Dinamics of Group B Streptococcus and Enterococcus faecalis associated with genital tract infections of dairy cows from two farms of county Iași

Abstract

Abstract: The involution of the postpartum bovine uterus is accompanied by bacterial invasion. Studies show that most, if not all, bovine uteri are bacterially contaminated in the immediate postpartum period. The culture at this time will usually produce a wide range of bacteria, including Actinomyces pyogenes, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Clostridium spp., Coliforms and Gram-negative anaerobes. The research is part of a larger study that aimed to isolate and identify potentially pathogenic bacteria from uterine secretions and their role in postpartum infections. To isolate and identify the uterine flora, swabs (n=160) were collected from the lumen of 32 dairy cattle, between 3 to >21 DIM. Bacterial microflora has been monitored for 5 weeks. The samples were passed through all stages of the microbiological examination and the results revealed the presence of the species Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis. At the first examination Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated in 8 (25%) of 32 samples, and Streptococcus agalactiae in monoculture was isolated in 4 (12,5%) of 32 samples. At the second and third examination the number of Streptococcus agalactiae in monoculture decreased. At 21 days after parturition Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated in 11 (34,38%) of 32 samples and Streptococcus agalactiae in monoculture was found in 9 (28,12%) of cows. The presence of these bacterial species with pathogenic potential for cattle and humans, highlights a possible zoonotic risk. Keywords: Dairy cows; Group B Streptococcus; Enterococcus faecalis, Uterine infection

Keywords

• Dairy cows; Group B Streptococcus; Enterococcus faecalis, Uterine infection