An Evaluation of Subclinical Mastitis During Lactation in Anatolian Buffaloes

Authors : Erhan ÖZENÇ, Mehmet Rıfat VURAL, Esra ŞEKER, Mehmet UÇAR

Pages : 359-368

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Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Subclinical mastitis in Anatolian buffaloes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 71); in Afyon, Turkey was evaluated using 1637 milk samples collected monthly for 9 months. Tests applied to milk samples included the California Mastitis Test insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CMT);, somatic cell count insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SCC);, and bacteriological examination. The threshold limit for SCC was found as 130 × 103 cells/ml. Anatolian buffaloes are infected above this level and they are likely to be uninfected below this level. The highest rates of intramammary infection insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IMI); per quarter insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(36.5%); and animal insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(69.1%); were encountered during the highest rainfall month of May. Candida spp., coagulase-negative staphylococcus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CNS); and Staphylococcus aureus and mixed infections were isolated at the rate of 41.91%, 20.59%, and 16.91% of quarters, respectively. Quarters infected with S. aureus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(9.7%); were associated with CMT scores >0 and elevated SCC. No significant increase in CMT scores >0 and elevated SCC were observed during the period in which the incidence of Candida spp. was high. However, CMT insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(-); milk samples were determined to display higher SCC in autumn months when compared to other seasons. The microbial isolation rates in CMT insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(-); and CMT insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(+); quarters during the first 4 months of lactation were determined to be higher in comparison to other stages of lactation. The most sensitive antibiotic was amoxycillin+clavulonic acid. As it has low numbers of infectious agents, bubaline milk is important for human welfare. However, higher infection rates were observed during rainy periods, during the first 4 months of lactation, after the 5th lactation, in late spring and early summer calvers, and in machine milked animals. In addition to SCC and CMT results, bacteriological examination could be carried out to identify mastitis.
Keywords : Aetiology, buffalo, California Mastitis Test, somatic cell count, subclinical mastitis