Changes in the bovine udder quarters naturally infected by Corynebacterium bovis

Of 272 bovine udder quarters studied for mastitis, 19 of them naturally infected with Corynebacterium bovis alone, were compared with 16 others infected by C. bovis together with other bacteria and another 36 non-infected quarters. While there was no significant difference in milk somatic cell counts between the quarters infected by C. bovis alone and those affected by C. bovis together with other bacteria (33.37 +/- 20.28 X 10(3) and 33.86 +/- 23.18 X 10(3)/ml of milk, respectively), there was a significant difference between these and the non-infected quarters (5.60 +/- 3.23 X 10(3)/ml of milk). Microscopically, quarters infected by either C. bovis alone or C. bovis in combination with other bacteria had inflammatory changes in the teat cisterns, Furstenberg's rosettes and/or mammary parenchyma. The non-infected quarters had no changes. In all 82 quarters no pathological changes could be seen in the teat canals.     

The susceptibility of bovine udder quarters colonized with Corynebacterium bovis to experimental infection with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus agalactiae.

Twenty bovine udder quarters colonized with Corynebacterium bovis SR6 and 20 uncolonized quarters were challenged by inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus Newbould 305 (ATCC 29740) into the teat cistern. The percentage of infection in quarters colonized with C. bovis (50%) was significantly lower than that in controls (100%). By similar challenge no significant difference was observed between the percentage of infection with Streptococcus agalactiae ATCC 27956 in 33 quarters colonized with C. bovis (70%) compared to 33 controls (87.9%). A total of 37 quarters colonized with C. bovis and 37 control quarters were challenged with Staph. aureus Newbould 305 (ATCC 29740) and Maxi (ATCC 27543) and Strep. agalactiae (ATCC 27956) by exposure of the teat orifice. The percentage of teat ducts colonized with C. bovis which became infected with either pathogen was not different from that for controls.     

Duration of experimentally induced Corynebacterium bovis colonization of bovine mammary glands during the lactating, nonlactating, and peripartum periods

Bovine mammary glands were inoculated intracisternally with a streptomycin-resistant (SR) strain of Corynebacterium bovis to determine the number of colony-forming units (CFU) required to induce colonization and to maintain persistence of C bovis colonization throughout lactation and involution. Streptomycin resistance was used as a strain marker. Uninfected quarters in cows during midlactation were challenge exposed with successively higher numbers of SR C bovis until all quarters became colonized. Inoculum containing 790 CFU of SR C bovis established colonization in only 7 of 38 quarters. Colonization persisted in only 4 of these quarters by 23 days after inoculation. Eleven quarters were reinoculated with higher numbers of SR C bovis, and all became colonized by the time challenge-exposure inoculum contained 8 X 10(4) CFU. Colonization persisted throughout the 93-day experimental period. Somatic cell counts were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in SR C bovis-colonized quarters after inoculation than before. Sixteen additional quarters were inoculated with a mean number of 8 X 10(4) CFU of SR C bovis 7 days before suppression of lactation. All quarters became colonized, and SR C bovis was shed during the experimental period; throughout the nonlactating and peripartum periods, high numbers of SR C bovis in pure culture were shed from 13 of 16 quarters.     

Experimental infection of lactating bovine mammary glands with Streptococcus uberis in quarters colonized by Corynebacterium bovis

Twenty-seven quarters of 18 lactating dairy cows were inoculated intramammarily with 3.6 X 10(4) colony-forming units (CFU) of a strain of Streptococcus uberis isolated from a cow with clinical mastitis. Before quarters were inoculated, 22 were considered as naturally colonized with Corynebacterium bovis, and 5 were considered bacteriologically negative. Streptococcus uberis was isolated from all quarters within 2 days after inoculation, and all quarters developed clinical mastitis by 3 days after inoculation. Mastitis was acute, and most cows had increased rectal temperatures. The number of somatic cells increased significantly (P less than 0.05), and milk production decreased significantly. In many cows, rectal temperatures remained increased, and Str uberis was isolated from infected glands after intramammary and systemic antimicrobial treatments were given. A decreased number (110 CFU) of the same strain of Str uberis caused equally severe mastitis in 3 quarters colonized with C bovis and in 1 bacteriologically negative quarter in 2 cows. Streptococcus uberis was isolated from all inoculated quarters, and all quarters developed clinical mastitis by 2 days after inoculation. Two quarters colonized with C bovis and 2 bacteriologically negative quarters were inoculated once with 25 CFU and once with 240 CFU of a different strain of Str uberis (ATCC 27958). Streptococcus uberis was never isolated from inoculated quarters, and changes in milk yield or number of somatic cells were not observed.     

