Characterization of bovine and human group B streptococci isolated in Turkey.
In the study, group B streptococci (GBS) isolated from bovines and humans in and around Van, eastern Turkey, were serotyped, and their haemagglutination and lectin-agglutination properties were also determined. This study is the first epidemiological survey of GBS serotypes performed in Turkey. A total of 148 GBS isolates, 76 from bovine milk and 72 from women attending a maternity polyclinic, were examined by co-agglutination, slide haemagglutination and slide lectin-agglutination tests. By the co-agglutination test, 34 (44.7%) of bovine isolates and 49 (68%) of human isolates could be serotyped. In bovine isolates, type VII (11.8%), III (10.5%), Ic (6.5%) and VIII (3.9%) were the most frequently detected serotypes. The most frequent human serotypes were Ic (33.3%), IV (8.3%), VIII (6.9%), V (5.5%) and R (5.5%). In the haemagglutination test using rabbit erythrocytes, 23 (33.3%) bovine and 15 (23.4%) human isolates were found to be positive. The bovine GBS isolates showed a significant positive agglutination reaction with Dolichos biflorus lectin (30.4 %), whereas the human GBS isolates were found to be positive for Arachis hypogea (18.8%) and Canavalia ensiformis (37.5%) lectins. The treatment of GBS with trypsin was also found to be important for the demonstration of the haemagglutination and lectin-agglutination properties of GBS. The results of the study provide data on serotype distribution and the formulation of a possible GBS vaccine in Turkey, and the lectin-agglutination tests may also be useful for differentiating bovine and human GBS strains.
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Yuzuncu Yil, 65080, Van, Turkey.
Ismail Hakki
IH
Ekin
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Yuzuncu Yil, 65080, Van, Turkey.
Kemal
K
Gurturk
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin / Q000378:metabolism; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology*; D014357:Trypsin / Q000378:metabolism; D014421:Turkey; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; D037121:Plant Lectins; C036554:dolichos biflorus agglutinin; C039268:lectin, Canavalia; D014357:Trypsin