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Magro S, Visentin E, Costa A, Penasa M, Cendron F, Moroni P, Chiarin E, Cassandro M, Santinello M, De Marchi M. Presence of pathogen DNA in milk harvested from quarters is associated to changes in cows' milk yield and composition. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:249. [PMID: 38849801 PMCID: PMC11157801 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04083-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intramammary infection is the result of invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the mammary gland and commonly leads to mastitis in dairy animals. Although much has been done to improve cows' udder health, mastitis remains a significant and costly health issue for dairy farmers, especially if subclinical. In this study, quarter milk samples from clinically healthy cows were harvested to detect pathogens via quantitative PCR (qPCR) and evaluate changes in individual milk traits according to the number of quarters infected and the type of microorganism(s). A commercial qPCR kit was used for detection of Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma spp., Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Prototheca spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterococcus spp. and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis. Quarter and pooled milk information of 383 Holstein, 132 Simmental, 129 Rendena, and 112 Jersey cows in 9 Italian single-breed herds was available. RESULTS Among the cows with pathogen(s) present in at least 1 quarter, CNS was the most commonly detected DNA, followed by Streptococcus uberis, Mycoplasma bovis, and Streptococcus agalactiae. Cows negative to qPCR were 206 and had the lowest milk somatic cell count. Viceversa, cows with DNA isolated in ≥ 3 quarters were those with the highest somatic cell count. Moreover, when major pathogens were isolated in ≥ 3 quarters, milk had the lowest casein index and lactose content. In animals with pathogen(s) DNA isolated, the extent with whom milk yield and major solids were impaired did not significantly differ between major and minor pathogens. CONCLUSIONS The effect of the number of affected quarters on the pool milk quality traits was investigated in clinically healthy cows using a commercial kit. Results remark the important negative effect of subclinical udder inflammations on milk yield and quality, but more efforts should be made to investigate the presence of untargeted microorganisms, as they may be potentially dangerous for cows. For a smarter use of antimicrobials, analysis of milk via qPCR is advisable - especially in cows at dry off - to identify quarters at high risk of inflammation and thus apply a targeted/tailored treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Magro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
| | - Elena Visentin
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
| | - Angela Costa
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064, Italy.
| | - Mauro Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
| | - Filippo Cendron
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
| | - Paolo Moroni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, 26900, Italy
- Laboratorio di Malattie Infettive degli Animali, University of Milan, Lodi, 26900, Italy
| | - Elena Chiarin
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori della Razza Frisona, Bruna e Jersey Italiana, Cremona, 26100, Italy
| | - Matteo Santinello
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
| | - Massimo De Marchi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
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Srithanasuwan A, Pangprasit N, Mektrirat R, Suriyasathaporn W, Chuammitri P. Divergent Immune Responses to Minor Bovine Mastitis-Causing Pathogens. Vet Sci 2024; 11:262. [PMID: 38922009 PMCID: PMC11209595 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci (NASM) were not considered significant players in bovine mastitis. This study investigated the involvement of NASM (Staphylococcus hominis and Staphylococcus chromogenes) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains (Weissella paramesenteroides) through bovine neutrophil responses. Bovine neutrophils displayed minimal apoptosis upon NASM and LAB challenge. Neutrophils expressed high TLR2 after challenge, but TLR6 expression varied and remained low in NASM pathogen recognition. Bovine neutrophils effectively engulfed and killed LAB, but their activity was significantly impaired against NASM. This was evident in S. chromogenes, where reduced TLR6 recognition and a weakened phagocytic response likely contributed to a lower bactericidal effect. Regardless of the bacteria encountered, intracellular ROS production remained high. S. chromogenes-challenged neutrophils displayed upregulation in genes for pathogen recognition (TLRs), ROS production, and both pro- and anti-apoptotic pathways. This response mirrored that of Weissella. except for CASP9 and BCL2, suggesting these bacteria have divergent roles in triggering cell death. Our findings suggest that S. chromogenes manipulates bovine neutrophil defenses through coordinated changes in functional responses and gene expression, while LAB strains have a weaker influence on apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anyaphat Srithanasuwan
- Veterinary Science Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand;
- Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Noppason Pangprasit
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand;
| | - Raktham Mektrirat
- Veterinary Bioscience Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand;
- Research Center for Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
| | - Witaya Suriyasathaporn
