Monitoring major mastitis pathogens at the population level based on examination of bulk tank milk samples

2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dusan Rysanek ◽  
Monika Zouharova ◽  
Vladimir Babak
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Bulk Tank ◽  
Environmental Pathogens ◽  
Mastitis Pathogens

The objective was to determine the proportions and bacterial counts of major mastitis pathogens in samples of bulk tank milk (BTM), as well as to clarify the relationship between these bacteria counts and bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC). The purpose was to judge the importance of the counts of mammary pathogens for BTSCC at the population level. Samples of BTM were collected from 268 randomly selected anonymous dairy herds (with approximately 29 000 dairy cows). Staphylococcus aureus, other coagulase-positive staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus dysgalactiae were grouped as contagious pathogens, and Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium as environmental pathogens. Based on assessment of the dominant pathogen in each herd, environmental pathogens were found to dominate. Counts of specific mammary pathogens in BTM samples did not exceed a geometric mean of 1000 cfu/ml. Significant differences were documented in BTSCC between BTM samples containing Str. agalactiae, Staph. aureus, and Str. dysgalactiae and BTM samples that were pathogen-free. Geometric means of BTSCC associated with these pathogens were noticeably higher than the overall BTSCC (Str. agalactiae 243 628; Staph. aureus 205 610; Str. dysgalactiae 203 978; overall 173 000 cells/ml). It follows that the somatic cell count (SCC) associated with these pathogens contributed substantially to the overall BTSCC. Environmental pathogens predominated in samples of BTM with SCC <300×103/ml and contagious mastitis pathogens predominated in BTM samples with SCC >300×103/ml. No correlation was detected between bacterial counts of specific pathogens and BTSCC. This study revealed that the assessment of bacterial counts of mammary pathogens in samples of BTM in relation to BTSCC is applicable for the monitoring of changes in the occurrence of major mastitis pathogens in dairy herds at a national level.

scholarly journals Description of the Characteristics of Five Bedding Materials and Association With Bulk Tank Milk Quality on Five New York Dairy Herds

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria M. Alanis ◽  
Michael Zurakowski ◽  
Deb Pawloski ◽  
Tiago Tomazi ◽  
Daryl V. Nydam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Milk Quality ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Bulk Tank ◽  
Bacterial Groups

Environmental mastitis represents a major challenge on dairy farms where contagious pathogens are controlled by improved milking procedures. Therefore, research focused on the environment is important to improve udder health programs. The objectives of this prospective and descriptive study were to (1) describe bedding bacterial counts, pH, and dry matter (DM) of five different bedding types (organic: manure solids, straw, paper fiber; inorganic: sand, recycled sand) and (2) explore the association between bedding bacterial counts with bulk tank milk quality. This study took place within five conveniently selected commercial dairy herds, each with a predominant bedding material in lactating pens. Bedding samples (used n = 237; fresh n = 53) were collected monthly from July 2018 to July 2019 following a standard operating procedure (SOP) to minimize sampling variability. Additionally, a bulk tank (BT) milk sample (n = 40) was collected on the same day unless milk had been picked up prior to arrival. Both BT and bedding samples were submitted to the laboratory for culture and bacterial identification and quantification of Streptococcus spp, coliforms, and non-coliforms as well as detection of several pathogens of mastitis importance. Somatic cell count was evaluated in BT samples. Within bedding type, the correlation between bedding characteristics and bacterial counts in bedding was evaluated using Pearson correlation. Within bedding type, the correlation between bacterial counts in bedding samples and bacterial counts in BT were determined. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to evaluate the bacterial count by bedding type and to evaluate BT somatic cell count differences based on bedding type. In fresh bedding, bacterial counts were generally higher for manure solids for all bacterial groups compared with other materials. In used samples, organic materials had the highest levels of all bacterial groups. The proportion of samples with detectable organisms of mastitis importance varied within and among herds in both bedding and BT samples throughout the study period. In bedding samples, a higher DM content had the lowest levels of bacterial growth compared with those with lower DM content. Most bedding samples were on the alkaline side within a pH range of 8–11. No relationship between bacterial counts and pH was observed. No associations between BT bacteria counts and bedding bacterial counts were observed. No association between bulk tank somatic cell counts based on bedding type were observed. Despite using an SOP for bedding sampling in an effort to consistently collect samples, we still observed a large amount of variability both within and among bedding samples. This variability may have obscured any potential association between BT milk quality and bedding type.

