Mycoplasma phocarhinis sp. nov. and Mycoplasma phocacerebrale sp. nov., two new species from harbor seals (Phoca vitulina L.)

A total of 120 mycoplasma strains were recovered from 97 of 265 diseased seals investigated during the seal epidemic in the North Sea and in the Baltic Sea in 1988. Mycoplasmas were isolated from the respiratory tracts (including lungs), hearts, brains, and eyes of the seals. Thirty strains were filter cloned and investigated for their morphological, biochemical, and serological characteristics compared with the characteristics of previously described species. The results of an indirect immunofluorescence test, a growth inhibition test, and an immunobinding assay showed that these strains belong to two new species, for which the names Mycoplasma phocarhinis and Mycoplasma phocacerebrale are proposed. M. phocarhinis (17 strains) did not ferment glucose or hydrolyze arginine but did reduce tetrazolium chloride and potassium tellurite and produced films and spots. M. phocacerebrale (13 strains) metabolized arginine but not glucose and produced phosphatase but did not reduce tetrazolium chloride and potassium tellurite. Both species lysed sheep erythrocytes but did not absorb sheep or guinea pig erythrocytes. The type strain of M. phocarhinis is strain 852 (= ATCC 49639), and the type strain of M. phocacerebrale is strain 1049 (= ATCC 49640).     

Sensitivity of Certain Porcine and Bovine Mycoplasmas to Antimicrobial Agents in a Liquid Medium Test Compared to a Disc Assay

The sensitivity of some porcine and bovine mycoplasmas to potent antimicrobial agents was examined. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were estimated for M. hyosynoviae, M. hyopneumoniae, M. dispar and M. bovis against enrofloxacin, lincomycin, tetracycline, tiamulin and tylosin, in a liquid medium test and in a disc assay. All 6 examined strains of each species and the respective type strains were significantly inhibited. The greatest sensitivity was noted for tiamulin against strains of M. hyosynoviae with a final MIC50 broth value of 0.025 µg ml−1 and disc value of 0.03 µg per disc. Enrofloxacin was found very potent against M. hyopneumoniae with a final MIC50 of 0.025 µg ml−1 and 0.1 µg per disc, and for M. dispar with 0.05 µg ml−1 and 0.03 µg per disc. Most disc assay estimates in ug per disc were similar to or moderately greater than corresponding final broth figures in µg ml−1. It may be possible to convert observed disc assay values into representative final broth MIC values for use in the clinic.     

酸马奶中乳酸菌的鉴定及生物学特性的研究

[目的]对从酸马奶中分离出来的10株乳酸菌进行鉴定和生理生化特性研究,为工业生产筛选特性优良的菌种.[方法]通过形态学观察、生理生化特性、分子生物学特性及其对致病菌抑制作用的研究对其进行鉴定,并筛选特性优良菌株.[结果]10株乳酸菌分别为2株Lactobacillus plantarum、2株Enterococcus villorum、2株Enterococcus dispar、3株Enterococcus durans和1株Enterococcus raffinosus;其对Staphylococcus aureus、Escherichia coli和Enteritidis bacillus有不同程度的抑制作用.[结论]菌株HZ24、HZ25具有良好的生物学特性和益生功能,可以应用到食品发酵工业生产中.     

Close genetic and phenotypic relatedness between mycoplasma ovine/caprine serogroup 11 and Mycoplasma bovigenitalium

Strains of Mycoplasma ovine/caprine serogroup 11, isolated from infertile sheep, were compared to the type strain, 2D, and to strains of the cattle pathogen M. bovigenitalium, including the type strain, PG11. Examination of these strains by growth inhibition and immune fluorescence tests showed strong serological cross reactivity between M. serogroup 11 and M. bovigenitalium but not with other ruminant mycoplasmas. Substrate oxidation and growth studies did not show any consistent differences between M. serogroup 11 and M. bovigenitalium strains; all strains assigned to both groups were adapted to the utilisation of a small range of organic acids as energy sources. DNA:DNA hybridisation, carried out between DIG labelled reference strains of M. serogroup 11 and M. bovigenitalium and field isolates of these two mycoplasmas showed a particularly close relationship with hybridisation rates all greater than 70% and, mostly, closer to 90%. Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene region of the M. serogroup 11 and M. bovigenitalium strains as well as the respective type strains revealed very high overall homologies of 99.5%. In summary, the results showed a very close phenotypic and genotypic relatedness between these two ruminant mycoplasmas which justifies their classification into a single species.     

