Miklos Gyuranecz
@vmri.hu
Zoonotic Bacteriology and Mycoplasmology
Veterinary Medical Research Institute
I am a DVM, PhD, DSc, habil, Dipl. ECVM, head of a 15-member research group and the vice director of the Veterinary Medical Research Institute, an honorary professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary and the director of the Mycoplasma diagnostic & biotech company, MolliScience Ltd. I am the author of more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific papers and three book chapters. My laboratory served as an OIE reference laboratory between 2015 and 2018. Currently I am the supervisor of six graduated and three active PhD students.
EDUCATION
2021 De facto Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Microbiology
2021 DSc (Doctor of Science), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary
2019 Habilitation, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hungary
2011 PhD (Summa cum laude), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Hungary
2007 DVM and BSc in wildlife management, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Hungary
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am keenly interested in infectious diseases, particularly bacterial pathogens. My current work is primarily on mycoplasmosis but I also work with a variety of other diseases, including tularemia, brucellosis and Q fever.
FUTURE PROJECTS
National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety
The establishment of the laboratory is of key importance for the national economy, since the rapid recognition of infectious diseases, along with effective prevention and treatment are especially important due to the large number of farm animals in Hungary and the annual increase in revenue they generate. Also playing an important role in the project is the study of the increasingly alarming spread of antimicrobial resistance, especially with regard to the possibility of its transfer from animals to humans. The laboratory's innovative competences and modern infrastructural capacity not only further the nation's human and animal health, they also increase the international competitiveness of domestic livestock breeding.
Applications Invited
PhD students, post-docs
Development of diagnostic and control procedures for infectious diseases of domestic and wild bird species with high economic and public health risk
Most of VMRI's research groups are involved in the research project. The project’s main objectives were generated by the animal health problems caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites that threaten the competitiveness of poultry industry, and that could lead to market improvements for the sector. Research directions have been identified that can effectively help to address the current challenges in poultry nutrition, food chain safety and zoonoses.
Applications Invited
PhD students, post-docs
National Laboratory of Health Safety
The aim of the Health Safety National Laboratory is to create a scientific basis for decision-making in Hungary based on data and analysis in the areas of health care, epidemic prevention and ecological systems. The project encompasses research carried out in the fields of epidemic mathematics, epidemic ecology, invasion biology and data-driven health care, among other topics. The laboratory unites and coordinates the research groups operating in this area in Hungary in an insular fashion along the "One Health" concept, thereby supporting networking and the creation of an effectively collaborative and internationally competitive research community.
Applications Invited
PhD students, post-docs
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Edina Nemesházi, Enikő Wehmann, Dénes Grózner, Dorottya Sára Nagy, Áron Botond Kovács, Dorottya Földi, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Waterfowl-specific mycoplasmas cause significant economic losses worldwide. However, only limited resources are available for the specific detection of three such bacteria, Mycoplasma anatis, M. anseris and M. cloacale. We developed species-specific TaqMan assays and tested their reliability across 20 strains of the respective target species as well as 84 non-target avian bacterial strains. Furthermore, we analysed 32 clinical DNA samples and compared the results with those of previously published conventional PCRs. The TaqMan assays showed 100% specificity and very high sensitivity, enabling the detection of target DNA as low as either 10 or 100 copies/μl concentration, depending on the assay. Importantly, we found that while the here developed TaqMan assays are reliable for species-specific detection of M. anatis, the previously published conventional PCR assay may give false positive results. In conclusion, the new assays are reliable, sensitive and suitable for clinical diagnostics of the target species.
