Streptococcus spp. from bulk-tank milk and milking machine teatcups on small ruminant farms, and factors potentially associated with their isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-281
Author(s):  
Dimitris C. Chatzopoulos ◽  
Daphne T. Lianou ◽  
Charalambia K. Michael ◽  
Dimitris A. Gougoulis ◽  
Vasia S. Mavrogianni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Streptococcus Uberis ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Bulk Tank ◽  
Milking Machine

AbstractThe objectives of this work were (a) to determine the presence of streptococci in samples from small ruminant dairy farms (bulk-tank milk and, where possible, teatcup swabs), (b) to investigate the potential adverse effects of streptococci on milk quality and (c) to investigate the importance of some husbandry factors for the isolation of streptococci. Bulk-tank milk samples and teatcups swab samples were examined bacteriologically for the presence of streptococci. Somatic cell counting and milk composition measurements were also performed. The husbandry factors present in each farm were assessed for potential associations with the isolation of streptococci. Streptococci were isolated from milk samples from 31.4% of sheep and 17.4% of goat farms and from 4.8% of sheep and 5.9% of goat teatcups. Streptococci were isolated more frequently from the upper part than the lower part of teatcups: 5.0% vs. 1.9%. Most isolates (57.9%) were identified as Streptococcus uberis. Most isolates (68.4%) were slime-producing; slime-production was more frequent among isolates from teatcups (83.3%) than from bulk-tank milk (55.0%). Somatic cell counts and milk composition did not differ between farms in which streptococci were or were not isolated. Machine-milking was associated with the isolation of streptococci from bulk-tank milk samples. The initial stage of the milking period (first two months) was found to be associated with the isolation of streptococci from milking machine teatcups in sheep farms only.

Collaborative Study to Determine Effects of Milk Composition on Somatic Cell Counts

1990 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. HOGAN ◽  
K. LARRY SMITH ◽  
D. A. TODHUNTER ◽  
P. S. SCHOENBERGER
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Bulk Tank

Quarter, composite, and bulk tank milk samples were analyzed in a three laboratory collaborative study to determine the relationship of milk fat and protein content with milk somatic cell counts. Milk somatic cell counts were determined by two Coulter counters, a Fossomatic counter, and by direct microscopic somatic cell counting. In general, variability among somatic cell counts measured by different procedures was not related to protein or fat content of milk. The greatest percentage of variation between counts that could be explained by fat content of milk was 20.2% between a Coulter and direct microscopic somatic cell counts. The greatest percentage of variation between counts that could be explained by protein content of samples was 12.9% between a Coulter and Fossomatic counts. Breed of cow from which samples were collected also had little influence on differences among milk somatic cell counts. Differences among milk somatic cell counts due to counting methods did vary among quarter, composite, and bulk tank milk samples.

scholarly journals Extensive Countrywide Field Investigation of Somatic Cell Counts and Total Bacterial Counts in Bulk-Tank Raw Milk in Sheep Flocks in Greece

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Daphne T. Lianou ◽  
Charalambia K. Michael ◽  
Natalia G. C. Vasileiou ◽  
Efthymia Petinaki ◽  
Peter J. Cripps ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Mechanical Ventilators ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Bulk Tank

Objectives were to investigate somatic cell counts (SCC) and total bacterial counts (TBC) in the raw bulk-tank milk of sheep flocks in Greece, to study factors potentially influencing increased SCC and TBC in the bulk-tank milk of sheep and to evaluate possible associations of SCC and TBC with milk content. Throughout Greece, 325 dairy sheep flocks were visited for collection of milk sampling for somatic cell counting, microbiological examination and composition measurement. Geometric mean SCC were 0.488 × 106 cells mL−1; geometric mean TBC were 398 × 103 cfu mL−1; 228 staphylococcal isolates were recovered form 206 flocks (63.4%). Multivariable analyses revealed annual incidence risk of clinical mastitis, age of the farmer and month into lactation period (among 53 variables) to be significant for SCC > 1.0 × 106 cells mL−1 and month into lactation period at sampling and availability of mechanical ventilators (among 58 variables) to be significant for TBC > 1500 × 103 cfu mL−1. Negative correlation of SCC with fat, total protein and lactose and positive correlation of SCC with added water were found. With SCC > 1.0 × 106 cells mL−1, significant reduction of protein content (2%) was observed, whilst in flocks with SCC > 1.5 × 106 cells mL−1, significantly lower annual milk production per ewe (42.9%) was recorded.

