Gangrenous Mastitis Research Articles

Clinicopathological findings and etiological characterization in caprine gangrenous mastitis

Gangrenous mastitis ranks among the most economically significant diseases affecting small ruminants. In the present study, along with clinicopathological studies, the etiological characterisation and the contribution of various virulence factors of caprine gangrenous mastitis was studied. Staphylococcus aureus with colony count ranging from 106 to 108 CFU/mL has been identified as the etiological agent in 15 gangrenous mastitis affected goats based on cultural isolation, biochemical characteristics and molecular confirmation. Haematological and serum biochemical analysis was carried out in the affected goats which revealed leucocytosis with thrombocytopenia and hypoproteinemia. Phenotypic identification of antibiotic resistance revealed significantly high resistance to enrofloxacin, sulpha-trimethoprim, tetracycline, and gentamicin whereas the antibiotics cefoperazone, ceftriaxone- tazobactam and amoxicillin clavulanate showed least resistance. Toxin genes lukMF, and hla were detected in 66.7 per cent and 60 per cent of the isolates respectively. Antibiotic resistant genes blaZ (13.3%), tetM (20%), sul1 (13.3%), mecA (80%) and biofilm forming genes like icaA (26.6%) icaD (40%) were also detected in the S. aureus isolates. Majority of the isolates revealed significantly higher antibiotic resistance along with toxin genes and all the isolates showed biofilm formation. Biofilm forming ability of S. aureus plays a crucial role in its virulence whereas, antimicrobial resistance has a significant role in potentiating the virulence of pathogen.

Occurrence of gangrenous mastitis and its associated risk factors in dairy goats

Gangrenous mastitis is one among the major economically important health constraint faced by goat farmers. Occurrence of gangrenous mastitis is a result of combination of host, agent and environmental factors. Alteration in any of the host, agent and environmental factors can lead to an increase in bacterial concentration and the expression of virulence factors resulting in gangrenous mastitis. The present study was conducted over a period of two years from September 2021 to September 2023. The study subjects included 30 goats affected with gangrenous mastitis, managed under semi- intensive and intensive system. The selected animals included Malabari, Jamnapari and Malabari crossbreds with age group ranging from one to eight years, parity number ranging from one to six and stage of lactation ranging from peri-parturient period, early lactation and late lactation. Information regarding the host associated and environmental risk factors were collected by a prepared proforma. Disease diagnosis was made based on clinical examination, examination of udder and milk changes. Epidemiological analysis revealed a higher occurrence of gangrenous mastitis in crossbred goats. The occurrence was also higher in the age group of 3-4 yrs, during periparturient period and in herd without proper management practices. Absence of herd and management practices like proper disinfection and isolation of animals to new shed during parturition significantly caused occurrence of gangrenous mastitis. Proper awareness regarding the epidemiological factors leading to gangrenous mastitis can help in future control strategies of caprine gangrenous mastitis. Keywords: Goat, gangrenous mastitis, epidemiology

Unilateral mastectomy for treatment of gangrenous mastitis in a goat

Unilateral mastectomy for treatment of gangrenous mastitis in a goat

The effects of an inactivated vaccine against Staphylococcus spp. on udder health in primiparous dairy goats: A randomized controlled trial

