Isolation, Identification and Pathogenicity Analysis of Proteus mirabilis in Cynomolgus Monkey From Yunnan, China

BACKGROUND: Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) is an opportunistic zoonotic pathogen that can be mutually transmitted with humans (Homo sapiens); knowledge on P. mirabilis infection in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) remains limited. OBJECTIVES: To isolate and characterize the diarrhoeal pathogen from a cynomolgus monkey; a bacterial strain MF103012 was isolated from the faeces of a diarrhoeal cynomolgus monkey. METHODS: P. mirabilis was identified via morphology, biochemical profiling and 16S rRNA sequencing. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect key virulence genes. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion using 24 antibiotics of P. mirabilis. Pathogenicity was assessed by intraperitoneal injection in mice. RESULTS: In our study, we successfully isolated and identified P. mirabilis from the faeces of diarrhoeal cynomolgus monkey. The isolated strain carried ureC, zapA, rsmA, hpmA, fliL, ucaA and atfA virulence genes. Strain MF103012 was susceptible to 19 antibiotics but resistant to vancomycin and erythromycin, and it induced morbidity and one case of mortality in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Endowed with the trait of cross-species transmission, P. mirabilis has become an opportunistic pathogen that requires focused attention in both the prevention and control of zoonoses and clinical anti-infective therapy. The results of this study improve our understanding of the isolated and identified P. mirabilis from the intestinal tract of diarrhoeal cynomolgus monkeys, and also lays groundwork for diagnosis and treatment of P. mirabilis in primate colonies.