Publications

polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the szp gene of streptococcus zooepidemicus isolated from the respiratory tract of horses.	to develop polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (pcr-rflp) analysis for molecular typing of strains of streptococcus zooepidemicus and to use the new typing method to analyze a collection of isolates from the respiratory tract of thoroughbreds.	2002	12224864
aqueous and solid complexes of iron(iii) with hyaluronic acid. potentiometric titrations and infrared spectroscopy studies.	the coordination of iron(iii) ion to hyaluronic acid (hyal) in aqueous solutions and solid state was accomplished by potentiometric titrations and infrared spectroscopy. the potentiometric titration studies provided the binding constants for the complexes found in the systems and the speciation of these species according to the variation of ph values. the complexes found presented a complexing ability through both the chelating moieties of hyal (via the n-glucosamine and d-glucoronic acid), show ...	2002	12062125
nasal mucosal immunogenicity for the horse of a sem peptide of streptococcus equi genetically coupled to cholera toxin.	the intranasal immunogenicity of cholera toxin (ct) genetically coupled to peptide sequence aa236-334 (f3) of the sem protein of streptococcus equi was studied in five young adult welsh ponies. all ponies made rapid ctb- and semf3-specific serum antibody responses following the first immunization. specific nasal iga responses were detected in two ponies 14 days after the first immunization, in another two 14 days after a second immunization on day 14, and in all ponies 28 days after a third immu ...	2002	11858875
unusual outbreak of clinical mastitis in dairy sheep caused by streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.	this work describes an outbreak of clinical mastitis affecting 13 of 58 lactating ewes due to streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus was isolated in pure culture from all milk samples. all the clinical isolates had identical biochemical profiles and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and also exhibited indistinguishable macrorestriction patterns by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, indicating that all cases of mastitis were produced by a single strain.	2002	11880454
dissemination of the phage-associated novel superantigen gene spel in recent invasive and noninvasive streptococcus pyogenes m3/t3 isolates in japan.	in japan, more than 10% of streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (tsls) cases have been caused by streptococcus pyogenes m3/t3 isolates since the first reported tsls case in 1992. most m3/t3 isolates from tsls or severe invasive infection cases during 1992 to 2001 and those from noninvasive cases during this period are indistinguishable in pulsed-field gel electropherograms. the longest fragments of these recent isolates were 300 kb in size, whereas those of isolates recovered during or before ...	2002	12011018
characterization and immunogenicity of pyrogenic mitogens sepe-h and sepe-i of streptococcus equi.	two pyrogenic mitogens, sepe-h and sepe-i, were characterized in streptococcus equi, the cause of equine strangles. sepe-h and sepe-i have molecular masses of 27.5 and 29.5 kda, respectively, and each is almost identical to its counterpart in streptococcus pyogenes m1. both genes are adjacent to a gene encoding a phage muramidase of 49.7 kda and are located immediately downstream from a phage genomic sequence almost identical to a similar phage sequence in s. pyogenes m1. strong mitogenic respon ...	2002	11812213
[streptococcal infection is no zoonosis!].		2002	12096466
functional characterization of domains found within a lytic enzyme produced by streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.	zoocin a is a lysostaphin-like streptococcolytic enzyme produced by streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus 4881 that specifically targets the cell walls of some closely related species. on the basis of sequence homology it was suggested that zoocin a was a domain-structured enzyme with the n-terminal domain responsible for catalysis (cat) and the c-terminal domain for target recognition (sbd). polypeptides corresponding to zoocin a (rzooa) and each of the putative domains (rcat and rsbd) were p ...	2002	12393213
development and application of quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay based on the abi 7700 system (taqman) for detection and quantification of mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.	numerous reports have described diagnostic methods based on the polymerase chain reaction (pcr) used to detect mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, the causative agent of johne's disease. the result of conventional pcr tests has been only qualitative, either positive or negative; it does not present any quantitative information about the number of the agents in the specimen. a quantitative pcr method (is900 taqman) was developed to measure the number of m. a. paratuberculosis organisms p ...	2002	11939333
purpura haemorrhagica in 53 horses.	the medical records of 53 horses with purpura haemorrhagica were reviewed. seventeen of them had been exposed to or infected with streptococcus equi, nine had been infected with corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, five had been vaccinated with s. equi m protein, five had had a respiratory infection of unknown aetiology, and two had open wounds; the other 15 cases had no history of recent viral or bacterial infection. the horses were between six months and 19 years of age (mean 8.4 years). the pr ...	2003	12918829
identification of variations in szp proteins of streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus and the relationship between protein variants and clinical signs of infection in horses.	to determine whether previously unidentified variations of the szp protein of streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus were present in horses with various clinical signs of infection and whether any relationship could be identified between szp protein variants and naturally occurring clinical conditions.	2003	12926588
expression of the genes for lysostaphin and lysostaphin resistance in streptococci.	to determine if the genes for lysostaphin endopeptidase (end) and lysostaphin resistance (epr) function in streptococci, we transferred these genes from staphylococcus simulans biovar staphylolyticus into two strains of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. the end-containing streptococci were able to produce and process proendopeptidase. strains containing epr were more resistant to lysis by the streptococcolytic enzyme zoocin a and amino acid analysis of the peptidoglycans of the epr-contai ...	2003	14612246
