Gallibacterium anatis: Moleculer Detection of Tetracycline Resistance and Virulence Gene

Abstract

Gallibacterium anatis causes infections in the reproductive tract of egg-laying hens and it is associated with increased mortality and decreased egg production. For this study we used singeleplex and multiplex PCR with specific primers to assess the presence of tetracycline resistance (Tcr) (tet A, B, C, D, E, G, H, K, L, M, O, S, P, Q and X), virulence [cytotoxic (RTX-like toxin, gtxA) and fimbrial (flfA)] genes and antibiotic resistance in G. anatis isolates. Among the 20 isolates tested, the highest antimicrobial resistance patterns were observed in erythromycin, streptomycin, tilmicosin (100%) followed by colistin sulphate (65%), cephalexin and tulathromycin (50%). Among 20 isolates examined, 10 (50%) carried tetracycline resistance genes, 7 (35%) had tet(B), 2 (10%) had tet(G), and 1 (5%) had tet(A), (D), (M) or (L). Of these G.anatis isolates were carried out 6 (30%) gtxA but none of flfA gene. Based on present results, it is concluded that virulence and Tcr genes could contribute to pathogencity of G. anatis, which is a major risk to poultry health.