Persistence of Mycoplasma bovis infection in the mammary glands of lactating cows inoculated experimentally

To study the course of clinical mycoplasma mastitis and investigate its potential for persistence, 10(8) colony-forming units (cfu) of an Irish isolate of Mycoplasma bovis was inoculated aseptically into the right fore teat canal of three lactating cows. M bovis rapidly colonised the infected quarters and grew exponentially to more than 10(10) cfu/ml within the first three days, and spread to other quarters of each of the three cows within five to 10 days. After periods of between 24 and 72 hours the infected quarters became distended and sensitive to touch, and their secretions changed from containing visible particles, to a seropurulent exudate, to an aqueous suspension of fine particles which formed a sediment after a sample was collected. M bovis-specific antibody levels increased to varying degrees in all three cows. Subsequently, the concentrations of mycoplasma decreased to less than 10(7) cfu/ml in two of the cows, but remained at more than 10(8) cfu/ml to the end of the lactation of the other cow. Apparently normal milk was secreted by one of the cows within a month of the challenge, and by the other two cows at the start of their next lactation. However, in two of the cows subclinical M bovis infection persisted through the dry periods and into their next lactations.     

Observation of the Growth Trends of Mycoplasma bovis with Four Different Antigen Quantitation Methods

To explore the antigen harvest time of Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis) and the antigen quantitation alternative method,M.bovis 08M strain was inoculated in the Thiaucourt's medium.Four growth curve plottings were made by measuring color change units (CCU),colony forming units (CFU),protein concentration and nucleic acid levels.Both the results of CCU and CFU counts showed that the growth of M.bovis was divided into four phases,the logarithmic phase appeared after being cultrured 10 h,the stationary phase appeared at 30 h with the highest number of viable cells up to 1.0×10⁸ CCU/mL and 7.7×10⁷ CFU/mL,and the decline phase started at 75 h.The protein concentration of M.bovis increased rapidly from 15 to 35 h,reached 72.06 μg/mL at 35 h,then maintained at 58.38 to 70.65 μg/mL.The nucleic acid levels of M.bovis increased rapidly from 15 h,and the cycle threshold (Ct) values were maintained between 15.32 to 17.84 after 25 h.These results indicated that there was a good correlation between the protein concentration and viable count of M.bovis at the early stationary phase,which was the best time period to harvest antigen.The protein concentration determination could be an alternative method to quantify antigen contents of M.bovis when preparing inactivated M.bovis vaccine.     

4种抗原定量方法观察牛支原体培养特征

为探索在疫苗研制过程中牛支原体抗原收获时间及抗原定量替代方法,将牛支原体08M株接种于含10%马血清的Thiaucourt's培养基,在110 h内同时监测其颜色变化单位（color change units,CCU）、菌落形成单位（colony forming units,CFU）、菌体蛋白浓度和核酸含量的变化,绘制相应曲线。活菌计数结果（CCU和CFU）显示,牛支原体生长可分为明显的4期,10 h进入对数期,30 h进入稳定期,活菌数最高可达1.0×10⁸ CCU/mL和7.7×10⁷ CFU/mL,75 h进入衰亡期;蛋白浓度从15 h开始迅速增长,至35 h蛋白浓度最高,为72.06 μg/mL,此后维持在58.38~70.65 μg/mL;核酸含量从15 h开始增长,至25 h后Ct值维持在15.32~17.84。结果表明,牛支原体蛋白含量在稳定期初期与活菌数具有良好的相关性。因此,在牛支原体灭活疫苗生产中,稳定期初期是最佳抗原收获时间,可用蛋白浓度法代替活菌计数法进行抗原定量。     

Assessment of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J killing of Moraxella bovis in an in vitro model of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis

The objective of this study was to determine the potential of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J as an alternative non-chemotherapeutic treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). To accomplish this, various parameters of B. bacteriovorus predation of Moraxella bovis were determined in vitro. Initial passage of B. bacteriovorus using M. bovis as prey required 10 d for active cultures to develop compared with 2 d for culture on normal Escherichia coli prey; however by the 5th passage, time to active predatory morphology was reduced to 2 d. This high passage B. bacteriovorus culture [1 × 10(10) plaque forming units (PFU)/mL] killed 76% of M. bovis [1 × 10(7) colony forming units (CFU)/mL] present in suspension broth in a 4 h assay. The minimal level of M. bovis supporting B. bacteriovorus predation was 1 × 10(4) CFU/mL. To assess the ability of B. bacteriovorus to kill M. bovis on an epithelial surface mimicking IBK, an in vitro assay with Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells inoculated with 4 × 10(7) CFU/mL M. bovis was used. Treatment with a B. bacteriovorus suspension (1.6 × 10(11) PFU/mL) decreased adherence of M. bovis to MDBK cells by 6-fold at 12 h of treatment, as well as decreased the number of unattached M. bovis cells by 1.4-fold. This study demonstrates that B. bacteriovorus has potential as an effective biological control of M. bovis at levels likely present in IBK-infected corneal epithelia and ocular secretions.     

Experimental intramammary inoculation with Mycoplasma bovis in vaccinated and unvaccinated cows: effect on the mycoplasmal infection and cellular inflammatory response

The effect of vaccination on mycoplasmal infection and the cellular inflammatory response was evaluated in 4 vaccinated and 4 control cows experimentally challenged in 2 of 4 quarters with live Mycoplasma bovis. In unchallenged quarters during the first three weeks after experimental challenge exposure, 6 of 8 quarters on control cows, and 7 of 8 quarters on vaccinated cows became infected with low numbers (10(2)-10(4) cfu/ml) of M bovis. During the same period all challenge-infused quarters on both control and vaccinated animals became infected with high numbers (10(9) cfu/ml) of M bovis. Thereafter, all quarters on vaccinated cows became culture-negative for M bovis, while 2 of 8 unchallenged quarters, and 4 of 8 challenged quarters on 3 of 4 control cows remained infected. A cellular inflammatory response as measured by the California Mastitis Test accompanied the experimental infection in proportion to the infection level except in challenged quarters on vaccinated cows after the first three weeks post challenge in which the cellular inflammatory response remained high despite the advent of negative M bovis culture results. This study indicates that the course of experimental M bovis mastitis can be affected by vaccination, and that vaccination results in an adverse cellular inflammatory response in challenged quarters.     

Effect of intramammary devices on the outcome of induced Escherichia coli infection of bovine mammary quarters

Eighteen Holstein cows, free of intramammary infection, were fitted with smooth (n = 9) or abraded (n = 9) intramammary devices (IMD) in 2 diagonally opposed quarters within 4 weeks after calving. The 2 other quarters of each cow were used as controls. Three to 6 weeks after IMD insertion, depending on when milk somatic cell counts returned to a base-line value of less than 4 X 10(5)/ml, all cows were subjected to bacterial challenge exposure in the front or rear quarters by intracisternal injection of about 30 colony-forming units of Escherichia coli/quarter. Challenge exposure was done immediately after milking. Three weeks after the initial bacterial exposure, the other quarter pairs were similarly challenge exposed. Quarter bacteriologic status, concentration of milk somatic cells, and clinical observations (rectal temperature, milk appearance, udder palpation, and general condition of the cow) were monitored. Infection developed in 14 of 16 (88%) quarters with smooth IMD vs 16 of 16 (100%) control quarters and in 7 of 17 (41%) quarters with abraded IMD vs 17 of 17 (100%) control quarters. The difference in infection frequency between quarters with smooth IMD and quarters with abraded IMD was significant (P less than 0.05). Protection against establishment of infection was associated with somatic cell counts greater than 8.0 X 10(5)/ml in milk collected immediately after milking (7 of 12 quarters) or 4 hours later (11 of 12 quarters). In 10 quarters (59%) of cows fitted with abraded IMD, secretory abnormalities appeared before bacterial challenge inoculation. Abnormal milk or visible blood was observed over periods varying from 2 weeks after insertion through the entire lactation.     

