Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Quarter, cow, and farm risk factors for intramammary infections with major pathogens relative to minor pathogens in Thai dairy cows

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out from May to September 2011 on 35 smallholder dairy farms in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to identify the quarter, cow, and farm factors that relate to intramammary infections (IMI) from major specified pathogens, compared to infections from minor pathogens. Data on general farm management, milking management, and dry cow management were recorded for each herd. Quarter milk samples were collected from either clinical or subclinical mastitis quarters. Dependent variables were binary data defining the specified major pathogens, including Streptococcus agalactiae (7.1 %), Streptococcus uberis (9.4 %), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (4.0 %), and other streptococci (16.7 %), as a case, and all minor pathogens as a control, in each dependent variable. The occurrence of S. agalactiae IMI was lower in first-parity cows and cows with short milking time. Cows with body condition score (BCS) <2.5 had higher occurrence of S. agalactiae IMI. The occurrence of S. uberis IMI was higher in quarters with California mastitis test (CMT) score 2, score 3, and having clinical mastitis and in farms with increasing age of vacuum system. Quarters with CMT score 3, having clinical mastitis, cow with manual milking after detaching milking cluster, and farms with high bulk milk somatic cell counts (BMSCC >500,000 cells/ml) had higher occurrence of S. dysgalactiae IMI. For other streptococci, quarters having clinical mastitis, BCS <2.5, and pulling down of milking cluster while milking increased occurrence of other streptococci IMI relative to minor pathogen IMI. These results highlight the importance of individual cow factors, milking characteristics, and BMSCC in determining the risk of IMI from major pathogens.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

BMSCC:

Bulk milk somatic cell counts

DIM:

Days in milk

CMT:

California mastitis test

CNS:

Coagulase-negative staphylococci

IMI:

Intramammary infection

S-AG:

Model for the occurrences of Streptococcus agalactiae

S-UBER:

Model for the occurrences of Streptococcus uberis

S-DYS:

Model for the occurrences of Streptococcus dysgalactiae

S-OTHER:

Model for the occurrences of other streptococci

SCC:

Somatic cell counts

TES:

Teat end condition score

References

  • Barkema, H. W., Schukken, Y. H., Lam, T. J., Beiboer, M. L., Wilmink, H., Benedictus, G., and Brand, A., 1998. Incidence of clinical mastitis in dairy herds grouped in three categories by bulk milk somatic cell counts, Journal of Dairy Science, 81, 411–419

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, H. S., Wise, W. S., and Dodd, F. H., 1992. Cost benefit analysis of bovine mastitis in the UK, Journal of Dairy Research. 59, 449–460

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boonyayatra, S., and Chaisri, W., 2004. Incidence and prevalence of subclinical mastitis in small holder dairy farms of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Chiangmai Veterinary Journal, 2, 25-30

    Google Scholar 

  • Boonyayatra, S., J.Thaboonpeng, K., Kreausukon and W. Suriyasathaporn., 2007. Antimicrobial resistance of mastitis-associated bacteria in lactating dairy cows in Chiang Mai Province. Chiang Mai Veterinary Journal, 5, 135–145

  • Breen, J.E., Bradley, A.J., and Green, M.J., 2009a. Quarter and cow risk factors associated with a somatic cell count greater than 199,000 cells per milliliter in United Kingdom dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science, 92, 3106–3115

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Breen, J.E., Green, M.J., and Bradley, A.J., 2009b. Quarter and cow risk factors associated with the occurrence of clinical mastitis in dairy cows in the United Kingdom, Journal of Dairy Science, 92, 2551–2561

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Costa E.O., Ribeiro, A.R., Watanabe, E.T., and Melville, P.A., 1998. Infectious bovine mastitis caused by environmental organisms, Zentralblatt für Veterinarmedizin, 45, 67-71

    Google Scholar 

  • Dargent-Molina, P., Scarlett, J., Pollock, R.V.H., Erb, H.N. and Sears, P., 1988. Herd-level risk factors for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae intramammary infections, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 6, 127-142

    Google Scholar 

  • Dingwell, R.T., Leslie, K.E., Schukken, Y.H., Sargeant, J.M., and Timms, L.L., 2003. Evaluation of the California mastitis test to detect an intramammary infection with a major pathogen in early lactation dairy cows, Canadian Veterinary Journal, 44, 413

    Google Scholar 

  • Eden M., 1992. Managing Mastitis—a practical guide for NZ dairy farmers, A Livestock Improvement publication

