Analysis of Vap family genes of Rhodococcus qui

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26292153
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: Shinji Takai 北里大学, 獣医学部, 教授 (80137900)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 角田 勤 北里大学, 獣医学部, 准教授 (80317057)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 病原性プラスミド / 細菌感染症 / 病原遺伝子 / 馬

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The discovery of virulence plasmids has allowed the classification of Rhodococcus equi strains and molecular epidemiological studies of virulent R. equi. At least three virulence levels of R. equi have been identified: virulent, intermediate virulence, and avirulent. Virulent R. equi is characterized by the presence of virulence-associated 15- to 17-kDa antigens (VapA), a virulence plasmid of 85 to 90 kb. VapA-positive R. equi is widespread on horse-breeding farms, but not on farms of other domestic animals. R. equi strains of intermediate virulence are identified by a virulence-associated 20-kDa antigen (VapB) and a virulence plasmid of 79 to 100 kb. The presence of a pathogenicity island is characterised by a significantly lower G+C content and analysis of the pathogenicity island resulted in six vapA homologues (vapC,D,E,F,G,H) and four vapB homologues (vapI,J,K,L). The purpose of this study is focus to find out those genes in the isolates from earth worms.

Free Research Field

獣医衛生学