Staphylococcal antigens and immune complexes (IC) prepared from antigen and hyperimmune canine serum were tested for their effects on certain functions of mononuclear (MN) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes (cells) obtained from healthy dogs. The effect on MN cells was studied by determining the ability of antigen or IC to augment or inhibit mitogenesis induced by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The effect of antigen or IC on PHA cells was studied by measurement of H2O2 production as an indicator of respiratory burst. Neither the antigen nor the IC, when cultured with MN cells, was mitogenic. Coincubation of antigen or IC with MN cells and PHA resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in mitogenesis. The decreased mitogenesis could not be overcome by addition of excess PHA, and may in part have been related to toxic effects of the antigen or IC on MN cells. When MN cells were instead preincubated with antigen or IC, then washed and stimulated with PHA, there was still a concentration-dependent inhibition of mitogenesis, although toxicity to the cells was not observed. Low concentrations of staphylococcal antigen or IC stimulated slight H2O2 production by PHA cells. When PHA cells were coincubated with IC and another stimulus (opsonized zymosan or phorbol myristate acetate), IC appeared to augment phorbol myristate acetate-, but not zymosan-induced stimulation. These results suggest that staphylococcal antigens, either alone or complexed with antibody, have the ability to stimulate PMN cells and inhibit MN cell function. Such actions may have a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent staphylococcal infection in canine patients.

An intramammary device (IMD) was adapted for use in ewes; this device was made of abraded poly. ethylene material (1.7 mm in diameter, 47 mm long) and formed a 15-mm-diameter loop in the gland cistern. The IMD was inserted in 1 gland in each of 43 ewes. A significant (P < 0.0001) increase in milk somatic cell count (SCC) was observed in glands provided with an IMD. This increase was attributable to an increase in neutrophil numbers and was observed during the first 12 weeks after insertion. The IMD had a protective effect against experimentally induced staphylococcal mastitis (Staphylococcus aureus and S epidermidis), although different milk SCC were required for protection from each bacterial species in most ewes (10(6) and 2 X 10(5) cells/ml, respectively). Histologic studies revealed that the IMD induced local squamous metaplasia in the glandular part of the lactiferous sinus. Erythrocytes were found in milk from glands provided with an IMD throughout the studied period (35 days of the 45-day lactation) and, in some cases, blood clots were observed during the first 2 weeks of lactation. Glands with IMD also had lower milk production and quality at 30 and 32 days of lactation. Eight ewes with IMD were studied throughout a subsequent lactation. Milk from the IMD-containing glands had an increase in SCC, as in the previous lactation period; did not contain blood clots or erythrocytes; and had normal composition (similar to that in glands without the IMD).

Staphylococci are still a challenge in veterinary medicine, as they are one of the aetiological factors causing clinical and subclinical mastitis in small ruminants. The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence of staphylococci in milk obtained from Świniarka (SW) and Uhruska (UHR) sheep and to characterise their drug resistance and virulence.

Bacteriological examination was performed on 60 local healthy fish of fresh water include 30 Carp fish (Cyprinus carpio) and 30 Cat fish (Silurus glanis) with different weights from local retail fish markets at Mosul city, during the period from sept. 2011 - Sept. 2012. Swabs from skin and parts of muscles, livers, intestines incubated in brain heart infusion broth for 24 hours at 37 ̊ C (aerobic culture), a loopful from incubated broth were streaked on blood agar, milk agar, mannitol salt agar incubated plates at 37 ̊ C for 24 h, selected colonies were submitted to gram staining, morphological characteristics biochemical tests for Staphylococcus. The percentage of Staphylococcus isolation was 100% for all examined samples of fish. A total of 130 isolates from both two species of examined fish (62) isolates from Cyprinus carpio and (68) isolates from Silurus glanis , a five species of Staphylococcus S. saprophyticus (29% , 29.4%), S. epidermidis (21% , 22%), S. hyicus (17.75% , 17.7%), S. aureus (17.75% , 19.1), S. intermedius (14.5% , 11.8%) , were identified with different numbers and percentages for Cyprinus carpio and Silurus glanis respectively . While percentages of Staphylococcus isolates from skins (35.5% , 36.8%), muscles (17.7% , 20.6%), livers (25.8% , 25%), intestines (21% , 17.60%) from both species Cyprinus carpio and Silurus glanis respectively. Antibiotic sensitivity test result for six antibiotics (Ampicillin, Gentamicin, Chloramphenicol, Polymaxin, CO-Trimaxazol , Ciprofloxacin) were variable most species of Staphylococcus isolates were resistant to Ampicillin but sensitive to Ciprofloxacin.