strangles, bastard strangles, vives and glanders: archaeological relics in a genomic age.		2003	12638785
brain abscesses as a metastatic manifestation of strangles: symptomatology and the use of magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic aid.	the occurrence of unexpectedly high numbers of horses with neurological signs during two outbreaks of strangles required prompt in-depth researching of these cases, including the exploration of magnetic resonance imaging (mri) as a possible diagnostic technique.	2003	12638790
mutagenesis of streptococcus equi and streptococcus suis by transposon tn917.	genetic tools for studying streptococci are much less sophisticated than those that are available for many other bacterial genera. in this paper, we describe the development of a transposon mutagenesis system that we have used to mutate two important veterinary streptococci, streptococcus equi and streptococcus suis. the system uses a temperature-sensitive suicide vector to deliver tn917 via electroporation, transposing tn917 into the chromosomal dna of the two streptococci. the transposon inser ...	2003	12695044
streptococcus equi subspecies equi (lancefield group c) meningitis in a child.	we present a case of streptococcus equi subsp. equi meningitis in a young boy. this case represents the first report in the literature of meningitis caused by this organism, as far as we know.	2003	14616711
changes in antibiotic resistance in equine bacterial ulcerative keratitis (1991-2000): 65 horses.	to document changes in antibiotic resistance of organisms in cases of equine bacterial ulcerative keratitis over a 10-year time period.	2003	14641828
cne, a collagen-binding protein of streptococcus equi.	streptococcus equi subspecies equi is an important horse pathogenic bacterium causing a serious disease called strangles. using bioinformatics we identified a gene denoted cne (gene encoding collagen-binding protein from s. equi) coding for a novel potential virulence factor of this species called protein cne. the protein is composed of 657 amino acids and has the typical features found in cell surface-anchored proteins in gram-positive bacteria. cne displays amino acid sequence similarities to ...	2003	12757948
amplifying the cellular reduction potential of streptococcus zooepidemicus.	the valuable pharmaceutical polymer, hyaluronic acid, is produced industrially using the gram-positive bacterium streptococcus zooepidemicus. synthesis of this polymer is a significant energetic burden upon the microorganism hence the native nadh oxidase gene was cloned and overexpressed to increase the energy yield of catabolism during aerobic cultivation on glucose. elevated nadh oxidase levels led to a decline in lactic acid generation and prevented ethanol formation, leaving acetate as the m ...	2003	12413784
occurrence of infectious upper respiratory tract disease and response to vaccination in horses on six sentinel premises in northern colorado.	horses vaccinated against common agents of infectious upper respiratory disease (iurd) may not have detectable serum antibody and may not be protected from clinical disease.	2003	12553466
two novel superantigens found in both group a and group c streptococcus.	two novel streptococcal superantigen genes (spel(se) and spem(se)) were identified from the streptococcus equi genome database at the sanger center. genotyping of 8 s. equi isolates and 40 streptococcus pyogenes isolates resulted in the detection of the orthologous genes spel and spem in a restricted number of s. pyogenes isolates (15 and 5%, respectively). surprisingly, the novel superantigen genes could not be found in any of the analyzed s. equi isolates. the results suggest that both genes a ...	2003	12595453
evaluation of equine breeding farm management and preventative health practices as risk factors for development of rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals.	to determine whether foal management practices, environmental management, and preventative health practices are risk factors for development of rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals.	2003	12597421
antimicrobial resistance patterns of vancomycin-resistant streptococcus equinus isolated from animal foods and epidemiological typing of resistant s. equinus by microbial uniprimer kit.	raw milk samples, and cow and chicken intestines were tested to isolate vancomycin-resistant, gram-positive bacteria. from these samples, we isolated seven vancomycin-resistant streptococcus equinus, two vancomycin-resistant viridans streptococcus and two vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium. the mics of several antibiotics, including vancomycin, against these strains were tested. seven isolates of s. equinus showed high level resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin (>100 microg/ml). the c ...	2003	12967199
percutaneous puncture technique for treating persistent retropharyngeal lymph node infections in seven horses.	between 1999 and 2001, seven horses with fever, dysphagia and a history of chronic upper respiratory tract infection lasting between three weeks and three months were examined. they had been treated unsuccessfully with a variety of antibiotics for three to four weeks. a deep abscess in a retropharyngeal lymph node was diagnosed in each case by clinical examination, endoscopy and echographic examination of the retropharyngeal region. the infected retropharyngeal lymph node of each horse was punct ...	2003	12622287
clinical efficacy of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine and procaine penicillin g in a streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infection model in ponies.	tissue chambers, implanted subcutaneously on both sides of the neck in eight ponies, were inoculated with streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in order to compare the clinical efficacy of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine (tmp/sdz) and penicillin g treatment in a purulent infection. the tmp/sdz treatment consisted of one intravenous (i.v.) injection of 5 mg/kg tmp and 25 mg/kg sdz and the same dose of tmp/sdz per os (p.o.), both given 20 h after inoculation. the oral dose was then repeated every 12 h ...	2003	12887605
production and properties of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances from the swine pathogen streptococcus suis serotype 2.	streptococcus suis serotype 2 is a major pathogen found in the upper respiratory tract of swine. in this study, isolates of this bacterial species were tested for the production of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (blis). of the 38 strains tested, four inhibited the growth of other s. suis isolates according to a deferred-antagonism plate assay. interestingly, three of the strains were originally isolated from healthy carrier pigs and were considered nonvirulent. three isolates (94-623, 90 ...	2003	12902232