- Veterinary Academic Office, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand;
- Research Center of Producing and Development of Products and Innovations for Animal Health and Production, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
- Nagoya University Asian Satellite Campuses, Institute-Cambodian Campus, Royal University of Agriculture, Dangkor District, Phnom Penh 370, Cambodia
| | - Phongsakorn Chuammitri
- Veterinary Bioscience Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand;
- Research Center of Producing and Development of Products and Innovations for Animal Health and Production, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
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3
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Iso-Touru T, Panitz F, Fischer D, Kyläniemi MK, Taponen S, Tabell J, Virta A, Vilkki J. Genes and pathways revealed by whole transcriptome analysis of milk derived bovine mammary epithelial cells after Escherichia coli challenge. Vet Res 2024; 55:13. [PMID: 38303095 PMCID: PMC10835992 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01269-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Mastitis, inflammation of the mammary gland, is the costliest disease in dairy cattle and a major animal welfare concern. Mastitis is usually caused by bacteria, of which staphylococci, streptococci and Escherichia coli are most frequently isolated from bovine mastitis. Bacteria activate the mammary immune system in variable ways, thereby influencing the severity of the disease. Escherichia coli is a common cause of mastitis in cattle causing both subclinical and clinical mastitis. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms that activate and regulate the host response would be central to effective prevention of mastitis and breeding of cows more resistant to mastitis. We used primary bovine mammary epithelial cell cultures extracted noninvasively from bovine milk samples to monitor the cellular responses to Escherichia coli challenge. Differences in gene expression between control and challenged cells were studied by total RNA-sequencing at two time points post-challenge. In total, 150 and 440 (Padj < 0.05) differentially expressed genes were identified at 3 h and 24 h post-challenge, respectively. The differentially expressed genes were mostly upregulated at 3 h (141/150) and 24 h (424/440) post-challenge. Our results are in line with known effects of E. coli infection, with a strong early inflammatory response mediated by pathogen receptor families. Among the most significantly enriched early KEGG pathways were the TNF signalling pathway, the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and the NF-kappa B signalling pathway. At 24 h post-challenge, most significantly enriched were the Influenza A, the NOD-like receptor signalling, and the IL-17 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terhi Iso-Touru
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland.
| | - Frank Panitz
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Daniel Fischer
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Minna K Kyläniemi
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Suvi Taponen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonna Tabell
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Anneli Virta
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Johanna Vilkki
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
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Rowe S, House JK, Zadoks RN. Milk as diagnostic fluid for udder health management. Aust Vet J 2024; 102:5-10. [PMID: 37798823 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mastitis is the major disease affecting milk production of dairy cattle, and milk is an obvious substrate for the detection of both the inflammation and its causative infectious agents at quarter, cow, or herd levels. In this review, we examine the use of milk to detect inflammation based on somatic cell count (SCC) and other biomarkers, and for the detection of mastitis pathogens through culture-based and culture-free methods. FINDINGS The use of SCC at a cow or bulk milk level to guide udder health management in lactation is well-established, and SCC is increasingly used to guide selective dry cow treatment. Other markers of inflammation include electrical conductivity, which is used commercially, and markers of disease severity such as acute phase proteins but are not pathogen-specific. Some pathogen-specific markers based on humoral immune responses are available, but their value in udder health management is largely untested. Commercial pathogen detection is based on culture or polymerase chain reaction, with other tests, for example, loop-mediated isothermal amplification or 16S microbiome analysis still at the research or development stage. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight (MALDI-ToF) is increasingly used for the identification of cultured organisms whilst application directly to milk needs further development. Details of test sensitivity, specificity, and use of the various technologies may differ between quarter, cow, and bulk milk applications. CONCLUSIONS There is a growing array of diagnostic assays that can be used to detect markers of inflammation or infection in milk. The value of some of these methods in on-farm udder health improvement programs is yet to be demonstrated whilst methods with proven value may be underutilised.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rowe
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dairy UP, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, 2567, Australia
| | - J K House
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dairy UP, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, 2567, Australia