Comparative genomic hybridizations of Entamoeba strains reveal unique genetic fingerprints that correlate with virulence

Variable phenotypes have been identified for Entamoeba species. Entamoeba histolytica is invasive and causes colitis and liver abscesses but only in approximately 10% of infected individuals; 90% remain asymptomatically colonized. Entamoeba dispar, a closely related species, is avirulent. To determine the extent of genetic diversity among Entamoeba isolates and potential genotype-phenotype correlations, we have developed an E. histolytica genomic DNA microarray and used it to genotype strains of E. histolytica and E. dispar. On the basis of the identification of divergent genetic loci, all strains had unique genetic fingerprints. Comparison of divergent genetic regions allowed us to distinguish between E. histolytica and E. dispar, identify novel genetic regions usable for strain and species typing, and identify a number of genes restricted to virulent strains. Among the four E. histolytica strains, a strain with attenuated virulence was the most divergent and phylogenetically distinct strain, raising the intriguing possibility that genetic subtypes of E. histolytica may be partially responsible for the observed variability in clinical outcomes. This microarray-based genotyping assay can readily be applied to the study of E. histolytica clinical isolates to determine genetic diversity and potential genotypic-phenotypic associations.     

Properties of Mycoplasma hominis 4330

Mycoplasma strain 4330, one of the earliest strains of pleuropneumonia-like organisms to be isolated from man in the United States, has been found to resemble M. hominis type 1 by serological methods (the growth inhibition and latex agglutination tests). The results of earlier serological studies indicated a similarity between the Campo and 4330 strains which was not detected by use of the cultures currently available. Strain 4330 differs from strains of Mycoplasma recently isolated from man by producing acid from a variety of carbohydrates. This acquisition of biochemical properties may be the result of hundreds of transfers on artificial media during a period of more than a quarter of a century. Identification of the strain was deemed advisable, since two different cultures and a mixed culture existed under the designation "4330." The extraneous organisms were found to be closely related to M. laidlawii by their biological and serological properties.     

Isolation and Characterization of a New Porcine Mycoplasma

In a study on the distribution of Mycoplasma sui- (hyo-) pneumoniae (M. suip.) among Danish swine it was found that most isolates possessing the characteristic colonial morphology of M. suip. would be inhibited significantly in the growth inhibition (g.i.) and metabolic inhibition (m.i.) tests by antiserum for a type strain* of this species. However, a few isolates were found to be completely unaffected by this antiserum. Five such strains have been recovered, viz. 4 from cases of catarrhal pneumonia in bacon pigs, 1 from the nasal cavity of a 40-kg pig. The pigs in question originated from 5 different herds. The recovery of 1 of the strains has been reported (Friis 1971b).     

Molecular differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar from Tunisian food handlers with amoeba infection initially diagnosed by microscopy

The purpose of the study was to obtain more reliable epidemiological data concerning Entamoeba (E.) histolytica infection in Tunisian food handlers using established molecular tools able to differentiate E. histolytica from E. dispar. From 2002 to 2005, 4,266 fresh stools specimens received in the setting of the National program of food handlers' control were analysed by optical microscopy. Twelve (2.8 per thousand) were positive for the presence of four nuclei cysts identified as E. histolytica/E. dispar. Extraction of DNA from the 12 samples, followed by specific amplifications of E. histolytica and E. dispar SSU rDNA, showed that 11 samples (92%) were positive for E. dispar and negative for E. histolytica. Sequencing analysis of 8 PCR products permitted to verify the results obtained with conventional PCR. The remaining sample was negative by PCR amplifying E. histolytica DNA or E. dispar DNA specifically, although it did not show any inhibition. It probably contains protozoan cysts genetically distinct from these two species but morphological similar. Estimation of relative proportions between E. histolytica and E. dispar in cyst carriers showed that all explored individuals harboured the non pathogenic E. dispar strains. This result highlights the need of use in this population of complementary tests that allow specific diagnosis and obviate unnecessary chemotherapy.     

