Isolation of an atypical strain of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 with a truncated lipopolysaccharide outer core and no O-antigen

J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Jul;43(7):3522-5. doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.7.3522-3525.2005.

Abstract

A field isolate of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine fibrinohemorrhagic necrotizing pleuropneumonia, was sent to the diagnostic laboratory for serotyping. The isolate presented a clear reaction, with both polyclonal antibodies against serotype 1 and monoclonal antibodies against the capsular polysaccharide of serotype 1. It also exhibited a PCR profile of Apx toxins expected for serotype 1. The isolate, however, failed to react with monoclonal antibodies against the O-antigen of serotype 1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting a rough phenotype. The lipid A-core region of the isolate migrated faster than the corresponding region of the serotype 1 reference strain S4074 by Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, suggesting the presence of a truncated core. Sugar analysis and mass spectrometry analysis of the O-deacylated LPS from the field isolate were consistent with the absence of O-antigen and truncation of the outer core compared to the wild-type reference strain. Experimental infection of pigs confirmed the virulence of the isolate. This is the first report of an isolate of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 with a truncated outer core and a rough LPS phenotype. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories should be vigilant, since infections caused by such an isolate will not be detected by serological tests based on LPS O-antigen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacillus Infections / microbiology
  • Actinobacillus Infections / veterinary*
  • Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae / classification*
  • Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae / genetics
  • Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae / pathogenicity
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Genotype
  • Lipopolysaccharides / chemistry
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism*
  • O Antigens*
  • Phenotype
  • Serotyping
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / microbiology*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • O Antigens