Metabolic Traits of Bovine Shiga Toxin-Producing (STEC) Strains with Different Colonization Properties.

Cattle harbor Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) in their intestinal tract, thereby providing these microorganisms with an ecological niche, but without this colonization leading to any clinical signs. In a preceding study, genotypic characterization of bovine STEC isolates unveiled that their ability to colonize cattle persistently (STEC) or only sporadically (STEC) is more closely associated with the overall composition of the accessory rather than the core genome. However, the colonization pattern could not be unequivocally linked to the possession of classical virulence genes.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation in milk replacer and Shiga toxoid vaccination on serum α-tocopherol, performance, haematology and blood chemistry in male Holstein calves.

Vitamin E (vit E), an essential antioxidant for maintaining the stability of biological membranes and the function of the immune system, is considered to support adaptive immune responses and performance in cattle. The principal virulence factor of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), the eponymous Stx, modulates cellular immune responses in cattle, the primary STEC reservoir. Active and passive immunization of calves with Shiga toxoids (rStx ) was recently shown to reduce the STEC shedding.

Decreased STEC shedding by cattle following passive and active vaccination based on recombinant Escherichia coli Shiga toxoids.

The principal virulence factor of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), the eponymous Stx, modulates cellular immune responses in cattle, the primary STEC reservoir. We examined whether immunization with genetically inactivated recombinant Shiga toxoids (rStx1/rStx2) influences STEC shedding in a calf cohort. A group of 24 calves was passively (colostrum from immunized cows) and actively (intra-muscularly at 5 and 8 week) vaccinated.

Complete Annotated Genome Sequences of Two Shiga Toxin-Producing Strains and One Atypical Enteropathogenic Strain, Isolated from Naturally Colonized Cattle of German Origin.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) strains are important zoonotic enteric pathogens with the main reservoir in cattle. Here, we present the genomes of two STEC strains and one atypical enteropathogenic strain from cattle origin, obtained during a longitudinal study in German cattle herds.

Evaluation of applicability of DNA microarray-based characterization of bovine Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolates using whole genome sequence analysis.

We assessed the ability of a commercial DNA microarray to characterize bovine Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates and evaluated the results using in silico hybridization of the microarray probes within whole genome sequencing scaffolds. From a total of 69,954 reactions (393 probes with 178 isolates), 68,706 (98.2%) gave identical results by DNA microarray and in silico probe hybridization.

Evidence for Contemporary Switching of the O-Antigen Gene Cluster between Shiga Toxin-Producing Strains Colonizing Cattle.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) comprise a group of zoonotic enteric pathogens with ruminants, especially cattle, as the main reservoir. O-antigens are instrumental for host colonization and bacterial niche adaptation. They are highly immunogenic and, therefore, targeted by the adaptive immune system.

The Accessory Genome of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Defines a Persistent Colonization Type in Cattle.

Unlabelled: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains can colonize cattle for several months and may, thus, serve as gene reservoirs for the genesis of highly virulent zoonotic enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). Attempts to reduce the human risk for acquiring EHEC infections should include strategies to control such STEC strains persisting in cattle.

Instructive even after a decade: Complete results of initial virological diagnostics and re-evaluation of molecular data in the German rabies virus "outbreak" caused by transplantations.

In 2005, six patients in Germany received solid organs and both corneas from a donor with an unrecognized rabies infection. Initial virological diagnostics with the machinery available at the two national reference laboratories could quickly clarify the situation. Rabies virus antigen was detected in the organ donor's brain.

Detection of virulence-associated genes characteristic of intestinal Escherichia coli pathotypes, including the enterohemorrhagic/enteroaggregative O104:H4, in bovines from Germany and Spain.

Cattle are reservoirs of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli; however, their role in the epidemiology of other pathogenic E. coli remains undefined. A new set of quantitative real-time PCR assays for the direct detection and quantification of nine virulence-associated genes (VAGs) characteristic of the most important human E.

Development of a rapid microarray-based DNA subtyping assay for the alleles of Shiga toxins 1 and 2 of Escherichia coli.

In this study, we developed a new rapid, economic, and automated microarray-based genotyping test for the standardized subtyping of Shiga toxins 1 and 2 of Escherichia coli. The microarrays from Alere Technologies can be used in two different formats, the ArrayTube and the ArrayStrip (which enables high-throughput testing in a 96-well format). One microarray chip harbors all the gene sequences necessary to distinguish between all Stx subtypes, facilitating the identification of single and multiple subtypes within a single isolate in one experiment.

Occurrence of Enterobacteriaceae in Raw Meat and in Human Samples from Egyptian Retail Sellers.

The present study was performed to assess the presence of Enterobacteriaceae in raw meat and handlers in Egypt using cultivation and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A total of 100 raw meat samples (chicken and beef meat, 50 each) were randomly purchased from butchers and local meat retailers located at Mansoura city, Egypt. Fifty human samples were collected from meat handlers (hand swabs and stool specimens, 25 each).

Rapid microarray-based DNA genoserotyping of Escherichia coli.

In this study, an improvement in the oligonucleotide-based DNA microarray for the genoserotyping of Escherichia coli is presented. Primer and probes for additional 70 O antigen groups were developed. The microarray was transferred to a new platform, the ArrayStrip format, which allows high through-put tests in 96-well formats and fully automated microarray analysis.

Zoonotic agents in small ruminants kept on city farms in southern Germany.

