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Reduction of milk production following acute bovine mastitis causes important economic losses. In this study, two experiments were conducted to asses the ability of different antioxidants to prevent neutrophil (PMN)-induced mammary damage in acute bovine mastitis. First, a co-culture model composed of bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T cells) and bovine PMN activated by phorbol myristate acetate was used. Activated PMN release reactive oxygen species that are cytotoxic for bovine epithelial cells. Addition of dimethylthiourea or bathocuproinic acid did not induce any protective effect. On the other hand, addition of catechin, deferoxamine or glutathione ethyl ester (GEE) significantly reduced PMN-induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner as demonstrated by lower levels of released lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The second experiment was undertaken with the last three antioxidants to evaluate their protective effects in vivo. A model of LPS-induced mastitis on dairy cows was used. The extent of cell damages was evaluated by measuring quarter milk levels of LDH and 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl beta-D-glucosaminidase ( NAGase) at varying intervals before and after intramammary infusions of LPS, with or without antioxidants. Milk levels of haptoglobin and bovine serum albumin were also analysed. Catechin and GEE did not induce any protective effect whereas infusions of deferoxamine, a chelator of iron, decreased milk levels of LDH, NAGase and haptoglobin hence suggesting a protective effect against PMN-induced damage. Deferoxamine did not interfere with PMN migration into the mammary gland. Additionally, deferoxamine inhibited bacterial growth in vitro but did not affect PMN's ability to phagocytize live Escherichia coli. Overall, our results suggest that local infusion of deferoxamine may be an effective tool to protect mammary tissue against PMN-induced oxidative stress during bovine mastitis.

Corpus luteum (CL) dysfunction has been implicated among various factors predisposing early embryonic mortality in cattle. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) given either at the time of breeding (day 0) , day 7 or 14 post breeding, in reducing that component of early embryonic mortality caused by CL dysfunction. The aims of experiment 1 were to investigate the effectiveness of using hCG, in inducing the development of accessory CL, their formation and growth, and the effect of such treatments on the function of both the induced and spontaneous CL. Thirty-four lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. A single intramuscular injection of 1000 IU of hCG was given either at the time of breeding (day 0, n=8), day 7 (n=9) or 14 (n=9) post breeding or no hCG given (control, n=8). A real-time ultrasound machine was used to study follicular dynamics and CL growth. The CL and antral follicle diameter was determined using a built-in system of calibrated callipers. Ultrasound scanning was carried out on days 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 28, 35 and 42 post breeding. Blood and milk samples, for progesterone (P₄) determination using radioimmunoassay, were collected on days coincident with ultrasonography. Diameter of the CL is presented as the sum of the diameter of all luteal tissue in each animal. Differences in CL diameter, milk and plasma P₄ were analyzed using the General Linear Models Procedures while pregnancy data were analyzed using Chi-Square analysis in Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS, version 6.3). Based on the day 7 ultrasound scanning, the incidence of twin ovulations was higher among cows treated on day 0 (3/8) compared to control cows (1/8) and day 7 (1/9). Accessory CL were detected in 7/9 of the day 7-treated cows compared to 4/9 among the day-14 treated cows. Least squares means (LSMeans) for CL diameter were significantly higher (P<0.001) among cows treated with hCG compared to control cows starting at day 7 continually until day 42. Plasma P₄ profiles were significantly higher (P<0.05), at days 18, 35 and 42, in cows treated on day 7 or 14 compared to control cows. The first detectable differences (P<0.05) between hCG treated and control cows, in milk P₄ occurred at day 21 and persisted until day 42. Pregnancy rates were highest among cows treated with hCG on day 7 where 6 of the 9 cows were diagnosed pregnant. Corresponding pregnancy rates for day 0, 14 or control cows, were 4/8, 5/9 and 3/8, respectively. In the second experiment, two trials were conducted at two different farms to investigate the efficacy of using hCG to increase milk P₄ and pregnancy rates. In trial one, 79 lactating Holstein cows were exposed to the treatment protocol described in experiment 1. In addition to the milk sample collection schedule given in experiment 1, a sample was collected on day 0. Milk samples were stored at 4°C and later transported to the UBC laboratories for P₄ analysis. LSMeans for milk P₄ concentrations were different only at days 16 