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Fatal atypical O:3 Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in cynomolgus macaques
Chih-Ling Zao1, Lisa Tomanek, Graciela Hurtado-McClure
1VRL Laboratories, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. chih-ling.zao@vrl.net
Abstract:
Fatal Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in cynomolgus macaques was diagnosed based upon pathology, microbiology and PCR for this study. Pathological findings included acute, erosive to ulcerative, necrohemorrhagic enterocolitis. Genotyping by PCR showed an O:3 pattern (gmd-fcl(+), ddhC-prt(+), manB(+), ddhA-B(+)), but an additional gene, wbyK, was detected. This is the second report to identify wbyK+ O:3 genotype as the cause of fatal yersiniosis. The first case was reported in 2008, and involved farm deer in the U.S. As the frequency of wbyK+ O:3 genotype is found more often in different carriers, O:3 genotype is proposed to be divided into two subtypes: O:3a without wbyK and O:3b with wbyK. Virulence gene analysis showed the presence of inv, ypmC, irp1, ybtP-ybtQ, yadA, yopB, yopH, lcrF, and suggested that this O:3b isolate could be a highly pathogenic strain to cynomolgus macaques.
Insights
Fatal Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections in macaques were caused by a specific O:3b genotype. This subtype, identified by the wbyK gene, is proposed as a distinct category due to its increased prevalence and pathogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Yersinia pseudotuberculosis causes fatal infections in various animal hosts.
- The O:3 serotype is a known cause of yersiniosis, but specific genetic markers require further investigation.
- Cynomolgus macaques are susceptible to Yersinia infections, making them a relevant model for studying disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To diagnose and characterize the cause of fatal Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in cynomolgus macaques.
- To investigate the genetic makeup of the causative Yersinia isolate, focusing on O:3 serotype markers.
- To propose a revised classification for the O:3 genotype based on the presence or absence of the wbyK gene.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and histopathological examination of infected macaques.
- Bacteriological culture and identification of Yersinia isolates.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for O:3 serotyping and detection of specific genes (gmd-fcl, ddhC-prt, manB, ddhA-B, wbyK).
- Virulence gene analysis.
Main Results:
- Pathology revealed acute, necrohemorrhagic enterocolitis.
- PCR confirmed an O:3 genotype with the presence of gmd-fcl, ddhC-prt, manB, and ddhA-B.
- The wbyK gene was detected in the isolate, classifying it as wbyK+ O:3.
- This wbyK+ O:3 genotype is proposed as a new subtype, O:3b, distinct from O:3a (wbyK-).
- Virulence gene analysis indicated a highly pathogenic potential for this O:3b isolate in macaques.
Conclusions:
- The fatal Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in cynomolgus macaques was attributed to the wbyK+ O:3b genotype.
- The wbyK+ O:3 genotype represents a distinct and potentially more virulent subtype of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
- Further research is warranted to understand the epidemiology and pathogenicity of the O:3b subtype in different hosts.
