Single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene expression and evaluation of immunological, antioxidant, and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in Barki sheep
Abstract Background In sheep, pneumonia is a major concern because of its high morbidity, mortality, and economic impact. It results from various infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and environmental stressors, that weaken the immune system. Objective The objective of this study was to m...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Ahmed El Sayed Amani Hafez Ahmed Ateya Asmaa Darwish Amin Tahoun |
| author_facet | Ahmed El Sayed Amani Hafez Ahmed Ateya Asmaa Darwish Amin Tahoun |
| author_sort | Ahmed El Sayed |
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| description | Abstract Background In sheep, pneumonia is a major concern because of its high morbidity, mortality, and economic impact. It results from various infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and environmental stressors, that weaken the immune system. Objective The objective of this study was to monitor nucleotide sequence variations, gene expression, and serum biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in sheep with pneumonia. Additionally, this study aimed to identify various bacterial strains and virulent gene combinations in pneumonic sheep, as confirmed by PCR. Methodology The enrolled animals were categorized as follows: 50 apparently healthy ewes, considered the control group, and 150 infected ewes with pneumonia. The infected ewes included 100 sporadic cases from the Center for Sustainable Development of Matrouh Resources, Desert Research Center, Matrouh, Egypt, and 50 ewes from the slaughterhouse, all exhibiting respiratory symptoms such as coughing, serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge, fever, and abnormal lung sounds. Blood samples were collected to assess various biochemical parameters, detect SNPs, and analyse the expression of specific immunological and antioxidant-related genes. Nasopharyngeal and lung swabs were taken from the affected ewes for bacteriological analysis, and lung samples were collected for histological examination. Results Phenotypic characterization and identification revealed the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pseudomonas spp., Mycoplasma, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli, with frequencies of 40%, 28.6%, 34%, 18%, 44%, 29.3%, and 20%, respectively. Additionally, virulence genes for Klebsiella pneumoniae, iutA and fimH, were detected at rates of 39% and 68%, respectively, whereas the toxA gene for Pseudomonas spp. was present in 59.2% of the cases. Nucleotide sequence variations in immunity- and antioxidant-related genes were observed between healthy and pneumonic ewes. The genes encoding IL-1α, IL1B, IL6, TNF-α, LFA-1, CR2, IL17, IL13, DEFB123, SCART1, ICAM1, NOS, and HMOX1 were significantly upregulated in pneumonia-affected ewes compared with resistant ewes. Conversely, the genes encoding IL10, SOD1, CAT, GPX1, and NQO1 were downregulated. Further analysis of the serum profile revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NO and MDA along with a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the serum levels of C3, C4, CAT, GPx, GR and IL-10 in diseased ewes compared with healthy ewes. Histopathological examination revealed that the infected sheep exhibited broncho-interstitial pneumonia and purulent to fibrino-purulent bronchopneumonia. Conclusions This study revealed the significant presence of various pathogens and virulence factors in infected sheep, along with distinct immunological and antioxidant gene expression patterns. The altered serum profile and gene regulation in pneumonia-affected ewes underscore the complex immune response and potential biomarkers for disease susceptibility and resistance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b84801ee8faa414eb47d00d4eeb2b844 |
| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-b84801ee8faa414eb47d00d4eeb2b8442025-08-20T02:11:42ZengBMCIrish Veterinary Journal2046-04812025-04-0178112310.1186/s13620-025-00296-1Single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene expression and evaluation of immunological, antioxidant, and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in Barki sheepAhmed El Sayed0Amani Hafez1Ahmed Ateya2Asmaa Darwish3Amin Tahoun4Department of Animal Health and Poultry, Animal and Poultry Production Division, Desert Research Center (DRC)Department of Animal Health and Poultry, Animal and Poultry Production Division, Desert Research Center (DRC)Department of Development of Animal, of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Animal Health and Poultry, Animal and Poultry Production Division, Desert Research Center (DRC)Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelshkh UniversityAbstract Background In sheep, pneumonia is a major concern because of its high morbidity, mortality, and economic impact. It results from various infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and environmental stressors, that weaken the immune system. Objective The objective of this study was to monitor nucleotide sequence variations, gene expression, and serum biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in sheep with pneumonia. Additionally, this study aimed to identify various bacterial strains and virulent gene combinations in pneumonic sheep, as confirmed by PCR. Methodology The enrolled animals were categorized as follows: 50 apparently healthy ewes, considered the control group, and 150 infected ewes with pneumonia. The infected ewes included 100 sporadic cases from the Center for Sustainable Development of Matrouh Resources, Desert Research Center, Matrouh, Egypt, and 50 ewes from the slaughterhouse, all exhibiting respiratory symptoms such as coughing, serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge, fever, and abnormal lung sounds. Blood samples were collected to assess various biochemical parameters, detect SNPs, and analyse the expression of specific immunological and antioxidant-related genes. Nasopharyngeal and lung swabs were taken from the affected ewes for bacteriological analysis, and lung samples were collected for histological examination. Results Phenotypic characterization and identification revealed the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pseudomonas spp., Mycoplasma, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli, with frequencies of 40%, 28.6%, 34%, 18%, 44%, 29.3%, and 20%, respectively. Additionally, virulence genes for Klebsiella pneumoniae, iutA and fimH, were detected at rates of 39% and 68%, respectively, whereas the toxA gene for Pseudomonas spp. was present in 59.2% of the cases. Nucleotide sequence variations in immunity- and antioxidant-related genes were observed between healthy and pneumonic ewes. The genes encoding IL-1α, IL1B, IL6, TNF-α, LFA-1, CR2, IL17, IL13, DEFB123, SCART1, ICAM1, NOS, and HMOX1 were significantly upregulated in pneumonia-affected ewes compared with resistant ewes. Conversely, the genes encoding IL10, SOD1, CAT, GPX1, and NQO1 were downregulated. Further analysis of the serum profile revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NO and MDA along with a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the serum levels of C3, C4, CAT, GPx, GR and IL-10 in diseased ewes compared with healthy ewes. Histopathological examination revealed that the infected sheep exhibited broncho-interstitial pneumonia and purulent to fibrino-purulent bronchopneumonia. Conclusions This study revealed the significant presence of various pathogens and virulence factors in infected sheep, along with distinct immunological and antioxidant gene expression patterns. The altered serum profile and gene regulation in pneumonia-affected ewes underscore the complex immune response and potential biomarkers for disease susceptibility and resistance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-025-00296-1AntioxidantBarki sheepGene expressionImmunityNucleotide sequence variantsPneumonia |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed El Sayed Amani Hafez Ahmed Ateya Asmaa Darwish Amin Tahoun Single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene expression and evaluation of immunological, antioxidant, and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in Barki sheep Irish Veterinary Journal Antioxidant Barki sheep Gene expression Immunity Nucleotide sequence variants Pneumonia |
| title | Single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene expression and evaluation of immunological, antioxidant, and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in Barki sheep |
| title_full | Single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene expression and evaluation of immunological, antioxidant, and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in Barki sheep |
| title_fullStr | Single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene expression and evaluation of immunological, antioxidant, and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in Barki sheep |
| title_full_unstemmed | Single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene expression and evaluation of immunological, antioxidant, and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in Barki sheep |
| title_short | Single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene expression and evaluation of immunological, antioxidant, and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in Barki sheep |
| title_sort | single nucleotide polymorphisms gene expression and evaluation of immunological antioxidant and pathological parameters associated with bacterial pneumonia in barki sheep |
| topic | Antioxidant Barki sheep Gene expression Immunity Nucleotide sequence variants Pneumonia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-025-00296-1 |
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