Immunization of young heifers with staphylococcal immune evasion proteins before natural exposure to Staphylococcus aureus induces a humoral immune response in serum and milk.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of mastitis in dairy cattle, causes severe mastitis and/or chronic persistent infections with detrimental effects on the cows' wellbeing, lifespan and milk production. Despite years of research there is no effective vaccine against S. aureus mastitis.

Effect of Simultaneous Exposure of Pigs to Streptococcus suis Serotypes 2 and 9 on Their Colonization and Transmission, and on Mortality.

The distribution of serotypes isolated from clinically infected pigs differs between geographical areas, and varies over time. In several European countries, predomination of serotype 2 has changed to serotype 9. We hypothesize a relation, with one serotype affecting the other in colonization and invasion.

Metabolic response of porcine colon explants to in vitro infection by : a leap into disease pathophysiology.

Introduction: Swine dysentery caused by is a production limiting disease in pig farming. Currently antimicrobial therapy is the only treatment and control method available.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolic response of porcine colon explants to infection by .

LukMF' is the major secreted leukocidin of bovine Staphylococcus aureus and is produced in vivo during bovine mastitis.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human and animal pathogen and a common cause of mastitis in cattle. S. aureus secretes several leukocidins that target bovine neutrophils, crucial effector cells in the defence against bacterial pathogens.

Simultaneous Quantification and Differentiation of Streptococcus suis Serotypes 2 and 9 by Quantitative Real-Time PCR, Evaluated in Tonsillar and Nasal Samples of Pigs.

Invasive Streptococcus suis (S. suis) infections in pigs are often associated with serotypes 2 and 9. Mucosal sites of healthy pigs can be colonized with these serotypes, often multiple serotypes per pig.

Immunization routes in cattle impact the levels and neutralizing capacity of antibodies induced against S. aureus immune evasion proteins.

Vaccines against S. aureus bovine mastitis are scarce and show limited protection only. All currently available vaccines are applied via the parenteral (usually intramuscular) route.

Effect of spatial separation of pigs on spread of Streptococcus suis serotype 9.

The spread of an infectious agent in a population can be reduced by interfering in the infectiousness or susceptibility of individuals, and/or in their contact structure. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of prevention of direct contact between infectious and susceptible pigs on the transmission of Streptococcus suis (S. suis).

Exposure of oocytes to the Fusarium toxins zearalenone and deoxynivalenol causes aneuploidy and abnormal embryo development in pigs.

Fungi of the Fusarium species can infect food and feed commodities and produce the mycotoxins zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON). Since both toxins have been reported to reduce fertility, the mechanisms of ZEA and DON on inhibition of oocyte maturation were examined. Pig oocytes were matured in the presence of ZEA (a mycotoxin with estrogenlike activity), 17beta-estradiol, and DON (all 3.

The effect of milk production level on host resistance of dairy cows, as assessed by the severity of experimental Escherichia coli mastitis.

This study investigated the possible effects of milk production level on the host resistance of dairy cows. High (n = 18) and low (n = 18) producing cows on a research farm, which respectively produced 11 443 and 7 727 kg milk in their previous lactation, were compared. To enhance the possible differences in host resistance between high and low producing cows, the animals in both groups were metabolically stressed by overfeeding during the dry period or were fed according to requirements, resulting in four groups of nine cows.