Mycobactins and exochelins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum and other related species

Following iron-deficient growth, mycobactins and exochelins were isolated from 11 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (including type strains of the virulent H37Rv and avirulent H37Ra organisms) as well as from M. bovis (one strain), M. bovis BCG (two strains), M. africanum (eight strains) and M. xenopi (one strain) but not from M. microti (one strain). The mycobactins from the tuberculosis group (M. tuberculosis, M. bovis and M. africanum) were identical and could each be resolved into four compounds by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and into several fractions by high-performance liquid chromatography, supporting previous claims that this group is a single taxon. Exochelins were all chloroform-soluble and showed no species specificity; no single exochelin was recognized by TLC that had not been previously seen in M. avium or a related species.     

Evaluation of Some Serological Techniques for The Identification of Mycoplasma Hyorhinis and Mycoplasma Suipneumoniae

Eighteen strains of Mycoplasma hyorhinis and a strain of Mycoplasma suipneumoniae were tested in 4 serological tests, i. e., disc growth inhibition, metabolic inhibition, indirect haemagglutination and indirect epi-immunofluorescence. Only with immunofluorescence could all tested strains of M. hyorhinis be shown; no cross-reactions between M. hyorhinis and M. suipneumoniae could be detected. The other tests failed in many cases to identify strains of the same species, and they gave cross-reactions between M. hyorhinis and M. suipneumoniae.     

Antagonistic and antimicrobial activities of some bacterial isolates collected from soil samples

Thirty seven bacterial cultures isolated from soil samples obtained from different locations were tested for their antagonistic activity against some fungal pathogens, viz., Sclerotium rolfsii, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani, causal agents of collar rot of sunflower, wilts and root rots, respectively. Among them, 5 bacterial strains, viz., A1 6 (Bacillus sphaericus), K1 24 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), M1 42 (Bacillus circulans), M1 66 (Bacillus brevis) and T1 22 (Bacillus brevis) showed positive antagonistic activity. M1 66 was the most effective in inhibiting mycelial growth of S. rolfsii in vitro followed by M1 42, T1 22, K1 24 and A1 6. Only one bacterial strain i.e. M1 42 exhibited antagonistic activity against F. oxysporum, and none of the bacterial strains gave positive activity against R. solani. Furthermore, antimicrobial activities of all the 5 strains were checked against different test organisms. These strains showed their extensive inhibition effect particularly against gram-positive test bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and the test fungal strain (Candida albicans). On the other hand, B. brevis M1 66 and B. brevis T1 22 strains had an inhibitory effect against gram positive and gram-negative test bacteria (Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris) as well as the test fungal strain.     

Mycoplasma melaleucae sp. nov., a sterol-requiring mollicute from flowers of several tropical plants

Three sterol-requiring mollicutes from floral surfaces of two tropical plant species (Melaleuca quinquenervia and Melaleuca decora) and a single isolate from a flower of the silk oak (Grevillea robusta) were serologically indistinguishable. Strain M1T (T = type strain), isolated from Melaleuca quinquenervia, was chosen for characterization. Light and electron microscopic observations of strain M1T revealed nonhelical, nonmotile, pleomorphic coccoid cells surrounded by a single cytoplasmic membrane. No evidence of a cell wall was observed. The organism grew well in SP-4 medium, but no sustained growth occurred in conventional mycoplasma media containing horse serum. The optimum temperature for growth was 23 degrees C, but multiplication occurred over a temperature range of 10 to 30 degrees C. Growth was not observed at temperatures above 30 degrees C. Strain M1T and related strains (strains M5, M10, and SO1) catabolized glucose but hydrolyzed neither arginine nor urea. The size of the strain M1T genome was about 561 megadaltons, while the guanine-plus-cytosine content of the DNA was about 27.0 mol%. The organism was serologically unrelated to the type strains of the 80 previously recognized Mycoplasma species or to 18 other unclassified sterol-requiring strains cultivated from animal, plant, or insect sources. Recent sequencing studies of 16S rRNA demonstrated that strain M1T is a member of a clade that contains the type species of the genus Mycoplasma. Strain M1 (= ATCC 49191) is the type strain of Mycoplasma melaleucae sp. nov.     