| | - R N Zadoks
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dairy UP, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, 2567, Australia
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Alessandri G, Sangalli E, Facchi M, Fontana F, Mancabelli L, Donofrio G, Ventura M. Metataxonomic analysis of milk microbiota in the bovine subclinical mastitis. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad136. [PMID: 37880979 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Subclinical mastitis is one of the most widespread diseases affecting dairy herds with detrimental effects on animal health, milk productivity, and quality. Despite its multifactorial nature, the presence of pathogenic bacteria is regarded one of the main drivers of subclinical mastitis, causing a disruption of the homeostasis of the bovine milk microbial community. However, bovine milk microbiota alterations associated with subclinical mastitis still represents a largely unexplored research area. Therefore, the species-level milk microbiota of a total of 75 milk samples, collected from both healthy and subclinical mastitis-affected cows from two different stables, was deeply profiled through an ITS, rather than a traditional, and less informative, 16S rRNA gene microbial profiling. Surprisingly, the present pilot study not only revealed that subclinical mastitis is characterized by a reduced biodiversity of the bovine milk microbiota, but also that this disease does not induce standard alterations of the milk microbial community across stables. In addition, a flow cytometry-based total bacterial cell enumeration highlighted that subclinical mastitis is accompanied by a significant increment in the number of milk microbial cells. Furthermore, the combination of the metagenomic and flow cytometry approaches allowed to identify different potential microbial marker strictly correlated with subclinical mastitis across stables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Alessandri
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Sangalli
- Department of Medical-Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Mario Facchi
- DVM Bovine Practitioner "Bergamo Veterinari" Group, 24124 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Federico Fontana
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11a, 43124 Parma, Italy
- GenProbio srl, Via Nazario Sauro 3, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Leonardo Mancabelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Medical-Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11a, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11a, 43124 Parma, Italy
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Magro S, Visentin E, Chiarin E, Cendron F, Penasa M, Costa A, Cassandro M, De Marchi M. Pathogen Detection via Quantitative PCR in Milk of Healthy Cows Collected Using Different Sampling Protocols. Pathogens 2023; 12:935. [PMID: 37513782 PMCID: PMC10383812 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study we evaluated the prevalence of pathogens detected via quantitative PCR (qPCR) in milk from apparently healthy cows to identify the most common etiological agents present in Italian dairy farms. Milk samples were collected using a sterile protocol at quarter-level (3239 samples, 822 cows) and a conventional protocol at udder level as composite milk from the functional quarters of each cow (5464 samples, 5464 cows). The qPCR commercial kit detected Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma spp., Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Prototheca spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterococcus spp. and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis as well as DNA from the penicillin resistance β-lactamase gene from staphylococci. The prevalence of specific DNA was calculated based on its presence or absence in the samples, factoring in both the sampling protocols and herds. Regardless of the sampling protocol used, the most frequently detected pathogens were CNS (26.6% in sterile and 13.9% in conventional protocol) and Streptococcus uberis (9.6% and 16.5%, respectively). These results underscore the necessity for pathogen-specific interventions at the farm level to enhance the udder health of dairy cows via management recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Magro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Elena Visentin
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Elena Chiarin
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Filippo Cendron
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Mauro Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Angela Costa
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori della Razza Frisona, Bruna e Jersey Italiana, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Massimo De Marchi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
