Andrew Rycroft
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Professor Rycroft holds the chair of Clinical and Veterinary Microbiology at the RVC, is a teacher of Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology, and a Fellow of both the Society of Biology and the Royal College of Pathologists.
Biography
Professor Rycroft graduated in Microbiology from the University of Leeds in 1980. He continued there to complete a PhD researching the role of bacterial surface components on complement and phagocytosis-resistance in E. coli. Using genetic techniques, with clinical isolates responsible for neonatal meningitis and septicaemia, he was able to demonstrate the key role of bacterial surface polysaccharides in survival in the host, and that exchanging those antigens for others in the same genetic background, altered the interaction between the pathogen and host defences.
In 1983, Andrew moved to Glasgow University Veterinary School as Lecturer in Bacteriology. It was here that he began investigating the pig pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: firstly working with Carole McLay and David Taylor, developing biochemical techniques for bacterial envelope preparation, followed by analysis of the interaction of A. pleuropneumoniae with porcine complement and (and then, with grants from AFRC & Wellcome Trust and with Dr Julie Macdonald) the discovery, characterisation, cloning, expression and mapping of the potent pig-specific cytotoxin, ApxIII. Again using bacterial mutants, it was shown that the cytotoxin was distinct from the well known haemolysin of A. pleuropneumoniae. Both are now recognised as cytolytic toxins of the RTX group.
At this time, Andrew also developed a small mycology diagnostic unit, taking over from Dr Christine Dawson. This included pharmaceutical trials and research on practical aspects of fungal infection in animals such as the relative effect of different disinfectants on killing dermatophyte fungi (Microsporum canis) taken directly from the naturally infected animal - as would be found in the home or cattery environment.
After nine years in Glasgow Andrew moved to the RVC in 1992 as Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Microbiology and Head of Bacteriology. This was a major opportunity to take on and redesign the teaching of veterinary microbiology to veterinary students. This he has continued to develop and to integrate microbiology into many aspects of the veterinary course. At that time, Andrew also had academic charge of the diagnostic bacteriology labs which saw the development of sound culture and diagnostic methods, and the introduction of screening for emerging enteric pathogens such as Clostridium difficile, Yersinia enterocoloitica and STEC E. coli.
In 2006 Andrew became Reader in Infectious Diseases and in January 2007 was promoted to Professor of Clinical and Veterinary Microbiology. He has four adult children, sails in Scotland and grows tree fruit.
Research
His current research at RVC has encompassed a broad range of bacterial pathogens of animals including A. pleuropneumoniae, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Mannheimia haemolytica, Leptospira canicola, Streptococcus suis and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Investigations have been focused on understanding toxin and cell-surface mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity and investigations towards developing newer and better means of vaccinating pigs against bacterial infectious disease, primarily pneumonia, for which he is internationally recognised. These studies have now focussed on development of defined, live-attenuated vaccines against pneumonia. Prof Rycroft has also worked with Prof Martin Sheldon on the pathophysiology of post-partum bacterial reproductive tract infection in cattle, and conducted a number of clinical studies for testing and commercial registration of vaccines, antimicrobials and animal health products for the pig and the dog.
Andrew was a partner in a DEFRA-funded project with Prof. Peter Lees to determine the value of PK/PD modelling in setting dose levels for antimicrobials, used in treatment of calf pneumonia (pasteurellosis), to minimise the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. He has worked in close collaboration with Prof Paul Langford and Dr Janine Bossé & Dr Brian Sheehan of Imperial College using STM to identify genes required for pathogenicity of A. pleuropneumoniae and in evaluating the role of specific genes of A. pleuropneumoniae in colonising the pig respiratory tract.
His current research is funded by a major BBSRC grant, including funding from DEFRA and Pfizer, for a multi-centre programme to develop a vaccine and diagnostic system to control bacterial respiratory disease in the pig. While continuing with a major interest in A. pleuropneumoniae vaccination, his group is now engaged with developing genetics of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and other Mycoplasma species, and with a novel vaccine-based approach to control bovine staphylococcal mastitis.