streptococcus zooepidemicus meningitis and bacteraemia.	group c streptococci are common causative agents of epidemic infections in animals and a rare cause of meningitis in humans. the case is reported of a 75-y-old man with meningitis caused by a group c streptococcus (streptococcus zooepidemicus). he had frequent contact with horses, which were a possible source of infection. in spite of treatment with a third generation cephalosporin, the outcome was fatal.	2003	12751721
the effects of hyaluronan and its fragments on lipid models exposed to uv irradiation.	the effects of hyaluronan and its degradation products on irradiation-induced lipid peroxidation were investigated. liposomal skin lipid models with increasing complexity were used. hyaluronan and its fragments were able to reduce the amount of lipid peroxidation secondary products quantified by the thiobarbituric acid (tba) assay. the qualitative changes were studied by mass spectrometry. to elucidate the nature of free radical involvement electron paramagnetic resonance (epr) studies were carr ...	2003	12623198
pneumonia in horses induced by intrapulmonary inoculation of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.	to evaluate the possibility that streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (s.z) the causative bacterial agent of equine shipping fever pneumonia (esfp), as well as to investigate its pathogenesis, 10 horses (seven thoroughbreds and three anglo-arab species, ranging from 2-4 years in age) were experimentally inoculated, via an endoscope, into bronchus of the lung lobe with a dose of 30 ml of 1-7 x 10(8) cfu/ml of s.z. after inoculation, autopsy and pathological examinations were sequentially condu ...	2003	12939505
the association of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus with canine infectious respiratory disease.	canine infectious respiratory disease (cird) is a multi-factorial infection that affects many kennelled dogs despite the wide use of vaccination. current vaccines aim to protect against viral agents and a single bacterial agent, bordetella bronchiseptica. we sought to examine the role of streptococcal species in cird. the isolation and identification of streptococci in the lower respiratory tract of clinically healthy dogs and those with cird were used to correlate the presence of specific strep ...	2003	12860084
characterization of group c and g streptococcal strains that cause streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.	twelve strains (the largest number ever reported) of group c and g(1) streptococci (gcs and ggs, respectively) that caused streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (stss) were collected and characterized. eleven strains were identified as streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, and one strain was identified as streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. we found that it was the first reported case of stss caused by s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. cluster analysis according to the 16s rrna gene (rdna ...	2004	14715751
alteration in uterine contractility in mares with experimentally induced placentitis.	an experimental model of ascending placentitis was developed in the mare to characterize the uterine myoelectrical pattern in late gestation and determine how ascending placentitis altered this pattern. in experiment 1, myometrial electrical activity was analyzed during the early morning, late morning and evening hours in four mares in the last 15 days of gestation to identify patterns of activity. in experiment 2, nine mares received intra-cervical inoculations of streptococcus equi subspecies ...	2004	15056770
nmr evidence for independent domain structures in zoocin a, an antibacterial exoenzyme.	nmr was used to obtain spectroscopic evidence supporting a two domain model for zoocin a in which an n-terminal catalytic domain is linked by a threonine-proline rich linker to a target recognition domain responsible for recognizing the cell wall of bacteria susceptible to the bacteriolytic action of the enzyme. when cloned and separately expressed, each domain retains the folding found in the whole enzyme. additionally, spectroscopy suggests that the target recognition domain has a conformation ...	2004	15063789
what is your diagnosis? guttural pouch empyema.		2004	15070053
recombinant streptococcus equi proteins protect mice in challenge experiments and induce immune response in horses.	horses that have undergone infection caused by streptococcus equi subspecies equi (strangles) were found to have significantly increased serum antibody titers against three previously characterized proteins, fnz (cell surface-bound fibronectin binding protein), sfs (secreted fibronectin binding protein), and eag (alpha2-macroglobulin, albumin, and immunoglobulin g [igg] binding protein) from s. equi. to assess the protective efficacy of vaccination with these three proteins, a mouse model of equ ...	2004	15155624
fatal case of toxic shock-like syndrome due to group c streptococcus associated with superantigen exotoxin.	group c streptococci have been reported to cause invasive disease similar to that classically associated with group a streptococcus (gas). we describe a fatal case of toxic shock-like syndrome due to streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. the causative organism did not possess any known gas superantigen exotoxin genes but did show evidence of superantigen production.	2004	15184494
magnetic resonance imaging of a brain abscess in a 10-month-old filly.	the purpose of this paper was to correlate the magnetic resonance imaging (mri) characteristics of a mature brain abscess in a horse with histopathologic alterations of brain tissue. eight months after the onset of clinical signs, mri of the brain of a 10-month-old filly was performed. a large space-occupying lesion in the right cerebral hemisphere was identified. this space-occupying lesion was delineated by a thick and well-defined capsule that was isointense to brain parenchyma on the t1-weig ...	2004	15200257
identification & characterisation of the two novel streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins spe-l & spe-m.	the streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (spes) are produced by streptococcus pyogenes and belong to the family of bacterial superantigens, a group of highly mitogenic proteins. the aim of this study was to search unfinished streptococcal genomes for novel superantigens, to generate recombinant proteins from potential open reading frames (orfs) and to analyse them for superantigen activity.	2004	15232160
characterization of the purified hyaluronan synthase from streptococcus equisimilis.	hyaluronan synthase (has) utilizes udp-glcua and udp-glcnac in the presence of mg(2+) to form the gag hyaluronan (ha). the purified has from streptococcus equisimilis (sehas) shows high fidelity in that it only polymerizes the native substrates, udp-glcnac and udp-glcua. however, other uridinyl nucleotides and udp-sugars inhibited enzyme activity, including udp-galnac, udp-glc, udp-gal, udp-galua, ump, udp, and utp. purified sehas was approximately 40% more active in 25 mm, compared to 50 mm, po ...	2004	15248781
