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Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) mastitis is extremely difficult to control by treatment alone. To date, successful control is gained only through prevention of new infections and culling of infected animals. S. aureus organisms colonize teat ends and/or teat lesions. Spread of infection can occur through milkers’ hands, washcloths, teat cup liners, and flies. During milking, irregular vacuum fluctuations can force bacteria up into the teat canal, leading to the potential for new infection. If not culled, infected cows must be segregated from the milking herd and milked last, or milked with separate milking units. A backflush system may help reduce bacterial numbers within the liners, but rinsing units by hand is certainly not recommended.
Staphylococcus aureus causes one of the most common types of chronic mastitis. Though some cows may flare up with clinical mastitis (especially after calving) the infection is usually subclinical, causing elevated somatic cell counts (SCC) but no detectable changes in milk or the udder. The bacteria persist in mammary glands, teat canals, and teat lesions of infected cows and are contagious. The infection is spread at milking time when S. aureus-contaminated milk from an infected gland comes in contact with an uninfected gland, and the bacteria penetrate the teat canal. Once established, S. aureus infections do not respond well to antibiotic therapy and infected cows must be segregated or culled from the herd. In some herds with SCC below 200,000/ mL, dairy managers have not been able to eradicate S. aureus despite the use of standard milking-time hygiene techniques (Roberson et al. 1994).
Recently published work has shown that 3 percent of all animals are infected with S. aureus (Schukken et al. 2009). However, S. aureus represents 10 to 12 percent of all clinical mastitis infections (Tenhagen et al. 2009). Interestingly, cows infected with S. aureus do not necessarily have elevated SCC. During 1978-1980, nearly 27,000 milk samples from 28 herds were aseptically collected. Culture results showed 10 percent of cows were infected with S. aureus (Jones et al. 1984). Only 60 percent of the infections were found in cows producing milk with SCC greater than 200,000/mL.
Heifers are also a reservoir for S. aureus infections. In several research trials, 12 to 15 percent of first-lactation cows were found infected with S. aureus at calving (Boddie et al. 1987; Trinidad, Nickerson, and Adkinson 1990; Trinidad, Nickerson, and Alley 1990). Furthermore, infected heifers left untreated produce 10 percent less milk in early lactation when compared with those who received dry cow antibiotic treatment prior to calving (Owens et al. 1991). Many animals remain infected throughout the first lactation and act as reservoirs for infecting other cows in the herd. Although as many as half of the cows with high SCC may be infected with S. aureus, SCC alone are not sensitive enough to positively diagnose S. aureus infections.
S. aureus bacteria produce toxins that destroy cell membranes and can directly damage milk-producing tissue. White blood cells (leukocytes) are attracted to the area of inflammation, where they attempt to fight the infection. Initially, the bacteria damage the tissues lining the teats and gland cisterns within the quarter, which eventually leads to formation of scar tissue. The bacteria then move up into the duct system and establish deep-seated pockets of infection in the milk secreting cells (alveoli). This is followed by the formation of abscesses that wall-off the bacteria to prevent spread but allow the bacteria to avoid detection by the immune system. The abscesses prevent antibiotics from reaching the bacteria and are the primary reason why the response to treatment is poor.
However, bacteria can also escape the killing effects of some antibiotics by hiding within neutrophils (white blood cells) and other host cells. As the neutrophils attempt to remove bacteria, many organisms survive and become dormant within them, preventing contact with antibiotics. When the white blood cells die (usually in one to two days) the bacteria are released to resume the infection process.
During infection, destruction of alveolar and ductal cells reduces milk yield. These damaged cells may combine with leukocytes and clog the milk ducts that drain the alveolar areas, contributing to further scar tissue formation, occlusion of ducts, and decreased milk production. The ducts may reopen at a later time, but this usually results in a release of S. aureus organisms to other areas of the mammary gland. The spread of S. aureus within the gland results in the formation of additional abscesses that can become quite large and detectable as lumps within the udder.
