INFLUENCE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS INTRAMAMMARY INFECTION ON SERUM COPPER, ZINC, AND IRON CONCENTRATIONS

摘要

Infection of the mammary gland with bacteria results in mammary gland inflammation that may manifest as heat, swelling, redness and pain. The humoral factors and cytokines that mediate these effects are termed the acute phase response. Lohuis et al (1990) documented that infection of the mammary gland with Escherichia coli resulted in a transient decline in plasma Zn and Fe concentrations due, in part, to Fe being consumed by chelators such as deferoxamine and lactoferrin, Erskine and Bartlett (1993)noted that experimental E. coli mastitis caused mean serum concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Cu to decline to 28, 35, and 52% of pre-challenge concentrations, respectively. The decline in serum Cu concentrations was hypothesized to be due to an existing marginal deficiency in the experimental population. Roillet and co-workers (2000) reported on the acute phase response in cattle immunized with S. aureus a-toxin. Immunized cattle mounted an early and massive recruitment of cells and cytokines into the mammary gland in response to challenge that was not observed in non-immunized controls. Similar responses may be important in the clearance of bacteria from the mammary gland and preventing establishment of a chronic S. aureus IML No data could be found regarding alterations in serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations following experimental S. aureus intramammary infection (IMI). The objective of this research was to characterize serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations following experimental infection with S. aureus by intramammary infusion.