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Freu G, Garcia BLN, Tomazi T, Di Leo GS, Gheller LS, Bronzo V, Moroni P, Dos Santos MV. Association between Mastitis Occurrence in Dairy Cows and Bedding Characteristics of Compost-Bedded Pack Barns. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040583. [PMID: 37111469 PMCID: PMC10146899 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Compost-bedded pack barns (CB) are receiving increasing attention as a housing system that can potentially improve the welfare of dairy cows. This study characterized the frequency and profile of pathogens isolated from clinical (CM) and subclinical (SCM) mastitis in dairy cows housed in CB. It evaluated the association between mastitis occurrence and bedding characteristics in CB systems. Over six months, seven dairy herds were visited monthly for milk and bedding sample collections. Milk samples from mastitis cases were submitted to microbiological identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF MS). Bedding samples were submitted to physical-chemical (pH, organic matter, moisture, and carbon to nitrogen ratio) and microbiological counting (total bacterial counts, coliforms, streptococci, and staphylococci) analyses. Regression analysis was used to determine the association between mastitis occurrence and CB characteristics. Our results showed that Escherichia coli and environmental streptococci were the most frequently isolated pathogens from CM cases, while Staphylococcus chromogenes and contagious pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae) were the most commonly isolated from SCM cases. Bedding moisture content was positively associated with the incidence of CM. The bedding carbon to nitrogen ratio was negatively associated with the incidence of SCM, and the bedding total bacteria counts tended to be associated with the incidence of SCM. Bedding counts of coliforms positively associated with the prevalence of SCM. Our results can support decision-makers in the dairy industry seeking strategies for bedding management and mastitis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Freu
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences-DIVAS, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- Laboratorio di Malattie Infettive degli Animali-MiLab, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Breno Luis Nery Garcia
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tiago Tomazi
- Ruminant Technical Services, Merck Animal Health, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA
| | - Gabriela Siqueira Di Leo
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Schneider Gheller
- Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Valerio Bronzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences-DIVAS, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- Laboratorio di Malattie Infettive degli Animali-MiLab, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Paolo Moroni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences-DIVAS, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- Laboratorio di Malattie Infettive degli Animali-MiLab, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- Quality Milk Production Services, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Marcos Veiga Dos Santos
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, São Paulo, Brazil
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Schneider P, Salamon H, Weizmann N, Nissim-Eliraz E, Lysnyansky I, Shpigel NY. Immune profiling of experimental murine mastitis reveals conserved response to mammary pathogenic Escherichia coli, Mycoplasma bovis, and Streptococcus uberis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1126896. [PMID: 37032878 PMCID: PMC10080000 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1126896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Mastitis is one of the most prevalent and economically important diseases of dairy animals. The disease is caused by ascending bacterial infection through the teat canal. Among the most common mastitis-causing bacteria are Gram-negative coliforms, Gram-positive streptococci and staphylococci, and mycoplasma. The most prominent cellular hallmark of acute mammary infection is a massive recruitment of blood neutrophils into the tubular and alveolar milk spaces. The complex biological processes of leukocyte recruitment, activation, adhesion, and migration in the mammary gland remain largely elusive to date. While field research of mastitis in dairy animals contributed a lot to the development of mitigation, control, and even eradication programs, little progress was made toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the disease. We report here experimental mastitis model systems in lactating mice challenged with field strains of common udder pathogens in dairy cows. We used these model systems to apply recently developed multiplex gene expression technology (Nanostring nCounter), which enabled us to study the expression of over 700 immune genes. Our analysis revealed a core of 100 genes that are similarly regulated and functionally or physically interacting in E. coli, M. bovis, and Strep uberis murine mastitis. Common significantly enriched gene sets include TNFɑ signaling via NFkB, Interferon gamma and alpha response, and IL6-JAK-STAT3 signaling. In addition, we show a significantly enriched expression of genes associated with neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) in glands challenged by the three pathogens. Ligand-receptor analysis revealed interactions shared by the three pathogens, including the interaction of the cytokines IL1β, IL1ɑ, and TNFɑ with their receptors, and proteins involved in immune cell recruitment such as complement C3 and ICAM1 (with CD11b), chemokines CCL3 and CCL4 (with CCR1), and CSF3 (with CSF3R). Taken together, our results show that mammary infection with E. coli, M. bovis, and Strep uberis culminated in the activation of a conserved core of immune genes and pathways including NET formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peleg Schneider
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hagit Salamon
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nathalie Weizmann
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Einat Nissim-Eliraz
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Inna Lysnyansky
- Mycoplasma Unit, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel
| | - Nahum Y. Shpigel
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
- *Correspondence: Nahum Y. Shpigel,
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