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Genotypic characterization of Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli isolates from sea otters with infective

Katrina L Counihan-Edgar1, Verena A Gill, Angela M Doroff

  • 1University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medicine: Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Davis, California, USA.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|October 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis revealed a predominant strain of Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli in sea otters and mussels. This suggests a potential shared environmental source for these bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli is an emerging pathogen.
  • Understanding the population structure of S. infantarius subsp. coli is crucial for managing infections in wildlife and potentially humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To genetically characterize Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli isolates from sea otters and mussels.
  • To investigate potential transmission routes and sources of infection.

Main Methods:

  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with SmaI restriction enzyme was employed.
  • 128 isolates of S. infantarius subsp. coli were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Six distinct SmaI PFGE groups were identified among the isolates.
  • A single predominant PFGE group accounted for 57% of all isolates.
  • High genetic relatedness was observed between isolates from sea otters and mussels.

Conclusions:

  • The genetic data indicate a widespread distribution of a dominant S. infantarius subsp. coli strain.
  • The close genetic links between isolates from different hosts and locations suggest a potential common environmental reservoir for this bacterium.

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