He is a past Editor of FEMS Microbiology Letters and served on the Editorial Board of Research in Veterinary Science; he is currently an editorial advisor to the Journal of Comparative Pathology.
Teaching
Andrew devises and supervises laboratory-based undergraduate, masters' and PhD projects. He lectures in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases for the undergraduate B.Vet.Med. course, BSc Bioveterinary Science and BSc Veterinary Nursing and has been awarded the Jim Bee teaching prize on four occasions. He oversees the coverage of infectious diseases teaching to veterinary students.
He has successfully guided 14 post-graduate students, as primary supervisor, to complete their PhD, and acted as co-supervisor and external examiner for many more - nationally and internationally. He is current Chairman of RVC Academic Progress Committee (Apricot) and the BSc Veterinary Pathology and MSc Control of Infectious Diseases Exam Boards.
Clinical
Andrew previously supervised the veterinary microbiology diagnostic lab at the RVC and continues to advise on clinical veterinary microbiology from past students and practitioners throughout the country.
Selected Publications
ASSAVACHEEP, P. & RYCROFT, A.N. (2012). Survival of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae outside the pig. Research in Veterinary Science – In press. PubMed ID 22892250
JOHNS, I., VERHEYEN, K., GOOD, L. & RYCROFT, A.N. (2012). Antimicrobial resistance in faecal Escherichia coli isolates from horses treated with antimicrobials: A longitudinal study in hospitalised and non-hospitalised horses. Veterinary Microbiology – In press. PubMed ID 22565010
WIELAND, B., WERLING, D., NEVEL, S. GRIERSON, A., RYCROFT, A.N., DEMMERS, T.G., COOK, A.J., DONE, S.H. ARMSTRONG, D. & WATHES, C.M. (2012). Porcine circovirus type 2 infection before and during an outbreak of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome on a pig farm in the UK. Vet Record 170, 596. PubMed ID 22645151
RYCROFT, A.N., ASSAVACHEEP, P., JACOBS, M & LANGFORD PR. (2011). Necrosis from needlestick injury with live Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae porcine vaccine. British Medical Journal 343, 6261. PubMed ID 21971164
O'NEILL C, JONES SC, BOSSÉ JT, WATSON CM, WILLIAMSON SM, RYCROFT AN, KROLL JS, HARTLEY HM, LANGFORD PR. (2010). Prevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovars in England and Wales. Veterinary Record 167, 661-662. PubMed ID 21257468
O'NEILL, C., JONES, S.C., BOSSÉ, J.T., WATSON, C.M., WILLIAMSON, S.M., RYCROFT, A.N., KROLL, J.S., HARTLEY, H.M. & LANGFORD, P.R. (2010). Population-based analysis of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae ApxIVA for use as a DIVA antigen. Vaccine 28, 4871-4874. PubMed ID 20483193
BOSSÉ, J.T., SINHA, S., LI, M.S., O'DWYER, C.A., NASH, J.H., RYCROFT, A.N., KROLL, J.S. & LANGFORD PR. (2010). Regulation of pga operon expression and biofilm formation in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae by sigmaE and H-NS. Journal of Bacteriology 192, 2414-2423. PubMed ID 20207760
SHELDON, I.M., RYCROFT, A.N., DOGAN, B., CRAVEN, M., BROMFIELD, J.J., CHANDLER, A., ROBERTS, M.H., PRICE, S.B., GILBERT, R.O. & SIMPSON, K.W. (2010). Specific strains of Escherichia coli are pathogenic for the endometrium of cattle and cause pelvic inflammatory disease in cattle and mice. PLoS One. 5 e9192. PubMed ID 20169203
VANIER, G., FITTIPALDI, N., SLATER, J.D., DE LA CRUZ DOMÍNGUEZ-PUNARO, M., RYCROFT A.N., SEGURA, M., MASKELL D.J. & GOTTSCHALK, M. (2009). New putative virulence factors of Streptococcus suis involved in invasion of porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells. Microbial Pathogenesis 46, 13-20. PubMed ID 18984036
OLDFIELD, N.J., WORRALL, K.E., RYCROFT, A.N., ALI, T., WOOLDRIDGE, K.G., ALA'ALDEEN, D.A. (2009). AasP autotransporter protein of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae does not protect pigs against homologous challenge. Vaccine, 27:5278-5283. PubMed ID 19563888
BOSSÉ, J.T., DURHAM, A.L., RYCROFT, A.N., KROLL, J.S. & LANGFORD, P.R. (2009). New plasmid tools for genetic analysis of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and other Pasteurellaceae. Applied & Environmental Microbiology 75, 6124-6131. PubMed ID 19666733
ZHOU, L., JONES, S. C., ANGEN, O., BOSSE, J. T., NASH, J. H., FREY, J., ZHOU, R., CHEN, H. C., KROLL, J. S., RYCROFT, A. N. & LANGFORD, P. R. (2008) PCR specific for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 3. Veterinary Record 162, 648-652. PubMed ID 18487584
ZHOU, L., JONES, S. C., ANGEN, O., BOSSE, J. T., NASH, J. H., FREY, J., ZHOU, R., CHEN, H. C., KROLL, J. S., RYCROFT, A. N. & LANGFORD, P. R. (2008) Multiplex PCR that can distinguish between immunologically cross- reactive serovar 3, 6, and 8 Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae strains. J Clin Microbiol 46, 800-803. PubMed ID 18094137
OLDFIELD, N. J., DONOVAN, E. A., WORRALL, K. E., WOOLDRIDGE, K. G., LANGFORD, P. R., RYCROFT, A. N. & ALA'ALDEEN, D. A. (2008) Identification and characterization of novel antigenic vaccine candidates of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Vaccine 26, 1942-1954. PubMed ID 18342410
MULLEN, L. M., NAIR, S. P., WARD, J. M., RYCROFT, A. N., WILLIAMS, R. J., ROBERTSON, G., MORDAN, N. J. & HENDERSON, B. (2008) Novel adhesin from Pasteurella multocida that binds to the integrin-binding fibronectin FnIII9-10 repeats. Infect Immun 76, 1093-1104. PubMed ID 18160478
WILLIAMS, E. J., FISCHER, D. P., NOAKES, D. E., ENGLAND, G. C., RYCROFT, A., DOBSON, H. & SHELDON, I. M. (2007) The relationship between uterine pathogen growth density and ovarian function in the postpartum dairy cow. Theriogenology 68, 549-559. PubMed ID 17574659
RYCROFT, A. N., TSOUNAKOU, E. & CHALKER, V. (2007) Serological evidence of Mycoplasma cynos infection in canine infectious respiratory disease. Vet Microbiol 120, 358-362. PubMed ID 17184934
PELLIGAND, L., HAMMOND, R. & RYCROFT, A. (2007) An investigation of the bacterial contamination of small animal breathing systems during routine use. Vet Anaesth Analg 34, 190-199. PubMed ID 17444932
MULLEN, L. M., NAIR, S. P., WARD, J. M., RYCROFT, A. N., WILLIAMS, R. J. & HENDERSON, B. (2007) Comparative functional genomic analysis of Pasteurellaceae adhesins using phage display. Vet Microbiol 122, 123-134. PubMed ID 17258409
HALL, S. M. & RYCROFT, A. N. (2007) Causative organisms and somatic cell counts in subclinical intramammary infections in milking goats in the UK. Vet Rec 160, 19-22. PubMed ID 17209091
MULLEN, L. M., NAIR, S. P., WARD, J. M., RYCROFT, A. N. & HENDERSON, B. (2006) Phage display in the study of infectious diseases. Trends Microbiol 14, 141-147. PubMed ID 16460941
FREITAG, T., SQUIRES, R. A., SCHMID, J., ELLIOTT, J. & RYCROFT, A. N. (2006) Antibiotic sensitivity profiles do not reliably distinguish relapsing or persisting infections from reinfections in cats with chronic renal failure and multiple diagnoses of Escherichia coli urinary tract infection. J Vet Intern Med 20, 245-249. PubMed ID 16594579
