Impact of milking characteristics and teat morphology on somatic cell counts in first-lactation Norwegian cattle

Data from the Norwegian progeny-testing program were used to examine the impact of milking characteristics and teat morphology on log_e somatic cell counts (SCC) in first-lactation Norwegian Cattle. Three primary independent study variables (2-min milk, milk leakage and teat-end-to-floor distance) were evaluated in addition to six other study variables and six potential confounding variables. Seven different regression models were evaluated. Sire and herd were identified as confounding variables. The chosen model was based on 4090 cows in 1993 herds, sired by 119 bulls, and had a coefficient of variation of 0.59. Increased 2-min milk, decreased teat-end-to-floor distance and inverted or pointed teat-end shapes were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) associated with a higher log_e SCC. Effect of herd was absorbed in the model and explained 50% of the total variability in log_e SCC, whereas sire and the total effect the study variables explained < 5% each. Among-herd variability is discussed in relation to the study design.     

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%).     

Associations between health disorders of French dairy cows and early and late culling within the lactation

Data from an observational study, carried out during a 4.5 year period (1986–1990), were used to quantify the effects of health disorders on the risk of culling. The study population consisted of 47 commercial Holstein dairy herds from western France, comprising 4123 cows.

Logistic regression was used to assess the relationships between health disorders and early and late culling. Fourteen main health disorders with clinical signs and one subclinical disease were studied: abortion, periparturient accident, calving provided with assistance, digestive disorders, ketosis, locomotor disorders, mastitis, metritis, milk fever, cystic ovaries, respiratory disorders, retained placenta, teat injuries, non-traumatic udder disorders and status with respect to milk somatic cell count. Adjustments were made for year, month of calving, parity, breeding value for milk, best of the two first milk production records and reproductive performance. The possible effects of interactions among variables were also studied. The herd effect was taken into account using random effect models.

Non-traumatic udder disorders, teat injuries, milk fever and the occurrence of both ketosis and assistance at calving were significantly associated with an increased risk of being early culled (odds ratios (OR) ranging from 1.6 to 10.3). Early and late abortion, late metritis, poor peproductive performance, retained placenta, non-traumatic udder disorders within 45 days post-partum and mastitis occurring in the first 3 months of the lactation were positively associated with a late culling (OR ranging from 1.2 to 6.6). Cows with lower breeding value for milk and higher parities were high risk groups for culling. A lower level of milk production and occurrence of both reproductive disorders and poor reproductive performance were risk factors for late culling.     

Norfloxacin pharmacokinetics in lactating cows with sub-clinical and clinical mastitis

Single-dose pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin after intravenous administration of norfloxacin nicotinate at 10 mg norfloxacin/kg body weight was investigated in cows with healthy udders and in cows with chronic subclinical and postacute clinical mastitis. An HPLC method was used to determine the norfloxacin concentrations in serum and milk. Significant differences were observed in norfloxacin pharmacokinetics when administered to cows with infected udder quarters. The clearance (Cl) values were 10.4+/-2.5, 13.2+/-1.9 and 14.2+/-2.1 mL/min/kg (mean +/-SD) in the control (healthy udder) cows and in cows with subclinical and postacute clinical mastitis, respectively. There appeared to be a trend of increasing clearance according to severity of the disease. The volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) in the respective groups was 3.1+/-0.7, 2.2+/-0.6 and 1.3+/-0.2 L/kg. The volume of distribution was significantly decreased in the cows with postacute clinical mastitis. The half-lives (t1/2) and mean residence times (MRT) of norfloxacin were 353, 206 and 115 min (harmonic means) and 306+/-76, 168+/-39 and 95+/-9 min in control cows or in cows with subclinical and postacute clinical mastitis, respectively. The half-lives in the clinical mastitis group were significantly shorter than in the control group and the mean residence times were significantly shorter in the two mastitis groups when compared to the control group. Norfloxacin concentrations in milk were extremely high when compared to the respective serum concentrations. The area under the concentration vs. time curve (AUC) of norfloxacin in milk was 23899+/-6206 mg/L x min in the control cow group. The AUC in milk was significantly lower in the infected udder quarters of the mastitis groups (5075+/-1887 mg/L x min and 7484+/-4645 mg/L x min in the subclinical and the clinical group). The AUC values were significantly lower in milk from the infected udder quarters of the cows with chronic subclinical and postacute clinical mastitis when compared to the values in milk from the healthy quarters of the same udder. Norfloxacin was marginally bound to serum protein. The binding was concentration dependent and was 19, 13 and 6% at 0.2, 1.0 and 8.4 mg/L, respectively. Binding to milk protein was 46-51% and concentration independent. An in vitro dialysis model was used to simulate drug transport between serum and milk as a function of protein binding. The results showed that the rate of norfloxacin disposition from milk to serum was slower than from serum to milk, which was in agreement with the findings obtained in the pharmacokinetic study. Norfloxacin was poorly soluble in organic solvents and our results suggest that changes in the degree of ionization of the drug in different body fluids considerably affect its disposition.     

