Development of cell content and shedding of Prototheca spp. in milk from infected udder quarters of cows

It was the objective of this study to analyse shedding patterns and somatic cell counts in cows and quarters infected with Prototheca spp. and to evaluate two approaches to identify infected animals by somatic cell count (SCC) or by bacteriological analysis of pooled milk samples. Five lactating dairy cows, chronically infected with Prototheca spp. in at least one quarter were studied over 11 weeks to 13 months. Quarter milk samples and a pooled milk sample from 4 quarters were collected aseptically from all quarters of the cows on a weekly basis. Culture results of quarter milk and pooled samples were compared using cross tabulation. SCC of quarter milk samples and of pooled samples were related to the probability of detection in the infected quarters and cows, respectively. Shedding of Prototheca spp. was continuous in 2 of 8 quarters. In the other quarters negative samples were obtained sporadically or over a longer period (1 quarter). Overall, Prototheca spp. were isolated from 83.6% of quarter milk samples and 77.0% of pooled milk samples of infected quarters and cows. Somatic cell counts were higher in those samples from infected quarters that contained the algae than in negative samples (p < 0.0001). The same applied for composite samples from infected cows. Positive samples had higher SCC than negative samples. However, Prototheca spp. were also isolated from quarter milk and pooled samples with physiological SCC (i.e. < 10(5)/ml). Infected quarters that were dried off did not develop acute mastitis. However, drying off had no effect on the infection, i.e. samples collected at calving or 8 weeks after dry off still contained Prototheca spp. Results indicate that pre-selection of cows to be sampled for Prototheca spp. by SCC and the use of composite samples are probably inadequate in attempts to eradicate the disease. However, due to intermittent shedding of the algae in some cows, single herd sampling using quarter milk samples probably also fails to detect all infected cases. Therefore, continuous monitoring of problem cows with clinical mastitis or increased SCC in herds during eradication programs is recommended.     

Incidence and types of clinical mastitis in dairy herds with high and low somatic cell counts

Eighteen dairy herds were studied, 12 with a 12-month Dairy Herd Improvement Association herd mean somatic cell count (SCC) less than or equal to 150,000 cells/ml (low SCC) and 6 with a 12-month mean SCC greater than 700,000 cells/ml (high SCC). At the outset of the study, quarter samples for bacteriologic culture were collected (in duplicate) from all quarters of all lactating cows (whole herd culture). Subsequently, quarter milk samples for culture from all cows with clinical mastitis were collected for a period of 6 months. In the herds with low SCC, results of whole herd culture revealed low prevalence of intramammary infection attributable to all major pathogens (less than 4% of all quarters). Prevalence of infection with Streptococcus agalactiae (22.2% of all quarters) and Staphylococcus aureus (6.6% of all quarters) was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in the herds with high SCC. Mean incidence of clinical mastitis in the herds with low SCC was 4.23 infections/100 cows/month (range, 0.42 to 10.25 infections). In the herds with high SCC, mean incidence was 2.91 infections/100 cows/month (range, 1.33 to 3.92 infections). In the herds with low SCC, infection type, as mean percentage of total clinically infected quarters sampled for culture/herd, was 0.0%, 2.2%, 12.3%, 43.5%, and 28.6% for Str agalactiae, S aureus, streptococci other than Str agalactiae, coliforms, and organisms not isolated, respectively. Respective percentages for the herds with high SCC were 41.5%, 18.3%, 12.6%, 8.0%, and 8.8%. During the study period (from April through January), incidence of clinical mastitis and clinical mastitis caused by coliform bacteria were highest in July and August for herds with low SCC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The kinetics of inflammation and phagocytosis during bovine mastitis induced by Streptococcus agalactiae bearing the protein X

The protein X of Streptococcus agalactiae is a surface antigen borne by a high proportion of strains isolated from bovine mastitis. We have tested the capacity of two strains of X-bearing Streptococcus agalactiae to induce mastitis in dairy cows. The reference X-strain (411.07) produced an intramammary infection with local clinical signs in the three inoculated quarters. Another X-bearing strain (443.31) of bovine origin produced infection in all 11 quarters inoculated with only 25 or 85 colony-forming units. In naive cows, strain 433.31 induced less exudation of plasma into the milk, shedding of bacteria, macroscopic alteration, and a lower somatic cell count (SCC) than did the reference strain. Only one quarter spontaneously eliminated the infection before antibiotic treatment 9 days after inoculation.The serum of all the cows contained naturally acquired or induced antibodies to the challenge strain (443.31) and possessed opsonic activity. Before inflammation occurred, the milk was almost devoid of antibody or opsonic activities. The early phase of infection was characterized by rapid multiplication of streptococci in the milk, followed by a sharp drop in bacterial counts concomitant with the onset of inflammation.Three cows immunized with protein X displayed higher SCC and bactericidal activity in milk from the inoculated quarter at the onset of inflammation than non-immunized cows. Two of the three immunized cows underwent an early and transient febrile episode and eliminated the infection.     

