Developing a Non-aureus Staphylococcus Intramammary Probiotic as a Preventative Measure for Bovine Mastitis

Vu, Dennis

Developing a Non-aureus Staphylococcus Intramammary Probiotic as a Preventative Measure for Bovine Mastitis

dc.contributor.advisor	De Buck, Jeroen
dc.contributor.author	Vu, Dennis
dc.contributor.committeemember	Storey, Douglas
dc.contributor.committeemember	Barkema, Herman
dc.date	2023-11
dc.date.accessioned	2023-05-24T16:29:15Z
dc.date.available	2023-05-24T16:29:15Z
dc.date.issued	2023-05-11
dc.description.abstract	Bovine mastitis is the most common and economically important disease affecting the dairy industry. Intramammary infection (IMI) with Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of contagious mastitis. Interestingly, non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) are frequently found in cows with subclinical mastitis, but with a severity less than with S. aureus. Antibiotics are the main method for preventing and treating mastitis. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics have resulted in the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, and thus, alternative treatments are required. Bacteriocins, antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, are a promising alternative. We hypothesized that by creating a NAS probiotic through genetically engineering a bacteriocin gene cluster into its genome, it will be able to inhibit S. aureus and prevent mastitis. To achieve this, we needed to find a persistent and non-inflammatory NAS strain that can colonize cow mammary glands by using an experimental mammary infusion model. After finding a persistent and non-inflammatory NAS, we will perform a bacteriocin gene cluster knock-in using allelic replacement. Finally, the probiotic will then be characterized through gene expression and killing assays. This thesis aimed to create an alternative treatment to prevent the growth of mastitis pathogens during the dry period. Ultimately, this will lower the usage of antibiotics and give us another preventative tool against mastitis. We identified S. warneri 2993 as the most persistent and non-inflammatory NAS but unfortunately, we were not able to perform our bacteriocin gene knock-in. Instead, we recommend future studies to re-attempt this gene knock-in but with a different bacteriocin gene cluster for an increased likelihood of success. The probiotic will then need testing in ¬in vivo¬ IMI experiments in mice and then in cows following the protocols we have designed.
dc.identifier.citation	Vu, D. (2023). Developing a non-aureus staphylococcus intramammary probiotic as a preventative measure for bovine mastitis (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/116571
dc.identifier.uri	https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/dspace/41414
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	Mastitis
dc.subject	Probiotic
dc.subject	Bovine
dc.subject	Non-aureus Staphylococcus
dc.subject	Genetic Manipulation
dc.subject	Transformation
dc.subject	Allelic Replacement
dc.subject.classification	Microbiology
dc.subject.classification	Veterinary Science
dc.title	Developing a Non-aureus Staphylococcus Intramammary Probiotic as a Preventative Measure for Bovine Mastitis
dc.type	master thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Veterinary Medical Sciences
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Master of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.