地中海奶水牛乳房形态结构与泌乳性能的关联分析

本研究通过分析不同胎次乳房性状之间的相关性以及乳房性状与泌乳性能之间的相关性,建立地中海奶水牛乳房线性性状的入选主成分评估模型,为培育具有优良乳房性状的高产奶水牛提供参考。收集意大利牧场123头地中海水牛共1 107条生产记录信息,利用SAS 9.2 CORR过程进行相关性分析,运用PRINCOMP过程建立入选主成分评估模型。结果表明,1~4胎时,270 d泌乳量随着胎次的增加而增加;在1~2胎时,前乳头长与后乳头长呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）;3胎及3胎以上时,前乳头长与后乳头长呈显著正相关（P<0.05）;1~4胎时,乳区面积与前乳头距、前后乳头距、后乳头距呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,且前乳头距与后乳头距呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）;在≥ 4胎时,前后乳头距与泌乳量、乳蛋白量呈显著正相关（P<0.05）,并与乳脂量呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,同时乳区面积与泌乳性能呈显著正相关（P<0.05）;在第1~2、4胎及以上时,泌乳量、乳蛋白量和乳脂量之间呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,且在第3胎时泌乳性能之间呈显著正相关（P<0.05）。入选主成分评估模型为：Y=0.2631x1+0.1186x2+0.0862x3+0.0796x4+0.1039x5+0.0042x6-6.9689,式中,x1,前乳头长;x2,后乳头长;x3,前乳头距;x4,前后乳头距;x5,后乳头距;x6,乳区面积。本研究进一步阐明了地中海奶水牛不同胎次乳房性状之间存在相关性,而乳房性状与泌乳性能之间的相关性受胎次的影响。     

Effects of Thigh and Rear Udder Hygiene on Daily Milk Yield and Somatic Cell Score

To investigate the importance of dairy cow hygiene for management, the objective of this research was to determine the relationship between hygiene scores and daily milk yield as well as somatic cell score(SCS), and also the relationship between thigh and rear udder hygiene scores.The hygiene scores of thigh and rear udder were collected from 472 lactating cows in 3 Holstein dairy farms in Henan province, and dairy herd improvement(DHI) data for July, 2014 was also collected.After correcting the influence of fixed effects including lactating stage and dairy-parity, the effects of thigh and rear udder hygiene scores on daily milk yield and SCS were analyzed using SAS 9.1 with general linear model(GLM) procedure.The results showed that thigh and rear udder hygiene scores had no significant effect on average daily milk yield and SCS(P>0.05).For average daily milk yield, the regression coefficients of thigh and rear udder hygiene scores were-0.14 and-0.02, respectively.This meaned if thigh and rear udder hygiene scores increased 1 score, average daily milk yield of each cow would decrease 0.14 and 0.02 kg, respectively.For SCS, when thigh hygiene score ≥ 4, the proportion of cows with SCS ≥ 5 increased extremely significantly(P<0.01);when rear udder hygiene score ≥ 3, the proportion of cow with SCS ≥ 5 tended to increase(P=0.0546).Significant test for correlation and correlation coefficient estimation results showed that, there was a extremely significantly positive correlation discovered between thigh and rear udder hygiene scores(P<0.01).Therefore, hygiene scores was not only a management indicator, also could help understand udder health condition, which was beneficial for management.     