scholarly journals Rapid Detection of Mycoplasma bovis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae in Cattle Bulk Tank Milk in Cyprus and Relations with Somatic Cell Counts

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 841
Author(s):  
Maria Liapi ◽  
George Botsaris ◽  
Costas Arsenoglou ◽  
Nikolas Markantonis ◽  
Christodoulos Michael ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Streptococcus Agalactiae ◽  
Mycoplasma Bovis ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Bulk Tank

One hundred and seventy-seven (177) bulk tank milk samples were analyzed with a commercially available real-time polymerase chain reaction kit and 11 (6.21%), 41 (23.16%), and 58 (32.77%) tested positive for Mycoplasma bovis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between the presence of S. aureus and S. agalactiae. Enumeration of somatic cells was performed in the same samples by flow cytometry. The somatic cell counts were found higher in S. aureus and S. agalactiae positive samples. No association was found between M. bovis presence and somatic cells counts. Low internal assay control Ct values were found to be related with high somatic cell counts. Noticeably, this is the first report for the presence of M. bovis in Cyprus. Therefore, its presence was confirmed by bulk tank milk culture, conventional PCR, and next generation sequencing. Furthermore, M. bovis was typed with multilocus sequencing typing and was allocated to sequence type 29 (ST 29). Real-time PCR in bulk tank milk samples is a useful tool to detect mammary infections, especially for neglected pathogens such as M. bovis.

scholarly journals Bulk tank milk somatic cell count and sources of raw milk contamination with mastitis pathogens

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Rysanek ◽  
V. Babak ◽  
M. Zouharova
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Milk Contamination ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Bulk Tank ◽  
Mastitis Pathogens

The objective of this study was to probe the relationship between prevalence of selected principal mastitis pathogens and somatic cell counts in bulk tank milk samples. The sources of milk contamination were evaluated. The samples were collected from 298 dairy herds (with approximately 32 000 dairy cows). Only 48.3% of the bulk tank milk samples were free of contamination of pathogens of interest. Approximately 38.9% of the milk samples were contaminated with only one, 12.4% with two and 0.3% with three pathogens. The arithmetic mean of logarithmically transformed data of bulk tank milk somatic cell count rise in order: pathogen free, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, <i>Streptococcus uberis</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (5.381; 5.413; 5.495; 5.518; 5.563, respectively). The arithmetic mean differences between bulk tank milk somatic cell counts in pathogen-free and single-pathogen contaminated samples have revealed a significance for the <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> groups (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.01). Using binary logistic regression, a statistically highly significant relationship (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) has been found between the number of contaminations of bulk tank milk samples with mastitis pathogens and bulk tank milk somatic cell counts. The relationship allows the determination of the probability of finding relevant mastitis pathogens in bulk tank milk samples with different levels of bulk tank milk SCC. A 63% probability can be defined at a cell count level of 400 000/ml and 20% at a cell count level of 100 000/ml. Analysis may reveal the potential sources of the bulk tank milk sample contamination, i.e. infected mammary glands or the environment. The presence of high levels of contamination along with a low bulk tank SCC may suggest an environmental source of contamination. The study clarified that a potential source of bulk tank milk contamination by relevant pathogens (the environment or the mammary gland) may be elucidated and the probability of the contamination of bulk tank milk samples with mastitis pathogens predicted by the analysis of relationship between the bulk tank milk somatic cell counts and the number of mastitis pathogen contaminations.

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.

