Streptococcus canis

Last updated

Streptococcus canis
Streptococcus canis, orange bacterial culture on a purple agar plate. Moddified from free use VetBactBlog image.png
Bacterial colony of Streptococcus canis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Bacillota
Class: Bacilli
Order: Lactobacillales
Family: Streptococcaceae
Genus: Streptococcus
Species:
S. canis
Binomial name
Streptococcus canis
Devriese et al. 1986

Streptococcus canis is a group G beta-hemolytic species of Streptococcus . [1] It was first isolated in dogs, giving the bacterium its name. These bacteria are characteristically different from Streptococcus dysgalactiae , which is a human-specific group G species that has a different phenotypic chemical composition. S. canis is important to the skin and mucosal health of cats and dogs, but under certain circumstances, these bacteria can cause opportunistic infections. These infections were known to afflict dogs and cats prior to the formal description of the species in Devriese et al., 1986. [2] However, additional studies revealed cases of infection in other mammal species, including cattle [3] and even humans. [4] Instances of mortality from S. canis in humans are very low with only a few reported cases, while actual instances of infection may be underreported due to mischaracterizations of the bacteria as S. dysgalactiae. This species, in general, is highly susceptible to antibiotics, and plans to develop a vaccine to prevent human infections are currently being considered. [5]

Contents

The four serogroups of hemolytic streptococci identified in domesticated dogs belong to Lancefield groups A, C, E, and G. [6] Of these four, S. canis is described as belonging to group G due to it being a beta-hemolytic and aesculin-negative Streptococcus that is able to ferment lactose. These bacteria are known to be part of the natural flora of the respiratory tract of cats and dogs. This bacterium was originally isolated from dogs, and has been differentiated from S. dysgalactiae, which is the group G Streptococus of human origin. S. canis is known to infect a variety of mammal species, including dogs, cats, mink, mice, rabbits, foxes, cattle, and even humans. [2]

Activity or productionHuman strains (S. dysgalactiae)Animal strains (S. canis)
Hyaluronidase+–
Fibrinolysin+–
α-Galactosidase–+
β-Galactosidase–+
β-Glucuronidase+–
Acid produced from trehalose+–
Acid produced from lactose+/-+
Methyl-D-glucopyranoside+/-+

Bacterial infections

Infections in cats and dogs

S. canis is considered to be an important part of the healthy microbiota of cats and dogs, promoting skin and mucosal health. [7] However, despite these benefits under certain circumstances, strains of this bacterium have been reported to cause diseases in a variety of mammals. When opportunistic infection does occur, treatment with antibiotics is very successful at clearing the disease and preventing mortality due to the low levels of resistance in this species. During infection, the bacteria have been known to cause neonatal sepsis, abortion, and cellulitis in dogs. In addition, S. canis is also responsible for streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and necrotizing fasciitis (NF). [8] However, it has been contested if STSS and NF are caused solely by S. canis infection or if it is induced from the treatment of dogs with fluoroquinolone during the infection. In other mammals, the pathogen can cause lymphadenitis, arthritis, fever, mastitis, wound infections, and other conditions that vary depending on the host species. The possibility of an outbreak increases for animals that are very young, very old, confined to a densely populated area, or remain confined for long periods of time. [9] Multiple fatal outbreaks have been reported among shelter cats due to the susceptibility of many of the cats and the close proximity of individuals within a shelter. The development of disease can occur rapidly, and symptoms in cats include skin ulceration, chronic respiratory infection, and necrotizing sinusitis. The persistence and spread of these bacteria in a confined area can lead to both sepsis and death, quickly resulting in extremely high levels of mortality among susceptible cats. Similar instances have been reported for dogs; however, the levels of mortality were considerably lower.[ citation needed ]

"Up to 70–100% of young queens in breeding catteries may carry this bacterium in the vagina, resulting in infection of the kittens, but also in the transfer of passive immunity against S. canis via colostrum." [10]

Vaccine

"Though attempts have been made, there are no S. zooepidemicus vaccines available for any species." [10]