Staphylococci are the primary pathogens causing clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy goats. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluates the impact of vaccination with VIMCO® (Hipra, Girona, Spain) on clinical mastitis (CM), gangrenous mastitis (GM), the occurrence of udder asymmetry, somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC) and 10-day average milk yield (10dMY) in primiparous goats. The RCT was performed on a commercial dairy goat farm with 3000 mainly Saanen goats from February to April 2022. A group of 350 pregnant primiparous goats (12 – 16 months of age) was randomly divided into a control group and a vaccinated group. The goats were followed from kidding until on average 72 days in milk (DIM). At on average 20 DIM, all primiparous goats were mixed into a group with 1600 non-vaccinated adult goats. At the first milking after kidding (T = 0), all primiparous goats were scored for clinical mastitis and udder asymmetry. After that, udder asymmetry was scored on T1 (on average 12 DIM) and T2 (on average 62 DIM). Gangrenous mastitis cases were recorded from the start of complete vaccination and during the entire trial period. In addition, individual daily milk yield was recorded automatically by the milking system, and somatic cell count (SCC) was determined once at T2. The prevalence of CM was significantly higher in the control group (5.6%) than in the vaccinated group (0.6%). There was a significantly higher prevalence of udder asymmetry in the control group (7.8%) compared to the vaccinated group (1.2%) at T0 and during the entire study period (16% in control group versus 7.6% in the vaccinated group). Dried-up udder halves and GM were rare and did not differ significantly between both groups. Also, the SCC measurement and the milk yield did not differ between the vaccinated and the control group. Altogether, we show that the VIMCO® vaccine prevents clinical signs of mastitis at the first milking after kidding and udder asymmetry during the first three months after kidding in primiparous goats. Therefore, the vaccine may contribute to udder health control. Effects on SCC, milk yield, the prevalence of dried-up udder glands and GM remain to be demonstrated.

Distinguishing the milk microbiota of healthy goats and goats diagnosed with subclinical mastitis, clinical mastitis, and gangrenous mastitis.

Mastitis, mainly caused by bacterial intramammary infections, is the main problem in the breeding of dairy animals. The inflammations of the mammary gland is separated by types of mastitis, being subclinical, clinical, and the most severe, gangrenous mastitis. Here, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to characterize the bacterial microbiota of goat milk in the different types of goat mastitis caused by bacteria. We used 72 goat milk samples from a region of the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, of which 12 were from clinically healthy animals, 42 from animals diagnosed with subclinical mastitis, 16 from animals with clinical mastitis, and 2 from animals with gangrenous mastitis. The group related to gangrenous mastitis was the most divergent in terms of alpha and beta diversity. The most abundant genus among samples of the groups was Staphylococcus spp., and we found a high abundance of Mycoplasma sp. in the milk of animals diagnosed with clinical mastitis. The most statistically relevant microorganisms among the groups were Prevotella sp., Ruminococcaceae, Prevotella ruminicola sp., and Providencia sp. We highlight a new association of bacterial agents in gangrenous mastitis among Escherichia sp./Shigella sp. and Enterococcus sp. and provide the second report of the genus Alkalibacterium sp., in milk samples. Only the taxa Staphylococcus sp., Bacteroides sp., Enterococcus, and Brevidabacterium sp., were present in all groups. The superpathway of L-tryptophan biosynthesis metabolites and the sucrose degradation III (sucrose invertase) pathway were the most prominent ones among the groups. In this study, we demonstrate how a rich microbiota of goat milk from healthy animals can be altered during the aggravation of different types of mastitis, in addition to demonstrating new bacterial genera in milk not previously detected in other studies as well as new associations between agents.

​Determination of Serogroup and Lytic Activities of Bacteriophages Isolated from Phage Plaques in Staphylococcus aureus Cultures Identified from Sheep Milk with Mastitis

Backgorund: Bacteriophages are closely related to the evolution and virulence of some important bacterial pathogens. Due to their highly significant roles in pathogenesis and virulence, S. aureus bacteriophages are frequently studied. Bacteriophages are grouped into two main categories depending on their life cycles. There are highly consistently lytic phages (virulent) and temperate phages. This study aimed to isolate bacteriophages and determine their phage serogroups from phage plaques in S. aureus cultures in order to show if they are lytic or lysogenic, the latter plays a major role in horizontal gene transfer. Methods: A total of 234 S. aureus isolates were recovered from milk samples from cases with gangrenous mastitis in sheep. Staphylococcal phages are determined based on the type and serogroup by PCR using specific primers. Result: Our study allowed us to determine serogroups of the isolated bacteriophages. Two phage stock samples included only one serogroup while the others included more than one phage serotypes and needed further purification Fa, L and D serogroups were not determined in the study. Present work revealed that all the isolated phages were temperate phages, which play a highly significant role in horizontal gene transfer.

