Genomic analysis of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from cows with clinical mastitis.

• Grant number: 24/18185-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Veiga dos Santos
• Grantee: Stéfani Thais Alves Dantas
• Supervisor: Maria Jose Grande Burgos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad de Jaén, Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/09902-3 - Virulence genetic profile of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae obtained from cows with clinical mastitis and expression of cytokines in infected epithelial cells., BP.PD

Abstract

Bovine mastitis is acknowledged as the most impactful disease affecting dairy farming globally. This condition not only imposes considerable economic losses on the dairy industry but also represents a significant threat to public health. It can be classified as either contagious or environmental, with different manifestation forms (subclinical or clinical mastitis) depending on the pathogen involved and the host's immune response. Microorganisms causing mastitis, such as Escherichia. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, can carry resistance genes against antimicrobials used in both animal and human medicine. Furthermore, some isolates can produce enterotoxins and other virulence factors, increasing the risk of infections and food poisoning in humans. E. coli and K. pneumoniae are among the major agents of environmental bovine mastitis, with pathogenesis driven by several virulence factors that complicate the host's immune response. This study aims to elucidate the pathogenic potential of E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from clinical cases from ten high-production farms in São Paulo and Minas Gerais using whole genome sequencing. The study will explore their association with varying levels of clinical mastitis severity, providing valuable insights into the specific differences among isolates. These findings will enable the characterization of virulence profiles, antimicrobial resistance, and phylogenetic relationships among the isolates. Ultimately, this information could contribute to strategies aimed at reducing the economic impact of clinical mastitis, extending cow longevity, and improving milk quality.