scholarly journals Farm business and operator variables associated with bulk tank somatic cell count from dairy herds in the southeastern United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 100 (11) ◽  
pp. 9298-9310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. DeLong ◽  
Dayton M. Lambert ◽  
Susan Schexnayder ◽  
Peter Krawczel ◽  
Mark Fly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Bulk Tank ◽  
Farm Business

Effects of season, milking routine and cow cleanliness on bacterial and somatic cell counts of bulk tank milk

2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maddalena Zucali ◽  
Luciana Bava ◽  
Alberto Tamburini ◽  
Milena Brasca ◽  
Laura Vanoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Bulk Tank

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.

scholarly journals Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A in relation to the somatic cell count in quarter, cow composite and bulk tank milk samples

2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Åkerstedt ◽  
Karin Persson Waller ◽  
Åse Sternesjö
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Serum Amyloid A ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Serum Amyloid ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Amyloid A ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Bulk Tank

Milk somatic cell count (SCC) is the gold standard in diagnosis of subclinical mastitis, and is also an important parameter in quality programmes of dairy cooperatives. As routine SCC analysis is usually restricted to central laboratories, much effort has been invested in the search for alternative biomarkers of mastitis and milk quality, including the presence in the milk of the acute phase proteins (APP), haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA). The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between Hp, SAA and SCC in quarter, cow composite, and bulk tank milk samples. Cows (n=165), without any clinical signs of disease or abnormalities in the milk or udder, from three different dairy farms, were used. Cow composite milk samples from all cows delivering milk at the sampling occasion were taken once in each herd. In one of the farms, representative quarter milk samples (n=103) from 26 cows were also collected. In addition, bulk tank milk samples from 96 dairy farms were included in the study. Samples were analysed for Hp, SAA and SCC, and relationships between the parameters were evaluated at quarter, cow and tank milk levels using Chi-square analysis. Milk samples were categorized according to their SCC, and the presence, or no presence, of SAA and Hp, based on the detection limits of the screening methods (0·3 mg/l and 1·0 mg/l for SAA and Hp, respectively). Hp and SAA were found in milk at quarter, cow composite and bulk tank levels. A large proportion (53%) of the animals had detectable milk concentrations of APP, and SAA was detected more frequently, and at higher concentrations than Hp, regardless of sample type. SAA was detected in as many as 82% of the bulk tank milk samples. Significant relationships were found between Hp, SAA and SCC at quarter and cow composite milk levels, but only between SAA and SCC at bulk tank milk level. Detectable levels of APP were more common at high SCC.

scholarly journals Month-wise variation and prediction of bulk tank somatic cell count in Brazilian dairy herds and its impact on payment based on milk quality

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Busanello ◽  
Larissa Nazareth de Freitas ◽  
João Pedro Pereira Winckler ◽  
Hiron Pereira Farias ◽  
Carlos Tadeu dos Santos Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Milk Quality ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Bulk Tank

scholarly journals Farm management factors associated with bulk tank somatic cell count in Irish dairy herds

2009 ◽  
Vol 62 (S4) ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Kelly ◽  
K O'Sullivan ◽  
DP Berry ◽  
SJ More ◽  
WJ Meaney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Bulk Tank ◽  
Management Factors

scholarly journals Effect of somatic cell count on composition and hygiene indicators of bulk tank milk

