Evaluation of biofilm formation by bacterial strains isolated from milking equipment and milk samples from cows with mastitis

Abstract

The presence of biofilm-forming bacteria from the mammary gland of dairy cows adhered to equipment in the milking environment represents one of the major causes of bacterial resistance during mastitis treatment. The aim of this study was to identify strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli in milk samples from cows with mastitis, as well as in the expansion tank and milking set liners. We aimed to quantify the extracellular proteins and polysaccharides in the biofilm produced by each strain. A total of 294 samples were collected from a dairy farm in the municipality of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. To identify the S. aureus, S. epidermidis and E. coli isolates responsible for biofilm production, we tested the phenotype using the Congo red agar (CRA) and microplate adhesion tests. Protein quantification was performed with a Bicinchoninic Acid Protein Assay Kit (BCA kit), and polysaccharides were quantified by the phenol sulfuric acid method. We identified eight strains of S. aureus, one strain of S. epidermidis and 11 strains of E. coli responsible for biofilm production, all of which showed a higher concentration of polysaccharides than proteins in the matrix. Escherichia coli was considered the most prevalent bacterium among the samples, and S. aureus was determined to be the largest biofilm producer. The results of the CRA and microplate adhesion tests were similar in regard to identification of the biofilm-producing strains according to their phenotype and matrix composition. The classification of S. aureus strains as major biofilm producers is of great concern for producers, as such bacteria are considered one of the predominant contagious etiological agents that cause bovine mastitis. In addition, our observation that E. coli and S. epidermidis can produce biofilms highlights the need to reassess prophylactic measures to avoid the adhesion of biofilm-producing bacteria. amostras, em uma propriedade no município de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Para identificar as estirpes de S. aureus, S. epidermidis e E. coli isoladas produtoras de biofilme, foram utilizados testes fenotípicos como cultivo em ágar Vermelho Congo (CRA) e teste de adesão em microplaca. A quantificação de proteínas foi realizada com o Kit BCA e de polissacarídeos pelo método do ácido fenol sulfúrico. Identificou-se oito cepas de S. aureus, uma de S. epidermidis e 11 cepas de E. coli produtoras de biofilme, todas compostas com maior concentração de polissacarídeo do que proteína na matriz. E. coli foi considerada a bactéria mais prevalente das amostras e S. aureus a maior produtora de biofilme. Os resultados do CRA e do teste de adesão em microplaca foram similares ao identificar as cepas produtoras de biofilme, conforme a expressão do fenótipo e quantificação da matriz. A classificação de estirpes de S. aureus, como maiores produtoras de biofilme, preocupa ainda mais os produtores, pois tais bactérias são consideradas um dos principais agentes etiológicos contagiosos causadores da mastite bovina. Além...

Detection of virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolates from raw milk and artisanal cheese in Southern Brazil

“…It is important to mention that there are other well-established methods to define and quantify biofilm-producer strains (AZEREDO et al, 2017). However, previous studies have demonstrated that Congo red agar method results well-correlated with the ones obtained by tissue culture plate and tube methods (PONNUSAMY et al, 2012) and by microtiter plate method (CHAGAS et al, 2017). For this reason, this method could be further performed in order to investigate the potential ability of E. coli isolates to form biofilm.…”