Bacterial Diseases in Livestock and Poultry

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2023) | Viewed by 12789

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Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China
Interests: molecular pathogens and immunology of livestock and poultry; co-infection and synergistic pathogenic mechanism of pathogens; antibiotic resistance; quorum-sensing systems; biofilms; phage–microbe interaction; antimicrobial agents; plant extracts
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the population expected to increase to 9 billion people by 2050, there is expectation of a parallel increase in the demand for proteins of animal origin. The health of livestock and poultry is very important to us. Animal diseases from pathogens are an important component of their pathology, prevention, and control, and determine the overall livestock and poultry health management. It is now clear to researchers that the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and pathogenesis of pathogens in livestock and poultry urgently need to be clarified. Efficient and up-to-date antimicrobial agents, pathogen detection methods, and immune preventive measures also need to be developed. To prevent the spread of bacterial diseases in livestock and poultry, we need to keep an attention to the direction of development in these fields.

We enthusiastically welcome researchers to submit their original research articles, review articles, brief research reports, and opinions. The potential themes covered by this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Antimicrobial resistance, virulence, pathogenicity, and transmission mechanisms of bacterial diseases in livestock and poultry;
  • Emerging and endemic bacterial infections in livestock and poultry;
  • Development of accurate typing methods to track the dissemination of zoonotic bacteria;
  • Development of sustainable detection methods to tackle bacterial infections in livestock and poultry;
  • Development of effective vaccines to prevent bacterial diseases in livestock and poultry.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Yang Wang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • livestock and poultry
  • pathogens
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • pathogenesis
  • antimicrobial agents
  • pathogen de-tection methods
  • vaccines
  • transmission mechanisms

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1293 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Efficacy of Cinnamon Essential Oil against Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli from Poultry
by Gaia Casalino, Francesca Rita Dinardo, Francesco D’Amico, Giancarlo Bozzo, Antonella Bove, Antonio Camarda, Roberto Lombardi, Michela Maria Dimuccio and Elena Circella
Animals 2023, 13(16), 2639; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162639 - 16 Aug 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2676
Abstract
Colibacillosis, caused by E. coli, is responsible for economic losses in the poultry industry due to mortality, decreased production, and the cost of antibiotic treatments. Prevention of colibacillosis is based on improved biosecurity measures and the use of the vaccine performed with [...] Read more.
Colibacillosis, caused by E. coli, is responsible for economic losses in the poultry industry due to mortality, decreased production, and the cost of antibiotic treatments. Prevention of colibacillosis is based on improved biosecurity measures and the use of the vaccine performed with O78 E. coli strains, which is responsible for most cases of colibacillosis. Recently, there has been increased interest in other infection control methods, such as the use of natural compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) against E. coli strains isolated from poultry. The MIC50 and MIC90 of CEO were determined by testing 117 strains belonging to serogroups O78, O2, O128, O139, isolated from laying hens (91 strains), broilers (10 strains), and turkeys (16 strains). The bacterial strains were tested at cell densities of 108 and 106 CFU/mL. At the cell density of 108 CFU/mL, MIC50 and MIC90 were 0.4 and 0.5 µL/mL for most of the tested strains, while they corresponded to 0.5 µL/mL for all strains isolated from broilers and for strains belonging to serogroup O139. At the cell density of 106 CFU/mL, MIC50 and MIC90 were 0.3 and 0.4 µL/mL, regardless of bird species of origin and for strains belonging to serogroups O78 and O2. In addition, a concentration of 0.04 µL/mL of CEO corresponded both to MIC50 and MIC90 for strains belonging to serogroups O139 and O128. Based on these results, cinnamon essential oil showed an effective antibacterial activity against E. coli strains from poultry and could find field application for the prevention of colibacillosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Diseases in Livestock and Poultry)
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11 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Resistance Mechanisms in Mannheimia haemolytica Isolates from Sheep at Slaughter
by Julio Alvarez, Johan M. Calderón Bernal, Laura Torre-Fuentes, Marta Hernández, Chris E. Pinto Jimenez, Lucas Domínguez, José F. Fernández-Garayzábal, Ana I. Vela and Dolores Cid
Animals 2023, 13(12), 1991; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13121991 - 14 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1807
Abstract
Mannheimia haemolytica is the main pathogen contributing to pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance levels in M. haemolytica isolates from the lungs of slaughtered sheep and to examine the genetic resistance mechanisms involved. A [...] Read more.