TENNANT, K., PATTERSON-KANE, J., BOAG, A. K. & RYCROFT, A. N. (2004) Nasal mycosis in two cats caused by Alternaria species. Vet Rec 155, 368-370. PubMed ID 15493606
SHELDON, I. M., RYCROFT, A. N. & ZHOU, C. (2004) Association between postpartum pyrexia and uterine bacterial infection in dairy cattle. Vet Rec 154, 289-293. PubMed ID 15053135
SHELDON, I. M., NOAKES, D. E., RYCROFT, A. N. & DOBSON, H. (2004) Effect of intrauterine administration of oestradiol on postpartum uterine bacterial infection in cattle. Anim Reprod Sci 81, 13-23. PubMed ID 14749045
SHELDON, I. M., BUSHNELL, M., MONTGOMERY, J. & RYCROFT, A. N. (2004) Minimum inhibitory concentrations of some antimicrobial drugs against bacteria causing uterine infections in cattle. Vet Rec 155, 383-387. PubMed ID 15499809
CHALKER, V. J., OWEN, W. M., PATERSON, C., BARKER, E., BROOKS, H., RYCROFT, A. N. & BROWNLIE, J. (2004) Mycoplasmas associated with canine infectious respiratory disease. Microbiology 150, 3491-3497. PubMed ID 15470126
BEDDEK, A. J., SHEEHAN, B. J., BOSSE, J. T., RYCROFT, A. N., KROLL, J. S. & LANGFORD, P. R. (2004) Two TonB systems in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: their roles in iron acquisition and virulence. Infect Immun 72, 701-708. Pubmed ID 14742511
SHELDON, I. M., NOAKES, D. E., RYCROFT, A. N. & DOBSON, H. (2003) The effect of intrauterine administration of estradiol on postpartum uterine involution in cattle. Theriogenology 59, 1357-1371. PubMed ID 12527082
SHEEHAN, B. J., BOSSE, J. T., BEDDEK, A. J., RYCROFT, A. N., KROLL, J. S. & LANGFORD, P. R. (2003) Identification of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae genes important for survival during infection in its natural host. Infect Immun 71, 3960-3970. PubMed ID 12819083
CHALKER, V. J., TOOMEY, C., OPPERMAN, S., BROOKS, H. W., IBUOYE, M. A., BROWNLIE, J. & RYCROFT, A. N. (2003) Respiratory disease in kennelled dogs: serological responses to Bordetella bronchiseptica lipopolysaccharide do not correlate with bacterial isolation or clinical respiratory symptoms. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 10, 352-356. PubMed ID 12738630
BAILEY, S. R., BAILLON, M. L., RYCROFT, A. N., HARRIS, P. A. & ELLIOTT, J. (2003) Identification of equine cecal bacteria producing amines in an in vitro model of carbohydrate overload. Appl Environ Microbiol 69, 2087-2093. PubMed ID 12676687
SHELDON, I. M., NOAKES, D. E., RYCROFT, A. N., PFEIFFER, D. U. & DOBSON, H. (2002) Influence of uterine bacterial contamination after parturition on ovarian dominant follicle selection and follicle growth and function in cattle. Reproduction 123, 837-845. PubMed ID 12052238
SHELDON, I. M., NOAKES, D. E., RYCROFT, A. N. & DOBSON, H. (2002) Effect of postpartum manual examination of the vagina on uterine bacterial contamination in cows. Vet Rec 151, 531-534. PubMed ID 12448489
GARSIDE, L. H., COLLINS, M., LANGFORD, P. R. & RYCROFT, A. N. (2002) Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 carrying the defined aroA mutation is fully avirulent in the pig. Res Vet Sci 72, 163-167. PubMed ID 12027598
BOSSE, J. T., JANSON, H., SHEEHAN, B. J., BEDDEK, A. J., RYCROFT, A. N., KROLL, J. S. & LANGFORD, P. R. (2002) Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: pathobiology and pathogenesis of infection. Microbes Infect 4, 225-235. PubMed ID 11880056