The potential of measuring serum amyloid A in individual ewe milk and in farm bulk milk for monitoring udder health on sheep dairy farms

The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of measuring serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations in milk of individual ewes and in farm bulk milk for monitoring udder health. Udder health was calculated by examining a randomly selected group of seven flocks at each farm visit by means of California mastitis test and bacteriological examination of 5749 milk samples. SAA was determined additionally in 267 randomly selected milk samples from six flocks. Thirty-one bulk milk samples from these farms were tested for SCC and SAA levels. Subclinical infections were detected in 29.5% of samples whereas no clinical infections were observed. Intramammary infected udder halves showed significantly elevated SAA concentrations (121.3+/-25.3 microg/ml) in milk compared to the levels of healthy udder halves (8.0+/-1.9 microg/ml; p<0.001). SAA was significantly elevated in sheep with elevated CMT scores and positive bacteriological results. Bulk milk SAA levels ranged from 18.6+/-6.7 to 37.4+/-14.1 microg/ml and showed a positive correlation with bSCC (r=0.38, p=0.018) but not with percent infected glands (r=0.022, p=0.453). This study demonstrated that SAA levels in milk can be used to detect subclinical mastitis in individual ewes whereas further investigations are needed to determine the value of measuring SAA in bulk milk for monitoring flock udder health.     

奶牛股部和乳房后部清洁度对日产奶量及体细胞数的影响

为探究奶牛体表清洁度在实际生产中的应用意义,本研究通过评价河南省3个奶牛场472头泌乳天数在0~330 d的中国荷斯坦奶牛股部清洁度和乳房后部清洁度,并结合2014年7月河南省牛奶记录系统(dairyherd improvement,DHI)中心提供的数据,对清洁度与平均日产奶量、体细胞数评分(somatic cell score,SCS)的关系进行分析,并探究两个清洁度评分之间的相关关系。采用广义线性模型(GLM)对数据进行统计分析,固定效应模型除清洁度评分外,还包括泌乳阶段效应和场-胎次效应等。结果表明,清洁度评分对SCS和平均日产奶量均无显著影响(P>0.05)。股部清洁度评分对平均日产奶量回归系数为-0.14,即每增加1分,奶牛平均日产奶量降低0.14 kg/头;乳房后部清洁度评分对平均日奶量回归系数为-0.02,每增加1分,奶牛平均日产奶量降低0.02 kg/头。对于SCS,股部清洁度评分≥ 4分时,SCS ≥ 5的比例极显著增加(P<0.01);乳房后部清洁度评分≥ 3分时,SCS ≥ 5的比例有增加趋势(P=0.0546)。相关性检验和相关系数估计结果显示,股部和乳房后部清洁度评分间呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。因此,奶牛体表清洁度不仅是牛群的管理指标,而且可通过清洁度评分有效了解牛群乳房的健康状况,对日常生产过程具有很大帮助。     

Interrelationships between herd management practices and udder health status using canonical correspondence analysis

The relationships between the herd-level distribution of udder health measures (traumatic, physical, functional and congestive udder disorders, clinical mastitis and somatic cell counts (SCC) greater than 400 × 10³, ml⁻¹) and farm (general hygiene, milking practices and housing system) and aggregated individual characteristics were studied by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). This is a correspondence-analysis technique in which the axes representing disease patterns are expressed as linear combinations of potentially explanatory variables. These main axes can be drawn so that the distribution of diseases for combinations of the main-explanatory managerial variables can be visualized. The type of quarantine for newcomers, type of animal housing, presence of shelter at pasture, use of udder towel before milking, milk production and loss of body condition after calving, were strongly correlated with udder health status. Mastitis and physical udder disorders were associated with the combination of no introduction of replacement heifers and low loss of body condition after calving. Congestive disorders were more common on farms when no quarantine for newcomers was combined with high loss of body condition after calving. Higher clinical and subclinical mastitis incidence risks were associated with the combination of no udder towel, loose housing with high animal density and high milk production. In most cases, clinical mastitis and high SCC were explained by the same covariates but with contrasting levels of those covariates.     

