Expression of capsule and biofilm formation by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi

BUSTOS CARLA; LANZA NATALIA; MARFIL JIMENA; ETCHECOPAZ ALEJANDRO; MUÑOZ ALEJANDRA; MORAS EDUARDO; GUIDA NORA

Buenos Aires

Conferencia; 10th International Equine Infectious Diseases Conference; 2016

International Equine Infectious Diseases Conference (IEIDC)

Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) of Lancefield group C andbeta haemolytic streptococci causes Strangles, a contagious infectiousdisease of young horses4,5. Bacterial adhesion, colonizationand immune evasion are required to pathogenesis. S. equi is ahost-restricted pathogen derivated from Streptococcus equi subsp.zooepidemicus6. S. equi has many virulence factors as capsule, SeMprotein, streptolysin S and superantigens4,5,6. The hyaluronic acidcapsule reduces the phagocytic function of neutrophyls and it isalso required for the activity of other proteins1,4. In addition, thecapsule protects the bacterium from immune recognition becauseof mimicry with host tissue components. Others bacteria are ableto produce biofilm that is sessile microbial community in whichcells are attached to a surface and enveloped within an extracellularpolymeric matrix3. Bacterial biofilms are more resistantthan planctonic cells to antimicrobial agents and host immunedefense systems2,3. S. equi produces high levels of capsule andthat may be related with the low adhesion to the mucosal surface6. The aim of this study was determined capsule and biofilmformation by S. equi. Ninety isolates of S. equi were obtained fromhorses with clinical Strangles and healthy carriers in Buenos Aires,Argentine.