persistent occurrence of a single streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus clone in the pig and monkey population in indonesia.	in the present study 41 mucoid growing streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus strains (37 strains isolated from healthy two from diseased pigs, two strains isolated from healthy monkeys) appeared to be phenotypically and genotypically identical to mucoid growing s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus strains isolated from a previously described outbreak among the pig and monkey population on the island of bali, indonesia. these findings indicate that the mucoid growing s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus clone ...	2004	15365243
the pathogenic equine streptococci.	streptococci pathogenic for the horse include s. equi (s. equi subsp. equi), s. zooepidemicus (s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus), s. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and s. pneumoniae capsule type iii. s. equi is a clonal descendent or biovar of an ancestral s. zooepidemicus strain with which it shares greater than 98% dna homology and therefore expresses many of the same proteins and virulence factors. rapid progress has been made in identification of virulence factors and proteins uniquely expresse ...	2004	15236673
the streptococcolytic enzyme zoocin a is a penicillin-binding protein.	zoocin a is a streptococcolytic enzyme produced by streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus 4881 that has an unknown site of action on the peptidoglycans of susceptible organisms. analysis of a mutant strain in which the genes for zoocin a and resistance to zoocin a were inactivated revealed that this strain was more susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics than the parental organism. purified zoocin a had weak beta-lactamase activity, bound radioactive penicillin covalently, and its streptococcoly ...	2004	15251198
development of an in vivo himar1 transposon mutagenesis system for use in streptococcus equi subsp. equi.	streptococcus equi subsp. equi is the causative agent of the equine disease strangles. in this study we describe the development of an in vivo himar1 transposon system for the random mutagenesis of s. equi and, potentially, other gram-positive bacteria. we demonstrate efficient and random transposition of a modified mini-transposon onto the chromosome by southern blot analysis and insertion site sequencing. non-haemolytic mutants were isolated at a frequency of 0.2%, and acapsular mutants at a f ...	2004	15358426
microbial hyaluronic acid production.	hyaluronic acid (ha) is a commercially valuable medical biopolymer increasingly produced through microbial fermentation. viscosity limits product yield and the focus of research and development has been on improving the key quality parameters, purity and molecular weight. traditional strain and process optimisation has yielded significant improvements, but appears to have reached a limit. metabolic engineering is providing new opportunities and ha produced in a heterologous host is about to ente ...	2004	15599518
diagnosis and treatment of presumptive pyelonephritis in an asian elephant (elephas maximus).	a 37-yr-old female asian elephant (elephas maximus) presented with anorexia, restlessness, and dark-colored urine. urinalyses showed hematuria, leukocyturia, isosthenuria, proteinuria, granular casts, and no calcium oxalate crystals. bloodwork revealed azotemia. urine culture revealed a pure growth of streptococcus zooepidemicus resistant to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim but susceptible to cephalosporins. a presumptive diagnosis of pyelonephritis was made based on bloodwork, urinalysis, and urin ...	2004	15526898
evaluation of hyaluronan from different sources: streptococcus zooepidemicus, rooster comb, bovine vitreous, and human umbilical cord.	sodium hyaluronate (ha) is widely distributed in extracellular matrixes and can play a role in orchestrating cell function. consequently, many investigators have looked at the effect of exogenous ha on cell behavior in vitro. ha can be isolated from several sources (e.g., bacterial, rooster comb, umbilical cord) and therefore can possess diverse impurities. this current study compares the measured impurities and the differences in biological activity between ha preparations from these sources. i ...	2004	15530025
streptococcus equi subsp. ruminatorum subsp. nov., isolated from mastitis in small ruminants.	six isolates of an unknown gram-positive, catalase-negative, chain-forming, coccus-shaped organism isolated from ovine and caprine mastitis were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. on the basis of cellular morphology and the results of biochemical tests, the organism was tentatively identified as a streptococcal species. comparative 16s rrna gene sequencing studies confirmed that the organism is a member of the genus streptococcus, with streptococcus equi as its closest ...	2004	15545473
identification of a novel collagen-like protein, sclc, in streptococcus equi using signal sequence phage display.	strangles is a serious disease in horses caused by streptococcus equi subspecies equi. in this study, genes encoding putative extracellular proteins in this subspecies have been identified using signal sequence phage display. among these, one showed similarities to the sclb protein, a member of the collagen-like proteins of streptococcus pyogenes. the novel gene denoted sclc encodes a protein, sclc, of 302 amino acids, containing typical features found in cell wall-anchored proteins in gram-posi ...	2004	15564026
multiplex polymerase chain reaction for identification and differentiation of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and streptococcus equi subsp. equi.	the closely related streptococcal species streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and s. equi subsp. equi were identified by polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotide primers designed according to species-specific parts of the superoxide dismutase a encoding gene soda. a further differentiation of both subspecies could be performed by amplification of the genes seeh and seei encoding the exotoxins seeh and seei, respectively, which could be detected for s. equi subsp. equi but not for s. e ...	2004	15606870
severe streptococcus zooepidemicus infection in a gardener.		2004	15059061