Áron B. Kovács, Enikő Wehmann, Dénes Grózner, Krisztina Bali, Edina Nemesházi, Veronika Hrivnák, Chris J. Morrow, Krisztián Bányai, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Elsevier BV
Dorottya Földi, Zsófia Eszter Nagy, Nikolett Belecz, Levente Szeredi, József Földi, Anna Kollár, Miklós Tenk, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Frontiers Media SA
IntroductionMycoplasma hyorhinis is an emerging swine pathogen with high prevalence worldwide. The main lesions caused are arthritis and polyserositis, and the clinical manifestation of the disease may result in significant economic losses due to decreased weight gain and enhanced medical costs. We aimed to compare two challenge routes to induce M. hyorhinis infection using the same clinical isolate.MethodsFive-week-old, Choice hybrid pigs were inoculated on 2 consecutive days by intravenous route (Group IV-IV) or by intravenous and intraperitoneal routes (Group IV-IP). Mock-infected animals were used as control (control group). After the challenge, the clinical signs were recorded for 28 days, after which the animals were euthanized. Gross pathological and histopathological examinations, PCR detection, isolation, and genotyping of the re-isolated Mycoplasma sp. and culture of bacteria other than Mycoplasma sp. were carried out. The ELISA test was used to detect anti-M. hyorhinis immunoglobulins in the sera of all animals.ResultsPericarditis and polyarthritis were observed in both challenge groups; however, the serositis was more severe in Group IV-IV. Statistically significant differences were detected between the challenged groups and the control group regarding the average daily weight gain, pathological scores, and ELISA titers. Additionally, histopathological scores in Group IV-IV differed significantly from the scores in the control group. All re-isolated strains were the same or a close genetic variant of the original challenge strain.DiscussionOur results indicate that both challenge routes are suitable for modeling the disease. However, due to the evoked more severe pathological lesions and the application being similar to the hypothesized natural route of infection in Group IV-IV, the two-dose intravenous challenge is recommended by the authors to induce serositis and arthritis associated with M. hyorhinis infection.
Eszter Zsófia Nagy, Áron Botond Kovács, Enikő Wehmann, Katinka Bekő, Dorottya Földi, Krisztián Bányai, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Frontiers Media SA
IntroductionMycoplasma anserisalpingitidis is one of the most important waterfowl-pathogenic mycoplasmas. Due to inadequate antibiotic treatment, many strains with high minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for multiple drugs have been isolated lately. Decreased antibiotic susceptibility in several Mycoplasma species are known to be associated with mutations in topoisomerase and ribosomal genes, but other strategies such as active efflux pump mechanisms were also described. The scope of this study was the phenotypic and genetic characterization of the active efflux mechanism in M. anserisalpingitidisMethodsWe measured the MIC values in the presence and absence of different efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), such as carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazine (CCCP), orthovanadate (OV), and reserpine (RSP). Moreover, bioinformatic tools were utilized to detect putative regulatory sequences of membrane transport proteins coding genes, while comparative genome analysis was performed to reveal potential markers of antibiotic resistance.ResultsOut of the three examined EPIs, CCCP decreased the MICs at least two-fold below the original MICs (in 23 cases out of 36 strains). In the presence of OV or RSP, MIC value differences could be seen only if modified dilution series (10% decrease steps were used instead of two-fold dilutions) were applied (in 24/36 cases with OV and 9/36 with RSP). During comparative genome analysis, non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) were identified in genes encoding ABC membrane transport proteins, which were displayed in higher percentages in M. anserisalpingitidis strains with increased MICs. In terms of other genes, a nsSNP was identified in DNA gyrase subunit A (gyrA) gene which can be related to decreased susceptibility to enrofloxacin. The present study is the first to highlight the importance of efflux pump mechanisms in M. anserisalpingitidis.DiscussionConsidering the observed effects of the EPI CCCP against this bacterium, it can be assumed, that the use of EPIs would increase the efficiency of targeted antibiotic therapy in the future control of this pathogen. However, further research is required to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of efflux pump mechanism in this bacterium.
Sara M. Klose, Olusola M. Olaogun, Jillian F. Disint, Pollob Shil, Miklós Gyuranecz, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, Dorottya Földi, Salvatore Catania, Marco Bottinelli, Arianna Dall'Ora,et al.
American Society for Microbiology
Preventative measures, such as vaccination, are commonly used for the control of mycoplasmal infections in poultry. A live attenuated vaccine strain (Vaxsafe MS; MS-H; Bioproperties Pty.
Tamara Szentiványi, Sándor Hornok, Áron B. Kovács, Nóra Takács, Miklós Gyuranecz, Wanda Markotter, Philippe Christe, and Olivier Glaizot
Wiley
Katinka Bekő, Eszter Zsófia Nagy, Dénes Grózner, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Akademiai Kiado Zrt.
