Experimental Infection of Mink Enforces the Role of Arcanobacterium phocae as Causative Agent of Fur Animal Epidemic Necrotic Pyoderma (FENP)

Nordgren, Heli; Aaltonen, Kirsi; Raunio-Saarnisto, Mirja; Sukura, Antti; Vapalahti, Olli; Sironen, Tarja

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168129

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Furthermore, occasionally cages have sharp wires that can cause wounds, and any sharp protruding structures, such as wires, near the drinking nipple could cause skin trauma, particularly to the head or the feet when an animal is drinking. Experimental infection of mink with A. phocae indicated that a skin trauma is needed to transmit the infection [ 15 ]. Thus, the role of feed as a possible source of infection and a nipple drinking system as a predisposing factor require further investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Questionnaire survey of detrimental fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma in Finland

Nordgren

Vapalahti

et al. 2017

Acta Vet Scand

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BackgroundIn 2007, a previously unrecorded disease, fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma (FENP), was detected in farmed mink (Neovision vision), foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and Finnraccoons (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Finland. Symptoms included severe pyoderma with increased mortality, causing both animal welfare problems and economic losses. In 2011, an epidemiologic questionnaire was mailed to all members of the Finnish Fur Breeders’ Association to assess the occurrence of FENP from 2009 through the first 6 months of 2011. The aim was to describe the geographical distribution and detailed clinical signs of FENP, as well as sources of infection and potential risk factors for the disease.ResultsA total of 239 farmers (25%) returned the questionnaire. Clinical signs of FENP were observed in 40% (95% CI 34–46%) of the study farms. In addition, the survey clarified the specific clinical signs for different animal species. The presence of disease was associated with the importation of mink, especially from Denmark (OR 9.3, 95% CI 2.6–33.0). The transmission route between Finnish farms was associated with fur animal purchases. Some risk factors such as the farm type were also indicated. As such, FENP was detected more commonly on farms with more than one species of fur animal in comparison to farms with, for example, only foxes (OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.4–8.6), and the incidence was higher on farms with over 750 breeder mink compared to smaller farms (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6–9.0). Contact between fur animals and birds and other wildlife increased the risk of FENP on farms. Responses also indicated that blocking the entry of wildlife to the animal premises protected against FENP.ConclusionsFENP was most likely introduced to Finland by imported mink and spread further within the country via domestically purchased fur animals. Some potential risk factors, such as the type and size of the farm and contact with wildlife, contributed to the spread of FENP. Escape-proof shelter buildings block the entry of wildlife, thus protecting fur animals against FENP.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-017-0322-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Questionnaire survey of detrimental fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma in Finland

Nordgren

Vapalahti

et al. 2017

Acta Vet Scand

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“…The eight fur animal isolates are all from severe dermatitis lesions. Findings from Nordgren et al [10] suggest a possible role for S. halichoeri in the pathogenesis of FENP. Also, two reference strains were included, one from a seal (CCUG 48324) [1] and one from human isolate (CCUG 67100) [4].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The general features of the 20 new S. halichoeri genomes included and analyzed in this study are presented in Table 1. Here, genomes were characterized from dog [10], mink [5], Finnraccoon [2], human [1], blue fox [1], and seal [1] hosts. Till date, there are no other S. halichoeri genome sequences present in the NCBI RefSeq database making this study the first genomic study of S. halichoeri.…”

Section: General Features Of the Genomes Of 20 Streptococcusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Streptococcus halichoeri: Comparative Genomics of an Emerging Pathogen

Aaltonen

Kant

Eklund

et al. 2020

International Journal of Genomics

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Streptococcus halichoeri is an emerging pathogen with a variety of host species and zoonotic potential. It has been isolated from grey seals and other marine mammals as well as from human infections. Beginning in 2010, two concurrent epidemics were identified in Finland, in fur animals and domestic dogs, respectively. The fur animals suffered from a new disease fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma (FENP) and the dogs presented with ear infections with poor treatment response. S. halichoeri was isolated in both studies, albeit among other pathogens, indicating a possible role in the disease etiologies. The aim was to find a possible common origin of the fur animal and dog isolates and study the virulence factors to assess pathogenic potential. Isolates from seal, human, dogs, and fur animals were obtained for comparison. The whole genomes were sequenced from 20 different strains using the Illumina MiSeq platform and annotated using an automatic annotation pipeline RAST. The core and pangenomes were formed by comparing the genomes against each other in an all-against-all comparison. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the genes of the core genome. Virulence factors were assessed using the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB) concentrating on the previously confirmed streptococcal factors. A core genome was formed which encompassed approximately half of the genes in Streptococcus halichoeri. The resulting core was nearly saturated and would not change significantly by adding more genomes. The remaining genes formed the pangenome which was highly variable and would still evolve after additional genomes. The results highlight the great adaptability of this bacterium possibly explaining the ease at which it switches hosts and environments. Virulence factors were also analyzed and were found primarily in the core genome. They represented many classes and functions, but the largest single category was adhesins which again supports the marine origin of this species.

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“…FNP is associated with bacterial infections caused by Arcanobacterium phocae in synergistic effect with a Streptococcus spp. [2][3][4]. A. phocae has also been detected by polymerase chain reaction analyses in healthy minks suggesting that it is an opportunistic pathogen [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spreading of FNP has generally been attributed to movement of animals, but transmission routes and port of entry remain unknown [3][4][5]. After weaning, mink are placed in cages with 2-4 animals and these mink will not be in direct contact with other mink during the growth season.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Fur Animal Necrotizing Pyoderma in breeding farm mink (Neovison vison) and reduced fertility

et al. 2020

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Background The disease Fur Animal Necrotizing Pyoderma (FNP) has since 2000 been reported in many fur producing countries including Canada, Finland and Denmark. Development of FNP is characterised by rapidly forming treatment-resistant wounds on paws and in the head region. Economic losses related to FNP have been associated with mortality and decreased fur quality as well as increased veterinary costs. Also it has been suggested that FNP may be associated with reduced production results for breeding mink. The aim of this study was to evaluate if there is an association between FNP lesions in breeding animals and reduced production results based on a retrospective cohort study. Results 1465 breeding animals (244 males and 1221 females) were followed during the breeding season 2019 on five Danish mink farms. Two farms were removed from the analysis since no occurrence of FNP appeared in the observation group. After exclusion, 846 breeding animals (148 males and 698 females) remained in the analysis and were divided into two groups: exposed (EXP) or non-exposed (N-EXP) depending on the disease history of the males during mating. Females exposed to FNP positive males during breeding in average produce 14% fewer kits (P = 0.032) and these females were also more than double as likely to produce small litters (N ≥ 3) than N-EXP females. Female’s from the EXP group were introduced more times to males than females in the N-EXP group (P = 0.0001, 2.5 more times in average). Females in the EXP group did not have a statistically higher risk of becoming barren (P = 0.138) though the relative risk of becoming barren was 77% higher after encountering a FNP male. Conclusions This study shows that FNP has more economic losses for the farms than direct loss of animals. Females in contact with males with FNP lesion during breeding have a higher risk of becoming barren, and produce significantly fewer kits compared to females whom haven’t been in contact with a FNP positive male.

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Experimental Infection of Mink Enforces the Role of Arcanobacterium phocae as Causative Agent of Fur Animal Epidemic Necrotic Pyoderma (FENP)

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

Questionnaire survey of detrimental fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma in Finland

Questionnaire survey of detrimental fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma in Finland

Streptococcus halichoeri: Comparative Genomics of an Emerging Pathogen

Association between Fur Animal Necrotizing Pyoderma in breeding farm mink (Neovison vison) and reduced fertility

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