primary purulent pericarditis due to group c streptococcus.	in the antibiotic era, purulent pericarditis, an infection associated with high mortality, is uncommon. the causative organism is generally staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus pneumoniae arising from contiguous spread or hematogenous dissemination of an underlying infection elsewhere in the body. the present report describes a previously healthy individual who presented with acute infectious pericarditis with the offending organism identified as lancefield group c streptococcus equi. after an ...	2004	15614344
identification of a membrane-localized cysteine cluster near the substrate-binding sites of the streptococcus equisimilis hyaluronan synthase.	the membrane-bound hyaluronan synthase (has) from streptococcus equisimilis (sehas), which is the smallest class i has, has four cysteine residues (positions 226, 262, 281, and 367) that are generally conserved within this family. although cys-null sehas is still active, chemical modification of cysteine residues causes inhibition of wild-type enzyme. here we studied the effects of n-ethylmaleimide (nem) treatment on a panel of sehas cys-mutants to examine the structural and functional roles of ...	2004	15616126
amplifying the manganese scavenging potential of streptococcus zooepidemicus to reactive oxygen species during production of hyaluronic acid.	streptococcus zooepidemicus (sz) is an aerotolerant bacteria and its ability to survive under reactive oxidant challenge raises the question of the existence of a defense system. thus growth, hyaluronic acid (ha) and hydrogen peroxide (h2o2) production by sz in the presence of increasing concentration of mn2+ were studied. the results suggested that the tested strain supported growth and ha production in cultures treated with 1 and 10 mm of mn2+ regardless of h2o2 presence in the medium. this sh ...	2004	15468818
group c streptococcal bacteremia: a case report from india.	group c streptococci are a common cause of infection in animals and a rare cause of bacteremia in human beings. the entity is often seen in elderly people with a severe underlying illness. we report here the only case of group c streptococcal bacteremia reported in our hospital, caused by streptococcus equisimilis, a beta-hemolytic group c streptococcus. the patient was a 10-year old male with a known history of aplastic anemia. in spite of specific therapy with penicillin, the outcome was fatal ...	2004	15916084
preparation of the methyl ester of hyaluronan and its enzymatic degradation.	a methyl ester of hyaluronan in which the carboxyl groups were fully esterified was prepared using trimethylsilyl diazomethane. this derivative, while not depolymerized by hyaluronan lyases or hyaluronan hydrolases, was a substrate for both chondroitin aci lyase (ec 4.2.2.5) from flavobacterium heparinum and chondroitin acii lyase (ec 4.2.2.5) from arthrobacter aurescens. the major product isolated in these depolymerization reactions was methyl alpha-l-threo-hex-4-enepyranosyluronate-(1-->3)-2-a ...	2005	16098492
streptococcus equi infections in horses: guidelines for treatment, control, and prevention of strangles.		2005	15715061
clinical efficacy of prophylactic administration of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine in a streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infection model in ponies.	tissue chambers, implanted subcutaneously in the neck in six ponies, were inoculated with streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in order to determine the clinical efficacy of prophylactic administration of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine (tmp/sdz) against this infection. the tmp/sdz treatment consisted of one intravenous (i.v.) injection of 5 mg/kg tmp and 25 mg/kg sdz and the same dose of tmp/sdz per os (p.o.), both given 3 h before inoculation. the oral dose was then repeated every 12 h for 5 days ...	2005	15720514
bacterial isolates and antimicrobial susceptibilities in equine bacterial ulcerative keratitis (1993--2004).	bacterial ulcerative keratitis is a common and often vision-threatening problem in horses. emerging bacterial resistance to commonly used topical antibiotics has been demonstrated. previous antibiotic use may alter the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates.	2005	15892227
dissemination of the superantigen encoding genes seel, seem, szel and szem in streptococcus equi subsp. equi and streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.	bacterial superantigens are one of the major virulence factors produced by streptococcus pyogenes and staphylococcus aureus. the two novel superantigen encoding genes seem and seel were described for s. equi subsp. equi which is known as the causative agent of strangles in equids. in the present study previously characterized s. equi subsp. equi strains and strains of various other animal pathogenic streptococcal species and subspecies were investigated for the presence of the superantigen encod ...	2005	15953700
variation in the n-terminal region of an m-like protein of streptococcus equi and evaluation of its potential as a tool in epidemiologic studies.	to develop a method for typing streptococcus equi on the basis of the dna sequence of the genes that produce an m-like protein and to compare isolates among the united states, japan, and other countries.	2005	16379663
infarctive purpura hemorrhagica in five horses.	five horses were examined because of signs of muscle stiffness, colic, or both. all 5 had been exposed to streptococcus equi within 3 weeks prior to examination or had high serum titers of antibodies against the m protein of s equi. horses had signs of unrelenting colic-like pain and focal areas of muscle swelling. four horses were euthanatized. the fifth responded to treatment with penicillin and dexamethasone; after 3 weeks of treatment with dexamethasone, prednisolone was administered for an ...	2005	15934258
epidemic glomerulonephritis due to streptococcus zooepidemicus in nova serrana, brazil.	in 1998, there was a large outbreak of acute glomerulonephritis in nova serrana, brazil, caused by group c streptococcus zooepidemicus. this article reviews the characteristics of the outbreak and some aspects of the patients' follow-up.	2005	16014091
hyaluronan biosynthesis by class i streptococcal hyaluronan synthases occurs at the reducing end.	previous studies reached different conclusions about whether class i hyaluronan synthases (hass) elongate hyaluronic acid (ha) by addition to the reducing or the nonreducing end. here we used two strategies to determine the direction of ha synthesis by purified class i hass from streptococcus equisimilis and streptococcus pyogenes. in the first strategy we used each of the two udp-sugar substrates separately to pulse label either the beginning or the end of ha chains. we then quantified the rela ...	2005	15668242
