Pathogenesis/Pathology of Mastitis Flashcards
Which pathogen can cause disease in the non-lactating cow or immatrure glands?
Trueperella Pyogenes
What 3 routes of entry into the mammary gland are possible?
- galactogenic (most common) via teat canal
- haematogenous eg TB, brucellosis
- percutaneous due to wounds
Should normal milk be sterile? How does the udder resist infection?
Yes
- teat sm mm sphincter secretes bacteriocidal fatty acids, desquamates, desiccates
-Furstenburgs Rosette - fatty acids and cationic proteins, subepithelial plasma cells produce IG
- fulshing action of milk
- lactoferrin (Fe binding, more effective in non-lactating gland)
- lysozymes, complement, cytokines
- neutrophils, macrophages, NKCs (ineffective in milk cf. blood)
- IgG, IgM and IgA
> mostly aimed at preventing infection - if pathogens injected into cisterm WILL CAUSE MASTITIS
What are the 3 clinical presentations of mastitis?
- peracute potentially life threatening (particularly around parturition)
- acute (±systemic signs) may progress to chronic
- sublicincal chronic - progressive loss of secretroty ability
WHat may peracutue mastitis also be known as?
- Toxic with coliforms
- Gangrenous esp. S. aureus
How does peracute mastitis present grossly?
- swollen, painful
- rapid progrssion to moist gangrene
- darkblue/black, oozing serum
- cold
- dark haemorrhagic lobules on cut surface
- ventral oedema
- comatose due to toxaemia possible
How may acute mastitis appear microscopically?
- initially extensive oedema with neutrophilic infiltration of both interstitiium and glandular acini
- vacuolation and desquamation of acinar and ductal epithelium
How may chronic mastitis appear microscopically?
- fibrosis with obliteration of acini
- obstrustion of ducts by polyps
- subsequent retention cysts anterior to blocked ducts
> sequel - involution (temporary loss of secretory fucntion due to obstruction)
- fibrosis (permentant loss of secretory tissue due to progressive destructive)
How prevalent is subclinical v clincial mastitis?
10 - 40 times
How can subclinical mastitis be identified?
no gross inflammation or changes in milk
- SCC only
< 200,000 cells/ml in whole udder = no infection (normal epithelial cells and inflam cells always present)
How may chronic subclinical mastitis be identified?
Gross - fibrosed and atrophied gland
- involution due to blockage of secretion and acinar stagnation
Microscopy - similar to chronic mastitis following acute
- permenant loss of secretory function
What may occour after an initial subclinical mastitis flare up?
further flare ups - ??botromycosis, s aureus, no effective ABx, granulomatous /? LOOK UP!
Should udder tissue be sterile?
Yes
At what stage in the udder does milk become colonised? By which bacteria?
- Lactobacillus ap
- Lactic strep
> in the duct - normal, hamrless (protective) bacteria
WHat are the 5 main pathogens associated with mastitis?
- Strep agalactiae
- Strep dysgalactiae
- Strep uberis
- Staph aureus
- E. Coli