2018年天津市原料奶细菌总数、体细胞数及奶牛乳房炎病原菌、耐药基因调研报告

本研究旨在调查天津市原料奶细菌总数、体细胞数及乳房炎病原菌、耐药基因,了解全市原料奶的质量状况及引起奶牛乳房炎发生的主要原因。采集天津市5家乳品加工企业奶罐车的原料奶样品,用于检测体细胞数和菌落总数;采集天津市奶牛养殖场储奶罐奶样品,用于检测体细胞数;采集奶牛场临床型乳房炎发病乳区的牛奶样品,用于检测乳房炎病原菌及耐药基因。结果显示:2018年天津市乳品加工企业原料奶体细胞数平均值为44.65万/mL,标准差42.41万/mL,变异系数94.97%,最大值为225.50万/mL,最小值为1.20万/mL,SCC≤50万/mL的样品占74.37%,50万/mL200万/mL的样品占3.13%;细菌总数平均值11.54万CFU/mL,标准差26.28万CFU/mL,变异系数227.66%,最大值190.00万CFU/mL,最小值0.095万CFU/mL,细菌总数≤10万CFU/mL的样品占74.37%,10万CFU<细菌总数≤50万CFU/mL的样品占21.25%,50万CFU<细菌总数≤100万CFU/mL的样品占1.88%,100万CFU/mL<细菌总数≤200万CFU/mL的样品占2.50%。2018年天津市奶牛养殖场原料奶体细胞数平均值为38.81万/mL,标准差36.49万/mL,变异系数94.03%,最大值为210.00万/mL,最小值为0.80万/mL,SCC≤50万/mL的样品占79.17%,50万/mL200万/mL的样品占0.83%。乳房炎病原菌检测结果显示:36个样品检出病原菌,总检出率为94.74%;共检出8种病原菌,检出率最高的是乳房链球菌,检出率为73.68%,其他病原体检出率依次为:牛支原体34.21%,牛棒状杆菌13.16%,无乳链球菌10.53%,大肠杆菌5.26%,白色念球菌5.26%,停乳链球菌2.63%,铜绿假单胞菌2.63%。14个样品检出耐药基因,总检出率为36.84%;2种耐药基因的检出率分别为β-内酰胺耐药基因CTX-M934.21%,耐甲氧西林葡萄球菌耐药基因MecA 2.63%。研究表明,2018年天津市原料奶SCC及细菌总数大部分接近欧盟标准,但仍有待进一步提高;引起天津地区临床型乳房炎的3种主要致病菌为乳房链球菌、牛支原体和牛棒状杆菌。     

An observational study of Corynebacterium bovis in selected Ontario dairy herds.

An observational study of Corynebacterium bovis was conducted in 74 Ontario dairy herds. The levels of infection with C. bovis were 19.9, 36.2 and 85.6% at the quarter, cow and herd level, respectively. Teat disinfection was found to be the variable best able to distinguish between herds with a high or low C. bovis quarter infection rate. Mean total milk somatic cell counts for 1103 quarters and 107 cows infected with only C. bovis ranged between 150,000 and 200,000/mL and were significantly higher than for uninfected quarters or cows. The rate of infection with mastitis pathogens was not significantly different in quarters previously colonized with only C. bovis compared to previously uninfected quarters.     

Teat lesions and their relationship to intramammary infections on small-scale dairy farms in Kiambu district in Kenya

Mammary gland quarters of 139 lactating dairy cows from small-scale dairy herds were examined visually and by palpation for teat lesions and by California mastitis test (CMT) and bacterial culture for subclinical mastitis. Teat lesions were observed in 97 teats. These included teat chaps (39.2%), teat papillomas (23.7%), teat erosions (22.7%), teat fistulae (5.1%), inverted teats (5.1%) and blocked teats (4.2%). According to the CMT, the prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 33.4% in all the mammary gland quarters, 71.0% in quarters with teat lesions and 24.5% in quarters without teat lesions. There was a significant (P < 0.01) association between teat lesions and the prevalence of subclinical mastitis. The mammary gland quarters with teat lesions were 7.2 times more likely to have a positive CMT (P < 0.01) and 5.6 times more likely to have bacterial organisms (P < 0.01) isolated from them than those without any teat lesions. The bacterial organisms most frequently isolated from the CMT-positive milk samples from both the mammary gland quarters with teat lesions and those without teat lesions were Staphylococcus aureus (50.0%), Streptococcus spp. (34.8%) and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (6.2%).     

Experimentally induced Staphylococcus aureus mastitis in selenium-deficient and selenium-supplemented dairy cows

