ADHESION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS TO BOVINE MAMMARY EPITHELIAL-CELLS INDUCED BY GROWTH IN MILK WHEY

Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from bovine intramammary infect ion (mastitis) were tested for adhesion to bovine mammary epithelial c ells after growth in milk whey or TSB. Bacteria grown in milk whey adh ered more efficiently to mammary gland epithelial cells in vitro than the corresponding homologous bacteria grown in TSB. Trypsin treatment of milk whey-grown S. aureus had no effect on their adherence. Whereas , pretreatment with periodate significantly decreased bacterial adhere nce capacity. Periodate treatment of TSB-grown bacteria had no effect on adhesion to the mammary gland epithelial cells.