Does Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Goats Predispose to Bacterial Infection of the Mammary Gland? A Preliminary Study
Daria Urbańska,
Ryszard Puchała,
Justyna Jarczak,
Michał Czopowicz,
Jarosław Kaba,
Karina Horbańczuk,
Emilia Bagnicka
Affiliations
Daria Urbańska
Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36A, 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland
Ryszard Puchała
Applied Physiology Unit, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Kozielska 4, 01-001 Warsaw, Poland
Justyna Jarczak
Biobank Lab, Department of Molecular Biophysics, University of Łódź, Pomorska 139, 90-235 Łódź, Poland
Michał Czopowicz
Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Jarosław Kaba
Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Karina Horbańczuk
Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36A, 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland
Emilia Bagnicka
Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36A, 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland
The aim of this study was to determine whether asymptomatic small ruminant lentivirus seropositive (SRLV-SP) goats were more susceptible to bacterial infection of the udder when lactating by comparing the presence and species of pathogenic bacteria in their milk with the values for seronegative goats (SRLV-SN). Milk samples were collected during morning milking on days 20, 40, 60, 150, and 210 of lactation for three consecutive years and subjected to bacteriological examination. Staphylococcus caprae and S. xylosus were the most frequent strains identified in both SRLV-SP and SRLV-SN goats. The prevalence of pathogenic bacteria was the highest in the 1st lactation, regardless of SRLV status. Moreover, the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria was significantly higher in SRLV-SP goats, but only those in the 5th or further lactation (p = 0.010). This suggests a relationship between long-lasting SRLV infection and susceptibility to bacterial infections of the udder.