  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations., 1989. Milking, Milk Production Hygiene and Udder Health, FAO, Rome, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, M.J., Bradley, A.J., Medley, G.F., and Browne, W.J., 2007. Cow, farm, and management factors during the dry period that determine the rate of clinical mastitis after calving, Journal of Dairy Science, 90, 3764–3776

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green, M.J., Green, L.E., Medley, G.F., Schukken, Y.H., and Bradley, A.J., 2002. Influence of dry period bacterial intramammary infection on clinical mastitis in dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science, 85, 2589–2599

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guha, A., Guha, R., and Gera, S., 2012. Comparison of somatic cell count, California mastitis test, chloride test and rennet coagulation time with bacterial culture examination to detect subclinical mastitis in riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), African Journal of Agricultural Research, 7, 5578–5584

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmon, R.J., 1996. Controlling contagious mastitis. The National Mastitis Council Regional Meeting, Queretero, Mexico

  • Haskell, S.R.R., 2008. Blackwell's Five-minute Veterinary Consult Ruminant, (Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarassaeng, C., Aiumlamai, S., Wachirapakorn, C., Techakumphu, M., Noordhuizen, J. P.T.M., Beynen, A. C., and Suadsong, S., 2012. Risk factors of subclinical mastitis in small holder dairy cows in Khon Kaen province, Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 42, 143–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Jattawa, D., Koonawootrittriron, S., Elzol, M.A. and Suwanasopee,T., 2012. Somatic cellscount and its genetic association with milk yield in dairy cattle raised under Thai tropical environmental conditions, Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 25, 1216–1222

  • Jones, G.M., 2009. The Role of Milking Equipment in Mastitis, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 404-742

  • Jones, G.M., and Swisher, J.M., Jr., 1998. Environmental streptococcal and coliform mastitis, Virginia cooperative extension, 404-234

  • Joshi, S. and Gokhale, S., 2006. Status of mastitis as an emerging disease in improved and periurban dairy farms in India, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1081, 74–83

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kefee, G., 1997. Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis: a review, Canadian Veterinary Journal, 38, 429-437

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam, V., Wredle, E., Thao, N.T., Man, V.N., and Svennersten-Sjaunja, K., 2010. Smallholder dairy production in Southern Vietnam: production, management and milk quality problems, African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5, 2668–2675

  • Lam, V., Ostensson, K., Svennersten-Sjaunja, K., Norell, L., and Wredle, E., 2011. Management factors influencing milk somatic cell count and udder infection rate in smallholder dairy cowherds in Southern Vietnam, Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10, 847–852

  • Matthews, K.R., Harmon, R.J., and Langlois, B.E., 1992. Prevalence of Staphylococcus species during the periparturient period in primiparous and multiparous cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 75,1835–1839

  • Mein, G. A., Neijenhuis, F., Morgan ,W. F., et al., 2001. Evaluation of bovine teat condition in commercial dairy herds: 1. non-infectious factors, AABP-NMC International Symposium on Mastitis and Milk Quality Proc., Vancouver, BC, Canada, 347-351

  • Mekonnen, H., Workineh, S., Bayleyegn, M., Moges, A., and Tadele, K., 2005. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of mastitis isolates from cows in three major Ethiopian dairies, Revue de Medecine Veterinaire, 156, 391-394

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Missanjo, E., Imbayarwo-Chikosi, V., and Halimani, T., 2013. Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for production traits and somatic cell count for Jersey dairy cattle in Zimbabwe, ISRN Veterinary Science, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/470585

  • Mungube, E.O., Tenhagen, B.A., Kassa, T., Regassa, F., Kyule, M.N., Greiner, M., and Baumann, M.P.O., 2004. Risk factors for dairy cow mastitis in the central highlands of Ethiopia, Tropical Animal Health and Production, 36, 463–472

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Mastitis Council., 1999. Laboratory Handbook on Bovine Mastitis, (National Mastitis Council Inc., Madison, WI)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neijenhuis F., 2011. Mastitis therapy and control role of milking machines in control of mastitis, (Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences, 2nd ed. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 440–446)

  • Osteras, O., Saolverod, L., and Reksen, O., 2006. Milk culture results in a large Norwegian survey - effects of season, parity, days in milk, resistance and clustering, Journal of Dairy Science, 89, 1010–1023

  • Poelarends, J.J., Hogeveen, H., Sampimon, O.C., and Sol, J., 2001. Monitoring subclinical mastitis in Dutch dairy herds. The Second International Symposium on Mastitis and Milk Quality, Vancouver,British Columbia, 145–149

