title: Molecular characterization of virulence genes of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in equines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to determine the occurrence of streptococci in equines in Jammu (R. S. Pura, Katra), characterization of Streptococci equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus with respect to their virulence traits and to determine antibiotic sensitivity pattern of virulent Streptococcus isolates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 96 samples were collected from both clinically affected animals (exhibiting signs of respiratory tract disease) and apparently healthy animals and were sent to laboratory. The organisms were isolated on Columbia nalidixic acid agar containing 5% sheep blood as well as on sheep blood agar and confirmed by cultural characteristics and biochemical tests. Molecular detection of Streptococcus was done directly from cultures using sodA and seM gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiogram was performed against five antibiotics such as amoxicillin, penicillin G, streptomycin, rifampicin, and methicillin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During this study, a total 40 streptococcal isolates were obtained out of which 2 isolates were of S. equi subsp. equi, 12 isolates were from S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. In the PCR-based detection, we revealed amplicons of 235 bp and 679 bp for confirmation of sodA and seM gene, respectively. In antibiogram, two isolates of S. equi subsp. equi were found resistant to penicillin G, and all other isolates were found sensitive to amoxicillin and streptomycin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of streptococcal infections was due to S. equi subsp. Zooepidemicus, and thus was recognized as a potential pathogen of diseases of equines besides S. equi subsp. equi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Javed
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Taku
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rakhi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gangil
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Sharma
keywords: Streptococcus equi sub sp. equi; and Streptococcus equi sub sp. zooepidemicus; polymerase chain reaction