Relationship of somatic cell count and cell volume analysis of goat's milk to intramammary infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci

1981 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard F. Sheldrake ◽  
Roderic J. T. Hoare ◽  
Victoria E. Woodhouse

SummaryThe prevalence of intramammary infection in 4 commercial goat herds was studied in conjunction with electronic somatic cell count and volume analysis, determined using a Coulter Counter and volume analyser.Neither streptococci nor mycoplasma were isolated from any half and the prevalence of intramammary infection with Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 0 to 3% between herds. For coagulase-negative staphylococci the range for infected halves was 36–71%. There was no significant difference between the mean total microscopic somatic cell count for halves infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci and those free from infection. A similar trend was observed for electronic somatic cell counts although the mean electronic cell count was greater than the mean total microscopic count on the 2 occasions that they were compared. The correlation coefficients between the 2 cell counting methods were 0·86 and 0·94. Between herds there were significant differences in mean electronic somatic cell count, with herd means ranging from 438×103 to 1684×103 cells/ml. In 2 of the 4 herds studied, milk samples from halves infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci had a significantly higher prevalence of cell volume distributions with a modal cell volume between 65 µ3 and 100 µ3. This was attributed to a higher proportion of polymorphonuclear neutrophils.Use of electronic somatic cell count and cell volume analysis were considered of little value in predicting infection caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci as there was a high proportion of false negative and false positive predictions.

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1534
Author(s):  
Gisele Margatho ◽  
Hélder Quintas ◽  
Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez ◽  
João Simões

The external morphological traits of the mammary gland, and their relationships with somatic cell count (SCC) and the presence of intramammary infection (IMI), were studied in 30 Serrana goats, Transmontano ecotype. Globular-shaped udders were the most predominant, with slightly separated and symmetrical halves, presenting some degree of suspension. Funnel-shaped teats were the most prevalent shape with an opening of 120° to 160° degrees. Significant differences were observed between healthy group and the coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS)-infected group for udder cleft, teat perimeter and distance between teats parameters; and between healthy group and CNS or Staphylococcus aureus groups for degree of separation, teat shape and udder shape (p < 0.05). The udder shape, symmetry, degree of suspension and degree of separation parameters showed to be different depending on SCC (p < 0.05). The udder perimeter and udder depth traits showed differences between the lowest and the middle SCC group. We concluded that bifurcated pendular udders, with vertical loose teats and located close to each other, are more likely to have IMI, and have the highest SCC. The inclusion in breeding programs of certain mammary conformation traits would not only help to improve milk production, but would also decrease the susceptibility to IMI of the herd.


1987 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. LINTNER ◽  
A. L. LANGE ◽  
C. W. HEALD ◽  
R. J. EBERHART

Somatic cell count samples (SCCS) for use in comparison of milk somatic cell counting methods were prepared from the cell sediment deposited in a creamery milk separator. Bovine milk somatic cells were resuspended from the sediment, and serial cell dilutions were prepared in bronopol-preserved milk diluent. Over a 1-year period, sets of SCCS were prepared each month and sent to milk-testing laboratories in the U.S.A., Canada and Europe, and counted by the methods in use at those Laboratories: (a) direct microscopic somatic cell count (DMSCC), (b) Fossomatic counter and (c) Coulter counter. Cell counts were normalized to eliminate the effect of month to month variation in the cell content of the SCCS. Counts obtained by the three methods were similar, although Coulter counter results tended to be lower, and significantly lower (P&lt; 0.05) in SCCS with cell counts greater than 700,000 cells/ml than those counts by the other two methods. The effect of shipping on SCCS stability was assessed for SCCS samples sent to and returned from other laboratories, and counted by the Fossomatic method on their return. Counts were similar before and after shipping, except that results for SCCS with cell counts greater than 1,000,000 cells/ml were significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) after their return.


1984 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 694-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. LINTNER ◽  
C. W. HEALD ◽  
R. J. EBERHART

Somatic cell count samples (SCCS) for use in calibration of milk somatic cell counting methods were prepared from raw bulk milk preserved with potassium dichromate. Somatic cells were separated by centrifugation, then appropriate cell dilutions were prepared in the dichromate-preserved skim milk. Somatic cell counts from SCCS stored at 4°C were stable over a 23-wk period. No bacterial contamination was detected in these samples. In a collaborative study among eight laboratories, SCCS were not affected by usual conditions by shipping. The SCCS can be used as reference standards for the direct microscopic somatic cell count and the Fossomatic and Coulter Counter somatic cell counting methods.


1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Burriel ◽  
A. Wagstaff

AbstractAn experiment was carried out to estimate the concentration of sodium, potassium, whey albumin and total protein of normal and experimentally infected milk from meat breed ewes. Intramammary infection significantly (P> 0·0001) increased the concentration of sodium, albumin and total protein and decreased that of potassium. The potassium decrease was not statistically significant fP = 0·08). The increase in whey albumin and total protein was followed by a significant decrease in the albumin and total protein of blood serum. The increases and decreases of sodium, potassium, albumin and total protein were significantly correlated to the rise in somatic cell count and subsided 3 to 4 days after failure to isolate the infecting micro-organisms from the milk of ewes. Changes in the concentration of albumin could be used in identifying infected mammary glands or to evaluate the virulence of the infecting micro-organism.


