Isolation and Identification of Streptococcus suis from sick pigs in Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

Objective Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a causative agent for various syndromes in pigs. It can be transmitted to humans with typical symptoms of meningitis and death. Data in Bali Referral Hospital showed more than 40 confirmed human cases of S. suis meningitis in 2014. Cases of S. suis infection in pigs have never been confirmed in the province. Here we provide evidence of the bacteria in sick pigs in that world tourist destination province. Results The S. suis was confirmed in eight out of 30 cases. Prominent histopathological lesions of confirmed cases were meningitis, endocarditis, pericarditis, bronchopneumonia, enteritis, and glomerulonephritis. The dominant inflammatory cells were neutrophils and macrophages. Further research is needed to understand the risk factor of human infection. Awareness of the community on the risk of contracting S. suis is needed to prevent human infections.

Streptococcus suis: An Underestimated Emerging Pathogen in Hungary?

“…Overall, the most prevalent clinical syndrome described in human S. suis infections is meningitis (68.0%), followed by sepsis and toxic shock syndrome (25.0%), arthritis (12.9%), endocarditis (12.4%) and endophthalmitis (4.6%) [ 1 , 4 , 38 ]. The most common corresponding clinical symptoms of infection are generally similar to those of other bacterial pyogenic meningitis, including include headache, fever, vomiting, subjective hearing impairment, positive meningeal sings, the presence of skin rash, bacteremia, shock, acute renal failure, respiratory distress, MOF, changes in the common laboratory parameters (leukocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein) and findings in the CSF [ 1 , 4 , 38 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. The onset of the disease is usually 1–4 days from coming in contact with the pathogen, and depending on the disease manifestation, the duration of illness may range between 1 and 24 days.…”

“…In severe cases, renal replacement therapy, assisted ventilation and circulatory support must also be provided. Among recovered patients, 39% (31.0–47.8%) experience hearing loss, which is sensineural and affects the high frequency range; in ~75% of these cases, the hearing loss is irreversible [ 1 , 4 , 38 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. Twenty-three percent (15.6–32.0%) of patients are also affected by vestibular dysfunction, which also significantly affects the quality of life of the individual [ 38 ].The low number of published human cases in these countries is presumably due to underdiagnosis and unawareness of the disease because the organism is often misidentified by microbiologists, which results in delay or inadequate treatment [ 25 ].…”

“…After an incubation period that ranges from a few hours to a few days in humans, S. suis infections result in meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, endocarditis or peritonitis [ 1 , 2 , 12 , 43 , 50 , 51 ]. In addition, peracute infections with shock and a high mortality rate have been described, particularly in the case of streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS) [ 52 ].…”

Biochemical and molecular identification of Gram-positive isolates with β-hemolysis activity isolated from the nasal swab of pigs during the human meningitis outbreak in Badung Regency, Bali-Indonesia

“…Isolates were first cultured in a 5% defibrinated sheep blood agar plate and then incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Subsequently, Gram staining, catalase, oxidase, salt tolerance (6.5% NaCl), and hemolysis tests were conducted on some suspected colonies [14,15].…”