The “other” gram-negative bacteria in mastitis

Schukken, Y., Chuff, M., Moroni, P., Gurjar, A., Santisteban, C., Welcome, F. and Zadoks, R. (2012) The “other” gram-negative bacteria in mastitis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 28(2), pp. 239-256. (doi: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2012.04.001)

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Abstract

Gram-negative bacteria are an important cause of bovine mastitis throughout the world. With the advance of our understanding of the main risk factors for classic contagious bacteria such Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus, we have observed a decrease in the prevalence of these 2 mastitis pathogens. However, this decrease has gone hand in hand with an increase in the incidence of intramammary infections (IMIs) due to gram-negative bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria, mostly coliforms (E coli, Klebsiella spp, and Enterobacter spp), cause 40% of all cases of clinical mastitis (CM), and up to 25% of cows in well-managed herds are annually diagnosed with CM caused by coliforms. The most common coliform species are Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. The incidence of CM arising from gram-negative bacterial infection is inversely related to bulk milk somatic cell count (SCC)1; economic losses attributed to gram-negative IMI can be expected to increase as dairy farmers continue to strive for lower bulk milk SCC. Here, we will not focus on E coli but on the “other” gram-negative bacteria, which are predominantly Klebsiella spp and Serratia spp, while briefly discussing other gram-negative bacteria such as Raoultella spp and Enterobacter spp. First, a more general discussion on gram-negative bacteria and their bacterial characteristics and immune response patterns is provided. Then we will focus on the individual bacterial species and finally discuss the major new findings with regard to the “other” gram-negative mastitis causing bacteria.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Special Issue: Mastitis in Dairy Cows
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Zadoks, Professor Ruth
Authors: Schukken, Y., Chuff, M., Moroni, P., Gurjar, A., Santisteban, C., Welcome, F., and Zadoks, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice
ISSN:0749-0720

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