Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the microbiological and cellular milk profile for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in female buffaloes and to assess risk factors for predisposition of the disease.MethodsAnalyses were carried out by standard plate count (SPC), identification of species and antibiotic resistance, somatic cell count (SCC), electrical electrical conductivity of milk (ECM), and lactoferrin content in milk. Teat cups were swabbed to evaluate risk factors, observing hyperkeratosis, milking vacuum pressure and cleanliness of the site. Hence, 30 female buffaloes were randomly selected (15 from a group in early lactation and 15 in late lactation).ResultsThe most common bacteria in the microbiological examination were Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Corynebacterium sp. In the antibiotic sensitivity test, 10 (58.82%) of the 17 antibiotics tested were sensitive to all isolates, and resistant bacteria were Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus haemolyticus, and Escherichia coli. It was observed that positive samples in the microbiological examination showed total bacterial count between 9.10×103 to 6.94×106 colony forming units/mL, SCC between 42,000 to 4,320,000 cells/mL and ECM ranging from 1.85 to 7.40 mS/cm. It was also found that the teat cups had high microbial counts indicating poor hygiene, and even faults in the cleanliness of the animals’ waiting room were observed. It is concluded that values of SCC above 537,000 cells/mL and ECM above 3.0 mS/mL are indications of mammary gland infection for this herd; however, the association of these values with a microbiological analysis is necessary to more accurately evaluate the health status of mammary glands with subclinical mastitis.ConclusionThrough phenotypic characterization of bacteria involved in the samples, the genera Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Corynebacterimum bovis were the most prevalent in this study. Faults in environment and equipment hygienization are factors that are directly associated with mastitis.
Highlights
Interest in bubaline species has increased in recent years, being motivated by several factors such as milk production and its derivatives [1]
The sensitivity profile, resistance and intermediate susceptibility to antibiotics of isolated bacteria from the 30 samples indicate that the highest resistance rates were among the bacteria Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and E. coli; all opportunists as etiologic agents of mastitis, and similar to the results found by [33]
According to Murray et al [43], bacterial counts above 1.0×103 colony forming units (CFU)/mL is indicative of hygiene deficiencies in milk production; data obtained from this study reveal that the dairy farm should channel efforts toward improving the hygienic conditions during milking to reduce the levels of microbial contamination, as inadequate hygiene conditions undermine the quality of milk, and dirt and microorganisms present at the milking site can immediately be incorporated into the product
Summary
Interest in bubaline species has increased in recent years, being motivated by several factors such as milk production and its derivatives [1]. Buffalo milk has great commercial potential due to high nutritional value in relation to the high levels of fat, protein, solids, and minerals (especially calcium and phosphorus), being used more widely as a raw material for preparation of milk products, since it is increasing the demand for these derived by consumers more demanding and who seek a differentiated product, who values the species in dairy farming [2] Along with this demand, there is an increase in the demand for quality products and the need for them to reach the final consumer within the ideally considered standards.
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