Mastitis
Cargado por
Mauricio TenorioTemas abordados
- Infecciones ambientales,
- Lesiones,
- Tratamiento antibiótico,
- Efectos en la salud animal,
- Patógenos,
- Salud pública,
- Staphylococcus aureus,
- Calidad de la leche,
- Inflamación,
- Mastitis
Mastitis
Cargado por
Mauricio TenorioTemas abordados
- Infecciones ambientales,
- Lesiones,
- Tratamiento antibiótico,
- Efectos en la salud animal,
- Patógenos,
- Salud pública,
- Staphylococcus aureus,
- Calidad de la leche,
- Inflamación,
- Mastitis
Common questions
Con tecnología de IAPreventative measures on dairy farms include maintaining high cleanliness standards for cows and their environments, ensuring good hygiene among personnel, using proper milking techniques, and regularly monitoring herd health through somatic cell count checks. These measures aim to reduce exposure to and spread of pathogenic bacteria. Effective implementation of these practices significantly decreases the incidence of mastitis, leading to improved milk quality and production. Other measures include isolating infected cows and optimizing milking machine maintenance to prevent mechanical injuries that predispose cows to infection .
Somatic cell counts (SCC) are crucial for diagnosing bovine mastitis, as high SCCs indicate an immune response to infection in the mammary gland. Various methods assess these counts, such as the California Mastitis Test, Wisconsin Mastitis Test, direct microscopic count, Somaticell method, and fluoro-opto-electronic assessments like Fossomatic. These methods range from field tests that assess gel formation to laboratory methods quantifying actual cell counts, providing reliable diagnostics for managing udder health and implementing control measures .
The severity of mastitis in bovine is primarily influenced by the virulence of the microorganism, the resistance of the cow, milking management systems, and environmental conditions. Virulent microorganisms more easily evade the cow's immune system, leading to severe infections. The cow's resistance plays a role in how effectively it can fight off the infection. Poor milking management and unhygienic environmental conditions increase the risk of infection and exacerbate its severity. Together, these factors determine whether the infection remains subclinical or becomes a clinically apparent condition with significant inflammation and tissue damage .
The pathogenesis of mastitis involves numerous immune responses, starting with the penetration of infectious agents through the teat sphincter into the glandular tissue. This elicits an innate immune response characterized by the recruitment of leukocytes, such as neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes. These cells produce enzymes and reactive species to combat pathogens, causing localized inflammation. Concurrently, humoral immune responses involve the secretion of immunoglobulins and other soluble factors in milk, aiding pathogen neutralization. The interaction and balance between cellular and humoral responses determine the extent and progression of the inflammation and subsequent tissue repair or damage .
Diagnostic tests such as the California Mastitis Test and somatic cell counts are critical for detecting subclinical mastitis, guiding treatment plans, and monitoring herd health. These tests identify infections early, allowing for prompt intervention, which can prevent long-term damage to milk-producing tissues and reduce transmission within the herd. Results influence management decisions like adjusting milking practices, assessing antibiotic efficacy, and determining when to cull chronically infected cows. Regular testing helps maintain milk quality, ensures animal welfare, and optimizes dairy farm profitability .
Mismanagement of treatment protocols for mastitis in dairy herds can lead to several adverse consequences, including increased antibiotic resistance, prolonged infections, and reduced milk yield due to persistent inflammation and tissue damage. Ineffective treatments may allow pathogens to persist, facilitating the spread of infection within the herd. Chronic cases may develop, necessitating culling, which impacts herd productivity and economics. Furthermore, misuse of antibiotics can contaminate milk, posing public health risks and regulatory challenges .
The choice of antibiotic therapy for treating mastitis is informed by the specific pathogen type causing the infection. Gram-positive pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus often respond well to penicillins, such as Bencilpenicilina G and Cloxacillin. Gram-negative bacteria, like certain strains of E. coli, require antibiotics like Neomycin and Gentamicin. Susceptibility testing is crucial to identify the most effective antibiotic, as resistance patterns can vary. Using antibiotics that target specific bacterial cell walls or metabolic pathways ensures optimal treatment outcomes and minimizes resistance development .
Environmental management mitigates mastitis risk by controlling factors such as barn cleanliness, cow bedding, ventilation, and moisture levels. Ensuring clean, dry bedding reduces bacterial load, while proper ventilation helps prevent accumulation of pathogens and humidity. Managing drainage and maintaining paved areas prevent muddy conditions, which can harbor mastitis-causing bacteria. Regular inspection and cleaning of ventilation systems and ensuring proper manure management further diminish infectious challenges, thus lowering the incidence of mastitis .
Contagious pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus spread primarily from cow to cow during milking by contaminated milking equipment or hands. In contrast, environmental pathogens like Escherichia coli are transmitted from the cow's surroundings, especially when there is inadequate hygiene and cleaning practices in the barn environment. The infected bedding, feces, water supply, and poorly managed dairy facilities serve as sources for environmental pathogens .
The acute stage of mastitis involves intense inflammation with increased vascular permeability and leukocyte infiltration leading to swelling, heat, and pain. Treatment at this stage includes aggressive antibiotic therapy to target pathogens. The subacute stage is characterized by macrophage infiltration and plasma component leakage into milk, necessitating ongoing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial treatment. The chronic stage sees decreased gland function, tissue replacement by fibrous connective tissue, and diminished milk production. Treatment at this stage is challenging, often requiring culling to eliminate chronic infection sources, highlighting the importance of early intervention .
