Udder 1 Flashcards
what is mastitis? generally associated with what?
- = inflammation of the mammary gland
- Practically, associated with bacterial infection
how common is mastitis?
- Typically, 1 cow in 5 has >= 1 case of clinical mastitis per lactation
economic and medical significance of mastitis
- Often the most economically important disease on a dairy farm (~ $120 - $300 per case)
> ~ $5000 – $12,000 per 100 cows per year - The #1 reason for use of antibiotics in dairy cows
healthy teat end should have what texture?
smooth - less hospitable for bacteria
are mastitis causing agents common?
Many mastitis-causing organisms are common on the cow and in her environment
challenges for the cow for mounting an immune response to mastitis
- Blood-milk barrier limits the immune arsenal
- Milk is a difficult place for immune cells and antibodies to function
how and why does the conductivity of milk change with mastitis? what other related changes occur?
- mastitis milk is more conductive because there are more electrolytes (Na, K, Cl) present
>inflammation causes increased vascular permeability / increased permeability of blood milk barrier
> this is to let antibodies through - mastitis milk will look more like serum > better medium for immune system
notable changes in albumin, lactoferrin (what is this?) sodium, and chlorine in mastitis milk vs normal?
albumin, lactoferrin, sodium, chlorine all increased in mastitis milk
- lactoferrin is a “natural antibioitic” > binds to iron so bacteria cannot use it
mammary immune response - cellular and humoral; what do they include?
Cellular response:
* Primarily neutrophils
Humoral response:
* innate
> Complement system (opsonins)
> lactoferrin
> enzymes
> resident (e.g. LPS (endotoxin) receptors)
* acquired
> immunoglobulins (vaccination)
> memory
cells in milk; normla vs mastitis
Total cells:
-normal: < 100,000
-mastitis: > > 250,000
WBC:
-normal: >85%
-mastitis: >99%, due to massive increase in neutrophils
Epithelial cells:
- normal: <15%
- mastitis: <1%
new mastitis infections generally happen when?
New infections happen around milking
* Both contagious and environmental pathogens
general pronciples for mastitis prevention:
- Reduce bacterial challenge at the teat end
> Clean stalls, bedding, alleys
> Teat cleaning and prep at milking
> Strategic treatment of mastitis to reduce transmission
> = Prevention of intra-mammary infection (IMI) - Support immune function
> Provide cow comfort and bunk access to encourage feed intake
> Provide nutrients that fuel the immune system (e.g. vitamin E, Se)
> = Preventing IMI from developing into clinical mastitis - Reduce the severity of cases that do occur
- Also note that new infections happen around milking
difference between clinical and subclinical mastitis
Mastitis (Intramammary infection (IMI)), leads to:
-clinical = visibly abnormal milk
> milk, moderate, or severe
-subclinical = visibly normal milk but measurable infection or inflammation
major (based on pathogenic and economic impact) mastitis pathogens and their basic classifications
CONTAGIOUS:
* Staphylococcus aureus
*Streptococcus agalactiae
*Mycoplamsa spp (mostly M. bovis)
ENVIRONMENTAL:
*Coliforms:
-Escherichia coli
-Klebsiella spp.
*Strep. uberis
minor (based on pathogenic and economic impact) mastitis pathogens
*Coagulase- negative Staphylococci (i.e. other than S. aureus)
*Corynebacterium bovis
Clinical mastitis means what? what are the levels?
= visibly abnormal milk
* Mild = flakes, clots, or watery milk; normal quarter
* Moderate = abnormal milk + swollen or hard quarter
* Severe = abnormal milk, quarter and systemically ill cow