article · Journal of Dairy Science
Mastitis in ruminants causes substantial economic losses and harms animal welfare. Researchers examined 123 milk samples taken directly from the udders of sheep suffering from clinical mastitis across two provinces in northern Algeria. Analysis using mass spectrometry and microarrays identified 45 staphylococcal isolates, comprising 28 methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates and 17 other Staphylococcus species. The methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strains mapped to six clonal complexes. Specific virulence-associated genes, including ruminant leukocidin genes and the toxic shock syndrome toxin gene, were identified across several lineages. A limited number of antibiotic resistance genes, specifically blaZ, erm(B), and tet(K), were also detected. These findings help address the lack of data on staphylococcal diversity and prevalence in Algerian sheep, highlighting potential health hazards for livestock, farmers, and consumers, though wider geographical studies are required to fully assess epidemiological risks.
Mastitis in livestock threatens animal welfare and creates severe economic burdens for farmers. Identifying the specific staphylococcal species, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance genes responsible for sheep mastitis helps veterinarians, public health officials, and producers understand the local pathogen landscape and recognise potential microbial hazards that could affect livestock, agricultural workers, and dairy consumers.
This is early-stage epidemiological baseline research. The data on specific clonal complexes, virulence factors, and resistance profiles could inform veterinary diagnostics developers and pharmaceutical teams designing targeted interventions for sheep mastitis. However, the abstract does not indicate an immediate application pathway or direct commercial product ready for market.
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Mastitis in ruminants is an important disease with major effects on both the economy and animal welfare. It is caused by major pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and minor pathogens such as coagulase-negative staphylococci. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize staphylococci as a cause of sheep mastitis in Algeria. In this study, 123 milk samples were collected directly from the udder of sheep suffering from clinical mastitis in 2 provinces in Algeria. Recovered isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Virulence-associated and antimicrobial resistance genes as well as clonal complexes (CC) of S. aureus were determined using microarray-based analysis. A total of 45 staphylococci isolates were cultivated from sheep milk samples, and 28 S. aureus were identified as methicillin susceptible (62.2%). Seventeen other Staphylococcus isolates of different species were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Subsequent microarray analysis typed the methicillin-susceptible S. aureus to 6 CC: CC8-MSSA, CC97-MSSA, CC130/521-MSSA, CC479-MSSA, CC522-MSSA, and CC705-MSSA. The accessory gene regulator agrIII and the ruminant leukocidin genes lukF-P83 and lukM were found in all isolates of CC130/521, CC479, CC522, and CC705. The toxic shock syndrome toxin gene tst1 was detected exclusively in CC130/521. Additionally, virulence-associated genes (sea, sed, sak, hld, hlgA, edinB, and others) were detected. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes [blaZ, erm(B), and tet(K)] was detected in small numbers of staphylococci. Staphylococci possessing these genes are considered potential hazards for farm animals, farmers, and consumers. Data concerning the prevalence and diversity of staphylococci causing mastitis in sheep from Algeria are lacking. Presented results on different aspects about staphylococci in Algerian sheep populations should at least partially close that gap. However, further extensive studies covering more geographical regions are needed to assess the epidemiological risk.
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DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16583
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