Treatment of subclinical mastitis.

Topics addressed in this article include applied pharmacology of the bovine mammary gland, principles of antibiotic sensitivity testing, mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, causes of treatment failures, diagnostic considerations, and therapy of specific subclinical mastitis syndromes. Recent research concerning systemic therapy of subclinical mastitis is highlighted and critically reviewed. Limitations of antibiotic sensitivity testing are discussed. The lack of proven, efficacious therapy for many subclinical mastitis syndromes is emphasized.     

Electrical detection of subclinical mastitis

Abstract

Extract

Sir,— The work of Linzel et al.(2) Clarke, G. P. Y. and Oliver, J. 1977. Estimation of the prevalence of udder infection in dairy herds based on a single-quarter sample from each cow in the dairy herd. J. Dair. Res., 44: 195–199.  [Google Scholar] (3) Linzell, J. L. and Peaker, M. 1975. Efficacy of the measurement of the electrical conductivity of milk for the detection of subclinical mastitis in cows: Detection of infected cows at a single visit. Br. vet. J., 131: 447–460.  [Google Scholar] suggested that a high proportion of quarters showing subclinical infection could be detected by measuring the maximum absolute electrical conductivity of their foremilk. Consequently, it seemed worthwhile to evaluate the performance of a simple electrical conductivity meter ^{* *}AHI Mastitis Detector, AHI Plastic Moulding Co., Private Bag, Hamilton. , designed to be a rapid and reliable test for subclinical mastitis, against the more conventional tests.     

Methods of diagnosing subclinical mastitis in dairy cow mastitis control programs

The number of somatic cells and the isolation of the causative agents of mastitis in quarter, composite, bucket, and bulk tank samples of cow's milk was determined four times during a six-month period. The number of somatic cells in milk samples indicated a degree of mastitis infection and was influenced neither by the year season nor by the length of lactation. At a repeated examination of 28 dairy cows an increased number of somatic cells in milk was found once in 68 udder quarters and with three successive samplings only in 21 quarters. The etiological agents of mastitis were detected once in 31 quarters and three times in succession only in five quarters. The number of cows positive by the number of cells in quarter samples of milk increased from 52.9-58.8% at a single examination to as much as 100% at four examinations. The etiological agents of mastitis were isolated in a single examination in 17.6% of cows and at four examinations in 58.8% of cows. The composite and bucket samples of milk containing 200 to 300 thousand cells per ml are recommended to be considered as mastitis-positive: in 68 to 78% they came from cows having more than 500 thousand cells per ml at least in one quarter sample. The number of cells in a bulk sample was in correlation with the percentage of cows having a positive NK-test (similar to CMT) and positive isolation of S. agalactiae from quarter milk samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Epidemiological studies of clinical and subclinical ovine mastitis in Awassi sheep in northern Jordan

Forty-six Awassi sheep flocks selected by stratified random sampling were subjected to a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of intramammary infections, to assess the influence of flock size and parity on the prevalence of somatic cell count (SCC) and to identify major udder pathogens. Of the 3472 udder halves examined, 29.8% had over 10⁶ SCC/ml and 0.03% had dry teats due to chronic mastitis. Flocks with 30–49 milking ewes (small flock size) were much younger (P < 0.001) than flocks with 50–99 ewes (medium) and flocks with ≥ 100 ewes (large). Pairwise analysis of the InSCC of both halves of the udders revealed significant mean differences for small and large flock size (P < 0.05), and for medium and large flock size (P < 0.001). Mean InSCC was lower (P < 0.05) in samples obtained from the left half compared with samples of the right half of the udder. Multiparous ewes had higher (P < 0.001) mean InSCC than primiparous ewes. Also, ewes with twin lambs had higher (P < 0.001) mean InSCC in the right half of the udder compared with single-lamb ewes. Samples collected in January (winter) had lower (P < 0.05) mean InSCC compared with samples collected in June. The most common organisms isolated from subclinical mastitis cases were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (17.8%), E. coli (13.6%), Streptococcus agalactiae (6.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (6.8%). Of the 46 flocks, 20 were monitored monthly for 9 consecutive months to determine the incidence of clinical mastitis diagnosed by shepherds or/and sheep farmers with major pathogens. The incidence of clinical mastitis (expressed as the number of clinical cases per 100 ewe-months) were 2.1 ± 1.9 (SD), 1.9 ± 1.1, and 1.2 + 2.1 for small, medium and large flocks size strata, respectively. The overall population estimate was 1.7 ± 0.02 cases per 100 ewe-months. The most-common clinical isolates were S. aureus (22% of all clinical isolates) and E. coli (14.2%).     