奶牛乳腺炎模型的建立及炎症相关因子基因mRNA转录水平的分析

旨在探讨金黄色葡萄球菌（S.aureus）型和大肠杆菌（E.coli）型乳腺炎奶牛乳腺组织的炎症相关因子基因的mRNA转录水平。将10⁵ CFU·mL^-1的S.aureus和E.coli经乳导管分别注入奶牛乳房,在感染第7天采用活体无菌手术法采集乳腺组织,并采用组织HE染色和免疫荧光法进行乳腺炎模型的鉴定;利用qPCR分别检测了2个诱导组和对照组奶牛乳腺组织的趋化因子家族（CCL2、CCL8、CXCR1、CXCL2和CXCL13）、补体因子（CFI和CFB）、自噬调节因子DEPP1和白细胞介素受体IL21R共9个基因的mRNA转录水平。结果显示：与对照组相比,TLR4/NF-κB炎症相关信号通路中的关键分子（TLR4、NF-κB和TNFα）在2个诱导组乳腺组织中的蛋白表达水平均极显著上调（P<0.01）;结合HE染色结果,表明本试验成功构建了2种类型的奶牛乳腺炎活体模型。mRNA转录水平的检测结果表明,与对照组相比,7个基因（CCL2、CCL8、CXCR1、CXCL2、CFI、CFB和IL21R）在2个诱导组乳腺组织中的mRNA转录水平均极显著上调（P<0.001）,CXCL13的mRNA转录水平仅在S.aurues诱导组乳腺组织中极显著上调（P<0.01）;DEPP1的mRNA转录水平在2个诱导组中均极显著下调（P<0.01）。此外,CCL2、CCL8、CXCR1、CFI和IL21R共5个基因在E.coli诱导组中的mRNA转录水平均极显著高于S.aureus组（P<0.01）。S.aureus和E.coli感染均可导致奶牛产生严重的临床乳腺炎症状,并促使上述炎症相关基因的mRNA转录水平在乳腺组织中发生变化,以应对乳腺炎症的发生与发展过程;趋化因子CCL2等5个基因在E.coli诱导组中的mRNA转录水平显著高于S.aureus诱导组,解释了E.coli常常能引起急性乳腺炎,而S.aureus可引起慢性乳腺炎的原因。上述结果可为深入研究不同类型乳腺炎的分子调控机制提供参考。     

Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A in milk from dairy cows with chronic sub-clinical mastitis

New tools are needed to detect chronic sub-clinical mastitis, especially in automatic milking systems. Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A (SAA) are the two most sensitive bovine acute phase proteins, and their concentrations increase in milk from cows with clinical mastitis and in milk from cows with experimentally induced chronic sub-clinical Staphylococcus aureus mastitis. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the potential for haptoglobin and SAA in milk as indicators of chronic sub-clinical mastitis. Quarter milk samples were collected from 41 cows with a mean composite milk somatic cell count (CSCC) above 300,000 cells/mL during at least two months prior to sampling. Quarter milk samples were also taken from eleven cows with a mean CSCC below 80,000 cells/mL during at least two previous months. These samples were analysed for haptoglobin, SAA, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity and bacterial growth. The samples were grouped according to their ATP, haptoglobin and SAA status. ATP+ samples had ATP > 2 x 10(-10) mol/mL, Hp+ and SAA+ samples had detectable levels of haptoglobin (> or = 0.3 mg/L) and SAA (> or = 0.9 mg/L), respectively. In udder quarter samples from healthy cows, 42 out of 44 samples belonged to the ATP-Hp-SAA- group. Among cows with chronic sub-clinical mastitis, the ATP+Hp+SAA+ group contained 66 out of 164 samples while 44 samples belonged to the ATP+Hp-SAA- group. Detectable levels of haptoglobin and SAA were found in 92 and 80 samples, respectively. Growth of udder pathogens was detected in 28 samples and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacteria. In conclusion, haptoglobin and SAA concentrations below the detection limit were considered as good indicators of healthy udder quarters. A substantial variation in haptoglobin and SAA concentrations in milk was observed in udder quarters with chronic sub-clinical mastitis.     