Abstract Several Mycoplasma species can form biofilm, facilitating their survival in the environment, and shielding them from therapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to examine the biofilm-forming ability and its potential effects on environmental survival and antibiotic resistance in Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis, the clinically and economically most important waterfowl Mycoplasma species. The biofilm-forming ability of 32 M. anserisalpingitidis strains was examined by crystal violet assay. Biofilms and planktonic cultures of the selected strains were exposed to a temperature of 50 °C (20 and 30 min), to desiccation at room temperature (16 and 24 h), or to various concentrations of eight different antibiotics. Crystal violet staining revealed great diversity in the biofilm-forming ability of the 32 tested M. anserisalpingitidis strains, with positive staining in more than half of them. Biofilms were found to be more resistant to heat and desiccation than planktonic cultures, while no correlation was shown between biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility. Our results indicate that M. anserisalpingitidis biofilms may contribute to the persistence of the organisms in the environment, which should be taken into account for proper management. Antibiotic susceptibility was not affected by biofilm formation; however, it is important to note that correlations were examined only in vitro.
Ulrich Klein, Dorottya Földi, Nikolett Belecz, Veronika Hrivnák, Zoltán Somogyi, Michele Gastaldelli, Marianna Merenda, Salvatore Catania, Arkadiusz Dors, Ute Siesenop,et al.
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Mycoplasma hyorhinis is an emerging swine pathogen bacterium causing polyserositis and polyarthritis in weaners and finishers. The pathogen is distributed world-wide, generating significant economic losses. No commercially available vaccine is available in Europe. Therefore, besides improving the housing conditions for prevention, antimicrobial therapy of the diseased animals is the only option to control the infection. Our aim was to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ten antimicrobials potentially used against M. hyorhinis infection. The antibiotic susceptibility of 76 M. hyorhinis isolates from Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Poland collected between 2019 and 2021 was determined by broth micro-dilution method and mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA). Low concentrations of tiamulin (MIC90 0.312 μg/ml), doxycycline (MIC90 0.078 μg/ml), oxytetracycline (MIC90 0.25 μg/ml), florfenicol (MIC90 2 μg/ml) and moderate concentrations of enrofloxacin (MIC90 1.25 μg/ml) inhibited the growth of the isolates. For the tested macrolides and lincomycin, a bimodal MIC pattern was observed (MIC90 >64 μg/ml for lincomycin, tulathromycin, tylosin and tilmicosin and 5 μg/ml for tylvalosin). The results of the MAMA assay were in line with the conventional method with three exceptions. Based on our statistical analyses, significant differences in MIC values of tiamulin and doxycycline were observed between certain countries. Our results show various levels of antimicrobial susceptibility among M. hyorhinis isolates to the tested antibiotics. The data underline the importance of susceptibility monitoring on pan-European level and provides essential information for proper antibiotic choice in therapy.
Sándor Hornok, Sándor Szekeres, Gábor Horváth, Nóra Takács, Katinka Bekő, Jenő Kontschán, Miklós Gyuranecz, Barnabás Tóth, Attila D. Sándor, Alexandra Juhász,et al.
Elsevier BV
Dénes Grózner, Katinka Bekö, Áron Botond Kovács, Alexa Mitter, Veronika Hrivnák, Anna Sawicka, Grzegorz Tomczyk, Krisztián Bányai, Szilárd Jánosi, Zsuzsa Kreizinger,et al.
Elsevier BV
Katinka Bekő, Dénes Grózner, Alexa Mitter, Lilla Udvari, Dorottya Földi, Enikő Wehmann, Áron B. Kovács, Marianna Domán, Krisztina Bali, Krisztián Bányai,et al.
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis is economically the most important pathogenic Mycoplasma species of waterfowl in Europe and Asia. The lack of commercially available vaccines against M. anserisalpingitidis had prompted this study with the aim to produce temperature-sensitive (ts+) clones as candidates for an attenuated live vaccine. The production of ts+ clones was performed by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG)-induced mutagenesis of Hungarian M. anserisalpingitidis field isolates. The clones were administered via eye-drop and intracloacally to 33-day-old geese. Colonization ability was examined by PCR and isolation from the trachea and cloaca, while the serological response of the birds was tested by ELISA. Pathological and histopathological examinations were performed in the eighth week after inoculation. Whole-genome sequence (WGS) analysis of the selected clone and its parent strain was also performed. NTG-treatment provided three ts+ mutants (MA177/1/11, MA177/1/12, MA271). MA271 was detected at the highest rate from cloacal (86.25%) and tracheal (30%) samples, while MA177/1/12 and MA271 elicited remarkable serological responses with 90% of the birds showing seroconversion. Re-isolates of MA271 remained ts+ throughout the experiment. Based on these properties, clone MA271 was found to be the most promising vaccine candidate. WGS analysis revealed 59 mutations in the genome of MA271 when compared to its parent strain, affecting both polypeptides involved in different cellular processes and proteins previously linked to bacterial fitness and virulence. Although further studies are needed to prove that MA271 is in all aspects a suitable vaccine strain, it is expected that this ts+ clone will contribute to the control of M. anserisalpingitidis infection. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Three M. anserisalpingitidis ts+ vaccine candidates were produced by NTG-mutagenesis. Clone MA271 was able to colonize geese and induce a serological response. MA271 re-isolates remained ts+ during the 8-week-long experiment. WGS analysis revealed 59 mutations in the genome of MA271.
Dominika Buni, Lilla Udvari, Dorottya Földi, Nikolett Belecz, Cécile Yvon, Janet Bradbury, Salvatore Catania, Inna Lysnyansky, László Kovács, Miklós Gyuranecz,et al.
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT
Mycoplasma iowae, a potential re-emerging avian pathogen mainly affecting turkeys, has been reported from many parts of the world. Poor hatchability, embryonic death, joint and skeletal abnormalities, poor ossification, runting-stunting, poor feathering and airsacculitis may be observed in infected flocks. The reduction of the severity of clinical signs and short-term control of M. iowae are performed by antibiotic treatment. However, M. iowae develops resistance more rapidly and is considered to be more resistant to antimicrobials than other avian pathogenic mycoplasmas. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro susceptibility of 101 M. iowae isolates and strains to ten clinically important antimicrobial agents, and to analyse and compare the susceptibility patterns of isolates of various origins and from a wide time-period. The examined reference strains showed high susceptibility to all antimicrobials except for spectinomycin. Low concentrations of tiamulin, florfenicol and oxytetracycline inhibited the growth of the clinical isolates. Nevertheless, slow tendency of increasing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values was observed over time in the case of the above mentioned agents, while MIC values of enrofloxacin showed relatively rapid changes. Spiramycin, erythromycin, tilmicosin, tylosin, lincomycin and spectinomycin did not inhibit the bacterial growth in most of the cases. Isolates originating from captive game birds showed similar susceptibility profiles to isolates from industrial turkey hosts. The widely detected low susceptibility of M. iowae isolates to macrolides, lincomycin and spectinomycin, and the increase of MIC values of frequently used antimicrobials against this pathogen, emphasize the importance of targeted antibiotic therapy. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Antimicrobial susceptibilities of 101 Mycoplasma iowae isolates were determined. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by broth micro-dilution method. Tiamulin, oxytetracycline and florfenicol showed low MIC values. Isolates rapidly adapted to antimicrobial pressure.
Anna Sawicka-Durkalec, Grzegorz Tomczyk, Olimpia Kursa, Tomasz Stenzel, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Elsevier BV
Sándor Hornok, Tamara Szentiványi, Nóra Takács, Áron Botond Kovács, Olivier Glaizot, Philippe Christe, Nicolas Fasel, Miklós Gyuranecz, and Jenő Kontschán
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractThe family Cimicidae includes obligate hematophagous ectoparasites (bed bugs and their relatives) with high veterinary/medical importance. The evolutionary relationships of Cimicidae and their hosts have recently been reported in a phylogenetic context, but in the relevant study, one of the six subfamilies, the bat-specific Latrocimicinae, was not represented. In this study the only known species of Latrocimicinae, i.e., Latrocimex spectans, was analyzed with molecular and phylogenetic methods based on four (two nuclear and two mitochondrial) genetic markers. The completed subfamily-level phylogeny of Cimicidae showed that Latrocimicinae is most closely related to Haematosiphoninae (ectoparasites of birds and humans), with which it shares systematically important morphologic characters, but not hosts. Moreover, in the phylogenetic analyses, cimicid bugs that are known to infest phylogenetically distant bat hosts clustered together (e.g., Leptocimex and Stricticimex within Cacodminae), while cimicid subfamilies (Latrocimicinae, Primicimicinae) that are known to infest bat hosts from closely related superfamilies clustered distantly. In conclusion, adding Latrocimicinae significantly contributed to the resolution of the phylogeny of Cimicidae. The close phylogenetic relationship between Latrocimicinae and Haematosiphoninae is consistent with long-known morphologic data. At the same time, phylogenetic relationships of genera within subfamilies are inconsistent with the phylogeny of relevant hosts. Graphical abstract
Linda Hisgen, Lena Abel, Luisa Hallmaier-Wacker, Simone Lüert, Antonio Lavazza, Tiziana Trogu, Roser Velarde, Markéta Nováková, Miklós Gyuranecz, Erik Ågren,et al.
