Outbreak of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections in cats.
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is a commensal of the mucous membranes and skin of animals, notably equine, and is associated with various infections in animals and humans. Here, we describe an outbreak of respiratory disease in a cattery, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first report of S. zooepidemicus infection in cats. Clinical disease was characterized firstly by abundant purulent nasal discharges and cough, progressing to sinusitis, dyspnea, symptoms of pneumonia and death. Pathological examination revealed different degrees of inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. S. zooepidemicus was the main bacteria isolated. Sequencing of the V2 fragment of the 16S gene revealed that the isolates were distributed in two previously described genogroups.
Blum
Shlomo
S
Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, POB 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel. shlomobl@moag.gov.il
Elad
Daniel
D
Zukin
Nonna
N
Lysnyansky
Inna
I
Weisblith
Limor
L
Perl
Shmuel
S
Netanel
Orly
O
David
Dan
D
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D002415:Cats; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007668:Kidney / Q000382:microbiology; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D018720:Prevotella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification; D018502:Streptococcus equi / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*