production of hyaluronic acid by streptococcus: the effects of the addition of lysozyme and aeration on the formation and the rheological properties of the product.	the effects of the addition of lysozyme and forced aeration on the rheological properties and production of hyaluronic acid by streptococcus zooepidemicus were investigated. lysozyme was added to the culture broth in two pulses during the exponential and stationary phases of a fermentation carried out in a rotary shaker (150 rpm), using 200 ml erlenmeyer flasks. the effect of aeration was evaluated by feeding air into a 2.5 l fermentor at a 2 vvm rate. the effects were analyzed in terms of conce ...	2005	15920278
treatment strategies for mares with placentitis.	equine placentitis, and resultant preterm labor, are important sources of fetal and neonatal loss. the primary cause of equine placentitis is infection of the placenta with streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, which ascends through the caudal reproductive tract. current treatment protocols for mares affected with placentitis are empirical. this paper reviews treatment approaches for resolving placentitis and preterm labor in both equine and non-equine species. specific therapies reviewed ...	2005	15985288
phenotypic and genotypic properties of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolated from harbor seals (phoca vitulina) from the german north sea during the phocine distemper outbreak in 2002.	the present study was designed to identify and compare 32 beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated from 28 different harbor seals of the german north sea during the phocine distemper outbreak in 2002. the bacteria were identified as streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus based on cultural, biochemical, serological and molecular studies. epidemiological investigations by pcr restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 16s-23s rdna intergenic spacer region and gene szp and by macrorestri ...	2005	16084036
cowpox virus infection associated with a streptococcal septicaemia in a foal.	cowpox virus infection associated with a streptococcal septicaemia was diagnosed in a weak german warmblood filly, born 29 days prematurely, and humanely destroyed on the sixth day of life. at necropsy, ulcerative lesions in the alimentary tract, colitis, polyarthritis and nephritis were observed. transmission electron microscopical examination of specimens from ulcerative lesions revealed typical orthopox virions. cowpox virus was unequivocally identified by virological and molecular-biological ...	2005	15629485
studies of fibronectin-binding proteins of streptococcus equi.	streptococcus equi subsp. equi is the causative agent of strangles, a disease of the upper respiratory tract in horses. the initiation of s. equi subsp. equi infection is likely to involve cell surface-anchored molecules mediating bacterial adhesion to the epithelium of the host. the present study describes the cloning and characterization of fneb, a fibronectin-binding protein with cell wall-anchoring motifs. fneb can thus be predicted as cell surface located, contrary to the two previously cha ...	2005	16239519
severe acute rhabdomyolysis associated with streptococcus equi infection in four horses.	four quarter horses (9 months to 7 years of age) with submandibular lymphadenopathy and firm muscles (palpation of which elicited signs of pain) were evaluated; in general, the horses had a stiff gait, and 3 horses became recumbent. streptococcus equi was cultured from aspirates of lymph nodes or samples of purulent material collected from the auditory tube diverticula. once the horses were recumbent, their condition deteriorated rapidly despite aggressive antimicrobial and antiinflammatory trea ...	2005	16342530
[aspergillus fumigatus in nasopharyngeal cavity of horses].	aspergillus fumigatus is a cosmopolitan opportunistic fungal associated to rhinopharyngitis, sinusitis and guttural pouches infection with nasal discharges. all them are similar with strangle's sign, the infectious disease produced by streptococcus equi spp. the aim of this work was to detect a. fumigatus in healthy horses living in boxes and field. 226 nasopharyngeal swabbing samples were obtained by mycological routine. a. fumigatus was isolated in 26 (11.5%) horses.	2005	16309352
investigation of falsely reported resistance of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolates from horses to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.	the objective of this study was to investigate the perceived increase in resistance of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (s. zooepidemicus) isolated from the lower respiratory tract of horses to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (sxt). the recorded sxt-susceptibility results of 50 s. zooepidemicus isolates from the tracheal wash fluid of equine patients examined at colorado state university veterinary teaching hospital from each of 2 time periods (1987-1990 and 1997-2001) were compared and sta ...	2005	16312244
analysis of the interaction between hyaluronan and hyaluronan-binding proteins by capillary affinity electrophoresis: significance of hyaluronan molecular size on binding reaction.	we developed a method for the analysis of the interaction between hyaluronan (ha) oligosaccharides and hyaluronan-binding proteins (habps) using capillary affinity electrophoresis (cae). the method is based on high-resolution separation of fluorescent-labeled ha molecules in the presence of hyaluronan-binding proteins at different concentrations by capillary electrophoresis (ce) with laser-induced fluorescent detection. hyaluronan-binding protein from bovine nasal cartilage interacts strongly wi ...	2005	15664361
arthroscopic treatment of temporomandibular joint sepsis in a horse.	to report arthroscopic debridement and lavage of a septic temporomandibular joint (tmj) in a horse.	2005	15720597
investigation of suspected adverse reactions following strangles vaccination in horses.		2005	15765905
stable production of hyaluronic acid in streptococcus zooepidemicus chemostats operated at high dilution rate.	hyaluronic acid is routinely produced through fermentation of both group a and c streptococci. despite significant production costs associated with short fermentations and removal of contaminating proteins released during entry into stationary phase, hyaluronic acid is typically produced in batch rather than continuous culture. the main reason is that hyaluronic acid synthesis has been found to be unstable in continuous culture except at very low dilution rates. here, we investigated the mechani ...	2005	15803469
neurological syndromes among horses in the netherlands. a 5 year retrospective survey (1999-2004).	the presence of toxins or infectious agents combined with environmental factors in combination with a susceptible host can be the cause for neurological disease in groups of horses. during a 5 year observational period outbreaks of neurological diseases among horses were evaluated. causes of occurring neurological diseases were equine botulism, lolitrem intoxications, equine herpesvirus type 1-associated myelo(encephalo)pathy, and encephalitis caused by (disseminated) streptococcus equi subspeci ...	2005	15835280