Kinetic study and mathematical modeling of methanogenesis of acetate using pure cultures of methanogens

Kinetics of methanogenesis from acetate was studied using pure cultures of Methanosarcina barkeri and Methanosarcina mazei. Methane formation was found to be associated with cell growth. Nearly equimolar methane was produced from acetate during the methanogenic growth, and about 1.94 g of cells were formed from each mole of acetate consumed. Cell growth can be estimated from methane production. Significant substrate inhibition was found when acetate concentration was higher than 0.12 M. Among the three methanogenic strains studied, M. mazei strain S6 had the highest specific growth rate at all acetate concentrations studied and was least sensitive to environmental factors investigated (e.g., acetate concentration). The maximum specific growth rate found for strain S6 was 0.022 hr(-1) at acetic acid concentration around 7 g/L. The other two strains studied were M. barkeri strain 227 and strain MS. Growth of M. barkeri was completely inhibited at sodium acetate concentrations higher than 0.24 M. The maximum specific growth rate found for strains 227 and MS was 0.019 and 0.021 h(-1) at acetic acid concentrations of 3.6 and 6.8 g/L, respectively. A kinetic model with substrate inhibition was developed and can be used to simulate the methane formation from M. mazei strain S6 grown on acetate at 35 degrees C, pH 7.     

昆虫质多角体病毒研究的若干新进展

质多角体病毒隶属呼肠孤病毒科质多角体病毒属,病毒粒子为二十面体球形颗粒,具有3～5种结构蛋白,基因组由10或11个节段双链RNA构成。按病毒基因组RNA片段在聚丙烯酰胺或琼脂糖凝胶中电泳图谱的差异,将质多角体病毒分为15个电泳型。随着RNA病毒序列测定策略的逐步成熟与完善,质多角体病毒的序列测定方面取得一定的进展,家蚕质多角体病毒1的两个毒株（H株和I株）,舞毒蛾质多角体病毒1和14,及粉纹夜蛾质多角体病毒15的基因组全序列得到了测定,但质多角体病毒的进化与起源的研究因缺乏足够的遗传信息仍受到限制。     

Bacillus subtilis and phenotypically similar strains producing hexaene antibiotics

We studied metabolites synthesized by Bacillus subtilis strains, including the type strain of B. atrophaeus and phenotypically similar cultures. These metabolites were presented by polyene antibiotics with conjugated double bonds. Hexaenes from study strains inhibited the growth of phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium culmorum, F. sporotrichiella, F. oxysporum, Botrytis sorokiniana, Alternaria tenuis, and Phytophtora infestans. The degree of growth inhibition depended on the test fungus.     

Comparison of the Amino Acid Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Peplomer,Integral Membrane and Nucleocapsid Proteins of Feline,Canine and Porcine Coronaviruses

