First case report of fatal Nocardia nova infection in yellow-bibbed lory (Lorius chlorocercus) identified by multilocus sequencing

Abstract Background Nocardiosis is often a multi-systemic disease in humans and other mammals. Nocardiosis in birds is uncommon. Laboratory identification of Nocardia to the species level is difficult by traditional phenotypic methods based on biochemical reactions and hydrolysis tests, and is most...

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Main Authors: Sarah M. Churgin, Jade L. L. Teng, Jeremy H. P. Ho, Russell Graydon, Paolo Martelli, Foo Khong Lee, Suk-Wai Hui, Jordan Y. H. Fong, Susanna K. P. Lau, Patrick C. Y. Woo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-01-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
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Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1764-x
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author Sarah M. Churgin
Jade L. L. Teng
Jeremy H. P. Ho
Russell Graydon
Paolo Martelli
Foo Khong Lee
Suk-Wai Hui
Jordan Y. H. Fong
Susanna K. P. Lau
Patrick C. Y. Woo
author_facet Sarah M. Churgin
Jade L. L. Teng
Jeremy H. P. Ho
Russell Graydon
Paolo Martelli
Foo Khong Lee
Suk-Wai Hui
Jordan Y. H. Fong
Susanna K. P. Lau
Patrick C. Y. Woo
author_sort Sarah M. Churgin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Nocardiosis is often a multi-systemic disease in humans and other mammals. Nocardiosis in birds is uncommon. Laboratory identification of Nocardia to the species level is difficult by traditional phenotypic methods based on biochemical reactions and hydrolysis tests, and is most accurately performed by sequencing multiple gene targets. Case presentation We report the first case of fatal Nocardia nova infection in a yellow-bibbed lory nestling in an oceanarium diagnosed by multilocus sequencing. Necropsy examination showed effacement of normal sternal musculature with yellowish, firm aberrant material, and diffuse infiltration of the lungs with nodular, tan to yellow foci. Histologically, severe granulomatous inflammation with marked necrosis was observed in the lung, spleen and sternal musculature. Fine, sometimes Gram-positive, 0.5–1 μm wide, branching and beaded filamentous organisms were visible within the lesions. They were acid-fast on Fite-Faraco stain. Tissue samples obtained from the sternum, liver, right lung and right kidney recovered Nocardia species. Sequencing of four gene loci and phylogenetic analysis of concatenated (gyrB-16S-secA1-hsp65) sequences revealed that the isolate was N. nova. Conclusions We report the first case of N. nova infection in yellow-bibbed lorry (Lorius chlorocercus). The present case is the first one of which the species identity of the isolate was determined by multilocus sequencing. Molecular diagnosis is important for identifying the Nocardia to species level and understanding the epidemiology of nocardiosis in birds.
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spelling doaj.art-9eee469bb7cf41e3adae3ab64504233d2022-12-21T18:21:56ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482019-01-011511510.1186/s12917-018-1764-xFirst case report of fatal Nocardia nova infection in yellow-bibbed lory (Lorius chlorocercus) identified by multilocus sequencingSarah M. Churgin0Jade L. L. Teng1Jeremy H. P. Ho2Russell Graydon3Paolo Martelli4Foo Khong Lee5Suk-Wai Hui6Jordan Y. H. Fong7Susanna K. P. Lau8Patrick C. Y. Woo9Ocean Park CorporationDepartment of Microbiology, The University of Hong KongAgriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionAgriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionOcean Park CorporationOcean Park CorporationOcean Park CorporationDepartment of Microbiology, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Microbiology, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Microbiology, The University of Hong KongAbstract Background Nocardiosis is often a multi-systemic disease in humans and other mammals. Nocardiosis in birds is uncommon. Laboratory identification of Nocardia to the species level is difficult by traditional phenotypic methods based on biochemical reactions and hydrolysis tests, and is most accurately performed by sequencing multiple gene targets. Case presentation We report the first case of fatal Nocardia nova infection in a yellow-bibbed lory nestling in an oceanarium diagnosed by multilocus sequencing. Necropsy examination showed effacement of normal sternal musculature with yellowish, firm aberrant material, and diffuse infiltration of the lungs with nodular, tan to yellow foci. Histologically, severe granulomatous inflammation with marked necrosis was observed in the lung, spleen and sternal musculature. Fine, sometimes Gram-positive, 0.5–1 μm wide, branching and beaded filamentous organisms were visible within the lesions. They were acid-fast on Fite-Faraco stain. Tissue samples obtained from the sternum, liver, right lung and right kidney recovered Nocardia species. Sequencing of four gene loci and phylogenetic analysis of concatenated (gyrB-16S-secA1-hsp65) sequences revealed that the isolate was N. nova. Conclusions We report the first case of N. nova infection in yellow-bibbed lorry (Lorius chlorocercus). The present case is the first one of which the species identity of the isolate was determined by multilocus sequencing. Molecular diagnosis is important for identifying the Nocardia to species level and understanding the epidemiology of nocardiosis in birds.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1764-xNocardia novaInfectionYellow-bibbed loryMultilocusSequencing
spellingShingle Sarah M. Churgin
Jade L. L. Teng
Jeremy H. P. Ho
Russell Graydon
Paolo Martelli
Foo Khong Lee
Suk-Wai Hui
Jordan Y. H. Fong
Susanna K. P. Lau
Patrick C. Y. Woo
First case report of fatal Nocardia nova infection in yellow-bibbed lory (Lorius chlorocercus) identified by multilocus sequencing
BMC Veterinary Research
Nocardia nova
Infection
Yellow-bibbed lory
Multilocus
Sequencing
title First case report of fatal Nocardia nova infection in yellow-bibbed lory (Lorius chlorocercus) identified by multilocus sequencing
title_full First case report of fatal Nocardia nova infection in yellow-bibbed lory (Lorius chlorocercus) identified by multilocus sequencing
title_fullStr First case report of fatal Nocardia nova infection in yellow-bibbed lory (Lorius chlorocercus) identified by multilocus sequencing
title_full_unstemmed First case report of fatal Nocardia nova infection in yellow-bibbed lory (Lorius chlorocercus) identified by multilocus sequencing
title_short First case report of fatal Nocardia nova infection in yellow-bibbed lory (Lorius chlorocercus) identified by multilocus sequencing
title_sort first case report of fatal nocardia nova infection in yellow bibbed lory lorius chlorocercus identified by multilocus sequencing
topic Nocardia nova
Infection
Yellow-bibbed lory
Multilocus
Sequencing
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1764-x
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