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Discolouration of wool: 1 green discolouration

E M Van Tonder, G E Kellerman, T F Bolton

    Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
    |September 1, 1976
    PubMed

    Insights

    Green wool discoloration in Merino sheep, linked to wet weather since 1974, was caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium was identified in most affected wool samples and experimentally reproduced the condition in healthy sheep.

    Area of Science:

    • Veterinary Microbiology
    • Animal Science
    • Textile Science

    Background:

    • Since 1974, Merino wool in South Africa's Karoo and Eastern Cape regions has shown frequent green bacterial discoloration.
    • This phenomenon has been associated with unusually wet environmental conditions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To identify the causative agent of green bacterial wool discoloration in Merino sheep.
    • To confirm the role of the identified bacterium in causing the condition.

    Main Methods:

    • Bacterial isolation and identification from naturally discolored wool samples.
    • Experimental inoculation of healthy sheep with isolated bacterial cultures to reproduce the condition.

    Main Results:

    • Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in almost pure culture from 24 out of 25 affected Merino wool samples.
    • Exposure of unaffected sheep to isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures successfully reproduced the green wool discoloration.

    Conclusions:

    • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is confirmed as the primary cause of green bacterial discoloration in Merino wool.
    • Environmental factors, particularly prolonged wet conditions, likely contribute to the prevalence of this wool defect.

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