Author(s):  
Tvarožková ◽  
Vašíček ◽  
Uhrinčať ◽  
Mačuhová ◽  
Hleba ◽  
...  

Mastitis is a major health problem of the udder in dairy sheep breeds. For diagnosis of subclinical mastitis, somatic cell count (SCC) is commonly used. The presence of pathogens in the udder causes the increase of leukocytes and thus SCC in milk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of pathogens in the milk of ewes and the possible relationship with SCC. The changes of leukocytes subpopulation in milk samples with high SCC were evaluated as well. The experiment was carried out on a dairy farm with the Lacaune breed. This study was conducted on 45 ewes (98 milk samples) without signs of clinical mastitis. Based on somatic cell count, samples were divided to five SCC groups: SCC1 &lt; 200 000 cells/ml (45 milk samples); 200 000 ≤ SCC2 &lt; 400 000 cells/ml (10 milk samples); 400 000 ≤ SCC3 &lt; 600 000 cells/ml (six milk samples); 600 000 ≤ SCC4 &lt; 1 000 000 cells/ml (six milk samples); SCC5 ≥ 1 000 000 cells/ml (31 milk samples). No pathogens were observed in the majority of milk samples (60.20%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most commonly isolated pathogens from the milk of ewes (86.11%). Staphylococcus epidermidis had the highest incidence from CNS (35.48%). In the SCC5 group, up to 79.31% of bacteriological samples were positive. The percentage of leukocytes significantly increased (P &lt; 0.001) in the samples with higher SCC (≥ 200 × 10<sup>3</sup> cells/ml) in comparison to the group SCC1. Also, the percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) was significantly higher with increasing SCC (P &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, the presented results showed that the high SCC was caused by the presence of the pathogen in milk. Thus SCC &lt; 200 000 cells/ml and leukocyte subpopulation, especially PMNs, could be considered as important tools in udder health programs applied in dairy ewes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maddalena Zucali ◽  
Luciana Bava ◽  
Alberto Tamburini ◽  
Milena Brasca ◽  
Laura Vanoni ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of season, cow cleanliness and milking routine on bacterial and somatic cell counts of bulk tank milk. A total of 22 dairy farms in Lombardy (Italy) were visited three times in a year in different seasons. During each visit, samples of bulk tank milk were taken for bacterial and somatic cell counts; swabs from the teat surface of a group of cows were collected after teat cleaning and before milking. Cow cleanliness was assessed by scoring udder, flanks and legs of all milking cows using a 4-point scale system. Season affected cow cleanliness with a significantly higher percentage of non-clean (NC) cows during Cold compared with Mild season. Standard plate count (SPC), laboratory pasteurization count (LPC), coliform count (CC) and somatic cell count, expressed as linear score (LS), in milk significantly increased in Hot compared with Cold season. Coagulase-positive staphylococci on teat swabs showed higher counts in Cold season in comparison with the other ones. The effect of cow cleanliness was significant for SPC, psychrotrophic bacterial count (PBC), CC and Escherichia coli in bulk tank milk. Somatic cell count showed a relationship with udder hygiene score. Milking operation routine strongly affected bacterial counts and LS of bulk tank milk: farms that accomplished a comprehensive milking scheme including two or more operations among forestripping, pre-dipping and post-dipping had lower teat contamination and lower milk SPC, PBC, LPC, CC and LS than farms that did not carry out any operation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1555
Author(s):  
Luiz Francisco Zafalon ◽  
Raul Costa Mascarenhas Santana ◽  
Sérgio Novita Esteves ◽  
Guilherme Aparecido Fim Júnior

The aims of this study were to determine the occurrence of subclinical mastitis in sheep of different breeds and the values for somatic cell count (SCC) in milk for the diagnosis of the disease at lactation and weaning, a fundamental prerequisite for identifying animals in need of control measures. Milk samples were obtained from 1,457 mammary halves of Santa Inês, Texel, Ile de France, and Dorper sheep at two different periods, during the second week of lactation and at weaning. After teats antisepsis, the samples were collected, and identification of the infectious etiology of mastitis and determination of SCC were performed. Microorganisms were identified in 117/762 (15.3%) mammary halves in the second week of lactation and in 86/694 (12.4%) at weaning. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were the etiological agents with the highest incidence alone and in association with other microorganisms, with percentages of 58.1% and 60.6%, respectively. The Santa Inês presented a higher incidence of subclinical mastitis when compared to the other breeds. The cut-off values of SCC for subclinical mastitis were determined at both sampling periods and varied according to stage of lactation, as well breed. These results illustrate the lack of a universal value that can be used for the diagnosis of mastitis and suggests the need for permanent follow-up in herds in order to control the disease.


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