THE INTERFERENCE BETWEEN COAGULASE NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI AND CORYNEBACTERIUM-BOVIS AND THE COMMON UDDER PATHOGENS IN THE LACTATING COW

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (12) , 552-558
Abstract
Udder quarters from 26 cows harboring different strains of the low pathogenic Staphylococcus epidermidis or C. bovis (preinoculated quarters) and the corresponding bactiologically negative quarters (controls) were challenged with different strains of the common udder pathogens S. aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, S. uberis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The frequency of infection with the challenge bacteria was significantly lower in the preinoculated quarters than in the controls. A longer interval between the challenge inoculation and the 1st reisolation, a lower number of bacteria reisolated from the preinoculated quarters compared to the controls and a shorter duration of the infections in these quarters indicate a less pronounced growth of these bacteria in the preinoculated quarters. The functional disturbance after challenge of the preinoculated quarters was less pronounced than that of the controls as indicated by a less affected milk production and cell content in the milk from these quarters. Since different strains of S. epidermidis or C. bovis increase the udder resistance to a large number of different udder pathogens, then nonspecific defense mechanisms of the udder apparently are mobilized, suggesting that this bacterial interference is a general phenomenon.