The Development of a Dual Target Mycoplasma Bovis Taqman Real-Time PCR System for the Rapid Analysis of Bovine Semen THESIS Pres
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The Development of a Dual Target Mycoplasma bovis TaqMan real-time PCR System for the Rapid Analysis of Bovine Semen THESIS Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Kristina Marie McDonald, B.A. Graduate Program in Veterinary Preventive Medicine The Ohio State University 2012 Master's Examination Committee: Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann, Advisor Dr. Ziv Raviv Dr. Päivi Rajala-Schultz Copyrighted by Kristina Marie McDonald 2012 Abstract Mycoplasma bovis is a major bovine pathogen causing respiratory disease, arthritis, otitis media, mastitis, and genital disorders in cattle worldwide. M. bovis infections tend to persist in affected herds and are often resistant to antibiotics. Spread by close contact of infected animals or a heavily contaminated environment, M. bovis can colonize mucosal surfaces and disseminate to other organ sites. Rapid identification and isolation of diseased animals is critical to prevent the spread of infection. Artificial insemination with M. bovis contaminated semen is a common source of infection of the female bovine genital tract. In this study, we report the development and validation of a dual target TaqMan real-time PCR system for the rapid detection of M. bovis in bovine semen. The assays target the housekeeping genes fusA and oppD/F. Both assays exclusively amplified M. bovis when tested against a panel 15 bovine mycoplasma species including 59 field and laboratory strains of M. bovis. Quantification was determined by testing serial dilutions of plasmids containing the target sequences; both the fusA and oppD/F assays demonstrated a detection limit of 1 plasmid copy/uL and efficiencies of 1.975 and 1.977 respectively. ii Bovine semen was spiked with serial dilutions of M. bovis in order to compare the detection limits of the real-time PCR assays and culture in clinical samples. Culture demonstrated a detection limit of 310 organisms/µl, while the fusA and oppD/F assays detected 3.1 organisms/µl. Fresh semen ejaculates from 26 commercial bulls were obtained from an artificial insemination center and evaluated for M. bovis by real-time PCR and culture. All samples were negative for the organism by both real-time PCR and culture. Although real-time PCR systems have been described for the detection of M. bovis in other bovine fluids and tissues, no PCR assays have been developed to address the specific evaluation of M. bovis in bovine semen. In this study, we present two highly specific and sensitive TaqMan real-time PCRs for the rapid detection and quantification of M. bovis in bovine semen. iii This thesis is dedicated to my cherished husband Rick, who supported me unconditionally throughout this journey. iv Acknowledgments I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Ziv Raviv, for his guidance and support throughout my time in the Veterinary Preventive Medicine Department. His enthusiasm and dedication to my program ensured that I gained exceptional knowledge, not only about mycoplasmas, but about many molecular techniques as well. I would also like to recognize the members of my master’s examination committee, Dr. Päivi Rajala-Shultz and Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann, for their support and advice, which made this document possible. Finally, I would like to thank Select Sires, Inc. for funding my education and research. Throughout my career they have continued to support all of my ambitions and goals. v Vita 1999 - Rutherford B. Hayes High School, Delaware, OH 2007 - B.A. Microbiology, Ohio Wesleyan University 2007 to present - Select Sires, Inc., Plain City, OH 2010 to present - Graduate Student, The Ohio State University Publications McDonald, K., Wetzel, A., Raviv, Z. The Development of Dual Target Mycoplasma bovis TaqMan Real-Time PCRs for Rapid Analysis of Bull Semen. Publication Pending Wetzel, A., Lefevre, K., Raviv, Z. Revised Mycoplasma synoviae vlhA PCRs. Avian Diseases 2010; 54:1292-1297. Fields of Study Major Field: Veterinary Preventive Medicine Studies in Mycoplasma vi Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................. ii Dedication ......................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ............................................................................................. x Vita .................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ..................................................................................................... ix List of Figures .................................................................................................... x Chapter 1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 1 1.1 List of References .................................................................................. 4 Chapter 2 Literature review ............................................................................... 8 2.1 The Class Mollicutes.............................................................................. 8 2.2 The Genus Mycoplasma ........................................................................ 9 2.3 Bovine Mycoplasmas ............................................................................. 11 2.4 Mycoplasma bovis ................................................................................. 13 2.4.1 The distribution and economic impact of M. bovis ........................ 13 2.4.2 Pathogenesis of M. bovis .............................................................. 15 2.4.3 Transmission of M. bovis .............................................................. 16 2.4.4 M. bovis in the bovine genital tract................................................ 18 2.4.5 M. bovis Detection ........................................................................ 20 2.4.6 M. bovis treatment, prevention, and control .................................. 23 2.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................. 26 2.6 List of References .................................................................................. 30 vii Chapter 3 The development of a dual target Mycoplasma bovis TaqMan real-time PCR system for rapid the rapid analysis of bovine semen ................................ 36 3.1 Abstract ................................................................................................. 36 3.2 Introduction ............................................................................................ 37 3.3 Materials and Methods .......................................................................... 38 3.4 Results ................................................................................................... 46 3.5 Discussion ............................................................................................. 48 3.6 List of References .................................................................................. 69 Chapter 4 Conclusions and further directions .................................................... 74 4.1 List of References .................................................................................. 78 Bibliography ..................................................................................................... 81 viii List of Tables Table 2.1 Gross properties of bacterial genomes ........................................... 28 Table 2.2 Properties distinguishing Mollicutes from other Eubacteria ............ 29 Table 3.1 Mycoplasma isolates utilized in this study ...................................... 54 Table 3.2 Primer and probe sequences used for PCR systems ..................... 58 Table 3.3 Detection limits and reproducibility of the FusA real-time PCR ....... 59 Table 3.4 Detection limits and reproducibility of the OppD/F real-time PCR .. 60 Table 3.5 Summary of M. bovis spiked semen results ................................... 61 ix List of Figures Figure 3.1 Protocol for the isolation of mycoplasmas from semen ................. 62 Figure 3.2 Alignment of FusA sequences ....................................................... 63 Figure 3.3 Alignment of OppD/F sequences ................................................... 65 Figure 3.4 FusA standard curve ..................................................................... 67 Figure 3.5 OppD/F standard curve ................................................................. 68 x Chapter 1 Introduction The genus Mycoplasma, belonging to the class Mollicutes, contains small prokaryotic organisms which lack a cell wall and are bound by a plasma membrane. Mycoplasmas’ genome is the smallest known among free living and self-replicating organisms and the G/C content of their genome is low (23-40%). Because of their restricted genomic potential, mycoplasmas have limited functional metabolic pathways, and live as saprophytes or parasites in their hosts. Among the over 200 known species, several mycoplasmas are recognized as important human and animal pathogens [1]. Mycoplasma bovis (Mb) is the most economically significant and pathogenic bovine mycoplasma of intensely farmed cattle in countries free of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia [2-7]. M. bovis colonizes mucosal surfaces producing several diseases including pneumonia, arthritis, otitis media, and meningitis, in calves, and mastitis and genital infections in adult bovines [8,