Sheep and goats are popular examples of livestock kept on city farms. In these settings, close contacts between humans and animals frequently occur. Although it is widely accepted that small ruminants can carry numerous zoonotic agents, it is unknown which of these agents actually occur in sheep and goats on city farms in Germany.

No evidence of the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O104:H4 outbreak strain or enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) found in cattle faeces in northern Germany, the hotspot of the 2011 HUS outbreak area.

Background: Ruminants, in particular bovines, are the primary reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but whole genome analyses of the current German ESBL-producing O104:H4 outbreak strain of sequence type (ST) 678 showed this strain to be highly similar to enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC).

Determination of serotypes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolates by intact cell matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates representing the serotypes O165:H25, O26:H11/H32, and O156:H25 were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra of whole cells, a procedure also known as intact cell mass spectrometry (ICMS or IC-MALDI MS) or MALDI-typing. We demonstrate that within the given species the three serotypes can be well discriminated by ICMS. Conditions for the construction of serotype-specific prototypic mass spectra were systematically optimized by filtering out masses that do not contribute to the discrimination of the serotypes.

Rapid microarray-based genotyping of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli serotype O156:H25/H-/Hnt isolates from cattle and clonal relationship analysis.

Since enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) isolates of serogroup O156 have been obtained from human diarrhea patients and asymptomatic carriers, we studied cattle as a potential reservoir for these bacteria. E. coli isolates serotyped by agglutination as O156:H25/H-/Hnt strains (n = 32) were isolated from three cattle farms during a period of 21 months and characterized by rapid microarray-based genotyping.

Analysis of the clonal relationship of serotype O26:H11 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli isolates from cattle.

Twelve cluster groups of Escherichia coli O26 isolates found in three cattle farms were monitored in space and time. Cluster analysis suggests that only some O26:H11 strains had the potential for long-term persistence in hosts and farms. As judged by their virulence markers, bovine enterohemorrhagic O26:H11 isolates may represent a considerable risk for human infection.

Genetic stability (in vivo) of the attenuated oral rabies virus vaccine SAD B19.

The distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits containing replication-competent live viruses poses certain environmental safety risks; among others, the possibility of reversion to or an increase in virulence. Hence, the genetic stability of the complete genome of the most widely used oral rabies vaccine virus, SAD B19, was examined after four and 10 serial i.c.

Evaluation of five ELISA test kits for the measurement of antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in bovine serum.

Five commercially available ELISA tests for the detection of antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in bovine serum were evaluated at the individual animal level using sera from 286 paratuberculosis-free and 110 paratuberculosis-infected dairy cattle. Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the tests were estimated after determination of the cut-off dtheta by TG-ROC analysis or using the cut-off values recommended by the manufacturers, respectively.

Genetic characterisation of attenuated SAD rabies virus strains used for oral vaccination of wildlife.

The elimination of rabies from the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Western Europe has been achieved by the oral rabies vaccination (ORV) of wildlife with a range of attenuated rabies virus strains. With the exception of the vaccinia rabies glycoprotein recombinant vaccine (VRG), all strains were originally derived from a common ancestor; the Street Alabama Dufferin (SAD) field strain. However, after more than 30 years of ORV it is still not possible to distinguish these vaccine strains and there is little information on the genetic basis for their attenuation.

[The suitability of ELISA for the detection of antibodies against Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in bulk milk samples from Rhineland-Palatinate].

Paratuberculosis or Johne's Disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is a notifiable disease in Germany which produces enormous economical losses in dairy farms. At present,there is no confirmed data about the actual number of infected livestock herds in Germany. A countrywide monitoring program to evaluate the prevalence in dairy herds would only be economically feasible on the basis of bulk milk testing.

Salmonella Montevideo outbreak in military kennel dogs caused by contaminated commercial feed, which was only recognized through monitoring.

A large outbreak of canine salmonellosis in military watch dogs due to Salmonella Montevideo and/or Salmonella Give was only recognized through a monitoring program, implemented by the military forces. In 51 out of 80 exposed dogs (63.8%) from four kennels Salmonella was isolated from fecal samples.

Analysis of the clonal relationship of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serogroup O165:H25 isolated from cattle.

Variations in time and space of a clonal group of Escherichia coli O165:H25 on a cattle farm were monitored. The virulence marker pattern (stx genes, eae gene, hly(EHEC) gene, katP gene, espP gene, efa gene) suggests that E. coli O165:H25 of bovine origin may represent a risk for human infection.

The "Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut": past, present and future of research in infectious diseases of animals.

The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, founded in 1910 by Friedrich Loeffler, the discoverer of the first animal virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, is the oldest virological research facility in the world. Beyond viruses, its area of competence has significantly expanded since its foundation and now also covers bacterial, parasitic and prion diseases of livestock, poultry and aquatic animals. Presently located at four sites within Germany (Insel Riems, Jena,Tübingen,Wusterhausen) the tasks of the institute as delineated in the Animal Disease Act encompass research on infectious animal diseases including zoonoses, import/export examinations, epidemiological studies in case of outbreaks of notifiable animal diseases, acting as reference laboratory for notifiable animal diseases and nationwide quality management of diagnosis of notifiable animal diseases.

[Conventional and alternative housing systems for poultry--point of view of infectious disease medicine].

The use of conventional battery cages for hens will be prohibited in Germany in 2007. Only few studies, however, have considered the differences between battery cages and alternative systems with regard to infectious diseases. The existing gaps in the current knowledge need to be closed by research and measures must be developed that will prevent the spread of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections in alternative poultry housing systems.