Relationship between mastitis pathogen numbers in bulk tank milk and bovine udder infections in California dairy herds

Samples of bulk tank milk and cow-composite milk from 23,138 dairy cows from 50 California dairies were examined by use of microbiologic procedures. The number of colonies of mastitis pathogens isolated per milliliter of bulk tank milk (used as a predictor of the percentage of infected cows in the herd) was evaluated, using simple regression analysis and Spearman's rank correlation. Correlations between the pathogens and the percentage of cows in each herd shedding the pathogens were found for Streptococcus agalactiae (r = 0.71) and mycoplasma (r = 0.59), but were considerably lower for other pathogens. When greater than or equal to 4,000 colonies of Streptococcus agalactiae were found per milliliter of bulk tank milk, at least 7% of the cows in the herd was shedding this organism. However, a pattern was not found between the number of mycoplasma colonies per milliliter of bulk tank milk and the percentage of infected cows in the herd.     

Intramammary treatment of clinical mastitis of dairy cows with a combination of lincomycin and neomycin, or penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin

AIM: To compare clinical and bacteriological cure rates of clinical mastitis following treatment with intramammary preparations containing either lincomycin and neomycin or penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin. METHODS: Cases of clinical mastitis were sourced from four seasonal-calving dairy herds in the central Waikato region of New Zealand during the first 120 days of lactation. Affected quarters were infused three times at 12 h intervals with either 333 mg lincomycin plus 100 mg neomycin (lin/neo; 197 glands),or 1,000 mg penicillin plus 500 mg dihydrostreptomycin (pen/DHS; 207 glands). Milk samples were collected for bacteriology from each quarter immediately before and approximately 21 days after initiation of treatment. Additionally, a composite milk sample from each cow was collected, on average, 54 days after enrolment for assessment of milk yield, composition and somatic cell count (SCC). The probability of bacterial cure was initially analysed using Chi-squared analysis, and factors that were associated (p<0.2) were offered to a reverse stepwise logistic regression model. Continuous variables (e.g. milk solids production and log10 SCC) were analysed using general linear models. RESULTS: A total of 404 quarters diagnosed with clinical mastitis, from 282 cows in the first 120 days of lactation, were included. Streptococcus uberis, coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from 56.5%, 18.8% and 10.0% of the bacteriologically positive quarters. There was no difference in the bacteriological cure rate (76.7% vs 76.7%, OR=0.94; p>0.8), the log10 SCC (2.1, SE 0.1, vs 2.0, SE 0.1; p>0.3) or milk production (1.2, SE 0.1, vs 1.2, SE 0.1, kg milksolids/cow/day; p>0.7) between lin/neo vs pen/DHS treatments, respectively. However, the proportion of cows re-treated following initial treatment was higher for the lin/neo compared to pen/DHS-treated group (16.3% vs 5.2%, OR=3.46; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No difference in bacteriological cure rate, milk production or SCC was evident between lin/neo and pen/DHS intramammary treatments for clinical mastitis in dairy cows during the first 120 days of lactation. KEYWORDS: Dairy cow, mastitis, intramammary, antibiotic, treatment, somatic cell count.     

