Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius in Sub-Clinical Abscess Cases of Sheep

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius (Saan) in sub-clinical lymph node abscesses (SLNA) in sheep.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) and Unit Microbiology and Molecular Biology (Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports), between May 2003 and Dec. 2005.
Methodology: Enlarged superficial lymph nodes (n=137) were taken from sheep carcasses at meat inspection and were subjected for bacteriological examination.
Results: Pure cultures of Saan were obtained from 44% of the pus samples, Corynebacterium spp. from 33% and S. aureus subsp. anaerobius from 7%. The rest of the pus samples yielded mixed cultures of Saan with either Macrococcus caseolyticus (10%) or Corynebacterium spp. (6%).
Conclusion: Although these results show S. aureus subsp. anaerobius as the prime cause of SLNA, they also show the importance of inclusion of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in vaccine developments or vaccination protocols against abscess diseases of sheep, especially those intended for export.