and 18 post breeding. Pregnancy rates were improved (P<0.01) by hCG treatments. The respective pregnancy rates for cows receiving hCG on day 0 (n=20), 7 (n=20), 14 (n=20) or control (n=19) were 25, 35, 35 and 21 %. In the second trial, 121 lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned to treatments as described earlier. Weekly milk samples were collected from each animal and assayed for P₄ as described above. LSMeans for milk P₄ were significantly different (P<0.05) among groups starting at day 14 until day 42 post breeding. hCG increased pregnancy rates over control cows. The pregnancy rates for cows treated on day 0, 7, 14 and control were 31, 50, 41 and 26 %, respectively. In conclusion, this study revealed that treatment with hCG induced accessory CL development, increased P₄ production and improved pregnancy rates. It is evident, too, that treatment with hCG on day 7 post breeding may have greater potential for improving pregnancy rates not only in dairy and beef cattle but equally beneficial to the embryo transfer programmes. Increased pregnancy rates confirm the hypothesis that CL dysfunction does cost the livestock industry appreciable losses in embryos. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

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Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The effect of the bacteriocin-like peptide AS-48, produced by Enterococcus faecalis FAIRE 92, was tested against a mastitis isolate of Staphylococcus aureus in an in vivo and in vitro study. During initial tests peptide AS-48 showed no significant activity towards S. aureus, even with a ten-fold concentrated cell-free supernatant. Activity was obtained only after purification with Triton X-114 phase partitioning, followed by cation exchange chromatography. Titers for the purified peptide varied between 3200 and 12800 AU/ml. The purified peptide also exhibited activity towards Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus dysgalactiae, but not against Escherichia coli. The size of peptide AS-48 was determined at 7150 Da, based on electronspray mass spectrometry and SDS-PAGE. Complete inhibition of cell growth was obtained by adding 1ml of the purified peptide (3200 AU/ml) to 100 ml of cells of S. aureus in the lag growth phase. When the same concentration of peptide AS-48 was added to a culture of S. aureus in mid-exponential growth, a slight decrease in viable cell numbers was recorded, which lasted for only 30 min. Cell growth commenced thereafter. In situ experiments in cows were done with purified peptide AS-48, encapsulated in liposomes. These in vivo studies were conducted by administering peptide AS-48 (6400 AU/ml) to different udder quarters. In a prevention trial, i.e. where quarters were pretreated with peptide AS-48, a reduction close to 90% in the viable cell numbers of S. aureus was recorded relative to the control quarters, which were not treated with the peptide. A 50% reduction in somatic cell count (SCC) was recorded. In the treatment trial, i.e. infected quarters treated with peptide AS-48, a reduction of up to 94% in viable cell numbers of S. aureus was recorded. In the same quarters, a reduction in SCC amounted to almost 80%. A recombinant strain was constructed by conjugating plasmid 92 (p92), encoding peptide AS-48, from Enterococcus faecalis FAIRE 92 to E. faecalis FA2/Ent, which produces enterocins 1071A and 1071B. Southern blot hybridization experiments revealed thepresence of plasmid p92 in the recipient strain without the loss of plasmid pEF1071, which encodes enterocins 1071A and 1071B. All three antimicrobial peptides, i.e. enterocin 1071A, enterocin 1071B and peptide AS-48, were produced in transconjugant FA2/Ent/AS-48. The spectrum of antimicrobial activity of the transconjugant was greater than that recorded for strains FA2/Ent and FAIRE 92, respectively and included E. faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus sakei, Leuconostoc cremoris, Leuconostoc pentosaceus, Staphylococcus carnosus and S. aureus. These organisms are not inhibited by strain FA2/Ent. However, low levels of peptide AS-48 was produced by strain FA2/Ent/AS-48. Further research in fermentation and gene expression will be needed before the transconjugant E. faecalis FA2/Ent/AS-48 may be used in the treatment of mastitis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die effek van die bakteriosien-agtige, peptied AS-48, geproduseer deur Enterococcus faecalis FAIRE 92, is gedurende ‘n in vivo en in vitro studie teen ‘n mastitiese Staphylococcus aureus-isolaat getoets. Aanvanklike toetse met peptied AS-48, selfs tienvoudig gekonsentreerde selvrye supernatant, het geen beduidende aktiwiteit teen S. aureus getoon nie. Aktiwiteit is eers verkry na suiwering met Triton X-114 fase-skeiding gevolg deur katioon uitruilingschromatografie. Titers vir die gesuiwerde peptied het tussen 3200 en 12800 AE/ml gewissel. Die gesuiwerde peptied het ook aktiwiteit teen Streptococcus agalactiae en Streptococcus dysgalctiae getoon, maar nie teen Escherichia coli nie. Peptied AS-48 het ‘n molekulêre massa van 7150 Da, soos bepaal met elektronsproeimassa spektrometrie en SDS-PAGE. Totale inhibisie van selgroei is verkry deur 1 ml gesuiwerde peptied AS-48 (3200 AE/ml) by ‘n 100 ml kultuur van S. aureus in die sloerfase te voeg. Dieselfe konsentrasie peptied AS-48, toegevoeg tydens die mideksponensiële groeifase, het egter slegs ‘n klein vermindering in die aantal lewende selle teweeg gebring en het ook vir slegs ‘n 30 min geduur. Selgroei het hierna weer normaal voort gegaan. In situ eksperimente op koeie is uitgevoer met gesuiwerde peptied AS-48, geenkapsuleerd in liposome. Hierdie In vivo studies is onderneem deur peptied AS-48 (6400 AE/ml) in verskillende kwarte van die uier, kunsmatig of reeds geïnfekteerd met S. aureus, toe te dien. In ‘n voorkomings-eksperiment waar kwarte vooraf met peptied AS- 48 behandel is, is ‘n verlaging van byna 90% in die lewende seltelling van S. aureus relatief tot die kontrole kwarte, sonder behandeling met peptied AS-48, verkry. ‘n 50% verlaging in die somatiese seltelling (SST) is verkry. In die behandelings-eksperiment, waar geïnfekteerde kwarte met peptied AS-48 behandel is, is ‘n verlaging van byna 90% in lewende S. aureus selle gevind. In dieselfde kwarte is ‘n verlaging van byna 80% in die SST genoteer.‘n Rekombinante ras is gekonstrueer deur plasmied 92 (p92), wat kodeer vir peptied AS- 48, vanaf Enterococcus faecalis FAIRE 92 na E. faecalis FA2/Ent, wat enterosien 1071A en 1071B produseer, te konjugeer. Southern-klad hibridisasie het die teenwoordigheid van plasmied p92 in die ontvanger ras, sonder die verlies van plasmied pEF1071 wat enterosien 1071A en 1071B kodeer, getoon. Al drie antimikrobiese peptiede, nl. enterosien 1071A, enterosien 1071B en peptied AS-48, is deur die transkonjugant FA2/Ent/AS-48 geproduseer. Die spektum van antimikrobiese aktiwiteit van die transkonjugant vand die transkonjugant is breër as dié van rasse FA2/Ent en FAIRE 92, onderskeidelik en het ook E. faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus sakei, Leuconostoc cremoris, Leuconostoc pentosaceus, Staphylococcus carnosus en S. aureus ingesluit. Hierdie organismes word nie deur ras FA2/Ent geïnhibeer nie. Lae vlakke van peptied AS-48 is egter deur ras FA2/Ent/AS-48 geproduseer. Verdere navorsing in fermentasie en geenuitdrukking is nodig voordat E. faecalis FA2/Ent/AS-48 in die behandeling van mastitis gebruik kan word.

Bacteriophage therapy has been exploited for the control of bacterial diseases in fauna, flora and humans. However, the advent of antibiotic therapy lead to a cessation of most phage research. Recently, the problem of antibiotic resistance has rendered many commonly used antibiotics ineffective, thereby renewing interest in phage therapy as an alternative source of control. This is particularly relevant in the case of bovine mastitis, an inflammatory disease of bovine mammary glands, caused by strains such as Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus Rosenbach 1884. Antibiotic resistance (primarily towards penicillin and methicillin) by staphylococcal strains causing mastitis is regularly reported. Phage therapy can provide a stable, effective and affordable system of mastitis control with little to no deleterious effect on the surrounding environment or the affected animal itself. Several studies have delved into the field of biocontrol of bovine mastitis using phages. Results are variable. While some phage-based products have been commercialized for the treatment of S. aureus-associated infections in humans, no products have yet been formulated specifically for the strains responsible for bovine mastitis. If the reliability of phage therapy can be resolved, then phages may become a primary form of control for bovine mastitis and other bacterial diseases. This study investigated the presence of S. aureus and its phages in a dairy environment, as well as the lytic ability of phage isolates against antibiotic-resistant strains of mastitic S. aureus. The primary goals of the thesis were to review the available literature on bovine mastitis and its associated control, and then to link this information to the use of phages as potential control agents for the disease, to conduct in vitro bioassays on the selected phages, to conduct phage sensitivity assays to assess phage activity against different chemical and environmental stresses, to morphologically classify the selected phages using transmission electron microscopy, to characterize the phage proteins using one-dimensional electrophoresis, and lastly, to characterize phage genomes, using both electrophoresis as well as full genome sequencing. Twenty-eight phages were isolated and screened against four strains of S. aureus. Only six phages showed potential for further testing, based on their wide host range, high titres and common growth requirements. Optimal growth conditions for the host S. aureus strain was 37°C for 12hr. This allowed for optimal phage replication. At an optimal titre of between 6.2x10⁷ to 2.9x10⁸ pfu.mlˉ¹(at 10ˉ⁵ dilution of phage stock), these phages were able to reduce live bacterial cell counts by 64-95%. In addition, all