In vitro ability of mastitis causing pathogens to form biofilms.

This Research Communication describes the study of in vitro biofilm formation of mastitis causing pathogens. Biofilms are communities of bacteria that are attached to a surface and to each other and are embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor that may result in recurrent or persistent udder infections and treatment failure through increased resistance to antibiotics and protection against host defences. In the present study 252 bacterial isolates from milk samples from bovine udder quarters with intramammary infections were examined with Congo Red agar (CRA) method and tube method (TM) for their ability to form biofilms. Both tests revealed a high number of biofilm-positive strains. Literature reports that the cure rates for Staphylococcus aureus infected udders are lower (27%) in comparison to cure rates of Streptococcus uberis (64-81%) or coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) mastitis (80-90%). The findings of the present study suggest that biofilm formation is not the main factor for the differences in cure rates of the various bacteria genera, because all tested pathogen groups showed a similarly high proportion of biofilm formation. Further research is needed to detect microbial biofilms on bovine udder epithelia.

Detection of the biofilm component polysaccharide intercellular adhesin in Staphylococcus aureus infected cow udders.

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix made up of polymeric substances. They reduce the effects of antibiotics and allow the microorganisms to evade the innate immune system. This can lead to persistent or recurrent infections. In dairy cow herds, mastitis is a serious problem. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of biofilms in the udders of dairy cows infected with Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, because biofilms may affect the response to treatment of bovine mastitis. Immunofluorescence staining of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), a component of S. aureus biofilms, was carried out based on swabs taken from different areas of S. aureus infected udders. We were able to demonstrate the presence of PIA in S. aureus infected bovine udders. However, the applied method is invasive and therefore only really suitable for scientific research and not for clinical diagnosis.