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractTreponema paraluisleporidarum infects both rabbits (ecovar Cuniculus) and hares (ecovar Lepus). While the occurrence of the bacterium has previously been reported for European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica), there are no data available that report infection in the European context. We tested a total of 1,995 serum samples and 287 genital swabs from opportunistically sampled European brown hares (Lepus europaeus; n = 2135), Mountain hares (Lepus timidus; n = 4), European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus; n = 138), and pet rabbits (O. cuniculus f. domestica; n = 5). The samples originated from eight European countries. In case only serum was available, we tested the samples for the presence of anti-treponemal antibodies. For this, we utilized the Treponema pallidum-particle agglutination test (TP-PA), which is suited for the use in lagomorphs due to the antigenic cross-reactivity of anti-T. pallidum and anti-T. paraluisleporidarum antibodies. In addition, the results of 380 sera were confirmed using the fluorescent-Treponema antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS). In all cases where swab samples were available, DNA was extracted and tested using quantitative PCR to test for the presence of the lagomorph syphilis-bacterium. We were able to detect antibodies in 825 of 1,995 lagomorph sera (41.4%; brown hare: 825/1,868; rabbit: 0/127) and obtained positive qPCR results from 182 of 287 swab samples (63.4%; European brown hare: 167/267; mountain hare: 4/4; rabbit: 11/16). While all rabbit sera (n = 127) tested negative for anti-treponemal antibodies, the presence of the bacterium was confirmed in eight wild (n = 8/11) and three domestic rabbits (n = 3/5) from Germany using qPCR.
Áron B. Kovács, Enikő Wehmann, Domonkos Sváb, Katinka Bekő, Dénes Grózner, Alexa Mitter, Krisztina Bali, Christopher J. Morrow, Krisztián Bányai, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Elsevier BV
Dorottya Földi, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, Katinka Bekő, Nikolett Belecz, Krisztián Bányai, Krisztián Kiss, Imre Biksi, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Akademiai Kiado Zrt.
AbstractThe control of Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection relies mainly on antimicrobial therapy. However, the antibiotic susceptibility testing of the bacteria is usually not performed before applying the treatment, and thus therapeutic failures are not uncommon. In the case of M. hyorhinis, several antibiotic-resistance-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are known but assays for their detection have not been described yet. The aims of the present study were to investigate macrolide- and lincomycin-resistance-related SNPs in Hungarian M. hyorhinis isolates and to develop mismatch amplification mutation assays (MAMA) to detect the identified resistance markers. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of different drugs and whole genome sequences of 37 M. hyorhinis isolates were used to find the resistance-related mutations. One MAMA assay was designed to detect the mutation of the 23S rRNA gene at nucleotide position 2058 (Escherichia coli numbering). For further evaluation, the assay was challenged with 17 additional isolates with available MIC data and 15 DNA samples from clinical specimens. The genotypes of the samples were in line with the MIC test results. The developed assay supports the practice of targeted antibiotic usage; hence it may indirectly reduce some bacterial resistance-related public health concerns.
Attila Dobos, István Fodor, Gerda Kiss, and Miklós Gyuranecz
Akademiai Kiado Zrt.