Mannheimia haemolytica is the main pathogen contributing to pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance levels in M. haemolytica isolates from the lungs of slaughtered sheep and to examine the genetic resistance mechanisms involved. A total of 256 M. haemolytica isolates, 169 from lungs with pneumonic lesions and 87 from lungs without lesions, were analyzed by the disk diffusion method for 12 antimicrobials, and the whole genome of 14 isolates was sequenced to identify antimicrobial resistance determinants. Levels of phenotypic resistance ranged from <2% for 10 antimicrobials (amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic, ceftiofur, cefquinome, lincomycin/spectinomycin, gentamicin, erythromycin, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, and doxycycline) to 4.3% for tetracycline and 89.1% for tylosin. Six isolates carried tetH genes and four isolates carried, in addition, the strA and sul2 genes in putative plasmid sequences. No mutations associated with macrolide resistance were identified in 23 rDNA sequences, suggesting that the M. haemolytica phenotypic results for tylosin should be interpreted with care in the absence of well-established epidemiological and clinical breakpoints. The identification of strains phenotypically resistant to tetracycline and of several resistance genes, some of which were present in plasmids, highlights the need for continuous monitoring of susceptibility patterns in Pasteurellaceae isolates from livestock. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Diseases in Livestock and Poultry)
14 pages, 13173 KiB  
Article
Modeling Co-Infection by Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis Reveals Influences on Biofilm Formation and Host Response
by Mengxia Gao, Jing Zuo, Yamin Shen, Shuo Yuan, Shuji Gao, Yuxin Wang, Yang Wang and Li Yi
Animals 2023, 13(9), 1511; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091511 - 29 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1807
Abstract
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) and Haemophilus parasuis (H. parasuis) are two primary pathogens currently affecting the porcine industry. They often cause encephalitis and arthritis. They also frequently co-infect in clinical settings. In the current study, we identified significant correlations [...] Read more.
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) and Haemophilus parasuis (H. parasuis) are two primary pathogens currently affecting the porcine industry. They often cause encephalitis and arthritis. They also frequently co-infect in clinical settings. In the current study, we identified significant correlations between S. suis and H. parasuis. The results from CI versus RIR suggested that S. suis and H. parasuis were competitive in general. Compared to mono-species biofilm, the biomass, bio-volume, and thickness of mixed-species biofilms were significantly higher, which was confirmed using crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to mono-species biofilm, the viable bacteria in the mixed-species biofilms were significantly lower, which was confirmed using the enumeration of colony-forming units (CFU cm−2). The susceptibility of antibiotics in the co-culture decreased in the planktonic state. In contrast, biofilm state bacteria are significantly more difficult to eradicate with antibiotics than in a planktonic state. Whether in planktonic or biofilm state, the expression of virulence genes of S. suis and H. parasuis in mixed culture was very different from that in single culture. Subsequently, by establishing a mixed infection model in mice, we found that the colonization of the two pathogens in organs increased after mixed infection, and altered the host’s inflammatory response. In summary, our results indicate that S. suis and H. parasuis compete when co-cultured in vitro. Surprisingly, S. suis and H. parasuis synergistically increased colonization capacity after co-infection in vivo. This study elucidated the interaction between S. suis and H. parasuis during single infections and co-infections. Future studies on bacterial disease control and antibiotic treatment should consider the interaction of mixed species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Diseases in Livestock and Poultry)
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19 pages, 5150 KiB  
Article
Mortality Causes in Captive Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) in Spain
by Alberto García-Rodríguez, Gloria Herrero-García, María Gracia de Garnica García, Álvaro García Esgueva, Ramón Balsera, Álvaro Oleaga, Daniel Fernández, Javier Amado, Luis José Royo, María José García Iglesias and Ana Balseiro
Animals 2023, 13(7), 1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13071255 - 5 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3097
Abstract
The Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) is one of the most severely threatened subspecies of capercaillie. Its current population range is restricted to a small area of the Cantabrian Mountains (northwestern Spain), with only around 200 individuals remaining. As part of [...] Read more.
The Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) is one of the most severely threatened subspecies of capercaillie. Its current population range is restricted to a small area of the Cantabrian Mountains (northwestern Spain), with only around 200 individuals remaining. As part of the national strategy for the conservation of the subspecies, the Cantabrian capercaillie Captive Breeding Center of Sobrescobio opened in 2009. Here, we use the information provided by the necropsies performed in this facility on 29 individuals (11 males, 13 females and 5 undetermined; 16 chicks and 13 adults) in order to describe the main mortality causes of captive-bred Cantabrian capercaillies. After necropsy, tissue samples were taken for evaluation using standard methods in histology and microbiology. The majority of the captive animals (18/29, 62.07%) died due to infectious diseases, mainly due to Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, or Aspergillus fumigatus infection. The remaining 11 animals died due to stress-related processes (i.e., rupture of the heart apex and cardiomyopathy or neurogenic shock) (8/29, 27.59%), duodenal obstruction and coelomitis (1/29, 3.45%), perforation of the proventriculus and heart with a briar branch (1/29, 3.45%) or euthanasia due to a valgus leg deformity that prevented proper animal welfare (1/29, 3.45%). Young animals (i.e., younger than 2 months) died mainly due to infectious diseases (14/16, 87.5%), while stress-related causes were responsible for most adult deaths (7/13, 53.85%). We additionally report that two free-ranging adult males died due to exertional myopathy. This study provides relevant information for reducing mortality in captive capercaillies and improving both living conditions in captivity and the adaptation of these animals to the wild. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Diseases in Livestock and Poultry)
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11 pages, 1873 KiB  
Article
Establishment and Application of an Indirect ELISA for the Detection of Antibodies to Porcine Streptococcus suis Based on a Recombinant GMD Protein
by Nihua Dong, Zhaofei Wang, Qing Sun, Xiaojun Chen, Hailong Zhang, Jiayang Zheng, Xinya Zhang, Yafeng Qiu, Zongjie Li, Beibei Li, Ke Liu, Donghua Shao, Jianchao Wei, Jianhe Sun and Zhiyong Ma
Animals 2023, 13(4), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040719 - 17 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2214
Abstract
S. suis is an important zoonotic pathogen from sick and recessive carrier pigs that poses a serious threat to animal husbandry production and public health. It usually causes horizontal transmission among pigs. The morbidity and mortality of this disease are very high. Human [...] Read more.
S. suis is an important zoonotic pathogen from sick and recessive carrier pigs that poses a serious threat to animal husbandry production and public health. It usually causes horizontal transmission among pigs. The morbidity and mortality of this disease are very high. Human infection is caused through direct or indirect contact with sick pigs. The two large-scale outbreaks in China were due to the outbreak of S. suis on pig farms, which spread to human infection; thus, detecting S. suis in pig herds is crucial. At present, the commercial S. suis ELISA type 2 kits on the market can only detect single serotypes, high probabilities of interaction reactions, and biosafety risks when using inactivated S. suis as an antigen. Phosphate-3-glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase (GAPDH), muramidase-released protein (MRP), and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH) are important S. suis type 2, S. suis type 7, and S. suis type 9 protective antigens. This study purified the GMD protein (B-cell-dominant epitopes of GAPDH, MRP, and DLDH antigens) and used a diverse combination of dominant epitopes of the multiple different antigens as coated antigens, improving the sensitivity and safety of the indirect ELISA experiments. An indirect ELISA method (GMD-ELISA) was developed for detecting S. suis antibodies. The antigen—antibody response was optimized using checkerboard titration. The results of testing using ELISA for Salmonella enterica (S. enterica), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (SA), and Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) were all negative, indicating that this method had strong specificity. The results were still positive when the dilution ratio of S. suis-positive serum reached 1:6, 400, thus indicating that the method had high sensitivity. The results of the reproducibility assay for indirect ELISA showed that the intra-assay coefficient of variation and the inter-assay coefficient of variation were less than 10%, indicating that the method had good repeatability. We investigated the seroprevalence of S. suis in 167 serum samples collected in East China, and 33.5% of the samples were positive for antibodies against S. suis, indicating that the prevalence of S. suis is high in pig farms in Eastern China. The novel GMD-ELISA is a convenient, sensitive, and specific diagnostic method that provides technical support for rapid diagnosis and epidemiological investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Diseases in Livestock and Poultry)
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