The gut microbiota contributes to the development of Staphylococcus aureus-induced mastitis in mice

Abstract

Mastitis is one of the most prevalent diseases in dairy farming worldwide. The gut microbiota plays an important role in the regulation of systemic and local inflammatory diseases, such as mastitis. However, the regulatory mechanism of the gut microbiota on mastitis is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the function and regulatory mechanisms of the gut microbiota in host defense against mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection. Increased blood-milk barrier permeability, and S. aureus-induced mastitis severity were observed gut microbiota-dysbiosis mice compared with those in control mice. Moreover, feces microbiota transplantation (FMT) to microbbiota-dysbiosis mice reversed these effects. Furthermore, established disruption of commensal homeostasis results in significantly increased abundance of pathogenic Enterobacter bacteria, while the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacterial phyla (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) was significantly reduced. However, FMT to gut microbiota-dysbiosis mice reversed these changes. In addition, dysbiosis reduced the levels of SCFAs, and administration of sodium propionate, sodium butyrate, and probiotics (butyrate-producing bacteria) reversed the changes in the blood-milk barrier and reduced the severity of mastitis induced by S. aureus. In conclusion, this new finding demonstrated that the gut microbiota acts as a protective factor in host defense against mastitis and that targeting the gut-mammary gland axis represents a promising therapeutic approach for mastitis treatment.

PK/PD Modeling to Assess Rifaximin Clinical Dosage in a Mouse Model of Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Mastitis

“…In addition, the milk from some of the mammary glands had a foul odor. These clinical symptoms were consistent with previous reports (33)(34)(35). These characteristics further confirmed the successful establishment of a mouse mastitis model that could be used in the subsequent rifaximin pharmacodynamic studies.…”

Rumen and Hindgut Bacteria Are Potential Indicators for Mastitis of Mid-Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows

“…Besides the higher A:P ratio, we found a lower concentration of butyrate in MA cows than that in SC cows ( Table 2 ). Butyrate might play a central role in modulating the inflammatory response [ 30 ] and may have a protective effect on the blood–milk barrier and reduce the severity of mastitis as observed in mice [ 15 ].…”

“…Thus, knowing the abundance of certain gastrointestinal bacteria can be used for the classification or prediction of the statuses of dairy cows [ 13 , 14 ]. Recently, Hu et al [ 15 ] demonstrated that gut microbiota act as protective factors in the host defense system against mastitis in mice and that the gut–mammary gland axis represents a new and promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of mastitis. Indeed, Ma et al [ 16 ] further confirmed that the transplantation of fecal microbiota from cows affected by mastitis to germ-free mice led to mastitis symptoms, indicating that the dysbiosis of gut bacteria may lead to mastitis.…”

Comparison of Antibacterial Activity and Wound Healing in a Superficial Abrasion Mouse Model of Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection Using Photodynamic Therapy Based on Methylene Blue or Mupirocin or Both

“…However, in vitro results frequently overestimate in vivo findings ( 40 ). Factors of animal model such as individual microbiome or virulence are determinants ( 41 , 42 ).…”