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Bovine-associated CNS species resist phagocytosis differently

Silja Avall-Jääskeläinen, Joanna Koort, Heli Simojoki

  • 1Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P,O, Box 57, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland. suvi.taponen@helsinki.fi.

BMC Veterinary Research
|November 12, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Bovine mastitis bacteria, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), show varied resistance to macrophage immune cells. Differences in phagocytosis and killing by macrophages exist between CNS species and isolates, impacting bovine mastitis severity.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Immunology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Bovine Mastitis Research

Background:

  • Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are common causes of persistent bovine mastitis, often with mild symptoms.
  • Severe clinical signs of bovine mastitis due to CNS can occur, but the reasons for varied clinical expression are unclear.
  • Macrophages are crucial for innate immunity in the bovine udder, influencing bacterial clearance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phagocytosis and killing capabilities of mouse macrophages against three species of CNS: Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus agnetis, and Staphylococcus simulans.
  • To compare the interactions of CNS isolates with macrophages against Staphylococcus aureus, a known mastitis pathogen.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assays using mouse macrophage cell lines.
  • Quantification of phagocytosis rates for different CNS species and isolates.
  • Assessment of bacterial killing efficiency by macrophages against CNS and Staphylococcus aureus.

Main Results:

  • All tested CNS species were phagocytosed, but Staphylococcus simulans exhibited greater resistance to phagocytosis.
  • Macrophages effectively killed Staphylococcus chromogenes, while other CNS species showed less susceptibility to killing.
  • Significant variations in both phagocytosis and killing were observed among different CNS isolates and between CNS species and Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophage interactions with mastitis-causing staphylococci differ significantly at both the species and isolate levels.
  • These variations in bacterial phagocytosis and killing by macrophages may contribute to the diverse clinical presentations of bovine mastitis.

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