Histopathological and ultrastructural observations of ovine mammary glands experimentally inoculated with coagulase-negative staphylococci.
The mammary glands of 21 primiparous Mule ewes were infected experimentally with one or other of seven isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci belonging to one of four different species. All isolates caused inflammation that contributed to histopathological and ultrastructural changes. Histopathological changes varied from various degrees of neutrophilic inflammation at the early stages of infection to extensive mononuclear cell infiltration and development of fibrotic tissue at the late stages. The severity and extent of the lesions varied between isolates. At late stages of infection mononuclear cells were involved in active phagocytosis more often than neutrophils. Phagocytosed cocci within mononuclear cells were observed in the interstitium. These cells could become reservoirs of staphylococci that may prolong the inflammatory response.
Burriel
A R
AR
Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, UK.
D000818:Animals; D003030:Coagulase; D005260:Female; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D003030:Coagulase