six phages showed pathogenicity towards another 18 S. aureus strains that were isolated from different milk-producing regions during a farm survey. These six phages were named Sabp-P1, Sabp-P2, Sabp-P3, Sabp-P4, Sabp-P5 and Sabp-P6. Sensitivity bioassays, towards simulated environmental and formulation stresses were conducted on six identified phages. Phages Sabp-P1, Sabp-P2 and Sabp-P3 showed the most stable replication rates at increasing temperatures (45-70°C), in comparison to phages Sabp-P4, Sabp-P5 and Sabp-P6. The effect of temperature on storage of phages showed that 4ºC was the minimum temperature at which phages could be stored without a significant reduction in their lytic and replication abilities. Furthermore, all phages showed varying levels of sensitivity to chloroform exposure, with Sabp-P5 exhibiting the highest level of reduction in activity (74.23%) in comparison to the other phages. All six phages showed optimal lytic ability at pH 6.0-7.0 and reduced activity at any pH above or below pH 6.0-7.0. Exposure of phages to varying glycerol concentrations (5-100%) produced variable results. All six phages were most stable at a glycerol concentration of 10-15%. Three of the six isolated phages, Sabp-P1, Sabp-P2 and Sabp-P3, performed optimally during the in vitro assays and were used for the remainder of the study. Morphological classification of phages Sabp-P1, Sabp-P2 and Sabp-P3 was carried out using transmission electron microscopy. All three phages appeared structurally similar. Each possessed an icosahedral head separated from a striated, contractile tail region by a constricted neck region. The head capsules ranged in diameter between 90-110nm with the tail length ranging from 150-200nm in the non-contractile state and 100-130nm in the contractile state. Rigid tail fibres were also visible below the striated tail. The major steps in the virus replicative cycle were also documented as electron micrographs. Ultra-thin sections through phage plaques were prepared through a modification of traditional methods to speed up the process, with no negative effects on sample integrity. The major steps that were captured in the phage replicative cycle were (1) attachment to host cells, (2) replication within host cells, and, (3) release from cells. Overall results suggested that all three phages are strains from the order Caudovirales and are part of the Myoviridae family. A wealth of information can be derived about an organism based on analysis of its proteomic data. In the current study, one-dimensional electrophoretic methods, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and ultra-thin layer isoelectric focusing (UTLIEF), were used to analyse the proteins of three phages, Sabp-P1, Sabp-P2 and Sabp-P3, in order to determine whether these strains differed from each other. SDS-PAGE analysis produced unique protein profiles for each phage, with band fragments ranging in size from 8.86-171.66kDa. Combined similarity matrices showed an 84.62% similarity between Sabp-P1 and Sabp-P2 and a 73.33% similarity between Sabp-P1 and Sabp-P3. Sabp-P2 showed a 69.23% similarity to Sabp-P3. UTLIEF analysis showed protein isoelectric charges in the range of pI 4.21-8.13, for all three phages. The isoelectric profiles for each phage were distinct from each other. A combined similarity matrix of both SDS-PAGE and UTLIEF data showed an 80.00% similarity between phages Sabp-P1 and Sabp-P2, and a 68.29% similarity between Sabp-P1 and Sabp-P3. Sabp-P2 showed a 70.59% similarity to Sabp-P3. Although the current results are based on putative protein fragments analysis, it can be confirmed that phages Sabp-P1, Sabp-P2 and Sabp-P3 are three distinct phages. This was further confirmed through genomic characterization of the three staphylococcal phages, Sabp-P1, Sabp-P2 and Sabp-P3, using restriction fragment length analysis and whole genome sequencing. Results showed that the genomes of phages Sabp-P1, Sabp-P2 and Sabp-P3 were all different from each other. Phages Sabp-P1 and Sabp-P3 showed sequence homology to a particular form of Pseudomonas phages, called "giant" phages. Phage Sabp-P3 showed sequence homology to a Clostridium perfringens phage. Major phage functional proteins (the tail tape measure protein, virion structural proteins, head morphogenesis proteins, and capsid proteins) were identified in all three phages. However, although the level of sequence similarity between the screened phages and those already found on the databases, enabled preliminary classification of the phages into the order Caudovirales, family Myoviridae, the level of homology was not sufficient enough to assign each phage to a particular type species. These results suggest that phage Sabp-P1 might be a new species of phage within the Myoviridae family. One longer-term objective of the study is to carry out complete assembly and annotation of all the contigs for each phage. This will provide definitive conclusions in terms of phage relatedness and classification. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

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