Reproductive Performance,Udder Health,and Antibiotic Resistance in Mastitis Bacteria isolated from Norwegian Red cows in Conventional and Organic Farming

Background

The objectives of this study were to investigate whether there were differences between Norwegian Red cows in conventional and organic farming with respect to reproductive performance, udder health, and antibiotic resistance in udder pathogens.

Methods

Twenty-five conventional and 24 organic herds from south-east and middle Norway participated in the study. Herds were matched such that geographical location, herd size, and barn types were similar across the cohorts. All organic herds were certified as organic between 1997 and 2003. All herds were members of the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System. The herds were visited once during the study. The relationship between the outcomes and explanatory variables were assessed using mixed linear models.

Results

There were less > 2nd parity cows in conventional farming. The conventional cows had higher milk yields and received more concentrates than organic cows. Although after adjustment for milk yield and parity, somatic cell count was lower in organic cows than conventional cows. There was a higher proportion of quarters that were dried off at the herd visit in organic herds. No differences in the interval to first AI, interval to last AI or calving interval was revealed between organic and conventional cows. There was no difference between conventional and organic cows in quarter samples positive for mastitis bacteria from the herd visit. Milk yield and parity were associated with the likelihood of at least one quarter positive for mastitis bacteria. There was few S. aureus isolates resistance to penicillin in both management systems. Penicillin resistance against Coagulase negative staphylococci isolated from subclinically infected quarters was 48.5% in conventional herds and 46.5% in organic herds.

Conclusion

There were no large differences between reproductive performance and udder health between conventional and organic farming for Norwegian Red cows.     

公英翘芦散治疗亚临床型奶牛乳房炎的效果研究

本研究旨在初步考察公英翘芦散对亚临床奶牛乳房炎的临床治疗效果。试验选取78头发病牛，其中38头牛为散发，用公英翘芦散治疗；40头牛集中对比治疗，随机分成2组，每组20头，分别用公英翘芦散和公英散进行治疗。用加州乳房炎检验（California mastitis trial，CMT）法检测公英翘芦散治疗后乳区患病状态并判定其治疗效果；用体细胞计数（somatic cell count，SCC）法检测公英翘芦散和公英散治疗后牛奶体细胞数并判定其治疗效果。结果显示，公英翘芦散给药7 d后，患病乳区由75个减少到28个，治疗效果非常显著，治愈率达到62.67%，有效率达到90.67%。与治疗前相比，公英翘芦散和公英散用药1 d后体细胞数均极显著降低（P<0.01），且公英翘芦散组SCC下降幅度明显超过公英散组。公英翘芦散组在给药2 d后体细胞数显著低于公英散组（P<0.05），给药3 d之后均极显著低于公英散组（P<0.01）。用药7 d后，公英翘芦散组治愈率可达68.29%，而公英散组治愈率只达到20.00%，差异极显著（P<0.01）；公英翘芦散组有效率可达97.56%，而公英散组有效率为67.50%，差异极显著（P<0.01），说明公英翘芦散的治疗效果极显著优于公英散（P<0.01）。以上结果说明，公英翘芦散可以作为治疗亚临床奶牛乳房炎的有效药物，为奶牛乳房炎药物的开发提供参考。     

Risks factors associated with subclinical mastitis in water buffaloes in Pakistan

The present study was carried to ascertain the association of various risk factors of mastitis in water buffaloes. The milk samples from buffaloes were collected and screened through California Mastitis Test for the presence of mastitis. In the present study, 15.2 % prevalence of subclinical mastitis was recorded both at the government (13.4 %) and private farms (15.5 %). The chi-square analysis showed significantly higher involvement of the right rear and front quarters. The analysis of variance technique showed significant difference in live body weight, milk yield, teat end to floor distance (P?<?0.001), udder depth, teat length, and teat diameter in mastitic and healthy buffaloes. The frequency analysis also revealed significant difference between various groups including lactation stage, teat and/or udder pathology, teat shape, and udder shape (P?<?0.001). The logistic regression analysis revealed significant positive association of mastitis with milk leakage, live body weight, milk yield, parity, calf suckling, pendulous udder, number of attendants at the farm, dirty hind legs, and udder depth.     

