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Cell membrane permeability and mitochondrial dysfunction-inducing activities in cell-free supernatants from Serpulina

N A Witters1, G E Duhamel

  • 1Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 68583-0905, USA.

Insights

Serpulina hyodysenteriae toxins cause membrane permeability and mitochondrial dysfunction. These activities correlate with swine dysentery pathogenesis and age susceptibility, suggesting two distinct toxins.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Pathogenesis Research
  • Swine Disease

Background:

  • Swine dysentery, caused by Serpulina hyodysenteriae, poses a significant threat to swine health.
  • Understanding the virulence factors of S. hyodysenteriae is crucial for developing effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the membrane permeability (MP) and mitochondrial dysfunction-inducing (MDI) activities in cell-free supernatants (CFS) of S. hyodysenteriae.
  • To determine the correlation between MP and MDI activities and the pathogenesis of swine dysentery.
  • To explore the relationship between these activities and age-related susceptibility to the disease.

Main Methods:

  • Detection of MP and MDI activities in CFS using porcine red blood cells (RBC) and porcine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL).
  • Assays included hemoglobin release, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and MTT dye reduction.
  • Correlation analysis of MP and MDI activities with different serotypes and population densities of S. hyodysenteriae.

Main Results:

  • MP and MDI activities were detected in CFS of S. hyodysenteriae.
  • A positive correlation was observed between MP and MDI activities for serotypes 1 and 2, though toxin production kinetics varied.
  • Loss of enteropathogenicity in vitro did not correlate with a loss of MP or MDI activity.
  • MDI activity showed a correlation with age susceptibility to clinical swine dysentery.

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests the involvement of potentially two separate toxins in the pathogenesis of swine dysentery.
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction-inducing activity is linked to age-related susceptibility to clinical disease.
  • Further research is warranted to isolate and characterize these putative toxins.

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