Growth of <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> on the Surface of Teatcups from Milking Parlours

• Main Authors: Eleni I. Katsarou, Angeliki I. Katsafadou, Theodoros Karakasidis, Dimitris C. Chatzopoulos, Natalia G. C. Vasileiou, Daphne T. Lianou, Vasia S. Mavrogianni, Efthymia Petinaki, George C. Fthenakis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: biofilm; cattle; mastitis; milking parlour; model; rubber
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/4/852
• ISSN: 2076-2607

The growth of two <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> isolates (one biofilm-forming and one not) on teatcups for cattle (made of rubber) or sheep (made of silicone) were assessed in nine multiplicates for 24 h post-smearing on the teatcup surface. Staphylococci were smeared on an area of 0.0003142 m² on the material and their growth and expansion further on were monitored for 24 h. There were no differences in the frequency of recoveries between the two isolates (<i>p </i>> 0.82 for all comparisons). There were more recoveries from sheep teatcups than from cattle teatcups: 1280/1728 (74.1%) versus 942/1728 (54.5%), for both isolates (<i>p </i>< 0.0001). Significance was observed only 6 h to 15 h after smearing (<i>p </i>< 0.0001 for all comparisons). The median speed of linear dissemination of the isolates was 0.00000021 m s⁻¹ on cattle teatcups and 0.00000033 m s⁻¹ on sheep teatcups (<i>p </i>< 0.0001). The increased growth and faster expansion of staphylococci on silicone teatcups raise important points from a clinical viewpoint. The model could be used in the testing of staphylococcal growth in the material of milking parlours in various conditions.