Potential enterotoxicity and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Aeromonas species isolated from pet turtles and their environment

S.H.M.P. Wimalasena,Gee Wook Shin,Sabrina Hossain,Gang Joon Heo 대한수의학회 2016 대한수의학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.2016 No.-

국내 양식 흰다리새우에서 검출된 노랑머리바이러스(YHV-8)의 유전학적 특성

김석렬,( Gunasekara Cwr ),( Wimalasena Shmp ),신기욱 한국어병학회 2020 한국어병학회지 Vol.33 No.1

This study was performed for screening yellow head virus(YHV) complex in 252 including 235 white leg shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) and 17 oriental shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) collected from 18 farms located in southwestern province of Korea. The virus complex was detected by nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. In the assay, amplicons were resulted in RNAs exracted from 38 shrimps (21 white leg shrimps and 17 oriental shrimps) obtained from 7 farms. In phylogenetic analysis using sequences of ORF1b gene, all 38 sequences obtained in this study formed an independent lineage with YHV-8 genotype firstly isolated in China, belonged to an YHV-8 clade.

Aminoglycoside susceptibility and genetic characterization of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolated from pet turtles

Hossain, Sabrina,De Silva, B.C.J.,Wimalasena, S.H.M.P.,Pathirana, H.N.K.S.,Heo, Gang-Joon The Korean Society of Veterinary Service 2017 韓國家畜衛生學會誌 Vol.40 No.1

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica is a common microbial flora in pet turtles, which could opportunistically become pathogenic to human. Their possession of aminoglycoside resistance genes has important significance both in humans and animal medicine. In this study, twenty-one Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica were isolated from thirty-five individual turtles purchased from pet shops and online markets in Korea. In order to characterize the aminoglycoside susceptibility patterns, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed against gentamicin, amikacin and kanamycin of aminoglycoside antimicrobial group. Each of the isolates showed susceptibility to all tested aminoglycosides in disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests. PCR assay was carried out to determine aminoglycoside resistance genes, integron and integron mediated aminoglycoside genes. None of the isolates showed aac(3)-IIa, aac-(6')-Ib, armA, aphAI-IAB aminoglycoside resistance genes. Only, five isolates (24%) harbored class 1 integron related IntI1 integrase gene. The results suggest that Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica strains isolated from pet turtles are less resistance to aminoglycosides and don't harbor any aminoglycosides resistance genes.

Virulence factors and antibiotic resistance of Edwardsiella tarda isolated from pet turtles in Korea

( Dong-min Shin ),( Sabrina Hossain ),( Wimalasena S. H. M. P ),( Gang-joon Heo ) 대한인수공통전염병학회 2016 창립총회 및 학술대회 초록집 Vol.2016 No.1

Introduction: Edwardsiella tarda, a widely known aquatic zoonotic bacterium was isolated from pet turtles in Korea. Pet reptile business has gained worldwide popularity. However, turtles are carriers of pathogenic enteric bacteria which have been classically associated with various species including humans. E. tarda. can be responsible for human edwardsiellosis if the owner is in close contact with a pet turtle. Our research aims to identify and characterize pathogenic E. tarda in pet turtles purchased from pet shops and online markets to determine the potential risk of exposure to a zoonotic pathogen from a public health standpoint and provide information concerning the prevention of transmission to humans. Methods: 27 turtles purchased from nine pet shops and eight online markets in Korea were examined to determine whether the turtles carried with E. tarda. E. tarda were isolated from fecal samples through biochemical tests and morphology on selective media. Presumptive isolates were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing and further characterized by detection of virulence genes by PCR. Each of the isolate`s antibiotic resistance was studied with a disk diffusion test. Results: E. tarda. were isolated from 12 of 27 (44.0%) fecal samples. These isolates were identified as E. tarda through 16S rRNA sequencing. PCR results clearly indicated the presence of the virulence gene citC and wecC required for human penetration activity. Most of isolates showed susceptibility against amkicin, amoxicillin, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, imipenem and streptomycin but were resistant to colistin and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Conclusion: This study concluded that some pet turtles sold in Korea are carriers of E. tarda. Awareness of pathogenic bacteria when handling pet animals like turtles to prevent their transmission is an important public health concern. Therefore, further studies should be performed to genetically characterize these isolates as well as other harmful human pathogenic bacteria isolated from the pet turtles.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Citrobacter spp. from pet turtles and their environments in Korea