BAILEY, S. R., RYCROFT, A. & ELLIOTT, J. (2002) Production of amines in equine cecal contents in an in vitro model of carbohydrate overload. J Anim Sci 80, 2656-2662. PubMed ID 12413088
SHELDON, I. M., NOAKES, D. E., RYCROFT, A. & DOBSON, H. (2001) Acute phase protein responses to uterine bacterial contamination in cattle after calving. Vet Rec 148, 172-175. PubMed ID 11258722
COOPER, S. C., MCLELLAN, G. J. & RYCROFT, A. N. (2001) Conjunctival flora observed in 70 healthy domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Vet Rec 149, 232-235. PubMed ID 11554567
SHEEHAN, B. J., LANGFORD, P. R., RYCROFT, A. N. & KROLL, J. S. (2000) [Cu,Zn]-Superoxide dismutase mutants of the swine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae are unattenuated in infections of the natural host. Infect Immun 68, 4778-4781. PubMed ID 10899887
RYCROFT, A. N. & GARSIDE, L. H. (2000) Actinobacillus species and their role in animal disease. Vet J 159, 18-36. PubMed ID 10640409
FOYNES, S., DORRELL, N., WARD, S. J., STABLER, R. A., MCCOLM, A. A., RYCROFT, A. N. & WREN, B. W. (2000) Helicobacter pylori possesses two CheY response regulators and a histidine kinase sensor, CheA, which are essential for chemotaxis and colonization of the gastric mucosa. Infect Immun 68, 2016-2023. PubMed ID 10722597
RYCROFT, A. N., WOLDESELASSIE, A., GORDON, P. J. & BJORNSON, A. (1998) Serum antibody in equine neonatal septicaemia due to Actinobacillus equuli. Vet Rec 143, 254-255. PubMed ID 9773474
CULLEN, J. M. & RYCROFT, A. N. (1994) Phagocytosis by pig alveolar macrophages of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 mutant strains defective in haemolysin II (ApxII) and pleurotoxin (ApxIII). Microbiology 140 ( Pt 2), 237-244. PubMed ID 8180688
MACDONALD, J. & RYCROFT, A. N. (1993) Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin II is secreted from Escherichia coli by A. pleuropneumoniae pleurotoxin secretion gene products. FEMS Microbiol Lett 109, 317-322. PubMed ID 8339922
MACDONALD, J. & RYCROFT, A. N. (1993) Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin II is secreted from Escherichia coli by A. pleuropneumoniae pleurotoxin secretion gene products. FEMS Microbiol Lett 109, 317-322. PubMed ID 8339922
MACDONALD, J. & RYCROFT, A. N. (1992) Molecular cloning and expression of ptxA, the gene encoding the 120-kilodalton cytotoxin of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2. Infect Immun 60, 2726-2732. PubMed ID 1612740
RYCROFT, A. N., WILLIAMS, D., MCCANDLISH, I. A. & TAYLOR, D. J. (1991) Experimental reproduction of acute lesions of porcine pleuropneumonia with a haemolysin-deficient mutant of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Vet Rec 129, 441-443. PubMed ID 1781136
RYCROFT, A. N., WILLIAMS, D., CULLEN, J. M. & MACDONALD, J. (1991) The cytotoxin of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (pleurotoxin) is distinct from the haemolysin and is associated with a 120 kDa polypeptide. J Gen Microbiol 137, 561-568. PubMed ID 2033378
RYCROFT, A. N. & MCLAY, C. (1991) Disinfectants in the control of small animal ringworm due to Microsporum canis. Vet Rec 129, 239-241. PubMed ID 1957460
RYCROFT, A. N. & CULLEN, J. M. (1990) Complement resistance in Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae infection of swine. Am J Vet Res 51, 1449-1453. PubMed ID 2396792
RYCROFT, A. N. & TAYLOR, D. J. (1987) Preparation and characterisation of envelope proteins from Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae. Vet Microbiol 15, 303-314. PubMed ID 3326248