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A Virulent Trueperella pyogenes Isolate, Which Causes Severe Bronchoconstriction in Porcine Precision-Cut Lung Slices
Lei Qin1,2, Fandan Meng1, Haijuan He3
1National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
Abstract:
Trueperella pyogenes causes disease in cattle, sheep, goats and swine, and is involved occasionally in human disease worldwide. Most reports implicating T. pyogenes have been associated with clinical cases, whereas no report has focused on pathogenicity of T. pyogenes in mouse models or precision-cut lung slice (PCLS) cultures from swine. Here, we isolated and identified a virulent, β-hemolytic, multidrug-resistant T. pyogenes strain named 20121, which harbors the virulence marker genes fimA, fimE, nanH, nanP and plo. It was found to be highly resistant to erythromycin, azithromycin and medemycin. Strain 20121 was pathogenic in mouse infection models, displaying pulmonary congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration, partial degeneration in epithelial cells of the tracheal and bronchiolar mucosa, a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the submucosa, and bacteria (>104 CFU/g) in the lung. Importantly, we used T. pyogenes 20121 to infect porcine precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) cultures for the first time, where it caused severe bronchoconstriction. Furthermore, dexamethasone showed its ability to relieve bronchoconstriction in PCLS caused by T. pyogenes 20121, highlighting dexamethasone may assist antibiotic treatment for clinical T. pyogenes infection. This is the first report of T. pyogenes used to infect and cause bronchoconstriction in porcine PCLS. Our results suggest that porcine PCLS cultures as a valuable 3D organ model for the study of T. pyogenes infection and treatment in vitro.
Insights
A new virulent Trueperella pyogenes strain (20121) caused lung disease in mice and severe bronchoconstriction in swine precision-cut lung slice (PCLS) cultures. Dexamethasone may aid antibiotic treatment for T. pyogenes infections.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Pathogenesis
Background:
- Trueperella pyogenes is a significant pathogen in livestock and occasionally causes human infections.
- Limited research exists on T. pyogenes pathogenicity in animal models or in vitro lung cultures.
- Understanding T. pyogenes virulence and host response is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel virulent, multidrug-resistant T. pyogenes strain (20121).
- To evaluate the pathogenicity of T. pyogenes 20121 in mouse models and porcine precision-cut lung slice (PCLS) cultures.
- To investigate the potential of dexamethasone in mitigating T. pyogenes-induced lung inflammation and bronchoconstriction.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of a virulent T. pyogenes strain (20121) with key virulence genes.
- Assessment of T. pyogenes 20121 pathogenicity in mouse infection models.
- Infection of porcine precision-cut lung slice (PCLS) cultures with T. pyogenes 20121 to assess bronchoconstriction.
- Evaluation of dexamethasone's effect on T. pyogenes-induced bronchoconstriction in PCLS.
Main Results:
- Strain 20121 exhibited β-hemolytic activity, multidrug resistance (erythromycin, azithromycin, medemycin), and harbored virulence genes (fimA, fimE, nanH, nanP, plo).
- Infection in mice led to pulmonary congestion, inflammation, epithelial cell damage, and bacterial presence in the lungs.
- For the first time, T. pyogenes 20121 caused severe bronchoconstriction in porcine PCLS cultures.
- Dexamethasone significantly relieved T. pyogenes-induced bronchoconstriction in PCLS.
Conclusions:
- Porcine PCLS cultures serve as a valuable 3D in vitro model for studying T. pyogenes infection.
- The characterized T. pyogenes strain 20121 provides a tool for further research into its pathogenesis.
- Dexamethasone shows promise as an adjunctive therapy to antibiotics for T. pyogenes infections, particularly for managing respiratory symptoms.
