Distribution of Serotypes of Group-B Streptococci in Herds and Cows Within an Area of Denmark

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Abstract
During a 3-year period strains of Group-B streptococci from 1227 (94.6 %) of a total of 1297 cases of bovine mastitis were serologically typed. Twenty-seven different antigenic combinations were found. Ab. 70 % of the strains carried polysaccharide antigens among which Type III was predominant (57 %). The protein antigen X was widespread (62 %), and 5 % of the strains were non-type able. Type Ic predominated among “false positive” bulk milk isolates (52.2 %, 12/23), but was rarely isolated from quarter milk samples (3%). Variation in the antigenic structure of infecting strains occurred to some extent and involved at least 10.8 % (132/1227) and probably 25.2 % (132/523) of the strains. Within a herd the antigenic variation was limited, however. Hence a definition of a herd type was possible. During the period of investigation infections caused by Herd Type III decreased numerically while the number of herds infected by other types remained almost stable.