Propolis in the control of bacterial bovine mastitis: a tool for the production of organic milk / Própolis no controle de mastite bovina bacteriana: uma ferramenta para a produção de leite orgânico

Bovine mastitis is one of the main causes of economic damage in dairy farms. Therefore, the control and prevention of microorganisms involved in this disease, mainly Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae, are essential. One of the most important steps for the prevention of the disease is the use of antiseptic products before and after the milking process to avoid bacteria from infecting the udder of the animal. Currently, the most used antiseptic product in dairy farms is iodine-based, and organic dairy farms, which follow several strict regulations, including the use of natural products whenever possible, are often forced to adopt non-natural antiseptic products, such as iodine-based ones, because of the lack of natural alternatives. Propolis, a natural substance produced by honeybees, has been extensively studied for its various properties, one of which is antimicrobial activity. Therefore, a new natural antiseptic product containing 1% propolis in 10% hydroalcoholic solution for the pre-dipping, and 10% glycerol solution added with 0.2% citronella oil for the post-dipping was analyzed for its capacity to reduce bacteria in vivo in order to prevent bovine mastitis, allowing its use on organic dairy farms. A total of 128 samples were analyzed in terms of bacterial growth for Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus spp. using the spreadplate technique. The reduction in the bacterial concentration after the application of the products was compared between two antiseptic solutions, an iodine-based solution as the control and a propolis-based one as the natural alternative. The results obtained show a similar efficiency for both products in terms of total bacterial reduction, indicating considerable antimicrobial activity against bacteria most commonly associated with bovine mastitis. Molecular analysis was carried out for the identification of Streptococcus agalactiae; the PCR results were negative for the presence of S. agalactiae in all samples, indicating that the animals most likely did not have any form of the disease. The efficiency of the natural antiseptic was satisfactory, indicating an important find facilitating organic milk production worldwide, showcasing a natural antiseptic solution with efficient antimicrobial activity.(AU)

A mastite bovina é uma das principais causas de prejuízo econômico na indústria leiteira, portanto o controle e prevenção de microrganismos envolvidos nessa doença, principalmente Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus agalactiae é essencial. Uma das principais etapas na prevenção dessa doença é o uso de produtos antissépticos antes e depois do processo de ordenha, a fim de evitar contaminação bacteriana no úbere do animal. Atualmente, o produto antisséptico mais utilizado na indústria leiteira é a base de iodo, e fazendas produtoras de leite orgânico, que precisam seguir uma série de regulações estritas, incluindo o uso de produtos naturais sempre que possível, são frequentemente forçadas a adotar antissépticos não-naturais, como os a base de iodo por falta de alternativas naturais. Própolis, uma substância natural produzidas por abelhas, tem sido extensivamente estudada por suas várias propriedades, sendo uma delas antimicrobiana. Portanto, um novo produto antisséptico natural contendo própolis à 1% em solução hidroalcóolica 10% para o pré-dipping, e glicerinada 10% adicionada de óleo de citronela à 0,2% para o pós-dipping, foi avaliada quanto a sua capacidade de reduzir bactérias in vivo e prevenir a mastite bovina, além de poder ser utilizado na indústria leiteira orgânica. Um total de 128 amostras foram analisadas em termos de crescimento bacteriano para Enterobacteriaceae e Staphylococcus spp. utilizando a técnica de plaqueamento em superfície, a redução da concentração bacteriana após a aplicação dos produtos foi comparada entre duas soluções antissépticas, uma solução a base de iodo servindo como controle, e uma solução a base de própolis como a alternativa natural. Os resultados obtidos mostraram uma eficiência similar entre os produtos à base de iodo e própolis em termos de redução bacteriana total, indicando uma grande atividade antibacteriana contra as bactérias mais comumente associadas com a mastite bovina. Realizou-se análise molecular para a identificação de Streptococcus agalactiae, os resultados da PCR foram negativos para a presença de S. agalactiae em todas as amostras, indicando que os animais provavelmente não possuíam nenhuma forma da doença. A eficiência do antisséptico natural foi satisfatória, indicando um achado importante para auxiliar o crescimento da indústria de leite orgânico de forma mundial, mostrando uma solução antisséptica natural com atividade antimicrobiana eficiente.(AU)

Etiology And In Vitro Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile Of Strains Isolated From Bovine Mastitis In Dairy Herds From The Midwest Region Of Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Dairy farming is an important social and economic activity in the Midwest region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. However, despite technological advances in the productive chain, mastitis is still considered the main disease of dairy herds, due its high economic impact. Bacterial pathogens are the main cause of this disease and failures in the treatment of clinical cases are attributed in part to the antimicrobial resistance of these pathogens. As an alternative, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests of strains isolated from bovine mastitis cases have been carried out; the information generated contributes to strategic treatment measures, and also to the control of microorganism resistance. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate the etiology and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacterial strains isolated from cases of bovine mastitis in dairy herds from the Midwest region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. For this purpose, 345 milk samples were collected from 70 herds located in 16 different municipalities. The main pathogens isolated were: staphylococci (55.9%), streptococci (34.8%), Corynebacterium spp. (7.8%) and Escherichia coli (1.4%). The resistance rates of staphylococcus strains to ampicillin and to gentamicin were lower (24.9%) and higher (33%), respectively, than those obtained in other Brazilian studies. The resistance profiles of streptococcus strains were similar to those described in the literature, while Corynebacterium spp., showed high resistance rates to tetracycline (85.2%). Moreover, a considerable prevalence of staphylococcus (27.5%) and streptococcus (11.7%) multiresistant strains was verified. These data reinforce the need for regional characterization of microorganisms.

Etiology And In Vitro Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile Of Strains Isolated From Bovine Mastitis In Dairy Herds From The Midwest Region Of Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Dairy farming is an important social and economic activity in the Midwest region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. However, despite technological advances in the productive chain, mastitis is still considered the main disease of dairy herds, due its high economic impact. Bacterial pathogens are the main cause of this disease and failures in the treatment of clinical cases are attributed in part to the antimicrobial resistance of these pathogens. As an alternative, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests of strains isolated from bovine mastitis cases have been carried out; the information generated contributes to strategic treatment measures, and also to the control of microorganism resistance. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate the etiology and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacterial strains isolated from cases of bovine mastitis in dairy herds from the Midwest region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. For this purpose, 345 milk samples were collected from 70 herds located in 16 different municipalities. The main pathogens isolated were: staphylococci (55.9%), streptococci (34.8%), Corynebacterium spp. (7.8%) and Escherichia coli (1.4%). The resistance rates of staphylococcus strains to ampicillin and to gentamicin were lower (24.9%) and higher (33%), respectively, than those obtained in other Brazilian studies. The resistance profiles of streptococcus strains were similar to those described in the literature, while Corynebacterium spp., showed high resistance rates to tetracycline (85.2%). Moreover, a considerable prevalence of staphylococcus (27.5%) and streptococcus (11.7%) multiresistant strains was verified. These data reinforce the need for regional characterization of microorganisms.(AU)