Abstract

Environmental Streptococci, predominantly Streptococcus uberis are the leading cause of bovine mastitis. However, S. uberis is rarely associated with human infections, although, a limited number of human infections by S. uberis have been reported.  In this study, seven cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs), out of 148 culture positive urinary infections examined, were shown to be caused by S. uberis.  These infections had a unique antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Additional studies examining regional infections appear warranted, based on the frequency of this pathogen in UTIs, to better understand the etiology and epidemiology of S. uberis infections. As a result of these studies, it were shown to be agrarian associated disease and strategies for reducing urinary tract infections (UTIs) by S. uberis and community-wide education needs to  be discussed.

 Key words: Streptococcus uberis, mastitis, urinary tract infection.

Abbreviation

 UTIs, Urinary tract infections; EMB, eosin methylene blue; ICE,integrative and conjugative elements.