Risk factors associated with buffalo mastitis in the Brazilian Northeast

Abstract

Risk factors for subclinical mastitis were studied in 474 buffaloes cows proceeding from four dairy farms located in the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia and Ceará, Brazil. Milk samples (n=1896) of lactating buffaloes cows were examined for somatic cells count (SCC) and microbiologic exam, and a questionnaire composed by objective questions was applied in order to obtain animals and herd management data. Risk factors analysis was performed in two stages: univariate and mutivariate analysis. Two analysis were performed, one considering the animal classification for SCC as the dependent variable (<400,000 -negative; >400,000 -positive) and another, considering the microbiologic exam result (positive and negative). In the multivariate analysis considering SCC as dependent variable, the lack of teat washing was the only variable identified as a risk factor, so that farms without this procedure before the milking presented risk of infection of 2.68 (I.C. 1.49-4.83). In the multivariate analysis considering the microbiologic exam as dependent variable, it was observed that properties that performed the cleaning of the milking equipment manually presented risk of 1.85 (I.CI. 1.32-3.64), which was higher than those properties that performed the cleaning mechanically (p=0.019). Risk factors for the occurrence of subclinical mastitis in dairy buffaloes in Brazilian Northeast farms were related to the characteristics of improper milking management. Risk factors identified in this study must be carefully corrected in order to reduce the frequency of mastitis cases, and therefore, contribute for disease control and prevention in the herds. RESUMO.-[Fatores de risco associados à mastite bubalina no Nordeste brasileiro.]Foram estudados os fatores de risco para mastite subclínica em 474 búfalas procedentes de quatro propriedades de exploração leiteira situadas nos Estados de Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia e Ceará. Amostras de leite (n=1896) de búfalas em lactação foram examinadas para contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e exame microbiológico, e um questionário constituído de perguntas objetivas foi aplicado para obtenção de dados dos animais e do manejo do rebanho. A análise dos fatores de risco foi efetuada em duas eta-pas: análise univariada e multivariada. Foram realizadas duas análises, uma considerando a classificação dos animais quanto à CCS como variável dependente (<400.000 -negativo; > 400.000 -positivo) e outra considerando o resultado do exame microbiológico (positivo e negativo). Na análise multivariada consiPesq. Vet. Bras. 31(6):499-504, junho 2011 Elizabeth Sampaio de Medeiros et al. 500 derando-se a CCS como variável dependente a única variá-vel identificada como fator de risco foi não lavar os tetos antes da ordenha, onde aquelas propriedades que não lavavam os tetos antes da ordenha apresentaram o risco de infecção de 2,68 (I.C. 1,49-4,83). Na análise multivariada considerando o microbiológico como variável dependente constatou-se que aquelas propriedades que realizavam limpeza manual do equipamento de o...

Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria causing subclinical mastitis in buffalo

“…The importance of identifying the aspects related to the health of the mammary gland and milk products of buffaloes has been highlighted in the world literature as in Brazil (Medeiros et al 2011), India (Tiwari et al 2011), Pakistan (Hussain et al 2013), Nepal (Dhakal et al 2007), Italy (Fagiolo & Lai 2007) and Germany (Braun & Preuss 2007). Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland parenchyma due to an infectious process predominantly caused by many microorganisms, particularly bacteria, and may also be involved fungi and yeast (Baloch et al 2011).…”

“…Along the lack of information on the buffalo species, the same animal management techniques for cattle milk production are used for the control of mastitis in buffalo milk production, resulting in lack of success since they have peculiar habits of each ruminant species (Carvalho et al 2007, Medeiros et al 2011. Indeed, most of mastitis prevalence was found in cow's milk (32%) than in buffalo milk (22%) .…”

“…In addition, Brazilian literature has presented a considerable number of publications about the buffalo mastitis, but when compared to the number of papers on bovine mastitis is small. A fact that needs more research efforts because buffalo has attracted growing interest of breeders and research institutions as an alternative for dairy farming (Langoni et al 2001, Medeiros et al 2011.…”

MINIMUM BACTERICIDAL CONCENTRATION OF COMMERCIAL DISINFECTANTS ON STAPHYLOCOCCUS SPP. ISOLATED FROM MASTITIS IN GOATS AND DETECTION OF THE icaD GENE

“…As for the sensitivity profile of the microorganisms from dairy flocks, testing the specific concentrations of the manufacturers, studies on this theme are scarce. Medeiros et al (13) , when studying risk factors associated to mastitis, observed that the poor milking management, the lack of teat washing and the manual washing of milking equipment are risk factors associated to the positivity of microbiological milk examination.…”

Identification and production of biofilm by Staphylococcus aureus isolated from buffalo milk and milking environment

“…Alpha hemolysin (hla) also serves as a virulence factor in S. aureus-induced mastitis (Takeuchi et al, 2001). Factors associated with the transmission of pathogens, such as S. aureus, may be related to the milking environment, including milking machine, milkers and procedures related to teat antisepsis before and after milking (Medeiros et al, 2011b). Molecular typing technique used to understand how these pathogens are disseminated is an important epidemiological tool, which may help in establishing an efficient control strategy and hygiene method in milk production.…”