan MA, Singh VP, Srivastava SK. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns among Indian strains of avian Pasteurella multocida. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2004;36:743-750. was not found among the strains from poultry.

However, excessive and unjustified use of antimicrobials may accelerate the emergence of resistant strains. Among the conventional drugs in veterinary medicine, tetracyclines are widely employed,1111 Babetsa M, Sandalakis V Vougidou C, et al. Tetracycline resistance genes in Pasteurella multocida isolates from bovine, ovine, caprine and swine pneumonic lungs originated from different Greek prefectures. Afr J Microbiol Res. 2012;6:3917-3923.,1212 Kehrenberg C, Schulze-Tanzil G, Martel JL, Chaslus-Dancla E, Schwarz S. Antimicrobial resistance in Pasteurella and Mannheimia: epidemiology and genetic basis. Vet Res. 2001;32:323-339. which explains the high percentage of resistance in this study and the literature.1111 Babetsa M, Sandalakis V Vougidou C, et al. Tetracycline resistance genes in Pasteurella multocida isolates from bovine, ovine, caprine and swine pneumonic lungs originated from different Greek prefectures. Afr J Microbiol Res. 2012;6:3917-3923.,4343 Mohamed MA, Mohamed MW, Ahmed AI, Ibrahim AA, Ahmed MS. Pasteurella multocida in backyard chickens in Upper Egypt: incidence with polymerase chain reaction analysis for capsule type, virulence in chicken embryos and antimicrobial resistance. Vet Ital. 2012;48:77-86. Another example is the high frequency of non-susceptible strains to quinolones and the low efficacy of sulphonamides, chemotherapeutic agents indicated for the treatment of FC,4343 Mohamed MA, Mohamed MW, Ahmed AI, Ibrahim AA, Ahmed MS. Pasteurella multocida in backyard chickens in Upper Egypt: incidence with polymerase chain reaction analysis for capsule type, virulence in chicken embryos and antimicrobial resistance. Vet Ital. 2012;48:77-86. also found in several studies.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958.,4242 Shivachandra SB, Kumar AA, Biswas A, Ramakrishnan MA, Singh VP, Srivastava SK. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns among Indian strains of avian Pasteurella multocida. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2004;36:743-750.,4444 Jonas M, Morishita TY, Angrick EJ, Jahja J. Characterization of nine Pasteurella multocida isolates from avian cholera outbreaks in Indonesia. Avian Dis. 2001;45:34-42.

Increasing multidrug resistance is attributable at least in part to the use of antibiotic additives in animal feed and the extensive use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine.66 Tang X, Zhao Z, Hu J, et al. Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:951-958. Similarly, the horizontal transfer of genes by mobile genetic elements from different bacterial genera and species favors the development of multidrug-resistance.4545 Walsh C, Fanning S. Antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens - a cause for concern? Curr Drug Targets. 2008;9:808-815. The presence of P. multocida strains in a polymicrobial environment offers the opportunity to acquire resistance genes that have developed in other bacteria but have been refined under selective pressure.1010 Wassenaar TM, Silley P.Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacteria: lessons learned from host-specific pathogens. Anim Health Res Rev. 2008;9:177-186.

Conclusion

This study provided information regarding the distribution of virulence genes in strains of P. multocida isolated from poultry and swine in Brazil. These genes presented a high frequency in the majority of the cases and they were not specific to a host. Similarly, high multidrug resistance evinces the need of restrictive and responsible use of antimicrobials in animals intended for human consumption, in addition to antimicrobial susceptibility testing to P. multocida.

  • Associate Editor: Nilton Erbet Lincopan Huenuman

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Jan-Mar 2016

History

  • Received
    20 Oct 2014
  • Accepted
    24 June 2015
Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia USP - ICB III - Dep. de Microbiologia, Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2415, Cidade Universitária, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP - Brasil, Ramal USP 7979, Tel. / Fax: (55 11) 3813-9647 ou 3037-7095 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: bjm@sbmicrobiologia.org.br