Detection of Corynebacterium kutscheri in the faeces of subclinically infected mice

Abstract

SummaryMice were infected experimentally and subclinically with Corynebacterium kutscheri to recover the organism from mice faeces. The faeces were then cultured using selective furazolidone-nalidixic acid-colimycin agar. The number of C. kutscheri per gram of fresh faeces varied from mouse to mouse, but once established in the intestine, the organism was excreted in the faeces for at least five months. Viable bacteria were detected in most of the faecal samples, including those stored in the animal room for five days. The number of organisms in the stored faeces decreased gradually but did not differ significantly from those in the fresh faeces until they had been stored for more than three days. Many infected mice excreted between 10 4.77 and 10 5.37 colony forming units (CFU) of C. kutscheri per day in their faeces, and one mouse even excreted 10 3.74 CFU at eight weeks postinfection. These values showed little daily variation. Our present study showed that subclinically infected mice discharged the organism continuously and persistently in their faeces. Therefore, faecal samples would be useful for monitoring infection with C. kutscheri in living mice in a manner that is not stressful for the animals.

Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance in Corynebacterium spp. Causing Infections in People

“…This type includes species pathogenic for animals, e.g. C. pseudotuberculosis (Baird & Fontanie, 2007;Nieto et al, 2009), C. kutscheri (Amao et al, 2008;Suzuki et al, 1988), C. canis (Funke et al, 2009) and a very large group of species colonizing the skin and mucous membranes of man, which in favorable circumstances, may become the cause of serious infections in humans. These opportunistic organisms, e.g.…”

Distribution of Corynebacterium Species and Comparative Results of Diagnostic Methods for Identifying Corynebacterium in Experimental Mice in Korea

“…The same problem plagued C. kutscheri , another well-known pathogenic Corynebacterium which can cause pseudotuberculosis [ 5 ]. C. kutscheri is usually a regular testing item in microbiological health monitoring and is very well controlled in Korean laboratory animal facilities [ 8 ].…”

“…in experimental mice and rats is not well described, some studies on pathogenic Corynebacterium have been reported. For example, C. kutscheri can cause pseudotuberculosis, characterized by rough hair coat, slowed activity, leanness, and hyperpnea [ 5 ]. In addition, Corynebacterium -associated hyperkeratosis (CAH), caused by C. bovis , has been the subject of reports in recent decades [ 6 ].…”

Biology and Diseases of Rats

“…Diagnosis In infected colonies, C. kutscheri will typically cause latent infections and may be detected by PCR or cultured from submaxillary (cervical) lymph nodes, oropharynx and nasopharynx, middle ears, and preputial glands of feces (Amao et al, 1995(Amao et al, , 2002(Amao et al, , 2008. Latent infections may be triggered to become clinical by a variety of stressors that can cause immunosuppression in the host.…”