Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 17, 2026

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
06:34

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Published on: July 11, 2016

Occurrence of Prototheca zopfii, a mastitis pathogen, in milk

R S Pore1, T A Shahan, M D Pore

  • 1Department of Microbiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown 26506.

Veterinary Microbiology
|December 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

A new method successfully isolated Prototheca zopfii from cow milk. This alga was frequently found in milk from specific cows, suggesting individual animal shedding rather than environmental contamination.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Dairy Science
  • Algal Research

Background:

  • Prototheca species are non-photosynthetic microalgae that can cause mastitis in dairy cows.
  • Previous detection methods for Prototheca in milk were limited, hindering accurate prevalence studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a new selective enrichment method for isolating Prototheca zopfii from bovine milk.
  • To investigate the prevalence and shedding patterns of Prototheca zopfii in dairy herds.

Main Methods:

  • A novel selective enrichment technique was employed to isolate Prototheca zopfii.
  • Cow-composite milk from individual cows and bulk tank milk samples were tested.
  • Statistical analysis was used to determine correlations between P. zopfii isolation and specific cows.

Main Results:

  • Prototheca zopfii was successfully isolated from cow-composite milk and bulk tank milk using the new method.
  • A strong statistical correlation was found between P. zopfii isolation and specific cows, indicating individual shedding.
  • Prototheca species were recovered from 31 of 79 cows in one herd and from bulk tank milk samples across the Eastern U.S.A.

Conclusions:

  • The developed selective enrichment method is effective for detecting Prototheca zopfii in bovine milk.
  • Prototheca shedding from individual cows is a significant factor in milk contamination, not solely environmental sources.
  • Further research into herd management and control strategies for Prototheca is warranted.

More Related Videos

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)08:51

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)

Published on: November 4, 2016

Evaluation of Microbial Safety of Dairies using Bacterial Proteomic Profiling via MALDI Approach09:31

Evaluation of Microbial Safety of Dairies using Bacterial Proteomic Profiling via MALDI Approach

Published on: October 7, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes01:24

Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes

The phylum Tenericutes, which includes the single class Mollicutes, comprises bacteria that lack cell walls. The term "Mollicutes" derives from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft." These organisms are among the smallest known and are commonly referred to as mycoplasmas due to the prominence of the genus Mycoplasma, which includes well-known human pathogens. Despite their inability to stain gram-positively (a result of their lack of cell walls), mycoplasmas are phylogenetically related to the...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...