Open Access
Research
(Published
online: 19-08-2016)
13.
Molecular characterization of virulence
genes of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in equines -
R. Javed, A. K. Taku, Rakhi Gangil and R. K. Sharma
Veterinary World, 9(8): 875-881
doi:
10.14202/vetworld.2016.875-881
R. Javed:
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences &
Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
rabiajavedkhan@gmail.com
A. K. Taku:
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences &
Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
aniltaku@gmail.com
Rakhi Gangil:
Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and
Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India; rgangil@gmail.com
R. K. Sharma:
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences &
Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
rajni.psc@gmail.com
Received: 04-06-2016, Accepted: 16-07-2016, Published online:
19-08-2016
Corresponding author:
Rakhi Gangil, e-mail: rgangil@gmail.com
Citation:
Javed R, Taku AK, Gangil R, Sharma RK (2016) Molecular
characterization of virulence genes of Streptococcus equi
subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp.
zooepidemicus in equines, Veterinary World, 9(8):
875-881.
Abstract
Aim:
The aim was to determine the occurrence of streptococci in
equines in Jammu (R. S. Pura, Katra), characterization of
Streptococci equi
subsp.
equi
and
Streptococcus equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
with respect to their virulence traits and to determine
antibiotic sensitivity pattern of virulent
Streptococcus
isolates.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 96 samples were collected from both clinically
affected animals (exhibiting signs of respiratory tract disease)
and apparently healthy animals and were sent to laboratory. The
organisms were isolated on Columbia nalidixic acid agar
containing 5% sheep blood as well as on sheep blood agar and
confirmed by cultural characteristics and biochemical tests.
Molecular detection of
Streptococcus
was done directly from cultures using
sodA
and
seM
gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiogram was
performed against five antibiotics such as amoxicillin,
penicillin G, streptomycin, rifampicin, and methicillin.
Results:
During this study, a total 40 streptococcal isolates were
obtained out of which 2 isolates were of
S. equi
subsp.
equi,
12 isolates were from
S. equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus.
In the PCR-based detection, we revealed amplicons of 235 bp and
679 bp for confirmation of
sodA
and
seM
gene, respectively. In antibiogram, two isolates of
S. equi
subsp.
equi
were found resistant to penicillin G, and all other isolates
were found sensitive to amoxicillin and streptomycin.
Conclusion:
The majority of streptococcal infections was due to
S. equi
subsp.
Zooepidemicus,
and thus was recognized as a potential pathogen of diseases of
equines besides
S. equi
subsp.
equi.
Keywords:
polymerase chain reaction,
Streptococcus equi
sub sp.
equi,
and
Streptococcus equi
sub sp.
zooepidemicus.
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