Trueperella pyogenes is a species of commensal bacteria which is present on the upper respiratory, urogenital and gastrointestinal mucosae of cattle. This species is able to cause pyogenic infections and health risks, alone or in association with other pyogenic bacteria. However, systemic disease with abortion and death in water buffalo has not yet been documented. Here, we isolated a strain of T. pyogenes, from a pregnant water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) with metritis and pneumonia, which finally caused abortion and death in the affected host. Thereafter, the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance of the isolate were investigated. Single PCR method confirmed the presence of the well-known virulence genes of T. pyogenes including plo, nanH, nanP, cbpA, fimA, fimC, fimE and fimG genes. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that this isolate was resistant against Tetracycline, Erythromycin and Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. Furthermore, using Box-PCR method, it was determined that DNA fingerprint pattern of this isolate was different from that of a control strain (T. pyogenes ATCC 19411). The results of the present study indicated that T. pyogenes can cause a systemic lethal disease in water buffalo. However, it seems that host and environmental conditions may also contribute to such infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a buffalo with pneumonia, metritis, abortion and death caused by T. pyogenes.