Ten Holstein cows were fed a selenium-deficient (SeD) diet containing 0.04 mg of Se/kg of dry matter for 3 months before and throughout their first lactation. A selenium-supplemented (SeS) group of 10 cows was fed an additional 2 mg of Se/head/d to increase dietary Se concentration of the dry matter to approximately 0.14 mg/kg of body weight. An intracisternal challenge exposure of 40 to 60 colony-forming units (CFU) of Staphylococcus aureus was administered into 1 or 2 quarters of the udder of each trial cow at about the twenty-second week of lactation. Blood Se concentration (micrograms/ml +/- SEM) at the time of challenge exposure was 0.035 +/- 0.002 in SeD and 0.139 +/- 0.006 in SeS cows. Infections were established in 14/16 of the challenge-exposed quarters in SeD and 16/19 of the challenge-exposed quarters in SeS cows. The infection in 1 quarter of each Se group cleared without treatment by the end of the 8-week trial period. Log10 peak bacterial concentrations in milk from infected SeD quarters (5.04 +/- 0.25 CFU/ml) were higher (P less than 0.05) than those of infected SeS quarters (4.40 +/- 0.12 CFU/ml). Log10 peak somatic cell count (SCC) in milk from infected SeD quarters (7.18 +/- 0.08 cells/ml) did not differ from that of SeS quarters (7.17 +/- 0.05 cells/ml). Peak bacterial concentrations were attained sooner (P less than 0.05) in SeD quarters (9.5 +/- 4.0 days) than in SeS quarters (20.7 +/- 3.1 days). Similarly, peak SCC were reached earlier (P less than 0.05) in SeD (4.3 +/- 1.1 days) than in SeS quarters (13.3 +/- 3.8 days).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of leukotriene B4 in the pathogenesis of Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced bovine mastitis

Mastitis was induced in 4 lactating cows by inoculation of Klebsiella pneumoniae (10(7) organisms/ml) via the teat canal. Sterile isotonic saline solution (1 ml) was instilled into designated control quarters via the teat canal. Changes in milk leukotriene B4 and C4 (LTB4, LTC4) concentrations, milk somatic cell counts, and milk bovine serum albumin concentration were monitored over a 24-hour postinoculation period. Milk LTB4 concentration before inoculation in control quarters and quarters later to be infected was 376 +/- 45 and 326 +/- 56 pg/ml of milk, respectively. A significant (P less than 0.05) increase in milk LTB4 concentration in the infected quarters was first observed at postinoculation hour 6, and milk LTB4 concentration in infected quarters generally remained significantly high through postinoculation hour 14. Thereafter, milk LTB4 concentration in infected quarters was not significantly different from the concentration in control quarters. Measurable amounts of LTC4 were not detected in the milk of either control or infected quarters. Milk bovine serum albumin concentration in the infected quarters generally was high throughout the study, as were milk somatic cell counts. The results of this study suggested that LTB4 contributes to the pathogenesis of bovine mastitis.     

牛支原体、巴氏杆菌A型和化脓隐秘杆菌多重PCR快速检测方法的建立

本试验旨在建立一种可同时鉴别牛支原体、巴氏杆菌A型和化脓隐秘杆菌的多重PCR方法。分别针对多杀性巴氏杆菌A型特异的hyac-hvaD基因区段、化脓隐秘杆菌的16SrRNA基因上保守区段和牛支原体的UvrC基因设计特异性引物,多重PCR的最佳扩增条件确定为：95℃ 10min预变性;95℃ 1min,56℃ 50s,72℃ 1min,循环30次;72℃ 210min延伸。结果表明,该多重PCR方法可同时扩增出以上三种致病菌的特异性片段,不能扩增出其他病原菌的相关片段;对多杀性巴氏杆菌A型、化脓隐秘杆菌和牛支原体的最低检测浓度分别为8×10^5CFU／mL、8×10^5CFU／mL和4×10^6CFU／mL。同时用该方法检测了牛支原体肺炎患牛的鼻拭子与肺组织,发现12h预增菌后,肺组织检测与牛支原体培养的阳性符合率为92％。对临床样本进行牛支原体分离培养需要3-4d时间,而采用多重PCR方法检测12h预增菌则能在24h内出结果。该多重PCR方法显著加快了临床诊断速度,具有推广应用价值。     

Intramammary infections and risk factors for clinical mastitis in herds with low somatic cell counts in bulk milk

Ten herds with low somatic cell counts in bulk milk had an incidence of clinical mastitis of only 2.2 per 100 cows whereas 10 other herds with similarly low cell counts had an incidence of 53.6 per 100 cows. The major pathogens in the herds with a high incidence were Escherichia coli, Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus and the coagulase-negative staphylococci. The percentage of uninfected quarters in the herds with a high incidence of clinical mastitis was 21.4 per cent compared with 12.2 per cent in the herds with a low incidence of clinical mastitis. The prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci, Corynebacterium bovis and Micrococcus species was higher in the herds with a low incidence of clinical mastitis. There was a significant linear relationship between the percentage of uninfected quarters and the incidence of clinical mastitis in the herds with a high incidence of clinical mastitis. In herds with a low incidence of clinical mastitis significantly less teat disinfection after milking was practised. The results suggest that infections with minor pathogens tend to protect cows against mastitis, and that teat disinfection after milking may increase the percentage of uninfected quarters and lead to an increased risk of clinical mastitis in herds with low somatic cell counts in bulk milk.     

