Biofilm expression and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Streptococcus uberis isolated from milk samples of dairy cows in South Africa

The research described in this Research Communication addresses the hypothesis that intramammary infections with Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis) are associated with biofilm formation, which limits antibiotic efficacy. This retrospective study investigated biofilm expression and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of 172 S. uberis infections. Isolates were recovered from milk samples of subclinical, clinical, and intramammary infection cases on 30 commercial dairy herds. We determined the presence and intensity of biofilm expression of S. uberis isolates in vitro in three somatic cell count categories to recognise their AMR patterns. An automated minimum inhibitory concentration system with a commercially available panel of 23 antimicrobial agents evaluated AMR, while biofilm determination was conducted using a microplate method. The study established that all the S. uberis isolates assessed expressed biofilm with the following varying degrees of intensities: 30 (17.8%) strong, 59 (34.9%) medium and 80 (47.3%) weak biofilms. The newly registered UBAC mastitis vaccine containing biofilm adhesion components may, therefore, be a viable option for proactive mastitis management under field conditions. No differences were identified between biofilm intensity and the three somatic cell count groups. Most S. uberis isolates indicated a high-level sensitivity to the antimicrobial agents tested. Resistances were present in 8.7, 8.1 and 7.0% cases to rifampin, minocycline and tetracycline, respectively. Multidrug resistance was observed in 6.4%, emphasising AMR to antibiotics used in human medicine only. The low overall resistance suggests that farmers adhere to the prudent use of antimicrobials in the dairy industry.The National Research Foundation and Milk South Africa.https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-dairy-researchhj2023Paraclinical SciencesProduction Animal Studie

Community Engagement newsletter, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Winter, 2012

Mangaung community receives support from Onderstepoort / Willem Engelbrecht, Helzna Krikke, Ingrid Metz, Janine Lombard, Marelize Greyling and Willem Janson -- Fighting animal abuse one school at a time / Ruche Harmse, Taryn Light, Ansu Visser, Este van Coetzen, Megan Naude, Nadia Strydom and Tess Tjasink -- Veterinary education and “Vets for the kids” / Patrick Ntsibande, Nyeleti Manganyi, Noluthando Ndashe, Thapelo Makae, Khulekani Lukhele and Sabelo Magagula -- soVETo k9 Mobile clinic outreach / Daleen Bester, Gideon Stemmet, Ian Gibson, Kobus Rabe, Louw Grobler and Rhynard de RidderNews articles with colour photos about the various community engagement projects of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.ab201

Community Engagement newsletter, Faculty of Veterinary Summer, December, 2015

Education all round / Nadia Saunderson -- A day at CLAW / Jennifer Gerner -- Veterinary science students making a difference! There is no gift greater than the gift of knowledge / Elmien Durieux -- Reconnecting with our roots: future Vets and Vet Nurses visit Hluvukani Clinic / Nyeleti Manganyi -- You snooze, you lose... It’s called passion / Khulekani Lukhele -- A rush to save as many as possible! / Sabelo Magagula.News articles with colour photos about the various community engagement projects of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.ab201