Genomic Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Associated With Peracute Non-gangrenous or Gangrenous Mastitis and Comparison With Other Mastitis-Associated Staphylococcus aureus Isolates.

Staphylococcus aureus is a highly prevalent cause of mastitis in dairy herds worldwide, capable of causing outcomes that vary from subclinical to peracute gangrenous mastitis. We performed a comparative genomic analysis between 14 isolates of S. aureus, originating from peracute bovine mastitis with very severe signs (9 gangrenous, 5 non-gangrenous) and six isolates originating from subclinical or clinical mastitis with mild to moderate signs, to find differences that could be associated with the clinical outcome of mastitis. Of the 296 virulence factors studied, 219 were detected in all isolates. No difference in the presence of virulence genes was detected between the peracute and control groups. None of the virulence factors were significantly associated with only a single study group. Most of the variation in virulence gene profiles existed between the clonal complexes. Our isolates belonged to five clonal complexes (CC97, CC133, CC151, CC479, and CC522), of which CC522 has previously been detected only in isolates originating from caprine and ovine mastitis, but not from bovine mastitis. For statistical analysis, we sorted the CCs into two groups. The group of CCs including CC133, CC479, and CC522 was associated with gangrenous mastitis, in contrast to the group of CCs including CC97 and CC151. The presence of virulence genes does not explain the clinical outcome of mastitis, but may be affected by allelic variation, and especially different regulation and thus expression in the virulence genes.

Lactation‐related mammary gland pathologies—A neglected emergency in the bitch

Mastitis is a common reproductive disorder in bitches, reaching a prevalence of 0.71%. Mastitis has a wide range of forms, from asymptomatic to severe gangrenous mastitis that can lead to septic shock and death of the bitch and nurslings. However, most of the time it is overlooked, undiagnosed or mistreated. The present systematic review was performed to revise and summarize the existing knowledge related to this disorder, including diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Gangrenous mastitis in sheep caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus

ABSTRACT: Mastitis is a multifactorial disease and considered one of the most critical problems in the dairy industry worldwide. The condition is characterized by reduced milk and several abnormalities in the mammary gland. This study aimed to report an outbreak of gangrenous mastitis caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus in a Santa Inês sheep herd. Eighteen sheep were affected, and five of them with severe clinical pictures were examined. The clinical and pathological picture were variable and characterized by apathy, anorexia, emaciation, opaque and brittle hair, apparent and congested episcleral vessels, and hyperthermia. These ewes had enlarged, firm, and painful mammary glands. Macroscopically, these lesions consisted of severe gangrenous mastitis, and microscopically, the primary lesions consisted of necrosis, thrombosis, and fibrosis of the mammary parenchyma. Milk samples from one of the five severely affected ewes were collected and cultured under aerobic or microaerophilic incubation at 37°C for 24 hours on sheep blood agar. The obtained colonies were then submitted to MALDI-TOF for speciation. The colonies were also submitted to an antimicrobial susceptibility test, genotyping of virulence factors and resistance genes were also performed. The isolates showed antimicrobial multiresistance since they were resistant to seven out of 13 tested antibiotics. The isolates were also positive for two staphylococcal enterotoxigenic genes (sec and see) and fibronectin-binding protein B (fnbB).

Prevalence and temporal distribution of surgical diseases in goats (Capra hircus) in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh

Surgical diseases are common in goats and exert serious negative effects on animal's growth, productivity, and survivability leading to huge economic loss. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of different surgical diseases of goats and to elucidate the seasonal impact leading to temporal distribution of these diseases in Trishal, Muktagacha and Fulbaria of Mymensingh, Bangladesh between the years 2009 to 2019. A total of 3744 goats were documented in all three Upazila. The overall prevalence was found to be 34.18% (1280/3744) in Fulbaria, 32.69% (1224/3744) in Muktagacha, 33.11% (1240/3744) in Trishal. The prevalence of different surgical affections in Fulbaria included: wounds 30.54%, gid 23.28%, urolithiasis 16.09%, bloat 9.06%, fracture 8.99%, lymphadenitis 6.48%, tumor 4.06% and gangrenous mastitis 0.94%; in Muktagacha these were wounds 30.83%, gid 23.08%, urolithiasis 19.98%, bloat 9.89%, fracture 9.06%, lymphadenitis 6.59%, tumor 3.70% and gangrenous mastitis 0.75%; in Trishal these were wounds 28.28%, gid 23.60%, urolithiasis 17.20%, bloat 9.12%, fracture 8.96%, lymphadenitis 6.88%, tumor 3.76% and gangrenous mastitis 0.80%. There was a somewhat similar temporal distribution pattern of the diseases in the study area. The study revealed that rainfall, relative humidity, and ambient temperature have a distinct influence on the occurrence and distribution of various surgical diseases and disorders. Prompt surgical intervention is recommended as most of the diseases are curable, and this will reduce the economic loss of the farmers.

Gangrenous mastitis in dromedary camels in UAE caused by Streptococcus agalactiae

BackgroundMastitis is a disease of economic concern that affects dairy industry worldwide. This study aimed to investigate and identify possible etiologies encountered in an episode of acute gangrenous mastitis in lactating she-camels in Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE).Beside the routine clinical examination, conventional bacteriological methods were used to isolate and identify possible aerobic/anaerobic bacterial or fungal pathogens from cultured milk samples collected from the mastitic she-camels. Moreover, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis strains, and the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to confirm the isolation. The isolates were also tested for their susceptibility to antimicrobials.ResultsAcute gangrenous mastitis is reported in the dromedary camel herd with about 80% morbidity rate among lactating she-camels exhibited acute, painful hard swelling of affected teat, quarter or entire udder. About 41.7% of the infected animals were stamped out for culling due to complete or partial amputation of udder quarters. Streptococcus agalactiae was the sole isolated organism (6 isolates). The antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that, the Streptococcus agalactiae isolates were sensitive to both penicillin and ampicillin. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing results by BLASTN confirmed the presence of Streptococcus agalactiae with high confidence (100% identity). Phylogenetic analysis indicated clustering of one isolate (CMAUAE accession number; MN267805.1) with Streptococcus agalactiae that infects multi-hosts including humans, while strains (CMBUAE to CMFUAE with accession numbers; MN267806.1 to MN267810.1 respectively) clustered with Streptococcus agalactiae that infects humans. No Mycoplasma spp was detected by qPCR analysis.ConclusionsIn the present study, the Streptococcus agalactiae was found to be the main cause of acute gangrenous mastitis in dromedary camels in UAE. More research should be done to investigate other possible causes of clinical or subclinical mastitis in dromedary camels in UAE.

Surgical management of gangrenous mastitis in a 3-year-old red Sokoto doe: A case report

Gangrenous mastitis was managed in a 3-year-old lactating doe by partial mastectomy following unsuccessful medical management. The patient had progressive swelling, hardened and dark discolouration of its left half udder. There was left supra-mammary lymphadenopathy and an open wound at the proximal portion of the affected gland. The right half of the udder appeared normal and was warm to touch. Culture and sensitivity test of a swab sample from the open wound at the base of the affected mammary gland revealed Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species which were sensitive to amoxicillin, cloxicillin, gentamicin and chlortetracycline, but resistant to penicillin and streptomycin. Mastectomy was indicated because of the chronic nature of the disease and the presence of gangrene. The procedure was carried out using a standard sterile technique, and a fenestrated drainage tube was placed. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged 14 days post-surgery. The management protocol used in this case demonstrated that unilateral mastectomy with good post-surgical management could be used for effective management of gangrenous mastitis without complications while still preserving the unaffected gland for future lactation.

