DIFFERENTIATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCI FROM EWE AND GOAT MILK SAMPLES

A total of 447 micrococcaceae strains isolated from 88 ewe and 359 goa t milk samples from cases of chronic mastitis were differentiated by m eans of the ATB 32 STAPH-test. Of these strains 389 (= 87 %) could be identified. Fourteen strains were sensitive in the bacitracin-resistan ce-test and therefore classified as Micrococcus spp. In ewe milk follo wing Staphylococcus spp. were found: S. epidermidis, S. aureus, S. len tus, S. xylosus, S. warneri, S. equorum, S. haemolyticus, S. simulans, S. hominis and S. saprophyticus. Staphylococcus spp. identified in go at milk samples were: S. epidermidis, S. aureus, S. caprae, S. lentus, S. simulans, S. capitis, S. lugdunensis, S. xylosus, S. chromogenes, S. hominis, S. arlettae, S. warneri, S. sciuri, and S. saprophyticus. Highest cell counts in the milk of both animals species, and the highe st incidence of clinical udder alterations were caused by S. aureus. I ncreases in milk cell counts as well as pathological udder findings we re observed in coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections for novobi ocin-sensitive Staphylococcus spp. (S. epidermidis, S. warneri, S. sim ulans, S. lugdunensis, and S. chromogenes) and several S. lentus strai ns.