( Sabrina Hossain ),( Sudu Hakuruge Madusha Pramud Wimalasena ),( Mahanama De Zoysa ),( Gang-joon Heo ) 대한인수공통전염병학회 2016 창립총회 및 학술대회 초록집 Vol.2016 No.1

Introduction: Pet turtles are known as a source of bacterial infection to humans when handled in captivity. Pet turtle rearing has become increasingly popular worldwide. However, turtles carry many pathogenic enteric bacteria which have been classically associated with warm-blooded animals including humans. Citrobacter spp. can be responsible for Citrobacter infection in humans if the owner fails to handle a pet turtle with care. The bacteria can be transmitted by physical contact with the infected turtles or through contaminated environments such as water and soil in turtle cages. Methods: 34 turtles purchased from nine pet shops and eight online markets in Korea were examined to determine whether the turtles and their environment such as soil and water were contaminated with Citrobacter spp. Biochemical tests and morphology revealed that Citrobacter spp. were isolated from samples. Presumptive isolates were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Each of the isolate`s antibiotic resistance was characterized with a disk diffusion test. Results: Citrobacter spp. were isolated from 7 of 34 (20.6%) fecal samples. Five were identified as C. freundii and two as unknown Citrobacter spp. through 16S rRNA sequencing. The isolation rate of Citrobacter spp. from their environment increased over time. All seven Citrobacter spp. strains showed susceptibility against most of the commonly used veterinary antibiotics. Every Citrobacter strain was susceptible to amikacin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim and tetracycline but resistant to cefoxitin, cephalotin and chloramphenicol. All were resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin except one isolate, which showed intermediate resistance. Conclusion: This study concluded that some pet turtles sold in Korea are carriers of Citrobacter spp. Awareness of pathogenic bacteria when handling pet animals like turtles to prevent their transmission is an important public health concern. Therefore, further studies should be performed to genetically characterize these isolates as well as other harmful human pathogenic bacteria isolated from the pet turtles.

Antibacterial activity of essential oil from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) against pet turtle-borne pathogenic bacteria

사브리나 호세인,허홍회,B.C.J. De Silva,S.H.M.P. Wimalasena,H.N.K.S. Pathirana,허강준 한국실험동물학회 2017 Laboratory Animal Research Vol.33 No.3

Pet turtles are well-known to harbor an array of bacterial pathogens which can cause zoonotic infections in humans as well as opportunistic infections in the turtles itself. Essential oils are the natural plant extracts which have been traditionally used for disease treatment. In the present study, the essential oil of lavender (EOL) was examined for its antibacterial activity against thirty-eight strains of turtle-borne pathogenic bacteria belonging to seven species; Aeromonas hydrophila, A. caviae, A. dhakensis, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibacterial activity of EOL was tested by means of disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests. In addition, the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of 11 commonly used antimicrobials was examined and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was calculated. The results revealed that EOL was active against all tested turtle-borne pathogenic bacteria except P. aeruginosa. The range of MIC and MBC values of EOL against isolates except P. aeruginosa were recorded as 0.5-1% (V/V) and 0.5-2% (V/V), respectively. The MBC/MIC ratio was detected as <4, revealing that the tested EOL was bactericidal. Besides, most of the isolates were resistant to different antimicrobials in antimicrobial disk diffusion test. MAR index values of the tested strains were ranging from 0.27 to 0.91. The outcomes indicate that EOL has a potential to be used as an antibacterial agent against pathogenic bacteria isolated from pet turtles.

Antimicrobial property of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) oil against pathogenic bacteria isolated from pet turtles

B.C.J. De Silva,정원기,사브리나 호세인,S.H.M.P. Wimalasena,H.N.K.S. Pathirana,허강준 한국실험동물학회 2017 Laboratory Animal Research Vol.33 No.2

The usage of essential oils as antimicrobial agents is gaining attention. Besides, pet turtles were known to harbor a range of pathogenic bacteria while the turtle keeping is a growing trend worldwide.The current study examined the antimicrobial activity of lemon grass oil (LGO) against seven species of Gram negative bacteria namely; Aeromonas hydrophila, A. caviae, Citrobacter freundii, Salmonella enterica, Edwardsiella tarda, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis isolated from three popular species of pet turtles. Along with the results of disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC) tests, LGO was detected as effective against 6 species of bacteria excluding P. aeruginosa. MIC of LGO for the strains except P. aeruginosa ranged from 0.016 to 0.5% (V/V). The lowest MIC recorded in the E. tarda strain followed by A. hydrophilla, C. freundii, P. mirabilis, and S. enterica. Interestingly, all the bacterial species except E. tarda were showing high multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) index values ranging from 0.36 to 0.91 upon the 11 antibiotics tested although they were sensitive to LGO.

