Iodinated Diaminodiphenylsulphone in the Treatment of Bovine Mastitis During The Non-Lactating Period

Abstract

In three separate field trials, the efficacy of an intramammary product containing iodinated diaminodiphenylsulphone (IDDS) was compared with that of 500 mg benzathine cloxacillin and to a combination of 1 200 000 i.u. benzathine penicillin G and 1•0 g dihydrostreptomycin. IDDS is equivalent to 1•0 g dapsone and all trials were concerned with the elimination of udder infection during the non-lactating period. The three products exhibited different clearance rates against Gram-positive udder pathogens. IDDS eliminated 81 to 85% of Streptococcus agalactiae quarter infections, benzathine cloxacillin successfully removed 81 to 94% of these infections whereas 73% quarters infected with these organisms were cured after drying-off treatment with the benzathine penicillin/dihydrostreptomycin product. Clearance rates against Staphylococcus aureus quarter infections ranged between 49 and 89% after treatment with the IDDS product, 69 to 84% following treatment with benzathine cloxallin, and 72% with the benzathine penicillin/dihydrostreptomycin product. Efficacy data for IDDS and benzathine cloxacillin from one of the trials were analysed. The proportion of quarters in which infection was eliminated and the clearance rates against Staph.aureus infection were higher when benzathine cloxacillin was used, the differences were approaching significance at the 5% level. Although variations between farms was greater with IDDS than with benzathine cloxacillin, differences were not statistically significant. Dapsone was distributed well throughout the udder of the dry cow. Residues of dapsone and iodine were not detected in the colostrum of cows treated at drying-off with the IDDS product; the composition of the colostrum was similar to that of untreated cows, and calves drinking colostrum and milk from IDDS-treated glands showed no undesirable side-effects.