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Phenotypic diversity in an emerging mycoplasmal disease

Kailey Perez1, Nathan Mullen1, Jessica A Canter2

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, USA.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|October 23, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) strains from house finches show varying virulence factors like sialidase activity and cytadherence. These differences suggest adaptation to a new host environment.

Area of Science:

  • * Veterinary Microbiology
  • * Avian Pathology
  • * Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • * Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is an avian pathogen affecting poultry and house finches.
  • * MG in house finches is linked to lethal conjunctivitis.
  • * Virulence factors include cytadherence, sialidase activity, peroxide production, and biofilm formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To quantitatively assess virulence factors in MG isolates from house finches.
  • * To determine temporal and geographic variations in these factors across the United States.
  • * To correlate virulence factor variation with differing in vivo pathogenicity.

Main Methods:

  • * Quantitative assessment of sialidase activity, cytadherence, peroxide production, and biofilm formation.
  • * Analysis of MG isolates from a temporal and geographic distribution.
  • * Statistical analysis (P < 0.05) to identify significant differences between strains.

Main Results:

  • * Significant differences (P < 0.05) observed in sialidase activity, cytadherence, and hydrogen peroxide production among strains.
  • * Sialidase activity increased over time in localized populations but not overall.
  • * All strains bound α-2,6-linked sialic acid, but none bound α-2,3-linked sialic acid.
  • * All strains formed biofilms in vitro, with no significant differences in density.

Conclusions:

  • * Quantitative variation in virulence traits exists among MG strains from house finches.
  • * Findings support the hypothesis of within-host evolutionary adaptation to a new ecological niche.
  • * Pathogen adaptation may be driven by the shift from poultry to house finch populations.
Keywords:
AdherenceBiofilmCytadherenceHydrogen peroxideMycoplasma gallisepticumPathogenesisSialic acidSialidaseVirulence factors

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