Quinolone susceptibility and genetic characterization of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolated from pet turtles

B.C.J. De Silva,사브리나 호세인,S.H.M.P. Wimalasena,H.N.K.S. Pathirana,Mitchell Wendt,허강준 한국실험동물학회 2017 Laboratory Animal Research Vol.33 No.2

Turtle-borne Salmonella enterica owns significance as a leading cause in human salmonellosis. The current study aimed to determine the quinolone susceptibility and the genetic characteristics of 21 strains of S. enterica subsp. enterica isolated from pet turtles. Susceptibility of four antimicrobials including nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin was examined in disk diffusion and MIC tests where the majority of the isolates were susceptible to all tested quinolones. In genetic characterization, none of the isolates were positive for qnr or aac(6’)-Ib genes and no any target site mutations could be detected in gyrA, gyrB, and parC quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDR). In addition, neighborjoining phylogenetic tree derived using gyrA gene sequences exhibited two distinct clads comprising; first, current study isolates, and second, quinolone-resistant isolates of human and animal origin. All results suggest that studied strains of S. enterica subsp. enterica isolated from pet turtles are susceptible to quinolones and genetically more conserved with regards to gyrA gene region.

Aminoglycoside susceptibility and genetic characterization of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolated from pet turtles

( Sabrina Hossain ),( B. C. J. De Silva ),( S. H. M. P. Wimalasena ),( H. N. K. S. Pathirana ),( Gang-joon Heo ) 한국가축위생학회 2017 韓國家畜衛生學會誌 Vol.40 No.1

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica is a common microbial flora in pet turtles, which could opportunistically become pathogenic to human. Their possession of aminoglycoside resistance genes has important significance both in humans and animal medicine. In this study, twenty-one Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica were isolated from thirty-five individual turtles purchased from pet shops and online markets in Korea. In order to characterize the aminoglycoside susceptibility patterns, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed against gentamicin, amikacin and kanamycin of aminoglycoside antimicrobial group. Each of the isolates showed susceptibility to all tested aminoglycosides in disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests. PCR assay was carried out to determine aminoglycoside resistance genes, integron and integron mediated aminoglycoside genes. None of the isolates showed aac(3)-IIa, aac-(6′)-Ib, armA, aphAI-IAB aminoglycoside resistance genes. Only, five isolates (24%) harbored class 1 integron related IntI1 integrase gene. The results suggest that Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica strains isolated from pet turtles are less resistance to aminoglycosides and don`t harbor any aminoglycosides resistance genes.

Aminoglycoside susceptibility and genetic characterization of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolated from pet turtles

사브리나 호세인,B.C.J. De Silva,S.H.M.P. Wimalasena,H.N.K.S. Pathirana,허강준 한국동물위생학회 2017 韓國家畜衛生學會誌 Vol.40 No.1

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica is a common microbial flora in pet turtles, which could opportunisti-cally become pathogenic to human. Their possession of aminoglycoside resistance genes has important significance both in humans and animal medicine. In this study, twenty-one Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica were isolated from thirty-five individual turtles purchased from pet shops and online markets in Korea. In order to characterize the aminoglycoside susceptibility patterns, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed against gentamicin, amikacin and kanamycin of aminoglycoside antimicrobial group. Each of the isolates showed susceptibility to all tested aminoglycosides in disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests. PCR assay was carried out to determine aminoglycoside resistance genes, integron and integron mediated aminoglycoside genes. None of the isolates showed aac(3)-IIa, aac-(6′)-Ib, armA, aphAI-IAB aminoglycoside resistance genes. Only, five isolates (24%) har-bored class 1 integron related IntI1 integrase gene. The results suggest that Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica strains isolated from pet turtles are less resistance to aminoglycosides and don’t harbor any aminoglycosides resistance genes.