Effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil supplementation on the microbiological quality of raw milk of lactating dairy cows.

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation of lactating cows with thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil (TEO) on the centesimal composition and microbiological quality of raw milk. Twenty-four lactating cows (400 ± 42.9 kg initial body weight, 50 ± 10 days in milk, and 22.05 ± 4.34 kg/d milk production, second lactation) from an experimental farm in the region of Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil were used, divided randomly assigned to two groups: Control- 8 mL/d soybean oil (as placebo), and Treatment- 8 mL/d TEO, per cow/day. Both oils were offered encapsulated and administered daily via esophageal tube, for 21 days. On d 21, milk was collected from each animal, fractionated into 50 mL bottles. The microbiological quality of the raw was analyzed for standard plate count (SPC), milk composition (protein, fat, lactose, and solids non fat (SNF)), and thymol concentration. The treated group had significantly lower mean values for SPC after 168 h under refrigeration, and no differences were observed in the milk composition. The supplementation of lactating dairy cows with 8 mL/d TEO represents a promising alternative to controlling microbial spoilage in raw milk, allowing the reduction of economic losses in the milk chain, in addition to providing consumers with a safer product. However, further research should be conducted to better assess the effect of TEO supplementation on milk quality, such as sensory and toxicity studies, in addition to evaluating the effect of milk processing on oil activity and the effect on consumer health.

Intramammary treatment with gentamicin in lactating cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis / Tratamento intramamário com gentamicina em vacas com mastite clínica e subclínica durante a lactação

The study evaluated the microbiological profile of milk samples collected before and after mastitis treatment with gentamicin and investigated biofilms production and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus spp. isolated. The presence of gentamicin residues in milk after the recommended withdrawal period was also evaluated. Antimicrobial residues were analyzed by Delvotest® SP NT over a period of 12 days beginning after 24 hours the last gentamicin application. Some of Staphylococcus spp. isolates were biofilm producers (19.05%). Staphylococcus spp. showed high levels of resistance to neomycin (16.95%), penicillin G (10.17%), and ampicillin (10.17%). Multidrug resistance to all antibiotics tested was observed in 1.69% of the Staphylococcus spp. isolates. Among 1440 mammary quarter milk samples 24.95% presented gentamicin residues after the withdrawal period. Gentamicin residues were also detected in 3.8% of samples from calibrated glass recorder jar (n=383) 4.1 days after treatment. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics may lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains as well as increasing the risk of presence of residues of these drugs in milk. These problems affect the milk quality and may become a public health problem.

Este estudo avaliou o perfil microbiológico de amostras de leite colhidas antes e após o tratamento da mastite com gentamicina e investigou a produção de biofilmes e o perfil de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana de Staphylococcus spp. isolados. Avaliou-se também a presença de resíduos de gentamicina no leite após o período de carência recomendado. Resíduos de antimicrobianos foram analisados por Delvotest® SP NT ao longo de um período de 12 dias, iniciando 24 horas após a última aplicação de gentamicina. Alguns dos Staphylococcus spp. isolados apresentaram produção de biofilmes (19,05%). Staphylococcus spp. apresentaram elevados níveis de resistência à neomicina (16,95%), penicilina G (10,17%), e ampicilina (10.17%). Multirresistência a todos os antibióticos testados foi observada em 1,69% dos Staphylococcus spp. isolados. Do total de 1440 amostras de leite de quartos mamários, 24,95% apresentaram resíduos de gentamicina após o período de carência. Resíduos de gentamicina também foram detectados em 3,8% das amostras de balões volumétricos coletores de leite (n= 383), 4,1 dias após o tratamento. O uso indiscriminado de antibióticos pode levar ao aparecimento de estirpes multirresistentes bem como o aumento do risco da presença de resíduos destas drogas no leite. Esses problemas afetam a qualidade do leite e podem tornar-se um problema de saúde pública.

Investigation of biofilm production and icaA and icaD genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from heifers and cows with mastitis.

Biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus are important virulence factors in cases of mastitis in dairy cows. However, few studies have investigated mastitis strains isolated from heifers. Within this context, the objective of the present study was to investigate biofilm formation on Congo red agar, the presence of the icaA and icaD genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the percentage of in vitro antimicrobial resistance of 110 S. aureus isolates from mammary gland secretions of heifers and cows with mastitis. PCR detected the icaA and icaD genes in 98% and 100% of isolates, respectively. However, only 55.5% of all isolates produced a biofilm on Congo red agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 47.0% of isolates from heifers and 70.4% of isolates from cows were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial agents tested. Resistance to penicillin and/or ampicillin was the most frequent (44.5%). These results indicate the need to implement prophylactic and control measures of mastitis for heifers. Heifers and cows can carry resistant strains with the capacity of biofilm production, a fact representing a threat to public health and animal well-being and generating losses to dairy farmers.

Molecular Typing of Mastitis-Causing Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Heifers and Cows.

Staphylococcus aureus is among the main etiologic agents of bovine mastitis. A total of 83 isolates of S. aureus from mammary glands of primiparous heifers were collected in the prepartum, calving and during lactation. For lactating cows, a total of 27 isolates of S. aureus from mammary glands were collected during lactation. The samples were taken in two dairy farms located in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The highest frequency of S. aureus isolation in heifers was at the end of lactation. Strains were typified through Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and grouped according to patterns of restriction enzyme SmaI. PFGE generated seven clonal profiles that were grouped into three different lineages, with the LA lineage being predominant and identified in heifers, as well as in the cows from the two regions studied. It was concluded that the cows showed a significant source of dispersion of S. aureus. At the first lactation the heifers were infected by the same clonal profiles of S. aureus which were isolated from multiparous lactating cows. The heifers were infected during milking over the months of lactation.

Investigação de perfis de resistência aos antimicrobianos em Staphylococcus aureus isolados na ordenha de vacas em lactação / Investigation of the antimicrobial resistance patterns in Staphylococcus aureus isolated in the milking of cows in the lactation

Os perfis de resistência de Staphylocccus aureus isolados a partir do leite de vacas com mastite, óstios papilares dos tetos e das teteiras foram estudados. As amostras de leite...