Prevalence and herd-level risk factors for intramammary infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci in Dutch dairy herds

In this study, the prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) in The Netherlands was estimated on 49 randomly selected herds with at least 40 lactating cows. In total, 4220 quarter milk samples were collected. The prevalence of CNS IMI in The Netherlands was estimated at 10.8% at quarter level and 34.4% at cow level, making it the most frequently isolated group of pathogens. Fourteen species of CNS were identified; the most frequently isolated species was Staphylococcus chromogenes (30.3%) followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (12.9%) and Staphylococcus capitis (11.0%). Prevalence of CNS IMI was higher in heifers compared to older cows. Geometric mean quarter SCC of CNS-positive quarters was 109,000 cells/ml, which was approximately twice as high as culture-negative quarters. Quarters infected with S. chromogenes, S. capitis and Staphylococcus xylosus had a higher SCC (P<0.05) than culture-negative quarters, while quarters that were culture-positive for S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus hyicus tended to have a higher SCC than culture-negative quarters. An increased prevalence of CNS IMI was associated with the herd-level variables source of drinking water not being tap water, housing of dry cows in one group instead of multiple groups, measurement of cow SCC every month, udder health monitoring by the veterinarian, pasturing during outdoor season, percentage of stalls contaminated with milk, and BMSCC>250,000 cells/ml. Although a causal relation between these factors and prevalence of CNS is not proven and for some factors not even likely, knowledge of the associations found may be helpful when approaching CNS problems on dairy farms.     

Correlations among the somatic cell count of individual bulk milk, result of the California Mastitis Test and bacteriological status of the udder in dairy cows

In a survey of about 3000 dairy cows producing low somatic cell count (SCC) milk and kept on a large-scale dairy farm, California Mastitis Test (CMT) positivity was found in 2714 udder quarters of 1491 cows. Pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from 57.6% of these 2714 udder quarters during bacteriological examination. The commonest pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS, 41%) and Staphylococcus aureus (32.5%); however, udder infections caused by environmental streptococci (12.8%) and coliform bacteria (6.8%) were also common. All pathogens resulted in a significant increase of the SCC in individual bulk milk (IBM) samples. In the case of CNS, this SCC elevation in IBM was significantly lower than in the case of infection by the other pathogens. In spite of this, because of the high number of udder infections caused by CNS, the adverse effect exerted by CNS on dairy herds is considered to be substantial. It was found that 54.6% of all CMT-positive cows produced IBM of an SCC below 400 thousand per ml. The milk produced by 41% of the 315 cows excreting S. aureus also had an SCC below 400 thousand per ml. This poses a serious risk of infection to the healthy herdmates. At the same time, 11% of the infected cows produced IBM with an SCC below 100 thousand per ml. On the basis of these findings, only the regular analysis of SCC of IBM can be a reliable indicator of chronic intramammary infection. As the SCC of milk produced by CMT-positive cows (and especially of those excreting pathogens) tended to increase with advancing lactation, the authors suggest that an efficient drying-off therapy should be used to restore udder health and, whenever justified, culling of cows cannot be avoided either.     

Microbiologic investigation of an epizootic of mastitis caused by Serratia marcescens in a dairy herd.

An epizootic of subclinical and clinical mastitis caused by Serratia marcescens was investigated in a 1,000-cow dairy farm in California. Serratia marcescens was isolated from 13 to 18% of composite milk samples obtained from lactating dairy cows. During monthly milk sampling performed during a 4-month period, S marcescens was isolated from 38.8 to 62.3% of composite milk samples obtained from cows from which S marcescens was previously isolated. Few cows infected with S marcescens had evidence of clinical mastitis. Somatic cell count value was associated with isolation of S marcescens. Cows with somatic cell counts greater than 500,000 were 5.48 times as likely to have intramammary infections with S marcescens, compared with cows with somatic cell count less than or equal to 500,000. Lactation number also was associated with S marcescens intramammary infection. After adjusting for the effect of lactation number, cows with high somatic cell count values were 2.98 times as likely to have intramammary infection with S marcescens, compared with cows with low somatic cell counts. Infection with S marcescens was independent of days in lactation, production string, and daily milk production. Eleven months after the beginning of the epizootic, S marcescens was isolated from organic bedding samples obtained from the dairy. Despite numerous attempts, other sources of S marcescens could not be identified on this dairy.     

Mycoplasmal mastitis in dairy cows in the Moghan region of Ardabil State, Iran

Mycoplasmas are an important and economically significant cause of mastitis in dairy cows in various parts of the world. The organisms are highly contagious, with the main reservoir of infection originating from cows with subclinical mastitis. In 1998 the 1st cases of bovine mastitis due to Mycoplasma bovis were diagnosed in Ardabil State, Iran. An investigation was carried out with the aim of establishing the extent of mycoplasma infections in dairy cows in Ardabil State. Milk samples obtained from 80 cows with clinical mastitis were cultured in the laboratory for the presence of mycoplasmas. Similarly, 48 bulk-tank milk samples were examined for the presence of mycoplasmas. A modified Hayflick broth was used to isolate the mycoplasmas and an immunoperoxidase test used for the species identification of the isolates. Mycoplasma bovis was isolated from 39 (48.75%) of the clinical mastitis samples and from 48 of the bulk-tank milk samples tested. This indicated that mycoplasma udder infections were more prevalent in dairy cows in Ardabil State than previously thought.     