Partial mastectomy as management for unilateral gangrenous mastitis in a lactating Red Sokoto goat

<p class="abstract">A 7-year-old lactating Red Sokoto goat was presented to the veterinary clinic, Aliyu Jodi Road Sokoto, with the complaint of inappetance, weight loss, reduced milk output and foul smelling udder four weeks after kidding. The goat weighed approximately 25 kg. The patient appears dull with rough hair coat, the right mammary gland was necrotic and blue-greenish, atrophied, hardened with a lacerated base, painful to touch with foul smelling. Gangrenous mastitis was diagnosed and animal as scheduled for surgery. The surgery was successfully conducted; the animal was later discharged 16 days post surgery.</p>

Pathological Study of Skin Disorders in Dogs and Cats at Alexandria Governorate, Egypt

Skin disorders in dogs and cats are among the most common health problems seen in veterinary medical hospitals. This study aimed to determine the histopathological classification of skin affections and their prevalence among different breeds of dogs and cats. Thirty-three cases of animals (29 dogs and 4 cats) of different breeds and ages (1.5 month up to 4.7 years) were collected during the period from February 2018 to February 2020. The cases were investigated at the Alexandria Veterinary Medicine Directorate and Private Clinics at Alexandria, Egypt. The animals were of both sexes (16 females and 17 males). The results revealed that the affections were divided into infectious and non-infectious (miscellaneous) skin affections. The highest percentage of infectious skin affections estimated as flea allergy dermatitis (dogs 24.14%, cats 75%) followed by juvenile onset canine localized demodicosis (dogs 17.24%), juvenile onset canine generalized demodicosis (dogs 3.45%), dermatophytosis (dogs 3.45%) and feline gangrenous mastitis (cats 25%). The highest percentage of miscellaneous skin affections was found as primary irritant contact dermatitis (dogs 31.03%) followed by food allergic dermatitis (dogs 13.79%) then epidermal necrolysis (dogs 3.45%) and thermal burns (dogs 3.45%). In conclusion, our data indicated that the skin disorders were higher in dogs than in cats. The infectious skin affections were the most frequent evaluated affections than miscellaneous skin affections. The infectious affections were represented as parasitic skin affections mainly flea allergy dermatitis however, miscellaneous affections represented mainly as primary irritant contact dermatitis.

Radical Unilateral Mastectomy for Fibrosed Gangrenous Udder in a Lactating Goat

Mastitis reflects the inflammation of the mammary gland, which may occur due to any bacterial infection secondary to teat injury or poor management (Marogna et al., 2010). Radical mastectomy (unilateral or bilateral) is a salvage procedure and indicated in cases of chronic suppurative mastitis, gangrenous mastitis and neoplastic or hyperplastic conditions of the udder (Andreasen et al., 1993; El-Maghraby, 2001; Canle et al., 2004). Gangrenous mastitis is a peracute form of mastitis, characterized by necrosis of the udder tissue, caused by alpha-toxins (Smith and Sherman, 2009). Physical examination of the udder is characterized by discolored (blue- blackish or blue-greenish) and cold udder (Ribeiro et al., 2007). Gangrenous mastitis is one of the most difficult forms of mastitis to be treated (Bloway, 1993), and in very severe cases, gangrene may lead to toxemia and loss of animal life (Ribeiro et al., 2007). Unilateral or bilateral mastectomy is recommended as a pain-relieving procedure for extensive lesions involving udder and in cases of chronic mastitis, gangrenous lesions, or neoplasia (Canle et al., 2004). The present case report describes unilateral mastectomy for the management of incurable extensive fibrosis of udder while allowing the other mammary gland to continue lactation.

Host factors determine the evolution of infection with Staphylococcus aureus to gangrenous mastitis in goats

Staphylococcus aureus is the major cause of very severe mastitis of dairy goats. The initial objective of our study was to fine-tune an experimental model of infection of the goat mammary gland with two strains of S. aureus and two lines of goats (low and high somatic cell score lines). Following the challenge, the 10 infected goats divided in two clear-cut severity groups, independently of the S. aureus strain and the goat line. Five goats developed very severe mastitis (of which four were gangrenous) characterized by uncontrolled infection (UI group), whereas the other five kept the infection under control (CI group). The outcome of the infection was determined by 18 h post-infection (hpi), as heralded by the bacterial milk concentration at 18 hpi: more than 107/mL in the UI group, about 106/mL in the CI group. Leukocyte recruitment and composition did not differ between the groups, but the phagocytic killing at 18 hpi efficiency did. Contributing factors involved milk concentrations of α-toxin and LukMF′ leukotoxin, but not early expression of the genes encoding the pentraxin PTX3, the cytokines IL-1α and IL-1β, and the chemokines IL-8 and CCL5. Concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17A, and IL-22 rose sharply in the milk of UI goats when infection was out of control. The results indicate that defenses mobilized by the mammary gland at an early stage of infection were essential to prevent staphylococci from reaching critical concentrations. Staphylococcal exotoxin production appeared to be a consequent event inducing the evolution to gangrenous mastitis.

