STAPHYLOCOCCUS SPP AS MASTITIS-RELATED PATHOGENS IN GOAT MILK

A total of 359 Micrococcaceae strains isolated from goat milk samples were differentiated with the commercially available ATB 32 Staph(R) di fferentiation system. Of these strains, 303 (84.4%) were identified. S ix strains were sensitive in the bacitracin resistance test, and accor dingly classified as Micrococcus spp. Staphylococcal species isolated of goat milk were S. epidermidis, S. aureus, S. caprae, S. lentus, S. simulans, S. capitis, S. lugdunensis, S. xylosus, S. chromogenes, S. h ominis, S. arlettae, S. warneri, S. sciuri, and S. saprophyticus. High est somatic cell count (SCC) in milk and the highest prevalence of cli nical udder alterations were associated with coagulase-positive S. aur eus. Increases in milk SCC as well as pathological udder findings were observed in infections with coagulase-negative staphylococci such as novobiocinsensitive S. epidermidis, S. simulans, S. lugdunensis, S. ch romogenes, and S. warneri.