Association between Coxiella burnetii shedding in milk and subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle

The objective of this research was to explore the potential association between Coxiella burnetii shedding in milk and chronic subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. In two separate studies, we identified an association between PCR-based detection of C. burnetii in milk and chronic subclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows. These studies were conducted in a commercial dairy herd where there was ongoing intensive monitoring of subclinical mastitis by aerobic bacteriology, but no prior knowledge or management of C. burnetii infections. In a case-control study, quarter level C. burnetii status determined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was strongly associated with chronic subclinical mastitis as measured by milk somatic cell counts. In a subsequent cross sectional study, 147 (45%) of 325 lactating cows were positive for C. burnetii by RT-qPCR of composite milk samples. In a generalized linear model, accounting for the effect of covariates including aerobic intramammary infection status, C. burnetii PCR status was a significant predictor of linear somatic cell count score. In agreement with a small number of previous reports, this research provides evidence that there may be mammary gland specific manifestations of C. burnetii infections in dairy cattle.     

Effect of intramammary injection of rboGM-CSF on milk levels of chemiluminescence activity, somatic cell count, and Staphylococcus aureus count in Holstein cows with S. aureus subclinical mastitis

The effect of intramammary injection of recombinant bovine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rboGM-CSF, 400 microg/10 mL) on quarter milk levels of chemiluminescence (CL) activity, and somatic cell count (SCC) and shedding pattern of Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. Ten Holstein cows, naturally infected with S. aureus were used, with either early-stage or late-stage subclinical mastitis. Injection of rboGM-CSF caused a remarkable increase in milk CL activity with a peak at 6 h after the cytokine injection in the early- and late-stage groups. In the early-stage group, milk SCC stayed around preinjection level at 6 h, rose significantly on days 1 and 2, and was followed by a smooth and significant decline to an under preinjection level (below 200 000 cells/mL) on day 7 postinjection. Alternatively, in the late-stage group, milk SCC rose significantly at 6 h after the cytokine injection and maintained high levels thereafter. The milk S. aureus count decreased drastically by the cytokine injection in the early-stage group. The bacterial count was moderately decreased in the late-stage group, but increased back to preinoculation levels on day 7 after the cytokine injection. The results suggest that the rboGM-CSF has a potential as a therapeutic agent for S. aureus infection causing subclinical mastitis of dairy cows, if the cytokine is applied at the initial stage of infection.     

Dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus infections during vaccination with an autogenous bacterin in dairy cattle

The effect of an autogenous vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus on S. aureus prevalence and mastitis, as well as on somatic cell count (SCC), was studied in a dairy herd with a high prevalence of S. aureus. The vaccination group (n = 35; 22 cows and 13 heifers) and the control group (n = 36; 23 cows and 13 heifers) received the vaccine or a placebo, respectively, according to the following protocol: all animals: basic immunization (twice, 3 weeks apart); cows: booster dose at the time of drying off, 5 and 2 weeks before calculated calving date; heifers: booster dose 2 and 5 weeks before calculated calving date. The vaccine or the placebo was administered subcutaneously in the area of the supramammary lymph nodes. Quarter milk samples were collected monthly and subjected to SCC and bacteriological evaluation. At this time, the animals were also checked for signs of clinical mastitis. Non-clinical S. aureus mastitis diagnoses were based on udder quarter SCC and a positive S. aureus culture. In order to compare the SCC in individual whole milk samples, records from the monthly milk quality testing were evaluated. Cow and udder quarter prevalence of S. aureus intramammary infections calculated for the experimental animals and quarters, respectively, did not differ between groups. However, during the lactation period following the boostcr dose, the prevalence of S. aureus increased in both groups (P < 0.05). The cumulative incidence of various mastitis diagnoses (clinical, subclinical, latent infection) due to S. aureus on an animal basis did not differ between groups. On an udder quarter basis, the cumulative incidence of subclinical mastitis was higher in vaccinated animals than in control animals (33.8 versus 26.0%; P < 0.05). This was mainly due to a higher cumulative incidence of subclinical mastitis in vaccinated than control heifers. The SCC in composite milk samples did not differ between groups, but increased as lactation progressed. The herd prevalence of S. aureus differed considerably throughout the study period, but declined consistently to below 10% at the end of the study period. Recent herd checks revealed a prevalence of S aureus infections of < 5%. It is concluded that the autogenous bacterin tested in this study did not have the desired effect on the prevalence of S. aureus infections and mastitis or SCC. The decline in S. aureus prevalence was very probably due to other factors than specific immunization against S. aureus.     