  • Petrovski, K. R., Trajcev, M., and Buneski, G., 2006. A review of the factors affecting the costs of bovine mastitis, Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 77, 52–60

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rajala-Schultz, P. J., Gröhn, Y. T., McCulloch, C. E., and Guard, C. L., 1999. Effects of clinical mastitis on milk yield in dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science, 82, 1213–1220

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman, M.A., Bhuiyan, M.M.U., Kamal, M.M., and Shamsuddin, M., 2009. Prevalence and risk factors of mastitis in dairy cows. The Bangladesh Veterinarian Journal, 26, 54–60

  • Reyher, K.K., Dohoo, I.R., Scholl, D.T., and Keefe, G.P., 2012. Evaluation of minor pathogen intramammary infection, susceptibility parameters, and somatic cell counts on the development of new intramammary infections with major mastitis pathogens, Journal of Dairy Science, 95, 3766–3780

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rojstien, S., Punyapornwittaya, V., Tiwanuntakorn, W., Boonyayatra, S., Younggad, J., Apairoj, C., Suriyasathaporn, W., 2004. Effect of season on high bulk milk somatic cell count in northern Thailand, Journal of Dairy Science, 87, 376

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiner, D.A., and Ruegg, P.L., 2002. Effects of tail docking on milk quality and cow cleanliness, Journal of Dairy Science, 85, 2503–2511

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shitandi, A., and Kihumbu, G., 2004. Assessment of the California mastitis test usage in smallholder dairy herds and risk of violative antimicrobial residues, Journal of Veterinary Science, 5, 5-9

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suriyasathaporn, W., Vinitketkumnuen, U., Chewonarin, T., Boonyayatra, S., Kreausukon,K., and Schukken, Y.H., 2006. Higher somatic cell counts resulted in higher malondialdehyde concentrations in raw cows' milk. International Dairy Journal, 16, 1088–1091

  • Steeneveld, W., Hogeveen, H., Barkema, H.W., Van Den Broek, J., and Huirne, R.B.M., 2008. The influence of cow factors on the incidence of clinical mastitis in dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science, 91, 1391–1402

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suriyasathaporn, W., 2011. Epidemiology of subclinical mastitis and their antibacterial susceptibility in smallholder dairy farms, Chiang Mai Provience, Thailand, Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10, 316-321

    Google Scholar 

  • Suriyasathaporn, W., Maneeratanarungroj, P., Sangmaneedej, S., Tungtanatanich, P., Takong, S., Parinyasutinun, U., and Pangjuntuk, S., 2002. Relationship among having mud in milking cow barns, somatic cell counts and decreased milk yield in Thai dairy herds, Journal of Dairy Science, 85, 304-305

    Google Scholar 

  • Sviland, S., and Waage, S., 2002. Clinical bovine mastitis in Norway, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 54, 65–78

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tenhagen, B.A., Koster, G., Wallmann, J., and Heuwieser, W., 2006. Prevalence of mastitis pathogens and their resistance against antimicrobial agents in dairy cows in Brandenburg, Germany. Journal of Dairy Science, 89, 2542–2551

  • Thompson, P.D., and Pearson, R.E., 1979. Likelihood of droplet impacts on teat ends during induced milking vacuum fluctuations, Journal of Dairy Science, 62, 1314–1321

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P.D., and Pearson, R.E., 1983. Milk droplet impacts during induced vacuum fluctuations: influence of claw and other characteristics, Journal of Dairy Science, 66, 562-572

    Google Scholar 

  • Zadoks, R.N., Allore, H.G., Barkema, H.W., Sampimon, O.C., Wellenberg, G.J., Gröhn, Y.T., and Schukke, Y.H., 2001. Cow- and quarter-Level risk factors for Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus aureus mastitis, Journal of Dairy Science, 84, 2649–2663

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Thailand Research Fund, the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program. The authors would like to thank all the dairy farmers and officers from Mae On and Mae Wang dairy cooperatives, Chiang Mai province, Thailand, for their participation and cooperation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Animal Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Mae Hea, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province, 50100, Thailand

    Kansuda Leelahapongsathon & Witaya Suriyasathaporn

  2. Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Ynte Hein Schukken

Authors
  1. Kansuda Leelahapongsathon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ynte Hein Schukken
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Witaya Suriyasathaporn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Witaya Suriyasathaporn.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Leelahapongsathon, K., Schukken, Y.H. & Suriyasathaporn, W. Quarter, cow, and farm risk factors for intramammary infections with major pathogens relative to minor pathogens in Thai dairy cows. Trop Anim Health Prod 46, 1067–1078 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-014-0603-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-014-0603-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation