Identification and molecular characterization of Porphyromonas gulae fimA types among cat isolates

Vet Microbiol. 2019 Feb:229:100-109. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.12.018. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Abstract

Porphyromonas gulae, a Gram-negative black-pigmented anaerobe, is one of several major periodontal pathogens of animals. P. gulae isolates from dogs have been classified into three genotypes based on a 41-kDa filamentous appendage (FimA) on the cell surface, which is closely related to virulence in periodontal disease. However, other specific bacterial virulence factors contributing to the aggravation of periodontal disease in cats remain elusive. In the present study, we assessed FimA diversity in P. gulae isolates from cats and examined whether this diversity influenced periodontal condition. The putative amino acid sequences of FimA from 15 P. gulae isolates from 13 cats were classified into three genotypes (types A, B, and C), which showed 95-100% identity and similarity to the fimA types in dogs. The type C isolate showed greater adhesion and invasion properties in periodontal ligament fibroblasts as well as stronger inhibition of scratch closure of the cells compared with type A and B isolates. Next, a PCR-based method for identification of fimA genotype was developed and used to analyze 99 oral swab specimens from cats. High fimA type A detection rates were observed regardless of the periodontal condition, whereas types B and C were frequently detected from subjects with moderate and severe periodontitis, respectively. These results suggest that P. gulae isolates from cats can be classified into three types based on fimA genotype, which may be closely related to virulence in periodontitis.

Keywords: Cat; FimA; Oral swab specimens; Periodontal condition; Periodontal ligament fibroblasts; Porphyromonas gulae.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cats
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Male
  • Periodontal Diseases / microbiology
  • Periodontal Diseases / veterinary*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Porphyromonas / classification*
  • Porphyromonas / genetics
  • Porphyromonas / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial