Examination of intramammary devices from infected and uninfected mammary quarters by scanning electron microscopy

Polyethylene intramammary devices were removed from six infected and four uninfected mammary quarters of seven lactating cows and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Infecting organisms included Corynebacterium bovis, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and an unidentified fungus. Intramammary devices from infected quarters had amorphous material adhering to large areas of the polyethylene. Large numbers of inflammatory cells and microorganisms were found concentrated within the material. Devices from uninfected quarters had less amorphous material with few adhering inflammatory cells. The amorphous material appeared to be restricted to abraded surfaces of the polyethylene. Milk somatic cell counts in stripping milk of quarters infected with Corynebacterium bovis and coagulase-negative staphylococci before and 3 wk after removal of intramammary device averaged 1.2 X 10(6) and .2 X 10(6)/ml, respectively. Results suggest that increased cell counts of infected quarters containing intramammary devices were associated with microbial colonization of the amorphous material.     

Effect of abraded intramammary device on milk yield, tissue damage, and cellular composition

The study was conducted to determine effects of an abraded intramammary device on milk yield, tissue damage, and milk somatic cells during late lactation. Abraded intramammary devices were inserted into diagonally opposed quarters of 20 cows. One group of 11 cows (devices inserted 30 wk of lactation) was quarter machine milked daily for 2 wk before and for 8 wk after insertion. Nine cows had devices inserted within 4 wk postpartum and were quarter milked at 20 and 40 wk of lactation. Aliquots of quarter bucket milk were obtained for determination of milk somatic cells, red blood cells, and NAGase activity. Stripping milk was obtained for milk somatic cell counts. For both groups, there was no significant effect of the abraded intramammary device on NAGase activity. There was a tendency for quarters with devices to produce less milk than control quarters, but the difference was not significant. Milk SCC were significantly elevated in quarter bucket and stripping milk from quarters containing intramammary devices. Red blood cells were higher in quarters containing intramammary devices when compared with controls. Results indicate that abraded intramammary devices increased concentrations of somatic cells and red blood cells in bucket milk, did not damage tissue as measured by NAGase activity, and loss in milk production was nonsignificant.     

Prevalence of intramammary infection and teat canal colonization in unbred and primigravid dairy heifers.

Teat canal keratin (n = 461) and mammary gland secretions (n = 370) were collected from 31 unbred and 85 primigravid Jersey heifers from one research and three commercial dairy herds. Of 97 heifers from which secretion samples were obtained, 96.9% had intramammary infections and 29% showed clinical symptoms. Seventy-five percent of quarters were infected. Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from 36 (37.1%) heifers and 55 (14.9%) quarters. One hundred and eight (93.1%) heifers and 326 (70.7%) quarters had teat canals colonized with mastitis pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from teat canal keratin samples from 36 (31%) heifers and 57 (12.3%) quarters. The three most common species isolated from secretion and teat canal keratin samples were Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus hyicus, and S. aureus. Secretions from infected (n = 240) and uninfected (n = 85) quarters had SCC of 13.6 X 10(6)/ml and 5.7 X 10(6)/ml. Macrophages were the most numerous cell type in secretions of infected and uninfected quarters. Quarters with teat canal colonization, but with no intramammary infections, exhibited higher SCC in secretion (9.3 X 10(6)/ml) than quarters without both teat canal colonizations and intramammary infections (4.9 X 10(6)/ml). Data indicated that intramammary infections and teat canal colonizations were more prevalent and SCC higher than previously realized in dairy heifers.     

Effects of milking interval on selected milk constituents from normal and infected quarters

Effects of milking interval on electrical conductivity, chloride, sodium, potassium, lactose, and somatic cell counts of milk were determined. Quarter samples of foremilk, primary milk, and strippings were obtained from 12 cows after 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15-h milking intervals. The preceding interval to all experimental intervals was standardized at 12 h. Infection status of quarters was ascertained by bacteriological analysis. Effect of milking interval was significant on all variables measured. Highest conductivity, chloride, sodium, and cell counts were at the 3-h interval but declined to their lowest at the 9-h interval. Conductivity, chloride, and sodium then steadily increased from 9 to 15 h. Lactose followed the opposite trend and was highest at the 9-h interval. Trend was similar in samples from both uninfected and infected quarters; however, changes were more pronounced in the latter. Change of conductivity from infection varied with type of sample and milking interval with strippings being the most sensitive. All samples were least sensitive to these changes at the 9-h interval. Conductivity measurements on strippings will be more sensitive for detecting mastitis than measurements from foremilk or primary milk, especially measured following short milking intervals.     

