[Isolation and identification of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 from sick-pig samples of Sichuan province]

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is a major pathogen frequently associated with infections in pigs. There are presently 35 serotypes of S.suis (serotype 1 to 34 and serotype 1/2) recognized on the basis of capsular antigens. Few people were reported to infect with SS2 in the past years. However, an accidental case happened in Sichuan province of China in 2005. Some people got ill and died, and all of them were closely contacted with sick pigs. Based on clinical features and epidemiologic data, this case could be caused by SS2 infection. Liver, spleen, kidney, lung and serum samples were collected and used for pathogen isolation and identification in laboratory, three strain bacteria were isolated. The three strains of SS2 showed typical morphology of SS2 on blood agar and under microscope with Gram stain. They were also agglutinated with standard serum of SS2. Biochemical characteristics of the three bacteria were tested using API 20 strep and analyzed by API software (version 3.3), results showed they were SS2. Four pairs of primer were designed, which were exactly matched the extracellular factor gene, muraminidase released protein gene, capsular polysaccharides gene and 16S rRNA gene respectively. These primers were used on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the PCR products were 626bp, 885bp, 487bp and 297bp on agarose gel, respectively. Drug sensitivity test were also done and results showed that they were sensitive to cefazolin, clindamycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, penicillin-G, and vancomycin and resistive to tetracycline. Balb/c mice infected with the isolated SS2 strain showed swelling in stomach and intestine, cyanochroia at mouth and suggillation under skin, which were similar to the clinical features of patients. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 were also found on lung sheeting sample under microscope with Gram stain. Rabbits infected with the isolated SS2 showed the similar clinical features with mice.