Clinical examination of 380 rearing sheep revealed that 30 animal were suffering from skin abscesses with an incidence of (7.89%). Bacteriological examination of 30 swabs from affected sheep revealed isolation of 30 isolates of C. pseudotuberculosis (48.39%) , 18 isolates of S. aureus (29.03%) and 14 isolates of S. aureus subsp. anaerobius (22.58).The isolated bacteria were identified morphologically and biochemically.The results of animal pathogenicity test showed that C. pseudotuberculosis isolates were 100% pathogenic to guinea pigs and 80% of S.aureus isolates were pathogenic to mice, while all isolates of S. aureus subsp. anaerobius were pathogenic to mice. The dead animals showed haemorrhage and symptoms of septicaemia, C. pseudotuberculosis, S.aureus and S. aureus subsp. anaerobius were reisolated from the dead animals. Antimicrobial sensitivity of C. pseudotuberculosis , S. aureus and S. aureus subsp. anaerobius isolates to some antimicrobial agents which usually used in farms showed that from 90% to 100% of C. pseudotuberculosis isolates were sensitive to erythromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline ,streptomycin, ampicillin and rifampicin while S. aureus isolates (from 55% to 66%) were sensitive to rifampicin,tetracycline ,erythromycin and streptomycin, while S. aureus subsp. anaerobius isolates were moderately resistant to all used antimicrobial agents.

The effect that topical administration of cyclosporine would have on the number and type of microorganisms isolated from the corneal surface of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca was studied. Schirmer tear tests were performed on and corneal swab specimens were collected from 61 eyes of 31 dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca prior to and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment with cyclosporine. In eyes that responded to cyclosporine treatment (Schirmer tear test value increased by greater than or equal to 5 mm/min, compared with pretreatment value), the percentage of eyes from which bacteria were isolated after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment was significantly (P < 0.001) less than the percentage from which bacteria were isolated prior to treatment. However, among eyes that did not respond to treatment, we did not detect a significant change over time in prevalence of bacteria or type of bacteria isolated. The percentage of eyes from which fungi were isolated decreased during treatment; however, the small number of eyes in which fungal culture results were initially positive precluded demonstration of a significant change. For all eyes, we did not detect any significant differences over time in the frequency with which specific bacterial genera were isolated, with the exception of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. Opportunistic corneal infections were not detected even though none of the dogs received antibiotics. An increase in production of tears, which contain anti-infection proteins, was believed to be the primary factor responsible for the decrease in the percentage of eyes from which microorganisms could be isolated.

During a 1-year period, specimens were obtained monthly from 5 hair coat and 7 mucous membrane sites of 11 healthy dogs. Among 804 isolates of staphyloccocci, 13 species were identified. Staphylococcus intermedius was the most frequently isolated (40.2% of total isolates) coagulase-positive species, and S xylosus was the most frequently isolated (17.3%) coagulase-negative species. Moreover, S intermedius was the most frequently isolated species from the 12 sites evaluated and was isolated persistently from 8 of the 9 dogs that completed the 1-year study. On the basis of a commerical identification system, 14 profile numbers were identified for isolates of S intermedius. However, 2 profile numbers accounted for a majority (70.9%) of the isolates. Specific S intermedius biotypes identified on the basis of hemolysis, coagulase production, beta-lactamase activity, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were found repeatedly in 3 dogs. Seemingly, S intermedius was a resident of the normal bacterial microflora of these dogs; however, the inability to isolate S intermedius from 1 dog during the study year indicated that not all dogs habor S intermedius as a resident microorganism.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive and round-shaped bacterium. It is often positive for catalase and nitrate reduction. Pathogenic isolates support infections by producing protein toxins and the expression of a cell-surface protein virulence factors. Sepsis-related to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has significant morbidity and high mortality rates (15-30%). The methicillin resistance for S. aureus is coded with the MecA gene, while the methicillin sensitivity is coded with the Nuc gene, and they are chromosomal. Similarly, it is coded with the coagulase gene for S. aureus (Coa). In this study, the 16S rRNA gene identification by Real-Time PCR was investigated in forty S. aureus isolates, which were cultured at different times in terms of MIC and SIR tests. The isolates used in the study were determined at the gene level in terms of their differences in methicillin resistance gene (MecA), methicillin susceptibility gene (Nuc), coagulase gene (Coa) and intraspecies differences were examined.As a result of the study, Staphylococcus spp. yielded positive results with 16S rRNA gene-specific primers in all isolates. Real-Time PCR analysis of the isolates with SYBRGreen-based PCR analysis was performed with 16S rRNA gene-specific primers, and the samples were confirmed to be Staphylococcus. Analysis at the family level was followed by Coa, Nuc, and MecA gene Real-Time PCR results, and it was found that, in terms of Coa and Nuc genes, 19 isolates were positive and 21 isolates were negative. In terms of MecA gene, 16 isolates were positive according to the positive sigmoidal curves and to the single peak melting values, whereas 24 isolates were found to be negative.It is thought that this study will benefit the community by contributing to the rapid and effective treatment and diagnosis of infections caused by coagulase-positive/negative Staphylococci.