Scanning electron microscopy-aided observations on and therapy of teat canal infections

An examination of teat canal swabs established that 51 teat canals out of 68 quarters of machine-milked cows were colonized by Staphylococcus aureus. Only 31 of these quarters yielded milk from which S. aureus could be cultured, and 6 out of the 31 produced milk containing somatic cell counts in excess of 500 000/ml. No inhibitory substances could be detected in milk samples 12 h after 10 mg of sodium cloxacillin had been deposited in the test canal on 1-4 successive occasions. Teat canal swabs and milk sample cultures of the same quarters became and remained bacteriologically negative for at least a week after the last treatment. Six quarters, which according to the International Dairy Federation criteria were suffering from subclinical mastitis, became negative after local teat canal therapy. Scanning electron micrographs of one infected teat canal revealed the presence of cocci in depressions and crevices on the epithelial surface, suggesting that such cocci are not always flushed out into milk samples. Teat canal therapy should make a marked contribution to the control of bovine mastitis.     

Effects of postmilking teat treatment on the colonization of Staphylococcus aureus on chapped teat skin

Sixteen Holstein cows were used to test the effect of postmilking teat treatment on colonization and intramammary infection by Staphylococcus aureus on chapped teats. Treatments were (1) chapping the teat and using 1% I2/10% glycerin postdip solution, (2) 1% I2/10% glycerin postdip solution on nonchapped teats, (3) chapping the teat and using 10% glycerin postdip solution, (4) chapping the teat and not using a postdip solution. All mammary glands were free of S aureus teat skin colonization and intramammary infection at the start of the study. Teats selected for chapping were dipped in 1N NaOH prior to 3 applications of S aureus broth culture; cultures were applied at 12-hour intervals on all teats. Treatments were applied after each milking for 30 days and were initiated after the second broth dip. Teat skin swab specimens and milk samples were collected before treatment application. Teat skin condition was scored daily. Nonchapped teats (treatment 2) did not support skin or orifice colonization by S aureus. Treatment-1 teats healed most rapidly and supported less colonization in skin and orifice than did treatment-3 and -4 teats. Teat skin scores and skin colonization were lower for treatment-3 than treatment-4 teats. A correlation between teat skin colonization and teat skin conditions was found. Two intramammary infections were found in treatment-4 quarters and 1 in a treatment-3 quarter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of abraded intramammary device on outcome in lactating cows after challenge exposure with Streptococcus uberis

Intramammary devices (IMD) were abraded with medium-grade emery cloth or were left smooth. One IMD of each type was inserted into a mammary quarter of each of 5 lactating cows. The remaining 2 quarters served as controls. Quarter foremilk, bucket milk, and stripping milk samples were collected for 3 consecutive days at 2 weeks after IMD insertion, and milk somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined. Milk samples also were collected immediately after and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 11 hours after milking. All quarters were challenge exposed with 250 colony-forming units of Streptococcus uberis at 2 months after IMD insertion. Foremilk and stripping milk samples were collected for bacteriologic culture and SCC at the next 10 milkings. Mean foremilk, bucket milk, and stripping milk SCC (X 10(6) cells/ml) were 0.18, 0.07, and 0.91, respectively, for quarters with abraded IMD; 0.06, 0.05, and 0.43, respectively, for quarters with smooth IMD; and 0.03, 0.03, and 0.15, respectively, for control quarters. Mean SCC after milking (X 10(6) cells/ml) for the various intervals were 0.70, 1.29, 0.70, 0.97, 1.15, 1.17, 0.77, and 0.85 for quarters with abraded IMD; 0.43, 0.62, 0.61, 0.45, 0.64, 0.60, 0.31, and 0.26 for quarters with smooth IMD; and 0.15, 0.24, 0.15, 0.19, 0.15, 0.15, 0.14 and 0.06 for control quarters. After challenge exposure, 2 of 5 of the quarters with abraded IMD, 4 of 5 of the quarters with smooth IMD, and 8 of 9 control quarters became infected. Results indicated that abraded IMD increased SCC in stripping milk to concentrations that provided 60% protection against challenge exposure with S uberis.