利福昔明乳房注入剂(干乳期)对奶牛的安全性研究

研究利福昔明乳房注入剂(干乳期)对健康奶牛的正常体温、日产奶量、奶中体细胞数和乳房内菌群的影响。选择健康泌乳期奶牛12头,给药前1 d和给药前0 d,统计记录各试验奶牛的直肠温度、日产奶量,检测每个乳区采集奶样的体细胞数,并对给药前0 d的奶样进行病原菌分离检测。每头入选奶牛的四个乳区分别单次灌注利福昔明乳房注入剂,在给药后的第1、3、5、7、10天分别记录每头奶牛的日产奶量;在给药后的第12小时、3、5、7、10天分别采集奶样进行体细胞检测,同时检查直肠温度;在给药后的第10天对采集的奶样进行病原菌检测。比较奶牛用药前后直肠温度、日产奶量、奶中体细胞数和病原菌的变化。试验期间对给药奶牛进行连续观察,记录奶牛是否出现红、肿、热、痛等临床症状。结果表明。给药前1 d、给药当天和最后一次给药后的第1、3、5、7、10天,试验奶牛的日产奶量平均值分别为30.5、30.3、29.8、30.3、30.0、30.9和31.0 kg,相互之间无显著性差异(P>0.05);给药前后各时间点采集的奶中体细胞数大都维持在30~50万/mL;给药前后各时间点测得的奶牛直肠温度无显著性差异(P>0.05);病原菌检测结果显示,在给药前0 d分离到7株大肠杆菌、6株链球菌和9株葡萄球菌,给药后第10天采集的奶样中未检测到大肠杆菌和葡萄球菌,仅检测到1株链球菌。与给药前相比,奶中的病原菌数量有所减少,无新增感染。利福昔明乳房注入剂(干乳期)对奶牛正常体温、产奶量、奶中体细胞数无不良影响,该制剂对于奶牛是安全的。     

Prevalence and persistence of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species in three dairy research herds

Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (CNS) were isolated from 11.3% (1407 of 12,412) of mammary quarter milk samples obtained from cows in three dairy research herds in 2005. Approximately 27% (383/1407) of CNS was identified to the species level. The species distribution among those CNS identified from all herds was Staphylococcus chromogenes (48%), Staphylococcus hyicus (26%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (10%), Staphylococcus simulans (7%), Staphylococcus warneri (2%), Staphylococcus hominis (2%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1%), Staphylococcus xylosus (1%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (<1%), Staphylococcus sciuri (<1%), and Staphylococcus intermedius (<1%). Staphylococcuschromogenes was the predominant CNS isolated from all three herds; however, differences were seen in the prevalence of other CNS species. A total of 158 CNS (S. chromogenesn=66, S. hyicusn=38, S. epidermidisn=37, S. simulans n=10, and S. warneri n=7) were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The majority (33/41) of CNS isolated from the same mammary quarter on more than one occasion had the same PFGE pattern indicating persistence of the same infection over time. When all PFGE patterns for each CNS were analyzed, no common pulsotype was seen among the three herds indicating that CNS are quite diverse. Composite milk somatic cell count (SCC) data were obtained +/-14d of when CNS were isolated. Average milk SCC (5.32 log(10)/ml) for cows in which CNS was the only bacteria isolated was significantly higher than the average milk SCC (4.90 log(10)/ml) from cows with quarter milk samples that were bacteriologically negative.     