identification and molecular characterization of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolated from camels (camelus dromedarius) and camel milk in kenya and somalia.	seventeen streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus strains isolated from camels and camel milk in kenya and somalia were identified by their cultural characteristics, by biochemical and serological reactions with the help of commercial identification systems and by molecular studies using a multiplex pcr. the isolates were further characterized by a pcr-mediated detection of size polymorphisms in the 16s-23s rdna intergenic spacer region and the virulence gene szp and by amplification of the viru ...	2005	15876228
identification and characterization of a novel fibronectin-binding protein gene from streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus strain vtu211.	this work describes the cloning and sequencing of genes encoding fibronectin-binding proteins from streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus strain vtu211. a gene encoding a cell-wall protein fnz was amplified and sequenced. in the same bacterial strain, a second gene termed fnz2 was now discovered, encoding another fibronectin-binding protein (fnz2). the complete amino acid sequence encoded by fnz2 was deduced and compared to that deduced from fnz. the sequence comparison of the fnz and fnz2 ...	2005	15949927
pathologic findings in reintroduced przewalski's horses (equus caballus przewalskii) in southwestern mongolia.	the przewalski's horse (equus caballus przewalskii) was extinct in the wild by the mid 1960s. the species has survived because of captive breeding only. the takhin tal reintroduction project is run by the international takhi group; it is one of two projects reintroducing horses to the wild in mongolia. in 1997 the first harem group was released. the first foals were successfully raised in the wild in 1999. currently, 63 przewalski's horses live in takhin tal. little information exists on causes ...	2005	17323569
molecular typing and anti-microbial susceptibility of clinical isolates of streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus from equine bacterial endometritis.	the anti-microbial susceptibility and genetic diversity of 65 strains of streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (sez) isolated from mares presenting clinical signs of endometritis was determined by disk agar diffusion and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (pfge) methods, respectively. overall, sez isolates were susceptible to beta-lactams, enrofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin. these anti-microbials could be recommended as empiric anti-microbial therapy in cases of endometriti ...	2006	17062124
survey of the large-animal diplomates of the american college of veterinary internal medicine regarding knowledge and clinical use of polymerase chain reaction: implications for veterinary education.	a questionnaire was developed to document the knowledge base of large-animal diplomates of the american college of veterinary internal medicine (acvim) regarding polymerase chain reaction (pcr) technology and to identify the common use of this technology in equine practice. ninety-three of the 278 mailed questionnaires were returned, for an overall response rate of 33.4%. ninety respondents (99%) reported being familiar with the general principles of nucleic acid probe technology; however, only ...	2006	17220506
potential pathogens carried by spanish ibex (capra pyrenaica hispanica) in southern spain.	the spanish ibex (capra pyrenaica hispanica) population of southern spain was surveyed for potential pathogens associated with the conjunctiva, external ear canal, as well as reproductive and upper respiratory tracts. we sampled 321 ibex (131 adult males, 100 adult females, and 90 yearlings); these included 271 apparently healthy animals and 50 that were naturally infected with sarcoptes scabiei. a total of 688 bacterial isolates were identified (377 gram-negatives, 225 gram-positives, and 86 my ...	2006	16870855
an outbreak of streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus associated with consumption of fresh goat cheese.	streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus is a rare infection in humans associated with contact with horses or consumption of unpasteurized milk products. on october 23, 2003, the national public health institute was alerted that within one week three persons had been admitted to tampere university central hospital (tays) because of s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus septicaemia. all had consumed fresh goat cheese produced in a small-scale dairy located on a farm. we conducted an investigation to de ...	2006	16504158
hyaluronic acid inhibits the adherence and growth of monolayer keratinocytes but does not affect the growth of keratinocyte epithelium.	hyaluronic acid (ha) is involved in epidermal biology but evidence for its functional significance is sparse. in this study, low-calcium monolayer and high-calcium epithelium cultures of human keratinocytes were used to study the effect of up to four different ha preparations on keratinocyte growth and on the adherence of proliferating keratinocytes onto the plastic surface coated with different matrix proteins. in suboptimally growing monolayer culture, up to 1,000 microg/ml rooster comb ha and ...	2006	16897076
4-methylumbelliferone, a hyaluronan synthase suppressor, enhances the anticancer activity of gemcitabine in human pancreatic cancer cells.	hyaluronan (ha) is a ubiquitous, major component of the pericellular matrix and is necessary for various physiological processes. it plays a very important role in biological barriers. we previously reported that 4-methylumbelliferone (mu) inhibits ha synthesis and pericellular ha matrix formation in cultured human skin fibroblasts, streptococcus equi fm100, and b16f10 melanoma cells. we hypothesized that mu-mediated inhibition of ha synthesis and pericellular ha matrix formation would increase ...	2006	16341905
idee, an igg-endopeptidase of streptococcus equi ssp. equi.	streptococcus equi ssp. equi is the causative agent of strangles, a highly contagious and serious disease in the upper respiratory tract of horses. the present study describes the characterization of idee, a homolog of the secreted igg-specific protease ides/mac of streptococcus pyogenes. the activity of idee is compared with the activity of idez, the corresponding enzyme of the closely related s. equi ssp. zooepidemicus. a study of the proteolytic activity of recombinant idee and idez on igg fr ...	2006	16923080
