Phase variation in latB associated with a fatal Pasteurella multocida outbreak in captive squirrel gliders

Publication date: Available online 14 February 2020Source: Veterinary MicrobiologyAuthor(s): Lida Omaleki, Scott A. Beatson, Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij, Patrick J. Blackall, Nicky Buller, Sam Hair, Simone Vitali, Alisa Wallace, Conny Turni, Brian M. FordeAbstractA septicaemic disease outbreak caused by Pasteurella multocida at a zoo in Western Australia (Zoo A) occurred in a resident group of squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) following the introduction of two squirrel gliders imported from another zoo (Zoo B). P. multocida isolates obtained from the affected animals and asymptomatic, cohabiting marsupials at both zoos were typed via lipopolysaccharide outer core biosynthesis locus (LPS) typing, repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (Rep-PCR) typing, and multilocus sequence typing (ST). Investigation of isolate relatedness via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and phylogenomic analysis found that the outbreak isolates shared the same genetic profile as those obtained from the imported gliders and the positive marsupials at Zoo B. Phylogenomic analysis demonstrated that these isolates belonged to the same clone (named complex one), confirming that the outbreak strain originated at Zoo B. As well, the carriage of multiple different strains of this pathogen in a range of marsupials in a zoo setting has been demonstrated. Importantly, the genomic investigation identified a missense mutation in the latB, a structural LPS gene, resulting in introduction of an immediate stop cod...
Source: Veterinary Microbiology - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research