An outbreak of acute bovine mastitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in a dairy herd

Abstract

An outbreak of coliform mastitis is described in a dairy herd from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During a four-month period 14 fatal cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae-related mastitis were observed in a herd of 104 lactating cows. The symptoms included peracute enterotoxemia in which the cows died 6 to 12 h after the detection of mastitis by CMT. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae Streptococcus agalactiae were also isolated although could not be associated with cases of acute fatal mastitis. Milking practices were also evaluated. The milking machine was being used correctly and adequate precautions for hygiene and pre-milking and post-milking teat dipping were used. The organism was sensitive to gentamicin. Therapy for acute toxic mastitis required early action for the treatment of infections, involving corticosteroids and fluid therapy. The use of a Klebsiella vaccine produced from the microorganisms isolated from the herd, associated with hygiene measures, resulted in the control of the outbreak.

Genetic Diversity of Mastitis-Associated Klebsiella pneumoniae in Dairy Cows

“…The number of mastitis cases caused by coliform bacteria has increased worldwide (Schukken et al, 1989). Specifically, K. pneumoniae has been found to affect many dairy herds (Silva and Costa, 2001;Sampimon et al, 2006). Braman et al (1973) found 33 capsular types of K. pneumoniae in 12 herds.…”

“…Mastitis caused by K. pneumoniae can be particularly severe compared with mastitis caused by Escherichia coli, due to its poor response to antibiotic therapy, rapid evolution to toxic shock, and death (Silva and Costa, 2001). Infection of the gland with Klebsiella species has been reported to result in higher losses than infections due E. coli (Grohn et al, 2004).…”

Mastites em ruminantes no Brasil

“…Geralmente são classificados como coliformes Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia e Enterobacter aerogenes (Kulkarni & Kaliwal 2013). No Brasil, já foi relatado um surto de mastite fatal aguda por Klebsiella pneumoniae em um rebanho bovino leiteiro no Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Silva & Costa 2001). Outra bactéria Gram negativa também isolada em casos de mastites no Brasil foi Arcobacter spp.…”

“…As mudanças na qualidade do leite basicamente consistem na diminuição das proteínas, lactose e sólidos não gordurosos (Reis et al 2013). A doença pode evoluir ocasionalmente para uma infecção sistêmica, o que pode acarretar na morte do animal (Silva & Costa 2001, Le Maréchal et al 2011a.…”

Research of Klebsiella pneumoniae in dairy herds

“…Mastitis caused by K. pneumoniae is more severe due to its poor response to antibiotic therapy, rapid evolution to toxic shock and death of the animal (Silva & Costa 2001, Ribeiro et al 2008. The most effective strategy to control mastitis by coliforms is prevention by means of suitable management of the animals and the environment where they are kept, besides prophylactic immunization (Radostits et al 2007).…”