Infections in cattle

Occurrences of group G Streptococcus in animals are mostly associated with S. canis, which normally infects domesticated dogs and cats. However, the pathogen can be horizontally transferred to other domesticated animals from either of these two animals. A documented instance of this transfer occurred on a central New York farm between a cat which was exhibiting chronic sinusitis and a dairy cow. [3] This transfer resulted in S. canis mastitis on the udder of the cow, which appeared to be normal, leading to a prolonged diagnosis. Additional horizontal disease transfer to other cows in the herd was facilitated due to poor udder health management procedures, which included the use of a common cloth to wipe the udders of the cows following milking and the failure to use disinfection techniques. An outbreak of S. canis mastitis occurred from these transfers, but was controlled using antibiotic treatments and prevention techniques. Not limited to strains within the United States, instances of bovine mastitis due to S. canis have been reported in other areas. In both Germany [11] and Israel, similar outbreaks occurred due to horizontal disease transfer from either a domesticated cat or dog, [12] but during the Israel outbreak, the cows were clinically examined to determine the susceptibility of the pathogen to various antibiotics. From this study, the bacteria were found to be sensitive to cephalothin and partially resistant to penicillin.[ citation needed ]

Human infection

The occurrence of S. canis was thought for years to be limited to cats and dogs with rare instances of infection in cattle and other animals. However, it has been reported to form complexes with human albumin through the formation of binding sites. [13] This ability to bind albumin in humans, in addition to the previously studied binding ability in domesticated animals, provided strong experimental evidence that the disease could be vertically transferred to humans. Medical cases support that humans under certain circumstances can become infected. Such infections may have gone undiscovered in the past due to difficulties in characterizing the biochemical makeup of this pathogen compared to the known human-infecting species such as S. dysgalactiae. An elderly man who owned a dog was admitted to the hospital after exhibiting malaise, fever, and tachycardia, and treated with antibiotics until he recovered. Varicose ulcers present on his legs were later determined to be the points of entry for the disease, transferred from his dog, thus led to his symptoms. In another case of human infection, an elderly woman was initially admitted to the hospital after slight bruising of her eyebrow, and readmitted a few days later with a high fever. [14] Medical analysis determined her fever was the result of meningitis and sepsis that ultimately led to the death of the patient after antibiotics failed. Additional support for the possibility of S. canis infections in humans has been provided by multiple cases linking the occurrence of the disease to dog ownership in elderly men. [15] In these cases, all men had a history of ulcers on their lower limbs, which acted as an entry point for the transmission of bacteria from the respiratory tract of the dogs. This history, in combination with continued exposure from household dogs, led to the transfer of the disease and the expression of symptoms that required medical attention.[ citation needed ]

Vaccine development

Analysis of the genomic library of S. canis led to the identification of a new streptococcal protective antigen (SPA) associated with the bacteria. [5] This SPA may be an important component of a vaccine to prevent future infections, based on successful applications of an antiserum in a mouse model.

VetBact

Related Research Articles

<i>Streptococcus</i> Genus of bacteria

Streptococcus is a genus of gram-positive coccus or spherical bacteria that belongs to the family Streptococcaceae, within the order Lactobacillales, in the phylum Bacillota. Cell division in streptococci occurs along a single axis, so as they grow, they tend to form pairs or chains that may appear bent or twisted. This differs from staphylococci, which divide along multiple axes, thereby generating irregular, grape-like clusters of cells. Most streptococci are oxidase-negative and catalase-negative, and many are facultative anaerobes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group A streptococcal infection</span> Medical condition

Group A streptococcal infections are a number of infections with Streptococcus pyogenes, a group A streptococcus (GAS). S. pyogenes is a species of beta-hemolytic Gram-positive bacteria that is responsible for a wide range of infections that are mostly common and fairly mild. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream an infection can become severe and life-threatening, and is called an invasive GAS (iGAS).

<i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> Species of bacterium

Streptococcus pyogenes is a species of Gram-positive, aerotolerant bacteria in the genus Streptococcus. These bacteria are extracellular, and made up of non-motile and non-sporing cocci that tend to link in chains. They are clinically important for humans, as they are an infrequent, but usually pathogenic, part of the skin microbiota that can cause Group A streptococcal infection. S. pyogenes is the predominant species harboring the Lancefield group A antigen, and is often called group A Streptococcus (GAS). However, both Streptococcus dysgalactiae and the Streptococcus anginosus group can possess group A antigen as well. Group A streptococci, when grown on blood agar, typically produce small (2–3 mm) zones of beta-hemolysis, a complete destruction of red blood cells. The name group A (beta-hemolytic) Streptococcus (GABHS) is thus also used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streptococcal pharyngitis</span> Medical condition

Streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as streptococcal sore throat, is pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a gram-positive, group A streptococcus. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, red tonsils, and enlarged lymph nodes in the front of the neck. A headache and nausea or vomiting may also occur. Some develop a sandpaper-like rash which is known as scarlet fever. Symptoms typically begin one to three days after exposure and last seven to ten days.

