Microbial Infections Are Associated with Embryo Mortality in Arctic-Nesting Geese

Abstract

cTo address the role of bacterial infection in hatching failure of wild geese, we monitored embryo development in a breeding population of Greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. During 2013, we observed mortality of normally developing embryos and collected 36 addled eggs for analysis. We also collected 17 infertile eggs for comparison. Using standard culture methods and gene sequencing to identify bacteria within collected eggs, we identified a potentially novel species of Neisseria in 33 eggs, Macrococcus caseolyticus in 6 eggs, and Streptococcus uberis and Rothia nasimurium in 4 eggs each. We detected seven other bacterial species at lower frequencies. Sequences of the 16S rRNA genes from the Neisseria isolates most closely matched sequences from N. animaloris and N. canis (96 to 97% identity), but phylogenetic analysis suggested substantial genetic differentiation between egg isolates and known Neisseria species. Although definitive sources of the bacteria remain unknown, we detected Neisseria DNA from swabs of eggshells, nest contents, and cloacae of nesting females. To assess the pathogenicity of bacteria identified in contents of addled eggs, we inoculated isolates of Neisseria, Macrococcus, Streptococcus, and Rothia at various concentrations into developing chicken eggs. Seven-day mortality rates varied from 70 to 100%, depending on the bacterial species and inoculation dose. Our results suggest that bacterial infections are a source of embryo mortality in wild geese in the Arctic.

Assessing the microbiomes of scalder and chiller tank waters throughout a typical commercial poultry processing day

“…For Proteobacteria (Figure 2), 6 OTUs that were absent prior to the start of the processing d were found at some point throughout the processing d (Mid and End), although only 3 were present by the end of the processing d (Pasturellaceae, Neisseria, Burkholderia), each of which is potentially related to organisms that are pathogenic to poultry (Bisgaard et al, 2010;Hampton et al, 2011;Hansen et al, 2015). While no "Top-5" Firmicutes OTUs were absent at the start of the processing run, OTUs related to lactic acid bacteria responsible for poultry meat spoilage (Streptococcus and Lactobacillus) increased three-to fivefold by the end of the processing d, replacing the non-lactic acid bacteria genera Staphylococcus, Anaerococcus, and Selenomonas (Figure 3).…”

Neisseria arctica sp. nov., isolated from nonviable eggs of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) in Arctic Alaska

“…nov. The type strain is KH1503 T (=ATCC TSD-57 T =DSM 103136 T ).During the summer of 2013, 21 specimens of Gram-stainnegative cocci were isolated from nonviable eggs of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) in Arctic Alaska [1]. Partial and nearly complete 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences (435-1448 nt) from these isolates were nearly identical, suggesting that they may represent a novel species.…”

“…Cells are Gram-stain-negative, coccoid, approximately 0.5 µm in diameter, and are often diplococcic [1]. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that cells are coffee beanshaped [1]. Isolates can grow on trypticase soy agar and on MacConkey agar.…”

“…16S rRNA gene and cpn60 PCRs and sequencing were performed as described by Hansen et al [1]. The 23S rRNA gene was amplified according to Wolfgang et al [6].…”

“…For DNA extraction, 1 ml of broth culture was pelleted by centrifugation at 5000 g for 10 min. DNA was extracted from the pellet using a DNeasy kit (QIAGEN) as if it were a tissue sample and as per the manufacturer's instructions.16S rRNA gene and cpn60 PCRs and sequencing were performed as described by Hansen et al [1]. The 23S rRNA gene was amplified according to Wolfgang et al [6].…”