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Published on: October 18, 2018
Isolation of Arcanobacterium pyogenes from the porcine gastric mucosa
B H Jost1, K W Post, J G Songer
1Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA. jost@u.arizona.edu
Abstract:
Arcanobacterium (Actinomyces) pyogenes is an inhabitant of the mucous membranes of the respiratory and genital tracts of a number of domestic animal species. However, following a precipitating physical or microbial insult, A. pyogenes can become an opportunistic pathogen, associated with suppurative infections. The isolation of A. pyogenes from the bovine ruminal wall indicated that this organism may also inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of, at least, cattle. To determine whether A. pyogenes was also present on the gastric mucosa of a monogastric animal, porcine stomachs were cultured for the presence of this organism. Of 13 stomachs sampled, A. pyogenes was isolated from 5 (39%). The identity of the organism was confirmed by PCR with primers specific to the plo gene, which encodes the A. pyogenes haemolytic exotoxin pyolysin. In addition, an isolate from each positive stomach was subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the identification as A. pyogenes was confirmed. These data indicate that A. pyogenes may be resident on the gastric mucosa of pigs.
Insights
Arcanobacterium pyogenes, an opportunistic pathogen, was found in 39% of pig stomachs. This finding suggests Arcanobacterium pyogenes may reside on the gastric mucosa of pigs, expanding its known habitat.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Animal Health
- Gastrointestinal Microbiology
Background:
- Arcanobacterium pyogenes is known to colonize respiratory and genital tracts.
- It acts as an opportunistic pathogen causing suppurative infections.
- Previous isolation from bovine ruminal walls suggested potential gastrointestinal presence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of Arcanobacterium pyogenes on the gastric mucosa of pigs.
- To determine if pigs harbor Arcanobacterium pyogenes in their stomachs.
Main Methods:
- Porcine stomachs were cultured for Arcanobacterium pyogenes.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using plo gene-specific primers confirmed bacterial identity.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing further validated the identification of isolates.
Main Results:
- Arcanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from 5 out of 13 (39%) porcine stomachs.
- PCR confirmed the presence of the pyolysin gene (plo) in isolates.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing verified the isolates as Arcanobacterium pyogenes.
Conclusions:
- Arcanobacterium pyogenes can be found on the gastric mucosa of pigs.
- This study expands the known habitat of Arcanobacterium pyogenes to include the porcine gastric environment.
- The findings suggest Arcanobacterium pyogenes may be a resident bacterium in the pig gastrointestinal tract.
