The incidence ofStreptococcus bovisin cattle

Abstract

1. The numbers ofStreptococcus bovisin the rumen of a heifer and a steer, each having a permanent rumen fistula, were shown to remain relatively constant within the range 105to 107per ml. rumen liquid (strained rumen contents) over a period of more than 3 years.2. The numbers ofStrep. boviswere little affected by the change in diet from stall-feeding (oats, beans, hay and straw) to grass or vice versa.3. There was a slight increase in the numbers ofStrep. bovisfollowing each meal when the animals were stall-fed, but no appreciable variation in numbers throughout the day when the animals were at grass.4.Strep. bovishas also been isolated from the rumen of freshly slaughtered cattle and sheep from different parts of the country, from the rumen of goats and calves and from the faeces of cattle, goats and in small numbers associated withStrep. equinusfrom horse dung.5.Strep. boviswas found in the contents of the omasum, large intestine and caecum of three cattle, but in the small intestine of only one of these animals. Very small numbers ofStrep. boviswere detected in the abomasal contents of only four of twelve animals examined.6. The characteristics of these strains ofStrep. bovishave been described. The synthesis of an iodophilic polysaccharide byStrep. bovishas been demonstrated.7. A possible role ofStrep. bovisin the decomposition of starch and other carbohydrates in the rumen is discussed.