AbstractQ fever is a disease of high zoonotic potential, but interest in its causative agent is rather low although it causes some public health problems in Hungary. The prevalence of Q fever is highly variable by country. The main reservoirs of the disease are the same domestic ruminant species everywhere, but the epidemiological profile depends on the features of the specific reservoir. The aim of this large-scale study was to demonstrate the importance of Q fever in different species as a possible source for human infection in most regions of Hungary. A total of 851 serum samples from 44 dairy farms, 16 sheep flocks, 4 goat farms and 3 zoos located in different parts of Hungary were tested. The presence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii was surveyed in dairy cattle (n = 547), goats (n = 71), sheep (n = 200) and zoo animals (n = 33). The animal species tested in Hungary showed different seroprevalence values of C. burnetii infection. Seropositivity by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found in 258 out of 547 (47.2%) cows and in 69 out of 271 (25.5%) small ruminants, among them in 47 out of 200 (23.5%) sheep and in 22 out of 71 (31.0%) goats. Antibodies to C. burnetii were not detected in zoo animals. Seropositivity was demonstrated in 44 out of 44 (100%) dairy cattle farms, with at least one serum sample found to be positive on each farm. The seropositivity rate of small ruminant farms was 55.0% (11 positive out of 20 tested), with 9 out of 16 (56.3%) sheep flocks and 2 out of 4 (50.0%) goat herds showing seropositivity.
Dénes Grózner, Áron Botond Kovács, Enikő Wehmann, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, Katinka Bekő, Alexa Mitter, Anna Sawicka, Szilárd Jánosi, Grzegorz Tomczyk, Christopher John Morrow,et al.
Elsevier BV
Anno de Jong, Myriam Youala, Ulrich Klein, Farid El Garch, Hilde Moyaert, Shabbir Simjee, Dominiek Maes, Miklós Gyuranecz, Andrew Pridmore, Jill R. Thomson,et al.
Elsevier BV
Barbara Végi, Enikő Bíró, Dénes Grózner, Árpád Drobnyák, Zsuzsa Kreizinger, Miklós Gyuranecz, and Judit Barna
Informa UK Limited
Anno de Jong, Myriam Youala, Ulrich Klein, Farid El Garch, Shabbir Simjee, Hilde Moyaert, Markus Rose, Anne V. Gautier-Bouchardon, Salvatore Catania, Kannan Ganapathy,et al.
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae are bacterial pathogens that cause disease in poultry, adversely affecting their health and welfare, and are a financial burden on producers. This manuscript describes the results of the MycoPath project that is the first international antimicrobial susceptibility programme for mycoplasma pathogens isolated from poultry. Improved comparative analysis of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) results from participating countries was facilitated by using one laboratory determining all MICs. Chicken and turkey isolates were obtained from France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy and Spain during 2014–2016. One isolate per farm was retained. The MIC of seven antimicrobial agents was determined using a broth microdilution method, with Friis Medium (M. gallisepticum) or Modified Chanock’s Medium (M. synoviae). Of the 222 isolates recovered, 82 were M. gallisepticum and 130 were M. synoviae. M. gallisepticum MIC50/90 values were 0.12/0.5, 2/8, 0.5/4, 0.12/>64, 0.008/0.062, 0.008/32, 0.062/4 mg/l for doxycycline, enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, spiramycin, tiamulin, tilmicosin and tylosin, respectively. For M. synoviae, the values were 0.5/1, 8/16, 0.5/1, 0.5/8, 0.25/0.5, 0.062/2 and 0.062/16 mg/l respectively. A bimodal MIC distribution for the fluoroquinolone (enrofloxacin) and the macrolides (spiramycin, tilmicosin and tylosin) indicate that both species have sub-populations that are less susceptible in vitro to those antimicrobials. Some differences in susceptibilities were observed according to host species, Mycoplasma species, and country of origin. This study provides a baseline of novel data for future monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in poultry Mycoplasma species. Additionally, this information will facilitate the selection of the antimicrobial agents most likely to be effective, thus ensuring their minimal use with targeted and correct therapeutic treatments. Highlights First large-scale pan-European collection of representative Mg and Ms isolates. MIC values assessed in central laboratory for Mg and Ms from chickens and turkeys. Range of MIC values for 82 Mg and 130 Ms isolates to seven licenced antibiotics shown. Data can be used to help determine Mg and Ms veterinary-specific breakpoints.