Fungi isolated from bovine udders , and their possible sources

AIM: To identify fungi isolated from infections of the bovine mammary gland, and establish their possible sources. METHODS: From a herd of 420 cows, milk samples were collected from all quarters at calving and cultured to detect causative organisms. Quarters identified as infected with fungi were further sampled during early lactation. Samples from feedstuffs, the feed pad and ends of teats were also collected and analysed for the presence of fungi. RESULTS: Eleven of 420 cows were diagnosed with intramammary infections (IMI) caused by yeasts (nine cows, 10 quarters) and moulds (two cows, three quarters). Six of the yeast species had previously been reported as being responsible for mastitis. Elevated somatic cell counts (SCC) were observed in many quarters, but most infections were eliminated spontaneously. Two of the fungi isolated from milk samples were also isolated from feedstuffs and teat swabs, and seven other fungi isolated from milk samples were not isolated from feed, the feed pad or cows' teats. CONCLUSIONS: Isolation of fungi from the udder is rarely reported in dairy cows in New Zealand. In this herd, contamination of the end of the teat originating from feedstuffs and possibly exacerbated by the use of a feed pad may have led to the establishment of IMI caused by fungi. CLINICAL RELEVENCE: Fungi are infrequently if ever reported in mastitis trial data or surveys in New Zealand and are probably of little clinical significance. KEY WORDS: Fungi, yeast, mould, bovine, intramammary infection, somatic cell count, mastitis.     

Elimination kinetics of ceftiofur hydrochloride after intramammary administration in lactating dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To determine the elimination kinetics of ceftiofur hydrochloride in milk after intramammary administration in lactating dairy cows. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 5 lactating dairy cows. PROCEDURE: After collection of baseline milk samples, 300 mg (6 mL) of ceftiofur was infused into the left front and right rear mammary gland quarters of each cow. Approximately 12 hours later, an additional 300 mg of ceftiofur was administered into the same mammary gland quarters after milking. Milk samples were collected from each mammary gland quarter every 12 hours for 10 days. Concentrations of ceftiofur and its metabolites in each milk sample were determined to assess the rate of ceftiofur elimination. RESULTS: Although there were considerable variations among mammary gland quarters and individual cows, ceftiofur concentrations in milk from all treated mammary gland quarters were less than the tolerance (0.1 microg/mL) set by the FDA by 168 hours (7 days) after the last intramammary administration of ceftiofur. No drug concentrations were detected in milk samples beyond this period. Ceftiofur was not detected in any milk samples from nontreated mammary gland quarters throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ceftiofur administered by the intramammary route as an extra-label treatment for mastitis in dairy cows reaches concentrations in milk greater than the tolerance set by the FDA. Results indicated that milk from treated mammary gland quarters should be discarded for a minimum of 7 days after intramammary administration of ceftiofur. Elimination of ceftiofur may be correlated with milk production, and cows producing smaller volumes of milk may have prolonged withdrawal times.     

Effect of prepartum intramammary treatment with pirlimycin hydrochloride on prevalence of early first-lactation mastitis in dairy heifers

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prepartum intramammary treatment of dairy heifers with pirlimycin hydrochloride would reduce the prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) and lower the somatic cell count (SCC) during early lactation or improve 305-day mature equivalent milk production. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 183 Holstein-Friesian heifers (663 quarters) from 2 dairy farms. PROCEDURE: Heifers were assigned to treatment and control groups. Treated heifers received a single 50-mg dose of pirlimycin in each mammary quarter approximately 10 to 14 days prior to parturition. Prepartum mammary gland secretions and postpartum milk samples were collected for bacterial culture. Postpartum milk samples were also collected for determination of SCC or California mastitis testing and were tested for pirlimycin residues. Mature equivalent 305-day milk production data were recorded. RESULTS: Treated heifers in herd A had a higher overall cure rate, higher cure rates for IMI caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) and Staphylococcus aureus, lower SCC, and lower prevalence of chronic IMI, compared with control heifers. Treated heifers in herd B had a higher overall cure rate and cure rate for IMI caused by CNS, compared with control heifers, but postpartum California mastitis test scores and prevalence of chronic IMI did not differ between groups. Mature equivalent 305-day milk production did not differ between herds or treatment groups. No pirlimycin residues were detected in postpartum milk samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that prepartum treatment of dairy heifers with pirlimycin may reduce the prevalence of early lactation IMI, particularly IMI caused by CNS, without causing pirlimycin residues in milk.     

Mastitis in beef cows and its effects on calf weight gain.