Physical examination and palpation findings of mammary glands and indications of udder health in goat milk]

In dairy goats there is less evidence for relationships between udder form traits, results of physical udder examinations and mastitis indicators in the milk than in dairy cows. In 413 goats (predominantly Weisse Deutsche Edelziege and Bunte Deutsche Edelziege) from five herds (free from C.A.E.) repeated investigations of 2537 udder halves and fore milk samples were carried out in order to compare udder traits with findings in the milk. Less than 20% positive bacteriological findings and a low incidence of clinical mastitis testified a good clinical udder health status of the herds. Small teat-floor distances, loose hanging of the udders and bottle-shaped teats, findings which tended to become more frequent as lactation and lactation numbers progressed, indurative alterations of the mammary tissues and the teats tended to be connected with higher milk cell counts (> 1 million/microliter), more polymorphonuclear milk cells (> 40%), higher electrical milk conductivity (> 6.8 mS/cm) and lower milk lactose content (< 4.6%). A similar effect had a bad state of foot trimming. It is proposed to include the studied udder traits into herd health programs and breeding schemes for goats.     

Norwegian mastitis control programme

This paper describes the methods and results of the Norwegian Mastitis Control Program implemented in 1982. The program has formed an integral part of the Norwegian Cattle Health Services (NCHS) since 1995. The NCHS also have specific programs for milk fever, ketosis, reproduction and calf diseases. The goal of the program is to improve udder health by keeping the bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) low, to reduce the use of antibiotics, to keep the cost of mastitis low at herd level and improve the consumers' attitude to milk products. In 1996, a decision was made to reduce the use of antibiotics in all animal production enterprises in Norway by 25% within five years. Relevant data has been collected through the Norwegian Cattle Herd Recording System (NCHRS); including health records since 1975 and somatic cell count (SCC) data since 1980. These data have been integrated within the NCHRS. Since 2000, mastitis laboratory data have also been included in the NCHRS. Data on clinical disease, SCC and mastitis bacteriology have been presented to farmers and advisors in monthly health periodicals since 1996, and on the internet since 2005. In 1996, Norwegian recommendations on the treatment of mastitis were implemented. Optimal milking protocols and milking machine function have been emphasised and less emphasis has been placed on dry cow therapy. A selective dry cow therapy program (SDCTP) was implemented in 2006, and is still being implemented in new areas. Research demonstrates that the rate of clinical mastitis could be reduced by 15% after implementing SDCTP. The results so far show a 60% reduction in the clinical treatment of mastitis between 1994 and 2007, a reduction in BMSCC from 250,000 cells/ml to 114,000 cells/ml, and a total reduction in the mastitis cost from 0.23 NOK to 0.13 NOK per litre of milk delivered to the processors, corresponding to a fall from 9.2% to 1.7% of the milk price, respectively. This reduction is attributed to changes in attitude and breeding, eradicating bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and a better implementation of mastitis prevention programmes.     

Clinical findings related to intramammary infections in meat-producing ewes

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical findings and bacterial isolation in milk samples of meat-producing ewes. The study was conducted in 17 commercial flocks and 550 udder halves from suckling Santa Ines ewes. Initially, the clinical examination of the mammary glands and teats was performed by visual inspection and palpation of the teats and udder halves; then a scoring system was devised for all the findings. After that, the strip cup test and the California mastitis test (CMT) were performed. Then, milk samples for somatic cell counts (SCCs) and bacteriological analyses were collected. Staphylococci bacteria were the main etiological agent isolated in the present study. Upon investigation of the correlations between bacterial isolation and the clinical findings, only the presence of teat injury, pendulous udder, and alterations in the palpation of the teat were associated with bacterial isolation. A significant correlation between bacteriologically positive milk samples and CMT and SCC was also found. Thus, some clinical findings appeared as a risk factor for bacteriologically positive milk samples and can be used as a tool in mastitis control programs. However, a complete and extensive diagnosis, an appropriate therapy, and an efficient mastitis control program will require the combination of clinical examination, microbiological tests, and SCC.     

