Host-specificity of XXXX causing intramammary infections in dairy animals assessed by genotyping and virulence genes.

@entity742 @entity794 @entity1271 @entity291 @entity1237
UNASSIGNED: @entity794 is one of the most relevant pathogens causing clinical and subclinical, chronic @entity1271 in dairy animals. Routinely, @entity1271 pathogens are isolated and classified to genus or species level, and regarded as single entities. However, @entity794 includes a broad range of genotypes with distinct pathogenic and epidemiologic characteristics. The objective of the present study was to assess the host-specificity of @entity794 causing @entity1271 in dairy animals, based on phylogenetic and genotypic characterization as well as the presence of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in the pathogen genome. @entity794 isolates from @entity1271 in @entity291 , @entity742 and @entity1237 in Israel, and from @entity291 in Germany, the USA and Italy, were compared by the following methods: a. Bayesian phylogenetic comparison of sequences of genes nuc, coa, lukF and clfA, b. genotyping by spa and agr typing, and assignment to MLST Clonal Complexes (MLST CC), and c. the presence of a broad array of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes. Overall, phylogenetic, virulence and genotyping approaches agreed with each other. @entity291 isolates could be differentiated from @entity742 and @entity1237 isolates with all three methods, with different resolution. In two phylogenetic clusters, segregation was found also between @entity291 isolates from Israel and abroad. @entity742 and @entity1237 ' isolates showed less variability than isolates from @entity291 in all methods used. In conclusion, different @entity794 lineages are associated to @entity291 in contrast to @entity1237 and @entity742 , suggesting co-evolution between pathogen and host species. Modern diagnostics approaches should aim to explore molecular data for a better understanding and cost-effective management of @entity1271 .
