2024-03-11 09:07:05
The bacteria Mycoplasma bovis is a major cause of respiratory diseases in cattle. Scientists from the Animal Mycoplasmosis mixed research unit, bringing together scientists from the Anses de Lyon laboratory and VetAgro Sup, carried out a study on the evolution of strains of this bacteria present in France between 2000 and 2020. It it is about the first large-scale study on complete sequenced genomes of this bacterium. It was carried out in collaboration with scientists from the UMR Epidemiology of animal and zoonotic diseases (Inrae-VetAgro Sup) and was funded by the SAARA network (thematic research network for animal health and welfare in the Auvergne region Rhône Alpes).
« Thanks to the Vigimyc ruminant mycoplasmosis epidemiological surveillance network, which was created in 2003, we have a large collection of bacteria, explains Claire Becker, director of the Animal Mycoplasmoses UMR. The network’s partner veterinary laboratories send us bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma from samples from sick animals for the identification of the bacterial species. More than 500 strains are collected each year. »
Two lineages of bacteria and not just one
This collection of strains made it possible to highlight an evolution of Mycoplasma bovis circulating in France more complex than supposed: “ Since the beginning of the 2000s, there has been a subtype of Mycoplasma bovis, called subtype 2, which mainly circulates in France. We thought that this subtype was homogeneous but we realized that there are actually two distinct lineages » explains Chloé Ambroset, co-author of the study and scientist at the UMR. These two lines are very close genetically, which explains why they had not been differentiated by the usual detection tools. “This discovery will allow us to develop more targeted molecular detection toolsto can detect the emergence of a new lineage of Mycoplasma bovis “. Indeed, if the lineages currently present in France cause identical symptoms, it is possible that a new lineage appears, with different transmission capacities or pathogenic power.
The research also enlightened scientists on the factors influencing the evolution of Mycoplasma bovis. « In 2000, subtype 2 supplanted subtype 1 previously present in France thanks to its increased resistance to antibiotics, relate Chloé Ambroset. Our objective was to trace the dynamics of population evolution in order to clarify the emergence and diffusion of subtype 2 in France. The dynamics of this population actually shows two distinct lineages whose appearance would be linked to the introduction of new strains when importing cattle. »
Learn more
Julien Thézé, Chloé Ambroset, Séverine Barry, Sébastien Masseglia, Adélie Colin, et al. Genome-wide phylodynamic approach reveals the epidemic dynamics of the main Mycoplasma bovis subtype circulating in France. Microbial Genomics, 2023, 9 (7), doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.001067. PMID: 37486749; PMCID: PMC10438803.
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