Determination of milk and blood concentrations of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in cows with naturally acquired subclinical and clinical mastitis

Blood and milk concentrations of the acute phase protein lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) were evaluated in cows with naturally occurring mastitis. Blood and milk samples were collected from 101 clinically healthy dairy cows and 17 dairy cows diagnosed with clinical mastitis, and the LBP concentrations of the samples were measured by an ELISA. Concentrations of LBP were greater in the blood and milk of cows with clinical mastitis than in those with healthy quarters. Concentrations of LBP also differed between uninfected and subclinically infected quarters with low somatic cell count. Blood concentrations of LBP in cows with subclinical intramammary infections could not be differentiated from those of cows with all healthy quarters. Together, these data demonstrate that increased blood and milk concentrations of LBP can be detected in dairy cows with naturally acquired intramammary infections that cause clinical mastitis.     

Variation in N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity and somatic cell count among various milk fractions

Six Holstein cows with uninfected quarters were quarter machine milked for four consecutive morning milkings. Foremilk, bucket, and stripping fractions were collected for all milkings. For the first three milkings, an additional milk sample was collected 1 h after milking. After the final milking, oxytocin (20 IU) was injected in the tail vein 20 min after milking, and residual milk was collected. All samples were assayed for NAGase activity and somatic cell concentration. Mean NAGase activity for foremilk, bucket, and stripping samples were 1.65, 1.55, and 1.84 loge nmol/min/ml. Hour after milking and residual samples averaged 2.07 and 1.78. Cell counts (loge thousand cells/ml) for foremilk, bucket, and strippings averaged 2.52, 2.91, and 4.30. Hour after and residual samples averaged 4.56 and 5.53. Results suggest that among uninfected cows, foremilk approximates bucket levels of NAGase and cell count.     

Milk lactoferrin in heifers: Influence of health status and stage of lactation

The objective of the current study was to analyze the variations in lactoferrin (LF) concentrations in primiparous cows with intramammary infection and to study how the lactation stage affects these variations. In addition, we aimed to study the potential of the LF concentration in early lactation as a predictive factor for future infections. To accomplish this goal, a longitudinal analysis was performed for 96 primiparous cows. Milk samples were collected each month from individual quarters, and the LF concentration was determined for each sample. Criteria that included both somatic cell count (SCC) and a microbiological analysis were used to assess the health status of the quarters. Of the diseased quarters (SCC >200,000 or positive for pathogen isolation, or both), 62% corresponded to nonspecific mastitis (SCC >200,000 but microbiologically negative) and 25% corresponded to the category “presence of bacterial growth” (SCC <200,000 but microbiologically positive). Diseased quarters showed increased concentrations of LF compared with healthy quarters. However, this increase was greater during the first days of lactation compared with later periods. Kaplan-Meier analysis of time free of infection demonstrated that quarters with LF concentrations at early lactation (3–10 d in milk) greater than 0.1 mg/mL are more likely to become infected during the following lactation compared with quarters with lower LF concentrations in early lactation. The results support that LF plays a relevant role in combating intramammary infection, particularly during the first days of lactation. In addition, we present evidence of the potential use of LF as a predictive marker of future infections in the individual quarters of dairy heifers.     

Moderate inflammatory reaction during experimental Escherichia coli mastitis in primiparous cows

Nineteen primiparous cows were experimentally infected in 2 quarters with 1 x 10(4) (group A) or 1 x 10(6) (group B) cfu of Escherichia coli P4:O32 per quarter within 2 to 4 wk after parturition. Blood and milk samples were collected from all primiparous cows at regular time intervals from d -4 to d +3 relative to inoculation. Milk production rapidly decreased in both groups during E. coli mastitis, but recovery appeared to be faster in group B at d + 1 postinfusion (p.i.). The milk production losses in the noninfected quarters were substantial on the day of inoculation, which is probably due to pronounced systemic effects. However, on d + 2 p.i. milk production in the noninfected quarters nearly reached preinfection levels, indicating a moderate clinical severity following intramammary inoculation. None of the other severity criteria evolved towards a severe response pattern. Reticulorumen motility was inhibited in both groups during E. coli mastitis. The clinical episode was short lasting in both groups. Rectal temperature, heart rate, blood leukocyte count, number of colony-forming units, milk somatic cell count and several indicators for the disintegration of the blood-milk barrier returned to normal values within 24 to 72 h p.i. Primiparous cows reacted with a moderate inflammatory response following intramammary infusion with a relatively high dose of E. coli. Despite the use of a high inoculum dose, primiparous cows in both groups showed pronounced resistance against severe intramammary E. coli infection. A possible effect of the inoculum dose could be present, however, further research into the effect of the inoculum dose on the inflammatory response should be performed.     

Comparison of probiotic and antibiotic intramammary therapy of cattle with elevated somatic cell counts.

The effects of treating subclinical mastitis with intramammary infusions of either a Lactobacillus or an antibiotic preparation on intramammary infection cure rate and on milk SCC were compared. Cows with two consecutive monthly DHIA composite SCC greater than 300,000 cells/ml (5.4771 log10/ml) were defined as high SCC cows. Twenty-six subclinical cows were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Quarter foremilk samples were obtained from all quarters at d 0, 7, and 14 following infusion to determine the microbiological status and SCC. Composite milk SCC were determined monthly by DHIA and at d 0, 7, and 14 of the study. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the predominantly isolated pathogens. Treatment of cows with Lactobacillus cured 21.7% of infected quarters, whereas 73.7% of infections treated with antibiotic were eliminated. Treatment of quarters with antibiotic did not reduce quarter SCC unless infected quarters were cured. Intramammary infusion of quarters with Lactobacillus increased quarter SCC, mainly because of an increase in SCC of initially uninfected, low SCC quarters. Monthly composite SCC were similar between treatments. The results indicate that administering Lactobacillus or antibiotic treatment to all quarters based on elevated composite SCC should not be adopted. Lactobacillus treatment increased SCC with no effect on infection rate.     

Lipoprotein lipase activity of milk from cows with prolonged subclinical mastitis

The influence of prolonged subclinical mastitis on bovine milk lipoprotein lipase activity was investigated. Nine cows with at least one quarter with prolonged subclinical mastitis and at least one nonmastitic quarter were selected in various stages of lactation. Milk from subclinical quarters had a mean somatic cell count of 5.7 X 10(6) cells/ml while milk from nonmastitic quarters had an average somatic cell count of 9.4 X 10(4) cells/ml. Quarters with a subclinical infection contained the same pathogenic organisms for a minimum of 6 wk. The average milk lipoprotein lipase activity of 108.7 units/ml milk from subclinical quarters was 27.1% higher than the average enzyme activity of 79.2 units/ml milk from nonmastitic quarters. Conditions present in the mammary gland during prolonged subclinical mastitis could lead to increased milk lipoprotein lipase activity in raw milk.     

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) levels in bulk herd milk

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase ( NAGase ) levels and somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined monthly for 6 months in the bulk milk of 181 suppliers (1063 samples). A highly significant correlation (r = 0.74; P less than 0.001) was found between supplier's bulk herd milk geometric mean NAGase activity and SCC. Monthly trends which grouped suppliers into various categories defined by different NAGase and SCC thresholds showed that a similar overall pattern was obtained with both SCC and NAGase . However, further analysis indicated that 18% of the bulk milk which had SCC less than 500 X 10(3)/ml had NAGase levels greater than 25 units. Also, 34% of samples with SCC greater than 500 X 10(3)/ml had NAGase levels less than 25 units. Overall, 24% of all samples did not have corresponding NAGase and SCC results. When the bulk milk of 2 commercial dairy herds was tested monthly over 12-18 months whilst the infection status of all quarters in the herds was regularly monitored, those herds with low incidence of mastitis (5% quarters infected) had significantly lower bulk milk SCC and NAGase levels than those with a high incidence of mastitis (22% of quarters infected). This suggests that NAGase measurement on bulk herd milk would be a simple means of monitoring infection status of dairy herds and of rapidly classifying a supplier's milk as being of low, medium or high SCC status. The possible combined use of SCC and NAGase levels in bulk milk monitoring schemes is discussed.     

Effects of prepartum intramammary antibiotic therapy on udder health, milk production, and reproductive performance in dairy heifers

