FGBU "VNIIZG" received a Russian patent for the production of biopreparations for the prevention of mastitis in cows

The invention of Russian researchers relates to the field of veterinary microbiology and concerns a new strain “SAU-21L” of bacteria of the Staphylococcaceae family of the genus Staphylococcus of the species Staphylococcus aureus.

Dairy farming is one of the main and leading areas in the structure of the agro-industrial complex of RUSSIA. 

The production of safe and high-quality cow's MILK is a pressing issue for both livestock breeders and veterinarians, andMastitis remains one of the major problems in dairy cattle . 

Mastitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the tissues of the mammary gland in cows. The consequences are huge economic losses, which are summarized from a decrease in milk productivity and deterioration in milk quality, rejection of products due to a decrease in nutritional and technological properties, treatment costs , as well as wages for veterinary workers.

Mastitis is known for its wide variety of bacterial pathogens. Currently, more than 140 pathogens have been identified for this pathology. Most often, mastitis is caused by staphylococci, streptococci, and coliforms.bacteria , enterococci, mycoplasmas, yeasts. These pathogenic microorganisms penetrate intothe udder , where they multiply and produce toxic substances that lead to inflammation, decreased milk production and changes in its quality.

Among the types of bacteria most often associated with mastitis, scientists identify species of the genus Staphylococcus, namely Staphylococcus aureus – golden staphylococcus, the detection rate of which reaches 40%.

“Isolation of a strain of microorganisms in cows with mastitis and its use as a production strain that promotes the formation of immunity to circulating pathogens that cause mastitis, which would not affect the quality of milk and would have a positive economic effect, is a relevant area and helps provide the country with safe products, reduce the use of antibacterial drugs in animal husbandry and, due to this, EXPORT of products,” said researchers from the Federal Center for Animal HEALTH.

The proposed strain is cultivated on nutrient media - brain-heart agar and brain-heart broth, while it has pronounced properties characteristic of its species, is highly virulent, and also has antigenic and immunogenic properties. The presented strain can be used to manufacture biopreparations for the specific prevention of cow mastitis.