Diagnosis of intramammary infection in samples yielding negative results or minor pathogens in conventional bacterial culturing

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Bexiga ◽  
Mikko T Koskinen ◽  
Jani Holopainen ◽  
Carla Carneiro ◽  
Helena Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Streptococcus Uberis ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Culture Negative

Up to half of quarter milk samples submitted for mastitis diagnosis are culture-negative results or lead to identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci or Corynebacterium bovis in conventional culturing, the so-called minor pathogens. The interpretation and usefulness of these results in terms of udder and animal health management is limited, even though the amount of resources spent is relatively high. This work aimed to test two methods of analysis of milk samples with the goal of increasing detection of intramammary pathogens. In the first study, 783 milk samples were processed in duplicate: before and after freezing at −20°C for 24 h, using standard bacteriological techniques. There was a significant difference between the two methods with samples frozen for 24 h yielding significantly fewer Gram-positive catalase-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli, Gram-positive bacilli and significantly more samples leading to no growth, than samples before freezing. The number of samples yielding Gram-positive catalase-negative cocci was not significantly affected by freezing. In the second study, a real-time PCR-based test was performed on milk samples with an individual quarter somatic cell count above 500 000 cells/ml that were either negative (n=51 samples) or that led to the isolation of minor pathogens in culturing: Corynebacterium bovis (n=79 samples) or non-aureus staphylococci (NAS, n=32). A mastitis pathogen, beyond the result obtained with standard bacteriology, was detected on 47% of the no-growth samples, on 35% of the samples from which C. bovis had been isolated and on 25% of the samples from which NAS had been isolated. The most commonly detected major pathogen was Escherichia coli, followed by Streptococcus uberis, Arcanobacterium pyogenes/Peptoniphilus indolicus and Streptococcus dysgalactiae. These results suggest that simply freezing milk samples for 24 h does not increase the detection of intramammary bacteria in milk samples and therefore should not be recommended. However, use of the real-time PCR-based test may be useful in diagnosing intramammary infections when milk samples with high somatic cell counts are culture-negative or when culturing results in the detection of minor pathogens.

Bulk tank milk somatic cell counts in dairy herds with different bovine viral diarrhoea virus status in Poland

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 183-187
Author(s):  
Jolanta G. Rola ◽  
Magdalena Larska ◽  
Monika Grzeszuk ◽  
Lukasz Bocian ◽  
Aleksandra Kuta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Diarrhoea Virus ◽  
Bulk Tank

scholarly journals Relationship among specific bacterial counts and total bacterial and somatic cell counts and factors influencing their variation in ovine bulk tank milk

2013 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 1021-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. de Garnica ◽  
B. Linage ◽  
J.A. Carriedo ◽  
L.F. De La Fuente ◽  
M.C. García-Jimeno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Bulk Tank Milk ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Bulk Tank

scholarly journals Connection of somatic cell count and milk yield as well as composition in dairy ewes

2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
J. Olechnowicz ◽  
Z. Sobek ◽  
J. M. Jaśkowski ◽  
P. Antosik ◽  
D. Bukowska
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Dairy Ewes ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Daily Milk

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) on milk yield and composition using a threshold value of 250 ∙103 cells/ml in dairy ewes of line 05. A total of 1 512 milk samples from udder halves were collected throughout milking periods at monthly intervals. In the present study milk composition (from halves of the udder) and daily milk yield (from udders) was examined in terms of SCC in ewe milk in three groups: from both halves of the udder below 250 ∙103 cells/ml, from one halves of the udder below 250 ∙103 cells/ml and from second half udder above 250 ∙103 cells/ml and from both halves of the udder above 250 ∙103 cells/ml. Milk yield from udders, somatic cell count in milk samples from udder halves and milk composition depended on the level of SCC recorded for halves of the udder. Somatic cell counts in milk from one or both halves of udders exceeding 250 ∙103 cells/ ml resulted in a statistically significant (P<0.01) decrease in daily milk production of ewes, by approx. 15.89 and 30.22 %, respectively. The analysis of variance showed also a significant effect of parity and stage of lactation of ewes on somatic cell count (log SCC) and milk composition from udder halves below 250 ∙103 cells/ml.

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