Fig. 1

Proteins that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus of bovine origin. Surface proteins interact with host proteins to promote bacterial adhesion and invasion. Biofilm-associated protein (Bap) interferes in the internalization pathway mediated by FnBP and contributes to biofilm formation, a process that also depends on the ica locus. Toxins such as alpha and beta hemolysins, promote necrosis of the mammary gland tissue and lyse bovine erythrocytes to use hemoglobin as a source of iron. Leukotoxin LukMF´ binds to neutrophils present in the bovine milk. Staphylococcal superantigens activate T-cells resulting in the release of various pro-inflammatory cytokines. Figure created by authors using resources from Smart Servier Medical Art and BioRender