a fibronectin-binding protein from streptococcus equi binds collagen and modulates cell-mediated collagen gel contraction.	the n-terminal fragment (fnzn) of the fibronectin-binding protein fnz from streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus was investigated as to effects on murine cell interactions with extracellular matrix proteins. fnzn bound to immobilized fibronectin (fn) and native, but not denatured, collagen type i. fnzn had no effect on primary adhesion of cells from the murine myoblastic c2c12 cell line to immobilized fibronectin. c2c12 cells adhered to immobilized fnzn, a process that was not inhibited by ...	2006	16376297
outbreak of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections on the island of gran canaria associated with the consumption of inadequately pasteurized cheese.	streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections are infrequent in humans. a clinical and epidemiological study of a milk-borne outbreak caused by this organism is described. fifteen patients (5 females, 10 males) with a median age of 70 years (range 47-86) were infected. twelve (80%) had underlying diseases. infection with s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus presented as primary bacteremia in six cases, as bacteremia associated with aortic aneurism in four cases, as septic arthritis in two cases, as ...	2006	16550347
immunostimulatory effects of the anionic alkali mineral complex barodon on equine lymphocytes.	previous studies have shown that the anionic alkali mineral complex barodon has an immunoenhancing effect on pigs as an adjuvant and as a nonspecific immunostimulant. likewise, the equine immune system has been defined with various monoclonal antibodies specific to equine leukocyte differentiation antigens to determine the possibility of enhancing equine resistance to respiratory diseases and promoting other immunostimulatory effects with the application of barodon. compared with the control gro ...	2006	16943344
streptococcus equi meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal.	a 4-month-old american paint horse colt was evaluated because of acute onset of ataxia, left-sided head tilt, and fever and a recently noticed heart murmur. upper respiratory tract infection caused by streptococcus equi subsp equi had been diagnosed at 3 months of age.	2006	16948585
identification and characterization of the heme-binding proteins seshp and sehtsa of streptococcus equi subspecies equi.	heme is a preferred iron source of bacterial pathogens. streptococcus equi subspecies equi is a bacterial pathogen that causes strangles in horses. whether s. equi has a heme acquisition transporter is unknown.	2006	17007644
meningitis due to an unusual human pathogen: streptococcus equi subspecies equi.	streptococcus equi subspecies equi is involved in human infection. we present a case of meningitis in a 75-year-old patient with a favorable outcome after ceftriaxone and dexamethasone therapy. to our knowledge, it is the first case reported in an adult.	2006	16509563
mutation of the maturase lipoprotein attenuates the virulence of streptococcus equi to a greater extent than does loss of general lipoprotein lipidation.	streptococcus equi is the causative agent of strangles, a prevalent and highly contagious disease of horses. despite the animal suffering and economic burden associated with strangles, little is known about the molecular basis of s. equi virulence. here we have investigated the contributions of a specific lipoprotein and the general lipoprotein processing pathway to the abilities of s. equi to colonize equine epithelial tissues in vitro and to cause disease in both a mouse model and the natural ...	2006	17015455
efficacy of oseltamivir phosphate to horses inoculated with equine influenza a virus.	we investigated the efficacy of the oral administration of oseltamivir phosphate (op) in horses experimentally infected with equine influenza a virus (h3n8). nine horses were divided into three horses each of control, treatment and prophylaxis groups. an administration protocol for the treatment group (2 mg/kg of body weight, twice a day for five days) was started immediately after the onset of pyrexia (above 38.9 degrees c). an administration protocol for the prophylaxis group (2 mg/kg of body ...	2006	17019060
standing surgical removal of inspissated guttural pouch exudate (chondroids) in ten horses.	to report use of a modified whitehouse approach in standing horses for management of inspissated guttural pouch empyema.	2006	17026551
mandibular condylectomy and meniscectomy for the treatment of septic temporomandibular joint arthritis in a horse.	to report use of mandibular condylectomy for treatment of advanced degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (tmj) caused by sepsis.	2006	17026552
a serum-free medium for colony growth and hyaluronic acid production by streptococcus zooepidemicus njust01.	a hyaluronic acid (ha)-producing strain, streptococcus zooepidemicus njust01, can grow in a serum-free agar medium, with starch as exclusive carbon source, but not glucose, sucrose, dextrine, xylose, or lactose. in this starch medium, the strain njust01 reproduced successively at 37 degrees c for 60 generations, with no obvious variation on morphology and physiology, but colonies of the strain after 60th generation could not produce a clear hemolytic zone on sheep blood agar plates. hyaluronic a ...	2006	16344931
disease transmission in horses.	bacterial, viral and protozoal infections may cause severe reproductive losses. the present paper reviews the risk factors, clinical signs and preventive measures for the most important venereal or potential sexually transmitted diseases in horses. the stallion and use of semen for artificial insemination represent major risk factors for the transmission of bacterial contaminants of the penis, including streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, pseudomonas aeruginosa and klebsiella pneumoniae ...	2006	16837034
characterization of the arginine deiminase of streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.	streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus is an important cause of infectious diseases in horses and rarely humans. little is known about the virulence factors or protective antigens of s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. in the present study, i designed original primers based on an alignment of the gene sagp(arca) from streptococcus pyogenes encoding streptococcal acid glycoprotein-arginine deiminase (sagp/ad) to amplify the s. equi subsp. zooepidemicus counterpart sequence by polymerase chain reaction ...	2006	17110979
continuous monitoring of penicillin g and gentamicin in allantoic fluid of pregnant pony mares by in vivo microdialysis.	most current treatments for placentitis in mares are empirical with few control studies to evaluate their effectiveness.	2006	17124841