Growth responses of coliform bacteria to recombinant bovine cytokines

J S Hogan1, D A Todhunter, K L Smith

  • 1Department of Dairy Science, Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691.

Insights

Recombinant bovine interferon-gamma slightly enhanced coliform growth in milk and tissue culture media during the log phase. Other tested cytokines did not impact bacterial populations.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Bovine Health

Background:

  • Coliform infections, such as mastitis, are a significant concern in dairy herds.
  • Bovine cytokines play crucial roles in the immune response to bacterial infections.
  • Understanding bacterial responses to cytokines can inform treatment and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro growth responses of coliform isolates to specific recombinant bovine cytokines.
  • To determine if bovine interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-2, or interferon-gamma affect the growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Main Methods:

  • Ten coliform isolates (6 Escherichia coli, 4 Klebsiella pneumoniae) from bovine mastitis were cultured in vitro.
  • Isolates were exposed to varying concentrations of recombinant bovine interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-2, and interferon-gamma.
  • Bacterial growth was assessed in synthetic tissue culture medium, a defined bacterial growth medium, and UHT-sterilized milk.

Main Results:

  • Recombinant bovine interferon-gamma (rBoIFN-γ) showed a slight increase in bacterial counts in synthetic tissue culture medium and UHT milk.
  • rBoIFN-γ promoted bacterial population growth during the logarithmic phase but had no effect on the stationary phase.
  • No significant growth responses were observed with recombinant bovine interleukin-1 beta (rBoIL-1β) or interleukin-2 (rBoIL-2) across all tested media and concentrations.

Conclusions:

  • Recombinant bovine interferon-gamma exhibits a limited capacity to stimulate coliform growth in specific media during early growth phases.
  • Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-2 do not appear to influence the growth of these bovine coliform isolates in vitro.
  • Bacterial responses to cytokines were independent of serum susceptibility, dry cow secretion growth, infection duration, or species.