Abstract
Despite the importance of Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae (SDSD) as an udder pathogen, the reservoir and epidemiological characteristics of this bacterium are largely unexplored. The aims of this study were to investigate risk factors for SDSD intramammary infections (SDSD-IMI) in Norwegian bovine dairy herds, identify sources of SDSD on animals and in the environment, and elucidate the genetic diversity of SDSD isolates. Data from herd recordings and a questionnaire were used to investigate herd-level risk factors for SDSD-IMI in 359 freestall dairy herds. Seven herds with a suspected high prevalence of SDSD-IMI were visited to sample extramammary sources (e.g., skin, wounds, mucous membranes, and freestall environment). Bacterial isolates were whole-genome sequenced to investigate the distribution of SDSD genotypes within herds and to assess the phylogenetic relationship between SDSD isolates from 27 herds across Norway. Risk factors for high incidence of SDSD-IMI in freestall dairy herds were related to housing, including closed flooring in alleys and rubber mats in cubicle bases. Parlor milking was also a risk factor compared with automatic milking systems. From herd visits, a considerable proportion of extramammary samples were SDSD positive, particularly from wounds and skin of the animals and the cubicle bases. Samples from mucous surfaces (nostrils, rectum, and vagina) and water troughs were least frequently positive. Eight multilocus sequence types (ST) were identified among the sequenced isolates from 27 herds, and phylogenetic analyses revealed 8 clades corresponding to ST. No significant association was identified between sampling site (milk, body sites, and environment) and ST. In 4 of 6 herds from which 5 or more isolates were available, one ST dominated and was found in milk and extramammary samples. One ST (ST453) was found in 15 of 27 herds, which implies that this is a widely distributed and possibly a bovine-adapted strain. Findings in this study suggest that SDSD is a cow-adapted opportunist with potential for contagious transmission, and that the freestall environment is likely to play a role in transmission between cows.
Highlights
Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae (SDSD) is an important pathogen of the bovine udder, with the ability to cause severe clinical mastitis, prolonged elevated SCC, and decreased milk yield (Whist et al, 2007; Ericsson Unnerstad et al, 2009; Heikkilä et al, 2018)
Quality control of altogether 90 sequenced SDSD isolates from 27 herds resulted in exclusion of 14 isolates from phylogenetic analyses due to contamination (n = 10) and low coverage (n = 4)
We found no significant association between sequence types (ST) and clinical manifestation
Summary
Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae (SDSD) is an important pathogen of the bovine udder, with the ability to cause severe clinical mastitis, prolonged elevated SCC, and decreased milk yield (Whist et al, 2007; Ericsson Unnerstad et al, 2009; Heikkilä et al, 2018). Dysgalactiae (SDSD) is an important pathogen of the bovine udder, with the ability to cause severe clinical mastitis, prolonged elevated SCC, and decreased milk yield (Whist et al, 2007; Ericsson Unnerstad et al, 2009; Heikkilä et al, 2018). It is among the major causes of IMI of dairy cows in Norway and several other countries (TINE, 2020; Duse et al, 2021; Kabelitz et al, 2021), and has negative impacts on animal welfare, economy, and antimicrobial use. The authors of that study hypothesized that this could be related to the age and design of freestall barns with parlor milking
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