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Nori de Macedo ◽  
Juliano Leonel Gonçalves ◽  
Cristina Simões Cortinhas ◽  
Renata De Freitas Leite ◽  
Marcos Veiga dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Bulk Tank

Este trabalho avaliou o efeito da contagem de células somáticas (CCS) na composição e na qualidade higiênica do leite de tanque de rebanhos leiteiros. Especificamente, foram avaliados o efeito da CCS do tanque de rebanhos leiteiros na composição (gordura, proteína, sólidos totais, extrato seco desengordurado) e nas contagens bacteriana total (CBT), de psicrotróficos (CP) e de coliformes (CC). Um total de 230 rebanhos leiteiros localizados no sul de Minas Gerais e oeste de São Paulo foram selecionados com base na média geométrica da CCS obtida de cinco análises mensais anteriores ao início das coletas das amostras. As fazendas foram classificadas de acordo com a CCS em três grupos: baixa (< 250.000 células/mL, n = 84), média (> 250.000 e < 750.000 células/mL, n = 79) e alta CCS (> 750.000 células/mL, n = 67). Após a seleção dos rebanhos, amostras de leite do tanque foram coletadas a cada catorze dias durante três meses, totalizando 1.380 amostras, as quais foram submetidas às análises de composição, CBT, CP e CC. Uma redução da CBT e da CC foi observada em rebanho com baixa CCS; entretanto, rebanhos com média e alta CCS tiveram aumento nos teores de gordura, proteína bruta e sólidos totais. Uma média correlação foi observada entre CBT e CP (r = 0,6215) e também entre CP e CC (r = 0,3692). Com base nos indicadores de higiene e na composição do leite, foi observada uma correlação baixa e negativa entre CBT e gordura (r = -0,0585), CP e gordura (r = -0,0585) e CP e sólidos totais (r = -0,0662). Os rebanhos leiteiros com CCS < 250.000 células/mL apresentaram maior qualidade higiênica do leite de tanque; entretanto, considerando a composição, rebanhos com maior CCS tiveram maiores concentrações de gordura e proteína.

scholarly journals BULK TANK SOMATIC CELL COUNT IN MILK SAMPLES FROM STATE OF PARANÁ

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Newton Pohl Ribas ◽  
Paulo Rossi Junior ◽  
Humberto Gonzalo Monardes ◽  
Uriel Vinicius Cotarelli Andrade ◽  
Altair Antonio Valotto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
The State ◽  
Scientific Cooperation ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Bulk Tank

This research studied somatic cell count in bulk tank milk samples (BTSCC) from the state of Paraná, Brazil, at the Milk Quality Laboratory of the Dairy Herd Analysis Service of the Holstein Association of Paraná, the result of technical and scientific cooperation between UFPR and McGill University of Canada. A total of 1,950,034 bulk tank milk samples from ten regions of the state of Paraná were analyzed between January 2005 and April 2012 and were studied using PROC GLM (SAS, version 9.3). Fixed effects were the month and year of analysis, region and age of the sample. Means and standard deviations of BTSCC were 553,519 ± 545,532 cells/ml, respectively. All fixed effects were statistically significant (P<0.01). Highest values for BTSCC are observed in the month of February (554,000 cells/ml ± 1.45) and lowest values in September (450,000 cells/ml ± 1.47). Similarly, the highest values were found in the year 2010 (567,000 cells/ml ± 1.16), the lowest BTSCC was found in 2012 (444,000 cells/ml ± 1.57). The region effect was also significant with the highest values found in the South Center/ Guarapuava (668,000 cells/ml ± 0.87) and the lowest in the Southwest/ Francisco Beltrão (359,000 cells/ml ± 2.00). Both variables showed a reduction of their values with increasing age of the sample, from 518,000 ± 1.08 to 472,000 cells/ml ± 2.14 between the first and the seventh day, for the BTSCC. Coefficient of variation for BTSCC was 96.10%. The R² was 0.39 for BTSCC.

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