In vitro comparison of bovine mastitis and fecal Escherichia coli isolates

In vitro methods were used to test the hypothesis that Escherichia coli from bovine mastitis are essentially no different from isolates from bovine feces. Fifty E. coli isolates from bovine mastitic milk, 50 from feces of mastitic cows and 50 from feces of healthy cows were compared with respect to biochemical properties and certain potential virulence factors. There were no significant differences among the groups in tests for biotype; production of colicins, colicin V, or Vero cell cytotocity; and growth in 90% gnotobiotic calf serum or 90% normal milk whey. Resistance to killing in 90% gnotobiotic calf serum varied from 66 to 84%. Most isolates grew in normal whey: the percentage in a group varied from 86 to 96. Mastitic milk isolates were significantly different from the fecal isolates in adonitol fermentation (P0.006), production of aerobactin (P0.026), and ability to grow in 90% mastitic whey (P0.00004). However, only 40% of mastitis E. coli fermented adonitol and only 20% produced aerobactin. Ninety-six percent of mastitic milk E. coli grew in mastitic whey, whereas 64% and 60%, respectively, of mastitic fecal and normal fecal isolates grew in this medium. It is concluded that none of the properties that were investigated constitute potential virulence factors or markers for ability to induce mastitis; the data are consistent with the hypothesis that mastitic E. coli are simply opportunistic pathogens.     

Udder health and risk factors for subclinical mastitis in organic dairy farms in Switzerland

A study was performed in 1997 to estimate the prevalence and to investigate the etiology of subclinical mastitis in Swiss dairy herds managed under guidelines of controlled organic farming. It was planned as a longitudinal study over a period of 1 year and included a stratified random sample of 152 certified organic farms and 1907 cows. Two farm visits (the first from June to October when cows were on pasture, the second from January to March when cows were confined to barns) were performed on each farm. At each visit, farm management and individual-cow data (with emphasis on milking procedures and udder sanitation) were recorded. California mastitis tests (CMTs) were performed on each udder quarter of all cows in lactation. Milk samples with CMT >1+ were submitted for somatic cell counting (SCC), bacteriological examination and to test for antibiotic susceptibility. The SCC and germ-cell counts of monthly bulk-tank milk samples were available through Dairy Inspection and Advisory Services and milk production data of 567 herd-book cows were available from breeding associations. Possible individual and environmental predictors of subclinical mastitis were identified using logistic models adjusted for clustering of the data at herd and cow levels. Data were analyzed separately for cows from 7 to 100 and from 101 to 305 days post partum. Prevalences of subclinical mastitis at the quarter level were 21.2% for lactation period 7–100 days and 34.5% for 101–305 days post partum. The geometric mean SCC in bulk-tank milk samples was 85.6×10³ cells/ml. Samples at 7–100 and 101–305 days post partum were positive for Staphylococcus aureus in 16.0 and 7.4%, for coagulase-negative Staphylococci in 51.5 and 50.6%, for Streptococcus agalactiae in 0.0 and 0.8%, for other Streptococci in 19.4 and 15.6%, for E. coli in 1.0 and 0.4%, and for Corynebacterium bovis in 25.7 and 45.1%, respectively. Risks of subclinical mastitis increased significantly with increasing days post partum and advancing age of cow. Cows that were sampled when staying in alpine dairies had considerably higher risks of subclinical mastitis than cows staying in home barns. Significantly lower risks of subclinical mastitis were observed in farms where CMT was performed regularly as a control measure. Bacteria in milk from cows with mastitis exhibited antibiotic resistance at a comparable frequency as found previously in conventional farms.     

Discriminant analysis of the clinical indicants for bovine coliform mastitis

We used discriminant analysis to assess the indicants most useful in predicting whether a cow had coliform bacterial mastitis. One hundred and twenty-nine mastitic cows were divided into two groups, namely those with milk cultures that yielded pure or mixed gram negative organisms, and cows with other organisms or negative culture. Of 21 indicants examined by discriminate analysis only a history of previous mastitis in the affected quarter, weakness, clear or white color of milk, swelling of the udder, water consistency of the milk, lack of previous mastitis in other quarters, lack of palpable udder abscesses, and elevated body temperature were significantly associated with coliform mastitis. Using these variables 78% of cases were correctly classified.