In vitro studies on the cytotoxicity and adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to bovine mammary epithelial cells: Natural resistance mechanisms

Bovine mammary secretory, ductal and teat epithelial cells, isolated at necropsy, were cultured in vitro and used as a model to study the cytotoxicity and mode of adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to mammary epithelium. Cells cultured on collagen formed confluent monolayers and were suitable for bacterial adherence studies.;Staphylococcus aureus adherence to epithelial cell monolayers was minimal compared to the adherence to subcellular matrix components. The adherence of S. aureus to the epithelial cells and the susceptibility of the epithelial cells to ;Casein in milk had an inhibitory effect on S. aureus cytotoxicity, but milk fat had no effect. Nonimmune serum from mature animals decreased toxin cell damage more effectively than serum from immature animals. Serum albumin had no effect. Concentrations of Ca;Antisera to ;These data contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between S. aureus and mammary epithelium needed for the development of immunization protocols to prevent S. aureus infection of the mammary gland.