鸭副粘病毒人工感染鸭的病理组织学研究

为研究鸭副粘病毒致病机理及病理组织变化。本研究将20日龄非免疫健康建湖麻鸭60羽,随机均分为试验组和对照组。试验组鸭皮下接种1:5稀释的鸭副粘病毒WF00D株SPF鸡胚绒尿液0.5mL/羽,对照组鸭皮下注射等量灭菌生理盐水,并分别置于25℃隔离环境下饲养与观察。于接种后第4d、8d、12d、16d和第20d,两组均随机取4羽鸭进行剖检,观察各器官的大体病变,同时,观察病理组织学变化。结果显示:试验组鸭除个体发育呈明显差异外,内脏器官在观察期间均有较轻微的炎性水肿或出血;病理组织学变化主要为器官充血或出血、炎性细胞浸润、细胞颗粒变性;超微病理学变化主要为细胞器变性,胞浆局灶性坏死、线粒体空泡化、粗面内质网脱颗粒。研究表明其病理演变过程具有一定的规律性。本研究为鸭副粘病毒流行规律的探究及致病机理的深入研究提供了依据。     

Factors for the genesis of bovine subclinical mastitis

The infection risk of the bovine mammary gland is determined by susceptibility of the cow and contamination and invasion by mastitis pathogens. Genetic (e.g. yield) and lactational physiologic (e.g. stage of lactation) factors support the genesis of subclinical mastitis. This paper considers new data on cow individual and milking related influences on defence mechanisms in the teat end tissue acting in prevention of penetration through the teat canal by mastitis pathogens.     

用盐酸左旋咪唑治疗奶牛隐性乳房炎

为了探讨奶牛隐性乳房炎的有效防治方法，笔者在四川的绵阳、江油、德阳、洪雅等地的７个奶牛场，对部分经检测为隐性乳房炎阳性的奶牛，应用盐酸左旋咪唑（ＬＭＳ）进行治疗试验，获得了满意效果。１材料与方法对７个奶牛场的６３５头奶牛，采用十二烷基硫酸钠凝乳检验法...     

Invasive potential of biofilm-forming Staphylococci bovine subclinical mastitis isolates

Staphylococcus (S.) aureus is a common infectious agent of bovine chronic mastitis, a disease that is difficult to eradicate. The abilities of Staphylococci to be internalized and form a biofilm can contribute to host immunological defence evasion that subsequently impairs antimicrobial therapy. The invasive capability of six S. aureus field isolates with different biofilm-forming profiles was compared in vitro using a bovine mammary epithelial cell line. This was further confirmed in primary cell cultures using fluorescent rRNA probes against S. aureus. The results suggest that S. aureus invasion levels are not related to biofilm formation.     

中药方剂治疗奶牛隐性乳房炎的疗效试验

乳房炎特别是隐性乳房炎是危害奶牛养殖业最常见的疾病之一,不仅影响产奶量,而且影响乳的品质[1]。近几十年来,抗生素在防治奶牛乳房炎方面发挥了重要作用,但临床治疗乳房炎常用的抗生素由于存在药物残留将逐渐被限用或禁用。中药是天然物质,含有多种生物有效成分,具有很好的抗菌活性[2]、消炎、不易产生耐药性、低毒、无残留或低残留等特点,兼有药物与营养剂双重功能。应用中药治疗奶牛乳房炎,已日益为国内外专家所关注。针对这一情况,本试验拟选用治疗乳房炎的中药方剂治疗奶牛隐性乳房炎以评价其治疗效果。1材料与方法1.1中药方剂黄芪、…     

Incidence and control of subclinical mastitis in intensively managed ewes

Ninety-three intensively managed, mature ewes were followed through three lactations to study effects and interrelationships of postweaning fast, prophylactic antibiotic injection, number of lactations and breed on subclinical mastitis, milk production and milk composition. Animals used in a 2 x 2 factorial design were allotted to treatment combinations of 1) postweaning 72 h fast or no fast, and 2) 1 x 10(6) units of procaine penicillin or sham i.m. injection at weaning. Treatments were implemented at weaning in yr 1; each ewe received the same treatment in each of the subsequent 2 yr of the study. Breeds included Finnish Landrace (F), Dorset (D), Rambouillet (R), Finnish Landrace x Dorset (FD) and Barbados Blackbelly x Dorset (BD). Milk production was greatest for D, followed by BD, FD, R and F during yr 1 (P less than .01) and overall (P less than .05). Milk production data were not collected in yr 2, but similar results were obtained in yr 3, except that the R and F exchanged rank positions. Milk composition was affected by breed. Breeds differed (P less than .05) in percentage lactose, fat and total nonfat solids in yr 1 and differed (P less than .01) in percentage lactose, fat, solids and protein across the 2 yr. A breed difference (P less than .05) was observed for incidence of mastitis at 3 wk postpartum and at weaning. Milk production was negatively correlated with incidence of mastitis (r = -.22, P less than .05). Milk production was improved (P less than .05) by a 72-h postweaning fast.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Normal somatic cell count and subclinical mastitis in Murrah buffaloes

This study was conducted to investigate the normal somatic cell count (SCC) and to define subclinical mastitis in Murrah buffaloes. Data were collected from 60 clinically normal buffaloes stationed at five farms of Chitwan Nepal and Buffalo Research Center, Hissar, India. Somatic cell count was measured using the Newman-Lampert staining technique. The upper limit of SCC was determined >or=200 000/ml of milk based on the mean +/- 2SD of a total SCC. Abnormal data of the SCC was repeatedly removed, which lie beyond the values of more than mean + 2SD until all the data come to lie within (mean + 2SD). Averages of SCC of right front and right hind quarters were significantly higher than left front and left hind quarters. Nearly 94% of California mastitis test (CMT) negative quarters were having somatic cells >or=200 000/ml. The mean SCC of CMT positive quarter was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than CMT negative quarters. Subclinical mastitis was diagnosed on the basis of samples with SCCs >or=200 000/ml with positive bacterial cultures. Subclinical mastitis was found in 21.7% buffaloes and 8% of the quarter foremilk samples. Neutrophil counts were significantly higher in subclinical mastitis milk.