Study of Seasonal Dynamics in Respiratory Microbial Flora in Extensively Raised Goats

An accurate evaluation of the seasonal dynamics of respiratory microbial flora in extensively raised goats represents the first step in early identification of potentially highly pathogenic bacteria in this species. The aim of the study was to monitor the seasonal influence on the bacterial flora of the animals, and therefore a comparative evaluation of changes during winter and spring seasons. The research was carried out on 20 healthy goats, raised under extensive conditions in Transylvania. Nasal discharge samples were cultured on simple media for isolation, and then identified by use of API 20 E and API 20 Staph biochemical tests. During the winter season, out of the total isolated bacterial strains, 26.8% to belonged to E.coli, 14.6% to each Enterobacter aerogenes and Erwinia spp, 12.1% to each Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae, 9.7 % to Staphylococcus xylosus and 4.8% to each Chryseomonas luteola and Staphylococcus lentus. During the spring season, changes in both percentages and isolated species soocred. The highest percentages were present in Enterobacter aerogenes (30.5%), followed by each Staphylococcus xylosus and the newly isolated Serratia fonticola (11.2%), sharply decreased E.coli (8.3%) and Erwinia spp. (5.5%), but increased Chryseomonas luteola (8.6%). Rahnella aquatilis (2.7%), Serratia ficaria (5.5%), Serratia liquefaciens (5.5%), Serratia marcescens (2.7%) and Serratia odorifera (8.3%) were present only in the spring season. The bacteria isolated from clinically healty goats could have a highly pathogenic character under critical/stressfull circumstances, which draws the attention to the importance of early identification of pathogens and the acurate sanitary management of the heard