# Dairy Farm Streptococcus agalactiae in a Region of Northeast Brazil: Genetic Diversity, Resistome, and Virulome

## TL;DR

This study examines the genetic diversity and resistance patterns of Streptococcus agalactiae in Brazilian dairy farms, highlighting the spread of antibiotic resistance and the need for better surveillance.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of S. agalactiae in a specific Brazilian region.

## Key findings

- High genetic diversity was observed among S. agalactiae isolates, but resistance and virulence profiles were homogeneous within herds.
- Tetracycline and macrolide resistance was common, mediated by tetO, ermB, and tetM genes.
- Genome analysis revealed resistance genes in mobile elements and identified ST-103 as a multi-host-adapted lineage.

## Abstract

Streptococcus agalactiae is a major cause of bovine mastitis, which affects the quality and yield of milk. The main strategy for controlling this pathogen on dairy farms is the use of antibiotics. This study investigated the clonality, serotype distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility, and presence of resistance and virulence genes in 46 S. agalactiae isolates obtained from raw bovine milk in northeastern Brazil. Capsular types were determined using multiplex PCR and antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined using disc diffusion or the gradient strip method. Clonal diversity was evaluated via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Eight isolates were sequenced using short- and long-read methods. There was high overall genetic diversity, whereas the resistance and virulence profiles were largely homogeneous within herds. Tetracycline and macrolide resistance was frequent and mediated by tetO and ermB and less frequently by tetM. Genome analysis demonstrated that resistance genes are present in mobile genetic elements that are also present in human isolates, and phylogenomic analyses identified ST-103 as the predominant and multi-host-adapted lineage, whereas ST-91 clustered with the bovine-adapted lineage. These findings expand the molecular epidemiology of S. agalactiae in dairy farms of a region in northeast Brazil and highlight the importance of surveillance strategies for guiding mastitis control and mitigating the spread of antimicrobial resistance.