<i>Streptococcus agalactiae</i> Species of bacterium

Streptococcus agalactiae is a gram-positive coccus with a tendency to form chains. It is a beta-hemolytic, catalase-negative, and facultative anaerobe.

Streptococcus bovis is a species of Gram-positive bacteria that in humans is associated with urinary tract infections, endocarditis, sepsis, and colorectal cancer. S. gallolyticus is commonly found in the alimentary tract of cattle, sheep, and other ruminants, and may cause ruminal acidosis or feedlot bloat. It is also associated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a frequent complication occurring in patients affected by cirrhosis. Equivalence with Streptococcus equinus has been contested.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group B streptococcal infection</span> Medical condition

Group B streptococcal infection, also known as Group B streptococcal disease or just Group B strep, is the infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae. GBS infection can cause serious illness and sometimes death, especially in newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protothecosis</span> Medical condition

Protothecosis, otherwise known as Algaemia, is a disease found in dogs, cats, cattle, and humans caused by a type of green alga known as Prototheca that lacks chlorophyll and enters the human or animal bloodstream. It and its close relative Helicosporidium are unusual in that they are actually green algae that have become parasites. The two most common species are Prototheca wickerhamii and Prototheca zopfii. Both are known to cause disease in dogs, while most human cases are caused by P. wickerhami. Prototheca is found worldwide in sewage and soil. Infection is rare despite high exposure, and can be related to a defective immune system. In dogs, females and Collies are most commonly affected.

Aeromonas veronii is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium found in fresh water and in association with animals. It can be a pathogen of humans and a beneficial symbiont of leeches. In humans A. veronii can cause diseases ranging from wound infections and diarrhea to sepsis in immunocompromised patients. Humans treated with medicinal leeches after vascular surgery can be at risk for infection from A. veronii and are commonly placed on prophylactic antibiotics. Most commonly ciprofloxacin is used but there have been reports of resistant strains leading to infection. In leeches, this bacterium is thought to function in the digestion of blood, provision of nutrients, or preventing other bacteria from growing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cefquinome</span> Chemical compound

Cefquinome is a fourth-generation cephalosporin with pharmacological and antibacterial properties valuable in the treatment of coliform mastitis and other infections. It is only used in veterinary applications.

<i>Streptococcus dysgalactiae</i> Species of bacterium

Streptococcus dysgalactiae is a gram positive, beta-haemolytic, coccal bacterium belonging to the family Streptococcaceae. It is capable of infecting both humans and animals, but is most frequently encountered as a commensal of the alimentary tract, genital tract, or less commonly, as a part of the skin flora. The clinical manifestations in human disease range from superficial skin-infections and tonsillitis, to severe necrotising fasciitis and bacteraemia. The incidence of invasive disease has been reported to be rising. Several different animal species are susceptible to infection by S. dysgalactiae, but bovine mastitis and infectious arthritis in lambs have been most frequently reported.

<i>Streptococcus zooepidemicus</i> Species of bacterium

Streptococcus zooepidemicus is a Lancefield group C streptococcus that was first isolated in 1934 by P. R. Edwards, and named Animal pyogens A. It is a mucosal commensal and opportunistic pathogen that infects several animals and humans, but most commonly isolated from the uterus of mares. It is a subspecies of Streptococcus equi, a contagious upper respiratory tract infection of horses, and shares greater than 98% DNA homology, as well as many of the same virulence factors.

Enterococcus gallinarum is a species of Enterococcus. E. gallinarum demonstrates an inherent, low-level resistance to vancomycin. Resistance is due to a chromosomal gene, vanC, which encodes for a terminal D-alanine-D-serine instead of the usual D-alanine-D-alanine in cell wall peptidoglycan precursor proteins. That is a separate mechanism than the vancomycin resistance seen in VRE isolates of E. faecium and E. faecalis which is mediated by vanA or vanB. This species is known to cause clusters of infection, although it considered very rare. It is the only other known enterococcal species besides E. faecium and E. faecalis known to cause outbreaks and spread in hospitals.

