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Streptococcal Mastitis - Cattle (view source)
Revision as of 14:12, 22 November 2011
, 14:12, 22 November 2011→References
===Bovine streptococcal mastitis===
==Introduction==
Bovine streptococcal mastitis involve colonisation of the udder with the following primary agents: ''S.agalactiae'', ''S. dysgalactiae'' and ''S. uberis''.
''S. pyogenes, S. zooepidemicus'' and ''Enterococcus faecalis'' can also be involved.
''S. agalactiae'' and ''S. dysgalactiae'' are considered to be '''contagious organisms''' which prefer to live in the udder and teat skin and spread from cow to cow at milking. ''S. agalactiae'' is an obligate intramammary bacteria and its survival outside the udder is limited.
Contagious organisms often cause subclinical infections causing a prolonged mild elevation in somatic cell count.
''S. uberis'' is generally considered to be an '''environmental organism''' which lives in dirty environments and sporadically gains entry to the udder often causing serious clinical mastitis.
==Signalment==
Usually affects dairy cows during the lactating period, but infection during the dry period can persist and cause problems in early lactation.
==Clinical signs==
In '''subclinical cases''', no gross inflammation or changes in the milk are seen. Chronic forms of the disease lead to progressive '''fibrosis''' of the affected quarter.
'''Clinical cases''' present acutely, sometimes with systemic signs such as '''anorexia and pyrexia'''.
There will be changes in the milk from the affected quarter, including ''' fibrin clots''' and changes in '''colour'''. Changes in the udder may also be apparent: swelling, heat, pain and redness.
Signs can progress to abscessation and sloughing of the affected quarter in very severe cases.
Additionally, '''teat morphology''' has a primary role in preventing entry of infection, and changes such as prolapse of the teat canal or wounds might indicate a predisposition for mastitis.
==Diagnosis==
'''Subclinical mastitis''' is diagnosed by evaluating the '''Somatic Cell Count''' using a '''California Milk Test''' or automated methods. Somatic Cell Counts above 200,000 cells/ml are indicative of mastitis in the sampled quarter.
Bulk milk somatic cell counts can also be evaluated and indicate the '''prevalence''' of mastitis in the dairy herd on the day of sampling.
'''Clinical mastitis''' is diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs.
To determine the agent involved, '''sterile milk sampling''' of the affected quarter or udder and '''bacterial culture''' is required. An antibiotic sensitivity test should also be performed to select the best treatment.
==Treatment==
'''Intramammary therapy''' is the mainstay of mastitis treatment and involves instilling antibiotics such as a penicillin or beta-lactam into the affected quarter. The choice of antibiotic should be governed by culture and sensitivity results of milk samples.
In acute clinical cases, parenteral antibiotics might also be beneficial along with supportive therapy and glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation.
If premature agalactia occurs in chronic cases with resistant pathogens, culling might be a practical option.
==Control and prevention==
Control of mastitis is slightly different depending on if the agent is primarily contagious or environmental.
Control of '''contagious organisms''' such as ''S. agalactiae'' and ''S. dysgalactiae'' involve a control of spread at milking time. The aim is to eliminate reservoirs of infection by identifying subclinical infections using individual somatic cell counts and using an effective '''Five Point Plan''':
#'''Prompt detection and treatment of clinical cases''': detection in the parlour by stripping the udder and checking the fore milk. Treatment with a suitable antibiotic and resampling of the udder to check resolution.
#'''Use of a post-milking teat dip''': the teat orifice remains open for about an hour after milking and bacteria can be transferred onto the teat skin during milking. A disinfectant should be used to kill bacteria and also aid in maintaining the teat in good condition.
#'''Effective dry cow therapy''': using long-acting antibiotics infused into the udder to remove existing subclinical infections during the dry period. A teat sealant is also used to block the teat canal and prevent the entry of bacteria.
#'''Culling of persistent offenders''': it might be beneficial to cull animals with 3 or more cases of mastitis in one lactation. Also those animals with persistently high Somatic Cell Counts which do not respond to treatment.
#'''Regular servicing and maintenance of the milking machine''': rubber of silicone liners in the cups must be changed frequently, and the vacuum must be tested to ensure it is strong enough and has adequate reserve.
The control of ''S. agalactiae'' is particular as it is an obligate mammary parasite and it responds well to intramammary antibiotics. Therefore it can be eliminated from herds through the use of '''blitz therapy'''. This involves treatment of all four quarters of all animals during lactation to eliminate ''S. agalactiae'' infections. Such treatment has been used effectively in the UK and ''S. agalactiae'' infections have fallen significantly sing the 1980s.
Control of '''environmental organisms''' such as ''S. uberis'' follows certain different guidelines, although many principles can be applied from above.
The most important point is to control the cows' environment and ensure '''clean, dry and comfortable bedding'''.
Parlour factors are also vital and teat preparation to ensure they are clean and dry before clusters are applied at milking can help control the spread of environmental pathogens.
Attempts have been made to create '''vaccines''' against the Streptococcal agents of mastitis, but no products are available yet.
==References==
Edmonson, P. (2011) '''Blitz therapy for the eradication of ''Streptococcus agalactiae'' infections in dairy cattle''' ''In Practice'' 33, 33-37
Statham, J. (2011) '''Single-agent infectious diseases''' ''In Practice'' 33, 210-217
Blowey, R. (2000) '''The environment and mastitis''' ''In Practice'' 22, 382-394
Kahn, C. (2005) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' 9th Edition ''Merck and co''
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