Complete nucleotide sequences were determined by cDNA cloning of peplomer (S), integral membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N) genes of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) type I strain KU-2, UCD1 and Black, and feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) type II strain 79–1683. Only M and N genes were analyzed in strain KU-2 and strain 79–1683, which still had unknown nucleotide sequences. Deduced amino acid sequences of S, M and N proteins were compared in a total of 7 strains of coronaviruses, which included FIPV type II strain 79–1146, canine coronavirus (CCV) strain Insavc-1 and transmissible gastroenteritis virus of swine (TGEV) strain Purdue. Comparison of deduced amino acid sequences of M and N proteins revealed that both M and N proteins had an identity of at least 90% between FIPV type I and type II. The phylogenetic tree of the M and N protein-deduced amino acid sequences showed that FIPV type I and type II form a group with FECV type II, and that these viruses were evolutionarily distant from CCV and TGEV. On the other hand, when the S protein-deduced amino acid sequences was compared, identity of only about 45% was found between FIPV type I and type II. The phylogenetic tree of the S protein-deduced amino acid sequences indicated that three strains of FIPV type I form a group, and that it is a very long distance from the FIPV type II, FECV type II, CCV and TGEV groups.     

汉坦病毒中国疫苗株Z37M片段的克隆及序列分析

汉坦病毒Z37株是从褐家鼠体内分离到的,用于生产双价肾综合征出血热疫苗的病毒毒株之一,血清分型为SEO型。利用RT-PCR方法扩增Z37株M基因片段cDNA,克隆入质粒载体,进行核苷酸序列测定及分析。Z37株M基因片段由3651个核苷酸组成,只有一个开放读码框架,共编码1133个氨基酸。与HTN型病毒(76-118、A9、HV-114)的核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为71.8%～72.1%、76.2%～76.7%,与SEO型(R22、L99、80-39)的核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为95.3%～96.1%、95.3%～98.9%。这一结果的获得进一步从分子水平确定了Z37株的型别,并为研制M基因片段重组疫苗打下基础。     

新型p1 基因型肺炎支原体分型方法的建立与应用

【目的】针对肺炎支原体新型p1基因型(V2c型)菌株检测工作的需要,建立相应PCR检测方法并进行评价。【方法】针对新型V2c型肺炎支原体菌株p1基因变异区域序列设计特异性扩增引物,建立对V2c型肺炎支原体菌株进行PCR检测的检测方法并用相关基因测序进行验证。使用所建立的巢式多重PCR对北京地区2008-2011年分离到的214株临床肺炎支原体进行分型分析。【结果】特异引物可有效检测出V2c菌株,在其它型别菌株均无阳性扩增。214株肺炎支原体临床分离株中1型菌株占90.2%(193/214),V2a型菌株占0.9%(2/214),V2c型菌株占8.9%(19/214);未检出2型菌株。【结论】针对V2c型肺炎支原体所建立的基于p1基因的PCR检测方法,能有效区分以往方法无法检测出的新型V2c型肺炎支原体菌株,对开展肺炎支原体流行病学调查和病原分析有重要意义。     

Properties, relationships and transmission of a strain of raspberry ringspot virus infecting raspberry cultivars immune to the common Scottish strain*

Plants of Lloyd George and Seedling M raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) were found in eastern Scotland infected with raspberry ringspot (RRV), a virus to which these varieties were previously considered immune. Most RRV isolates from affected plants caused milder symptoms in herbaceous test plants than did the type isolates of the common Scottish and English strains. In graft-transmission tests the Lloyd George strain of RRV infected all the raspberry cultivars tested, including those immune to the common Scottish strain. No consistent differences were found between isolates of the two strains in in vitro properties or serological behaviour. Both strains were transmitted in seed of Stellaria media and in soil containing Longidorus elongatus. Possible reasons why the new strain is uncommon in Scotland are discussed.     

两品系蒙古裸腹溞种群补偿生长及适宜食物密度

研究了两品系蒙古裸腹溞(晋南品系和内蒙品系)继饥饿后的补偿生长及其生长发育的适宜食物密度。结果表明,两品系蒙古裸腹溞生长发育的最适食物——篕∏蛟迕芏染?50×104/mL。对两品系蒙古裸腹溞而言,饥饿0.5d的蒙古裸腹溞有全补偿生长,饥饿1~2d有部分补偿生长现象,饥饿超过3d已没有补偿生长。可以认为,蒙古裸腹溞仅在短时间饥饿时有补偿生长现象的发生。