Preparturient heifers (n = 561) from 9 herds in 6 US states and 1 Canadian province were enrolled in a study to test the hypothesis that prepartum intramammary therapy would cure existing intramammary infections (IMI) and lead to increased milk production, reduced linear somatic cell count (LSCC), and improved reproductive performance. Mammary secretions were collected 10 to 21 d before expected calving from each quarter. Heifers were then assigned by identification number to receive intramammary therapy consisting of infusion of one tube per mammary quarter of a lactating cow commercial antibiotic preparation containing cephapirin or to a nontreated control group. Overall, 34.1% of mammary quarters were infected with a mastitis pathogen before parturition and 63.4% of heifers had at least one mammary quarter infected. The coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) caused the majority (74.8%) of prepartum IMI. Coagulase-positive staphylococci, environmental streptococci, and coliforms accounted for 24.5% of prepartum infections. Treatment had a significant effect on the cure rate of infected mammary quarters. Mammary quarters that were infected prepartum and treated with antibiotics had a 59.5% efficacy of cure rate and the percentage reduction in heifers with IMI was 51.9. Control quarters had a spontaneous cure rate of 31.7%. Treatment did not significantly affect milk production or LSCC in the first 200 d of lactation; however, there was a significant treatment by herd interaction for milk production. Quarters cured of either CNS or major pathogens had a lower LSCC in the first 200 d of lactation. No significant effect on services per conception or days open between treatment and control groups was observed. This trial demonstrated that prepartum intramammary antibiotic therapy did reduce the number of heifer IMI postpartum. Milk production, LSCC, and reproductive performance during the first 200 d of the first lactation were not significantly affected by treatment. Given these results, use of prepartum intramammary antibiotic therapy in heifers as a universal strategy to increase milk production in first-lactation dairy cows may not be warranted.     

Comparison of milk somatic cell counts by Coulter and Fossomatic Counters

Unpreserved milk samples from 28 quarters of 18 cows were used to compare milk somatic cell counts obtained by Fossomatic and Coulter Counter and to determine effect of temperature and sample age on Fossomatic counts. Samples represented high and low cell count milk (16 cows) and colostrum (2 cows). Fifteen milliliters of both foremilk (after milking preparation) and strippings were obtained; one-third was used for Coulter and two-thirds for Fossomatic. Milk for Fossomatic was subdivided once for fresh and 24-h determinations and once again for heating to 40 and 60 degrees C for 15 min. Analysis of log10 count included effects for quarter, Fossomatic versus Coulter, and (for Fossomatic) sample age, incubation temperature, and age-temperature interaction. For foremilk, geometric means of Coulter milk somatic cell counts and Fossomatic counts were not different. For Fossomatic, milk samples incubated at 60 degrees C counted higher than those at 40 degrees C (230,096 versus 173,638); 24-h samples counted higher than fresh (201,679 versus 192,380). For strippings, Coulter counted higher than Fossomatic (700,521 versus 570,033). Interaction of time and temperature was significant for Fossomatic. Counts from samples held 24 h and heated to 60 degrees C were highest (553,291). Fossomatic counts from fresh samples at 40 degrees C were lowest (447,729). Geometric means of original milk samples from 14 of the quarters obtained by direct microscopic, Fossomatic, and Coulter counts were 199,300, 311,000, and 399,300, respectively.     

Variation in the composition of selected milk fraction samples from healthy and mastitic quarters, and its significance for mastitis diagnosis

Seven variables--electrical conductivity (EC), somatic cell count (SCC), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase), lactose, protein, fat and pH--were compared in four quarter milk fractions (MF1: strict foremilk; MF2: first 12-15 ml foremilk; MF3: subsequent 40-45 ml milk; MF4: strippings) and in one cow composite milk sample (CC) per cow. The study used 142 quarters from 37 lactating cows of the German Black Pied breed. To rule out any possible effect due to management, animal physiology and analytical procedures, the collection and processing of milk samples from each cow was repeated for three consecutive days, and the means of 3-d values were used. All variables were affected significantly by milk fraction and udder health. Compared with foremilk, EC, lactose and protein levels in strippings decreased, while SCC, NAGase and fat increased. The pH of foremilk and strippings did not differ significantly in healthy or in mastitic quarters. The difference between MF1 and MF2 was significant for EC in mastitic quarters, and for SCC in healthy quarters only. In general, mastitis resulted in a significant increase in EC, SCC, NAGase and protein but in a decrease in lactose and fat contents of milk in one or more of the milk fractions studied. Comparison of cow composite milk samples from healthy and mastitic cows revealed the significance (P < 0.01) of udder health for EC, SCC and lactose. Of the different parameters that can distinguish between healthy and mastitic quarters or cows, EC could be used to classify 76% of quarters and 73% of cows correctly, while the lactose content permitted correct identification of 81% of quarters and 76% of cows. NAGase and pH could be used to determine the status of 73% and 61% of quarters, respectively. In general, the correlation observed in strippings was higher than in foremilk for almost all the variables studied. Surprisingly, EC, SCC, NAGase and lactose in milk from healthy quarters of mastitic cows (with at least one mastitic quarter) differed significantly (P < 0.05) from those from healthy quarters of cows with all four healthy quarters, indicating an inconsistent effect of mastitic quarters on neighbouring healthy quarters (quarter interdependence).     

