Virulence Factor Genes and Cytotoxicity of Streptococcus agalactiae Isolated from Bovine Mastitis in Poland

Abstract

We believe that this manuscript is one of the few reports on the characteristics of field S. agalactiae isolates derived from cases of bovine mastitis in cows in Poland in terms of the occurrence of virulence genes and cytotoxicity. For the first time, the presence of bac - and scpB -positive isolates of S. agalactiae was determined in Polish dairy cattle, and the cytotoxicity of bovine isolates was assessed.

Nanotechnology, a novel strategy in detecting Streptococcus agalactiae, and its antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiquorum sensing properties

“…Streptococcus agalactiae or group B Streptococcus, abbreviated as GBS, is a gram-positive, beta-hemolytic, coccishaped bacterium that causes invasive diseases in a wide range of organisms, including humans. [1][2][3] S. agalactiae was first reported in the 1930s by Rebecca Lancefield, isolated from cows with bovine mastitis and milk. 1,4 GBS is colonized in the skin, urinary tract, digestive tract, and throat of people.…”

“…8,9 The virulence factors of this bacterium include Polysaccharide capsules that protect bacteria against phagocytosis; complement deposition and opsonization; toxins: CAMP factor and β-hemolysin/ cytolysin; adhesion proteins and facilitation of host cell invasion: αC protein, fibrinogen-binding protein FbsA, HylB hyaluronidase, and rib protein; factors that determine resistance in antibacterial peptides: βC protein; and factors that cause the escape of the host's immune response: serine protease CspA and peptidase C5a. 2,5 This bacterium causes invasive infections in populations with high-risk and underlying conditions, including pregnant women, infants, and the elderly. GBS can cause a range of diseases in adults, including endocarditis, bacteremia, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, septic arthritis, urinary tract infections, and skin and soft tissue infections.…”

“…In infected mothers, neonatal infections occur when babies pass through the birth channel, which is divided into two types: early‐onset disease, which shows at 0 to 6 days of life, and late‐onset disease at 7 to 90 days of age 8,9 . The virulence factors of this bacterium include Polysaccharide capsules that protect bacteria against phagocytosis; complement deposition and opsonization; toxins: CAMP factor and β‐hemolysin/cytolysin; adhesion proteins and facilitation of host cell invasion: αC protein, fibrinogen‐binding protein FbsA, HylB hyaluronidase, and rib protein; factors that determine resistance in antibacterial peptides: βC protein; and factors that cause the escape of the host's immune response: serine protease CspA and peptidase C5a 2,5 . This bacterium causes invasive infections in populations with high‐risk and underlying conditions, including pregnant women, infants, and the elderly.…”