title: Occurrence of putative virulence genes on Arcobacter butzleri isolated from three different environmental sites throughout the dairy chain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This comparative study investigated the occurrence of cadF, cj1349, ciaB, pldA, tlyA, hecA, hecB, mviN, irgA and IroE genes in 212 Arcobacter butzleri isolated from three different environmental sites linked to the dairy chain (farms, industrial and artisanal dairy plants) located in three Italian regions (Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Calabria).
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the presence of these genes, different pathotypes (P-types) were determined. The main genes detected were ciaB, mviN, tlyA, cj1349, pldA and cadF, while the least common genes were iroE, hecA, hecB and irgA. TlyA, irgA, hecA, hecB and iroE, which were significantly more frequent in isolates recovered in industrial dairy plants. Twelve P-types were detected. The occurrence of the most frequently detected P-types (P-types 1, 2, 3 and 5) differed significantly (P < 0·001) in relation to both the environmental site and geographical area of isolation. The highest diversity in P-types was observed in industrial dairy plants and in the Calabria region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study show a correlation between the occurrence of putative virulence genes and virulence genotype variability depending on the environmental site and geographical origin of the isolates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides insights into the similar distribution of putative virulence genes in a dairy chain and other sources' isolates and also into a geographical distribution of some P-types. We have shown that industrial dairy plants may represent an environmental site favouring a selection of the isolates with a higher pathogenetic pattern.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.affiliation: Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Piedmont, Liguria and Valle D'Aosta, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Gariano
authors.affiliation: Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonilauri
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giacometti
authors.affiliation: Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Piedmont, Liguria and Valle D'Aosta, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Decastelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Massella
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serraino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020640:Arcobacter / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003612:Dairying; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005838:Genotype; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: 
  Arcobacter butzleri
  ; PCR; dairy chain; environmental sites; virulence genes