TY - JOUR AU - Farkašová, Zuzana AU - Zigo, František AU - Lacková, Zuzana PY - 2021/12/31 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Virulence Factors and Prevalence of Udder´s Pathogens in Dairy Cows during the Peripartal Period JF - Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences JA - AJAFS VL - 9 IS - 6 SE - Articles DO - 10.24203/ajafs.v9i6.6816 UR - https://www.ajouronline.com/index.php/AJAFS/article/view/6816 SP - AB - <p>Data presented in this study described the prevalence of udder pathogens and presence of virulence factors in staphylococci isolated from mastitis in dairy cows. The practical part of study was realized in five different dairy herds of Slovak spotted cattle breed located in Eastern Slovakia with conventional (non-organic) farming. At the beginning of lactation (during first two months after calving) were comprehensively investigated 960 cows from monitored herds. The comprehensive examination included clinical examination, sensory analysis of milk from fore stripping of each udder quarter, followed by assessment of the California mastitis test (CMT) and laboratory analyses of bacteria pathogens. Screening the health status of the mammary gland revealed that 314 cows (32.7%) had positive CMT score (1-3) for one or more quarters. Out of 230 infected milk samples, representing 24.0% of all dairy cows examined, were the most commonly isolated staphylococci (59.1% of positive findings), followed by<em> E. coli</em> (11.3%), streptococci <em>Str. uberis</em> (9.1%), <em>Str. agalactiae</em> (3.4%), and enterococci (6.1%). From 136 isolates of coagulase negative stafylococci (98 isolates) and <em>S. aureus</em> (38 isolates) were detected some virulence factors such as production of hemolysins (lysines ß and δ), gelatinase, biofilm, and hydrolyze of DNA. Isolated <em>S. aureus, S. chromogenes</em> and <em>S. warneri</em> had the most numerous representation of detected virulence factors, as demonstrated by the increased incidence of clinical forms of mastitis compared to less virulent strains.</p> ER -