A retrospective study of surgical affections of mammary glands in cattle and buffaloes and their management in the field.

The present retrospective study was conducted from 2003 to 2015 in Egypt to document common surgical affections of the udder and teat in cattle and buffaloes, and determine medical and surgical treatment options that are feasible in a field setting. We diagnosed 19 different surgical affections and classified them into 4 groups according to their location. Teat orifice affections (12.41%) included imperforate teat, contracted teat orifice, enlarged teat orifice, and black spot. Teat cistern affections (23.76%) included teat fistula, dilated teat cistern, teat polypi, and webbed teat. Teat surface affections (50.35%) included sore teat, supernumerary teat, sloughed teat, teat papilloma and fibropapilloma, teat wounds, and teat viral lesions. Udder affections (13.48%) included hypermastia, udder wounds, and suppurative and gangrenous mastitis. In cattle, the number of surgical affections located on the teat surface (20 ± 5.4) was significantly higher compared with other locations as well as compared with buffaloes (P<0.05). No treatment was indicated in 24% of recorded cases. Medical and surgical treatment was indicated in 73.75% of affected animals. Favorable results were achieved with the recommended treatments when applied in the field.

Mastitis canina gangrenosa: reporte de caso

Mastitis es un proceso infeccioso e inflamatorio de la glándula mamaria, que altera el tejido glandular, y los aspectos físicos, químicos y bacteriológicos de la leche. La mastitis en caninos se presenta con mayor frecuencia durante el periodo postparto o después de repetidos episodios de gestación sicológica e está relacionada con la excesiva producción y acumulación de leche. El presente reporte tiene como objetivo relatar, describir y discutir la ocurrencia, diagnóstico, tratamiento y evolución de un caso de mastitis gangrenosa aguda en una hembra canina adulta durante el periodo postparto, la importancia de un diagnóstico certero, la selección de la terapia antimicrobiana basada en los test de antibiograma y el tratamiento tópico alterativo, asociando azúcar e hidróxido de magnesio al mismo. Como conclusión la mastitis gangrenosa es una enfermedad grave en la clínica de pequeños animales, el éxito de su tratamiento depende de la selección adecuada del tratamiento antimicrobiano basado en el cultivo y antibiograma, así como de un tratamiento de soporte adecuado de las lesiones y complicaciones clínicas secundarias.

Extensive mammary wound treatment in ewe using a rubber elastic suture technique combined with aloe gel

Extensive wounds may not be able to heal by primary intention, due to the lack of tissue. Moreover, treatment of these wounds by secondary intention is more difficult in production animals, due to the high investment requirement and long recovery time. Therefore, new approaches that favor short-term recovery are desirable. This study reports the application of an elastic suture technique for the treatment of an extensive mammary wound. This technique was applied in a lactating ewe with gangrenous mastitis, resulting in extensive tissue necrosis and loss of mammary tissue. Extension of the wound made complete coaptation of the wound edges impossible. Elastic sutures were chosen as they allow a constant and moderate tension that gradually induces approximation of the skin edges. The wound showed a significant decrease in extension before removal of the stitches, demonstrating the successful application of this technique in wound closure surgery. The elastic suture is presented as a new management option for extensive wounds in the field of veterinary medicine.

Microbiological Investigation and Therapeutic Management of Acute Gangrenous Mastitis in a Goat

Microbiological Investigation and Therapeutic Management of Acute Gangrenous Mastitis in a Goat