Quarter milk samples from 51 purebred (Angus, Polled Hereford, and Simmental) and 69 crossbred (Angus x Simmental x Charolais three-way cross) beef cows were collected aseptically at three times during lactation to determine the prevalence of intramammary infection, milk somatic cell counts (SCC), and effects of infection on calf weight gain. Quarter infection prevalence was 13.1, 14.9, and 27.5% in early, mid, and late lactation; corresponding cow infection prevalence was 25.8, 29.2, and 54.4%. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 2.9, 2.7, and 3.2% of quarters in early, mid, and late lactation, respectively. Corynebacterium bovis, generally regarded as a minor pathogen, was isolated from 4.0, 7.6, and 18.2% of quarters at the three respective times. Geometric SCC means (10(3) cells/ml) were 1,522, 344, and 509 for S. aureus-infected quarters; 344, 899, and 221 for Staphylococcus hyicus-infected quarters; 65, 36, and 86 for C. bovis-infected quarters; and 20, 17, and 18 for uninfected quarters in early, mid, and late lactation, respectively. Adjusted 205-d weight gain for calves with S. aureus-infected dams was 9.6 kg less (P less than .05) than for calves with uninfected dams. Adjusted 205-d weight gain for calves with dams infected with any mastitis pathogen did not differ significantly from that of calves with uninfected dams. At weaning half of the infected cows and half of the uninfected cows were given an intramammary infusion product containing 300 mg of cephapirin benzathine in each quarter; the remaining cows were untreated controls. Quarter samples were collected aseptically from all cows 14 to 28 d after subsequent calving. Quarter prevalence of infection after calving was lower (P less than .05) in treated (8.2%) than in control (22.4%) cows. Significantly more infections present at weaning were eliminated in treated than in control cows, but the new infection rate during the dry period and early lactation did not differ between the two groups.     

Effect of intramammary injection of RbIL-8 on milk levels of somatic cell count, chemiluminescence activity and shedding patterns of total bacteria and S. aureus in Holstein cows with naturally infected-subclinical mastitis

Summary The effect of intramammary injection of recombinant bovine interleukin-8 (rbIL-8, 1 mg/10 ml of saline) on quarter milk levels of somatic cell count (SCC), chemiluminescence (CL) activity and counts of total bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was investigated, using 10 Holstein cows with an early stage or a late stage of subclinical mastitis naturally infected with S. aureus. In the late-stage group, milk SCC and CL activity had significant rises with maximum levels at 6 h, following maintained high levels thereafter post-cytokine injection. The counts in milk total bacteria and S. aureus were insignificantly decreased, being increased back on day 7 post-cytokine injection. Thus, the cytokine was inefficient for the late-stage subclinical mastitis. However, in the early-stage group milk SCC and CL activity declined to under pre-injection levels on day 7 after marked and significant rises at 6 h and day 1 post-cytokine injection. The milk total bacterial count decreased significantly on days 0.25 and 2. Furthermore, the milk S. aureus count was decreased significantly on days 1, 2, 3 and 7 by the cytokine injection. These results suggest that the rbIL-8 has a potential as a therapeutic agent of the subclinical mastitis of dairy cows, if the cytokine is applied at an initial stage of infection.     

Prevalence study of Staphylococcus aureus in quarter milk samples of dairy cows in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland

In the present study, the prevalence of S. aureus in mammary gland quarters of dairy cows in Switzerland was estimated and a risk factor analysis was carried out. Dairy cows were selected by one-step-cluster sampling with stratification by herd size. Forty-seven of 50 randomly chosen farms participated in the study, resulting in 603 cows and 2388 quarter samples. Milk samples were collected in all herds on two occasions two weeks apart. In 6% of cows (95% CI: 2.7-9.3%) at least one milk sample was positive for S. aureus and from 2% (0.8-3.2%) of all quarters, S. aureus was cultured at least once. In four quarters a latent S. aureus infection (agent detected and somatic cell count (SCC) <100,000cell/ml) was diagnosed. Multivariable hierarchic logistical regression analysis yielded five significant risk factors for observing S. aureus in a milk sample: high SCC, a S. aureus-positive neighbouring quarter, a palpable induration in the quarter, and a wound, scar tissue or crush injury affecting the teat. The type of housing (P=0.1596) was also a factor that remained in the model. The mentioned risk factors must be considered during the evaluation of herds with S. aureus problems. The occurrence of latent S. aureus infections emphasises that not only quarters with a high SCC but all quarters of all cows must be cultured for control measures to be effective.