Relationship between the level of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) in bovine milk and the presence of mastitis pathogens

Changes in the level of the tissue damage marker enzyme, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) in quarter fore milks were found to be related to the presence and types of pathogenic bacteria present and to somatic cell counts (SCC). Minor pathogens (coagulase-negative staphylococci, Corynebacterium bovis) elicited a mild SCC increase (from a mean of 243 X 10(3)/ml in healthy quarters to 504 X 10(3)/ml in infected quarters) with marginal tissue damage (mean NAGase activity increased from 21 in healthy quarters to 28 in infected quarters). Major pathogens (i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Str. dysgalactiae and Str. uberis) caused more severe tissue damage (mean NAGase of 48) and SCC increases (mean, 2803 X 10(3)/ml). The NAGase test could also be used effectively on composite milk samples where regular monthly NAGase analysis was able to identify correctly 74% of animals having infected quarters. The possibility of combining SCC and NAGase data in order to give a more definite diagnosis of bovine mastitis is discussed.     

Increased susceptibility to intramammary infection following removal of teat canal keratin.

Influence of teat canal keratin on susceptibility to intramammary infection was investigated in lactating Jersey cows. In each of two replicate trials, keratin was removed from the left teats of 20 cows immediately before milking. Immediately after milking, all teats were exposed to bacterial challenge by immersion in a suspension of Streptococcus agalactiae (5 x 10(7) cfu/ml). Bacterial challenge was repeated after the next four milkings. Foremilk samples were obtained for 8 d after keratin removal to determine infection status. A mammary quarter was classified as infected based solely upon the bacteriological criteria outlined by the National Mastitis Council. The rate of infection in quarters from which keratin was removed was greater than that in control quarters. Infection rates were 26.3% for keratin-removed quarters and 8.3% for control quarters in trial 1 and 13.5 and 0%, respectively, in trial 2. When more stringent criteria (recovery of greater than 100 cfu of S. agalactiae/ml in three or more successive milk samples and a SCC of greater than 10(6)) were used to identify a subset of infections that were clearly intramammary, infection rates were 9.3% for keratin-removed quarters and 1.4% for control quarters. Thus, partial removal of keratin from the teat canal compromised the ability of the teat to prevent passage of bacterial pathogens from the external environment into the mammary gland.     

Histological response of the bovine mammary gland to intramammary devices.

Histologic response of the bovine mammary gland to presence of three intramammary device models (abraded, star, or grooved) was studied in 12 lactating cows. Uninfected quarters fitted with devices exhibited greater leukocyte infiltration into teat and gland cistem linings as well as into mammary parenchyma adjacent to the gland cistem compared with unfitted control quarters. Cytologic alterations to cistem linings in device-fitted quarters ranged from degeneration and sloughing of surface cells of the double-layered epithelium to hyperplasia, stratification, and keratin formation. In uninfected quarters, quantification of mammary parenchymal components showed no differences among models for percentages of epithelium, but percentage of lumen was lowest and stroma highest for the star intramammary device model, suggesting reduced secretory activity or mammary involution in response to these intramammary devices. Presence of bacterial infection amplified the histologic responses to all devices. Leukocyte infiltration remained greater in device-fitted quarters compared with controls but was elevated over uninfected quarters for all treatments. Likewise, hyperplasia, stratification, and keratin formation of the cistem epithelial lining were more frequently observed in infected quarters. Among models in infected quarters, percentage of lumen was lowest and stroma highest in quarters fitted with abraded devices. In most cases, presence of infection masked any effect of devices on mammary parenchymal components. Plaque formation was observed on all models and tended to be thicker on those retrieved from infected quarters. Electron microscopic examination showed that plaque was composed of leukocytes, cell debris, keratin, and amorphous material. Results demonstrated that most intramammary device models were successful in stimulating leukocytosis into the gland, and tissues from fitted quarters displayed alterations to cisternal linings; however, quarters fitted with these devices exhibited reduced secretory activity.     