<i>Streptococcus iniae</i> Species of bacterium

Streptococcus iniae is a species of Gram-positive, sphere-shaped bacterium belonging to the genus Streptococcus. Since its isolation from an Amazon freshwater dolphin in the 1970s, S. iniae has emerged as a leading fish pathogen in aquaculture operations worldwide, resulting in over US$100M in annual losses. Since its discovery, S. iniae infections have been reported in at least 27 species of cultured or wild fish from around the world. Freshwater and saltwater fish including tilapia, red drum, hybrid striped bass, and rainbow trout are among those susceptible to infection by S. iniae. Infections in fish manifest as meningoencephalitis, skin lesions, and septicemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mastitis in dairy cattle</span>

Bovine mastitis is the persistent, inflammatory reaction of the udder tissue due to physical trauma or microorganisms infections. Mastitis, a potentially fatal mammary gland infection, is the most common disease in dairy cattle in the United States and worldwide. It is also the most costly disease to the dairy industry. Milk from cows suffering from mastitis has an increased somatic cell count. Prevention and control of mastitis requires consistency in sanitizing the cow barn facilities, proper milking procedure and segregation of infected animals. Treatment of the disease is carried out by penicillin injection in combination with sulphar drug.

Perianal cellulitis, also known as perianitis or perianal streptococcal dermatitis, is a bacterial infection affecting the lower layers of the skin (cellulitis) around the anus. It presents as bright redness in the skin and can be accompanied by pain, difficulty defecating, itching, and bleeding. This disease is considered a complicated skin and soft tissue infection (cSSTI) because of the involvement of the deeper soft tissues.

Bacteriophage T12 is a bacteriophage that infects Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. It is a proposed species of the family Siphoviridae in the order Caudovirales also known as tailed viruses. It converts a harmless strain of bacteria into a virulent strain. It carries the speA gene which codes for erythrogenic toxin A. speA is also known as streptococcal pyogenic exotoxin A, scarlet fever toxin A, or even scarlatinal toxin. Note that the name of the gene "speA" is italicized; the name of the toxin "speA" is not italicized. Erythrogenic toxin A converts a harmless, non-virulent strain of Streptococcus pyogenes to a virulent strain through lysogeny, a life cycle which is characterized by the ability of the genome to become a part of the host cell and be stably maintained there for generations. Phages with a lysogenic life cycle are also called temperate phages. Bacteriophage T12, proposed member of family Siphoviridae including related speA-carrying bacteriophages, is also a prototypic phage for all the speA-carrying phages of Streptococcus pyogenes, meaning that its genome is the prototype for the genomes of all such phages of S. pyogenes. It is the main suspect as the cause of scarlet fever, an infectious disease that affects small children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enzybiotics</span> Experimental antibacterial therapy

Enzybiotics are an experimental antibacterial therapy first described by Nelson, Loomis, and Fischetti. The term is derived from a combination of the words “enzyme” and “antibiotics.” Enzymes have been extensively utilized for their antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Proteolytic enzymes called endolysins have demonstrated particular effectiveness in combating a range of bacteria and are the basis for enzybiotic research. Endolysins are derived from bacteriophages and are highly efficient at lysing bacterial cells. Enzybiotics are being researched largely to address the issue of antibiotic resistance, which has allowed for the proliferation of drug-resistant pathogens posing great risk to animal and human health across the globe.

Pasteurella canis is a Gram-negative, nonmotile, penicillin-sensitive coccobacillus of the family Pasteurellaceae. Bacteria from this family cause zoonotic infections in humans, which manifest themselves as skin or soft-tissue infections after an animal bite. It has been known to cause serious disease in immunocompromised patients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granada medium</span>

Granada medium is a selective and differential culture medium designed to selectively isolate Streptococcus agalactiae and differentiate it from other microorganisms. Granada Medium was developed by Manuel Rosa-Fraile et al. at the Service of Microbiology in the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves in Granada (Spain)

