[Differentiation of staphylococci from sheep and goat milk samples].

A total of 447 micrococcaceae strains isolated from 88 ewe and 359 goat milk samples from cases of chronic mastitis were differentiated by means of the ATB 32 STAPH-test. Of these strains 389 (= 87%) could be identified. Fourteen strains were sensitive in the bacitracin-resistance-test and therefore classified as Micrococcus spp. In ewe milk following Staphylococcus spp. were found: S. epidermidis, S. aureus, S. lentus, S. xylosus, S. warneri, S. equorum, S. haemolyticus, S. simulans, S. hominis and S. saprophyticus. Staphylococcus spp. identified in goat milk samples were: S. epidermidis, S. aureus, S. caprae, S. lentus, S. simulans, S. capitis, S. lugdunensis, S. xylosus, S. chromogenes, S. hominis, S. arlettae, S. warneri, S. sciuri, and S. saprophyticus. Highest cell counts in the milk of both animals species, and the highest incidence of clinical udder alterations were caused by S. aureus. Increases in milk cell counts as well as pathological udder findings were observed in coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections for novobiocin-sensitive Staphylococcus spp. (S. epidermidis, S. warneri, S. simulans, S. lugdunensis, and S. chromogenes) and several S. lentus strains.