Determination of milk and mammary tissue concentrations of ceftiofur after intramammary and intramuscular therapy

Twenty-five Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from bovine mastitis were tested for their susceptibility to ceftiofur. Zone diameter for 30 micrograms disks averaged 39 mm, and minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from .5 to 1 microgram/ml. Tissue and milk concentrations were determined from biopsy and quarter milk samples collected from eight cows treated with either intramammary infusion of 100 or 200 mg of ceftiofur, one or two intramuscular injections of 500 mg of ceftiofur, or combination therapy of intramammary infusion coupled with intramuscular injection. Three additional cows received two intramammary infusions of 200 mg of cephapirin at 24-h intervals. Intramuscular injections of ceftiofur resulted in tissue and milk concentrations below detectable limits. Staphylococcus aureus was not eliminated from infected mammary glands by infusion of 100 mg of ceftiofur or by injection of 500 mg of ceftiofur by 48 h after treatment. Combination therapy of 100 mg of ceftiofur infused and 500 mg injected reduced S. aureus numbers in milk and tissue markedly, as did infusion of 200 mg of ceftiofur. Cows receiving intramammary infusion of 200 mg of ceftiofur (two doses at 24-h intervals) had highest concentrations in milk (450 micrograms/ml at 4 and 6 h) and in tissue (.08 microgram/mg at 30 h). These concentrations are similar to those obtained with two 200-mg doses of cephapirin at 24-h intervals. Histologic analysis of mammary parenchymal tissues showed that combination therapy resulted in higher percentages of alveolar luminal area and lower percentages of interalveolar stroma compared with infusion or injection alone. Histology of quarters receiving combination therapy was not different from that of quarters receiving cephapirin infusion alone.     

Increase of Escherichia coli inoculum doses induces faster innate immune response in primiparous cows

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the dynamics of infection and the immunological response to varying numbers of Escherichia coli injected into the mammary glands of primiparous cows during the periparturient period. Primiparous cows have been shown to be more resistant to intramammary E. coli challenge, and an increase of the inoculum dose by 2 log10 units induced a more rapid clinical response and clearance of the organisms. Recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key event in the innate immunity response to gram-negative infection and is mediated by the accessory molecules CD14 and LPS-binding protein (LBP). Primiparous cows were inoculated with 1 x 10(4) (Group A; n=8) or 1 x 10(6) (Group B; n=8) cfu E. coli P4:O32 in their 2 left quarters during the periparturient period. Clinical examination and analysis of blood and milk parameters, including IL-8, complement fragment 5a (C5a), LBP, and soluble CD14 (sCD14), were performed from d -4 to d +3 relative to infection. Primiparous cows in Group B initiated a more rapid clinical response following intramammary infection (IMI), resulting in typical clinical signs and changes in blood and milk parameters approximately 3 h earlier compared with primiparous cows in Group A. Based on average milk production in the noninfected quarters on d +2 postinoculation, all heifers reacted as moderate responders. Distinct differences in the kinetic patterns of rectal temperature, somatic cell count (SCC), IL-8, C5a, LBP, and sCD14 were observed between both groups during the early phase of inflammation. Both C5a and IL-8 increased before cellular influx into the infected glands, followed by increases in sCD14 and LBP. In conclusion, primiparous cows are able to clear an intramammary E. coli infection efficiently. Moreover, increasing the inoculum dose induces a more rapid inflammatory reaction, mainly because of early activation of the innate host immune response.     

The effect of an intramammary teat seal on new intramammary infections

As concern over the possible overuse of antibacterials increases, attention has focused on reduction of antibiotic usage and on nonantibiotic alternatives. A nonantibiotic intramammary teat sealant, Teat Seal (Cross Vetpharm Group Ltd., Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland), has been available in Ireland, in combination with an intramammary tube of cloxacillin. Teat Seal has been reformulated for use in cows with low cell counts as an alternative to antibiotic dry cow therapy at the end of lactation. The product is now marketed as Orbeseal (Pfizer Animal Health). A comparison between this teat sealant and no treatment was made on new intramammary infections and clinical mastitis, on all cows within four herds, and on low cell count cows in three herds. No cases of clinical mastitis in the dry period were observed in cows treated with Teat Seal (n = 197), whereas a significant number (6 cows) were observed in the untreated cows (n = 204). In all herds, significantly more new infections at calving were found in the untreated group (62 cows in the untreated group compared with 21 cows in the Teat Seal group). In those quarters where infections were first detected at calving, the incidence of clinical mastitis was significantly greater in the untreated group. Quarters in both treatment groups that were infected at drying off with Corynebacterium spp. or coagulase-negative staphylococci were not protected against new infections and had an increased risk of new infection by Streptococcus uberis. The results will inform those restricting their use of antibiotic dry cow therapy in alternative management strategies and the additional risk of new intramammary infection.