C. ter Veen, R. Dijkman, J. J. de Wit, M. Gyuranecz, and A. Feberwee
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Almost two decades ago, in addition to a compulsory M. gallisepticum (Mg) monitoring programme of breeding stock based on European Union regulations, the Dutch poultry industry added national regulations to further reduce the Mg prevalence in Dutch commercial poultry. Currently, all commercial chicken and turkey flocks except broilers are monitored for Mg. All breeding flocks on a farm where one or more flocks tested Mg positive are culled. Mg positive layer pullets are channelled and layer pullets placed on Mg positive multi-age farms are vaccinated. The monitoring data obtained were analysed covering a period of 17 years. Moreover, 31 Dutch Mg isolates from the same period were analysed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and compared to available PubMLST data. The results show that in breeding stock the seroprevalence decreased from 1.6% to 0.0%, in commercial layers from 6.3% to 1.9%, and in meat turkeys from 17.6% to 2.4%. The MLST results showed the presence of closely related and identical sequence types (STs) within the different Dutch poultry types. Similar STs were found in Northern and Southern Europe only. The results show a fast decline in the Mg prevalence since 2001, although in layers the Mg prevalence has stabilized and suggests backyard poultry might pose a risk for commercial poultry. The need for Mg control across poultry sectors and in trade was confirmed by the similarity in STs found in different types of poultry and regions. These results from the Dutch poultry industry can be extrapolated to Mg control in general.
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
GRANT DETAILS
2022-2027 Lendület II (Momentum) program
2022-2026 National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety
2022-2026 National Laboratory of Health Safety
2022-2025 Improving the diagnostics and control of production and zoonotic diseases of poultry and wild birds
2021-2023 Antimicrobial resistance in animal production
2021-2025 Characterization of Mycoplasma iowae strains and improving the therapy of infection
2019-2023 Novel strategies in Mycoplasma control
2019-2021 Pan-European resistance monitoring program of M. hyorhinis
2018-2020 Mycopath III: Pan-European resistance monitoring program of M. bovis, M. hypneumoniae, M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae
2017-2021 Studying the virulence mechanisms of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae
2016-2020 Improving the control of Mycoplasma synoviae infection
2015-2016 Mycopath II: Pan-European resistance monitoring program of M. bovis, M. hypneumoniae, M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae
2013-2016 EU FP7-HEALTH-2013-INNOVATION-1:
2012-2017 Lendület I (Momentum) program
2012 National Institute of Health – USA (NIH) travel grant
2012 Hungarian Academy of Sciences Junior Travel Award
2010-2012 Mycopath I: Pan-European resistance monitoring program of M. bovis, M. hypneumoniae, M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae
2009-2012 Comparative characterization of Francisella tularensis strains
RESEARCH OUTPUTS (PATENTS, SOFTWARE, PUBLICATIONS, PRODUCTS)
- P 21 00357: Live, attenuated Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis vaccine candidate
- Beside fundamental research we provide diagnostic, contract and training services globally.
- We produce In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) under our own brand and sell know-how under royalty agreement to different producers.
- We are proud that BioChek B.V. (The Netherlands), the global market leader company in the field of poultry diagnostics, has bought under a royalty agreement our DIVA tests which differentiate Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae wild-type and vaccine strains.
CONSULTANCY
My team collaborate with farmers, veterinarians, contract sponsors and academic institutions. Our multidisciplinary team is qualified and experienced in conducting a wide range of studies from laboratory related research and development projects, via animal facility based experiments to field studies.
We also provide diagnostic services globally. During our servicies we help to design the sampling to be the most appropriate and cost-effective for each special case. We help to interpret the results and give personal advice, such as what additional diagnostic tests can be performed. We are also able to suggest treatment options as well as eradication and control measures such as vaccination or monitoring plan.
Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration
We collaborate with several research institutions, like:
- University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Slovakia
- University of Pennsylvania, USA
- Royal GD, the Netherlands
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Venezie, Italy
- Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israel
- The University of Melbourne, Australia
- ANSES, France
We have several industry partners, like:
- Bioproperties Pty LtD., Australia
- Huvepharma NV, Belgium
- CEVA Sante Animale, France
- BioChek BV, the Netherlands
- FarmPharma, Sweden
STARTUP
We opened MolliScience Ltd., our Startup company specialised on Mycoplasma diagnostic & biotech services. We turn our know-how and fundamental research results into application. We develop In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) under our own brand and we run vaccine invention research projects.