References

  1. ↑ Whatmore AM, Engler KH, Gudmundsdottir G, Efstratiou A (November 2001). "Identification of isolates of Streptococcus canis infecting humans". J. Clin. Microbiol. 39 (11): 4196–9. doi:10.1128/JCM.39.1.4196-4199.2001. PMC   88517 . PMID   11682560.
  2. 1 2 Devriese, L A; Hommez, J; Kilpper-Balz, R & Schleifer, K (July 1986). "Streptococcus canis sp. nov.: a species of Group G Streptococci from animals" (PDF). International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology. 36 (3): 422–5. doi: 10.1099/00207713-36-3-422 .
  3. 1 2 Tikofsky, L L & Zadoks, R N (March 2005). "Cross-infection between cats and cows: origin and control of Streptococcus canis mastitis in a dairy herd". Journal of Dairy Science. 88 (8): 2707–13. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72949-0 . PMID   16027183.
  4. ↑ Bert F, Lambert-Zechovsky N (April 1997). "Septicemia caused by Streptococcus canis in a human". J. Clin. Microbiol. 35 (3): 777–9. doi:10.1128/JCM.35.3.777-779.1997. PMC   229672 . PMID   9041434.
  5. 1 2 Yang, J.; Liu, Y.; Xu, J. & Li, B (November 2010). "Characterization of a new protective antigen of Streptococcus canis". Veterinary Research Communications. 34 (1): 413–21. doi:10.1007/s11259-010-9414-1. PMID   20490660. S2CID   20517905.
  6. ↑ Biberstein, E L; Brown, C & Smith, T (June 1980). "Serogroups and biotypes among beta-hemolytic Streptococci of canine origin". J. Clin. Microbiol. 11 (6): 558–561. doi:10.1128/JCM.11.6.558-561.1980. PMC   273460 . PMID   7430328.
  7. ↑ Lyskova, P; Vydrzalova, M; Kralovcova, D & Mazurova, J (October 2007). "Prevalence and characteristics of Streptococcus canis strains isolated from dogs and cats" (PDF). Acta Veterinaria Brno. 76 (1): 619–25. doi: 10.2754/avb200776040619 .
  8. ↑ DeWinter, L M & Prescott, J F (1999). "Relatedness of Streptococcus canis from canine streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis". Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. 63 (1): 90–5. PMC   1189525 . PMID   10369564.
  9. ↑ Pesavento, P A; Bannasch, M J; Bachmann, R; Byrne, B A & Hurley, K F (2007). "Fatal Streptococcus canis infections in intensively housed shelter cats". Veterinary Pathology. 44 (2): 218–21. doi: 10.1354/vp.44-2-218 . PMID   17317801.
  10. 1 2 "Streptococcal infections". abcdcatsvets. ABCD. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  11. ↑ Hassan, A A; Akineden, O & Usleber, E (March 2005). "Identification of Streptococcus canis isolate from milk of dairy cows with subclinical mastitis". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 43 (3): 1234–8. doi:10.1128/JCM.43.3.1234-1238.2005. PMC   1081216 . PMID   15750089.
  12. ↑ Chaffer, M; Friedman, S; Saran, A & Younis, A (March 2005). "An outbreak of Streptococcus canis mastitis in a dairy herd in Israel" (PDF). New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 53 (4): 261–4. doi:10.1080/00480169.2005.36557. PMID   16044188. S2CID   16915420.
  13. ↑ Lammler, C.; Frede, C.; Gurturk, K.; Hildebrand, A. & Blobel, H. (August 1988). "Binding activity of Streptococcus canis for albumin and other plasma proteins" (PDF). Journal of General Microbiology. 134 (1): 2317–23. doi: 10.1099/00221287-134-8-2317 . PMID   3253409.
  14. ↑ Jacobs, J.A.; Krom, M.C.T.; Kellens, J.T.C. & Stobberingh, E.E. (March 1993). "Meningitis and sepsis due to Group G Streptococcus". European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. 12 (3): 224–5. doi:10.1007/BF01967119. PMID   8508823. S2CID   37858950.
  15. ↑ Lam, M.M.; Clarridge III, J.E.; Young, E.J. & Mizuki, S. (May 2007). "The other group G Streptococcus: increased detection of Streptococcus canis ulcer infections in dog owners". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 45 (7): 2327–9. doi:10.1128/JCM.01765-06. PMC   1932974 . PMID   17475761.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.