Though most cases of S. aureus mastitis are subclinical, chronic cows usually have high SCC, abnormal mammary tissue, and recurrent cases of clinical mastitis. Clinically infected quarters often show moderate swelling and visible clots (chunks) in the milk, especially in forestrippings. Acute S. aureus infections generally develop late in the lactation. However, the clinical symptoms (udder swelling or hardness, changes in appearance of milk) do not show up until calving or early in the next lactation. It becomes difficult to successfully treat an infection because drugs are not able to penetrate to all infection sites and because the bacteria can avoid contact with antibiotics while residing inside leukocytes. Many strains of S. aureus have acquired antibiotic resistance – the ability to produce an enzyme that inactivates penicillin-based and other antibiotics – rendering the treatment ineffective. The development of antibiotic resistance during treatment with some beta-lactam antibiotics, e.g., penicillin, is an additional reason for therapy failures.
The major reservoirs of S. aureus are infected udders, teat canals, and teat lesions, but these bacteria also have been found on teat skin, muzzles, and nostrils. The bacteria are spread to uninfected quarters by teat cup liners, milkers’ hands, washcloths, and flies. Staphylococci do not persist on healthy teat skin but readily colonize damaged skin and teat lesions. The organisms multiply in infected lesions and result in increased chance of teat canal colonization and subsequent udder infection.
Heifers infected during gestation that carry infections through calving represent an important reservoir from which S. aureus can spread to uninfected herd mates. There is considerable debate surrounding the route of S. aureus infection in heifers prior to first calving, but calves fed colostrum from an S. aureus-infected dam is a likely source. Early work suggested S. aureus-infected colostrum was not a culprit for first-calf heifers calving with the infection (Barto et al. 1982). However, later work did show a positive correlation between feeding S. aureus-infected colostrum to a calf and that calf then calving with S. aureus mastitis (Roberson et al. 1998). Though the data is limited, if an S. aureus problem exists on a farm, careful colostrum selection, e.g., pasteurization, is certainly one area to consider. Clearly, good mastitis control programs will address the presence of this disease in heifers.
Culture of bulk-tank milk is easy, economical, and an important aid in monitoring bacterial counts in milk. However, this does not replace an individual cow culture. Bulk-tank cultures can be used to monitor the status within a herd. For example, in a herd with no history of contagious mastitis, a positive culture or series of cultures would warn the producer to examine individual cows. When troubleshooting a herd with a high SCC problem, we recommend culturing all high-SCC cows (more than 400,000 cells/mL). If that includes more than 20 percent of the herd, then it is best to culture the 20 to 30 cows with the highest SCC. These results will indicate the type of mastitis problem in a given herd, which allows for more appropriate recommendations based on the individual farm results.
Alternatively, the producer can use the California Mastitis Test (CMT) on cows with elevated Dairy Herd Improvement program (DHI) SCC to determine which quarters may be infected, then selectively culture positive quarters. Herds not on test can also use the CMT periodically on all cows to identify quarters for culturing. This is an excellent starting point for identifying positive cows and moving them to a separate group. It is important to identify infections early in order to prevent spread to other animals and increase chances of a successful treatment.
The most effective ways to prevent new infections are to eliminate conditions that expose teat ends to bacteria and reduce the possibility of spread from cow to cow – many of which are discussed below.
Antibiotic treatment will not control this disease but it may, in certain cases, shorten the duration of the infection. Treatment effectiveness decreases as the cow becomes older and even as the first lactation progresses. Cure rates were 34 percent when 89 cows in 10 Dutch herds were treated for subclinical S. aureus mastitis (Sol et al. 1997). The results showed that the probability of cure was lower in older cows with high SCC and in cows infected in hindquarters during early and midlactation. S. aureus infections were found in 36 percent of clinical mastitis cases in Finnish herds (Pyorala and Pyorala 1997). Of these, 39 percent responded to treatment. Cows with an SCC of less than 1 million were more likely to cure an infection compared with those over the cut-off point. Successful treatment during lactation is greater if detected and treated early, whereas the response is lower when treating chronic infections. Use of a strip cup or similar device is strongly recommended for detecting abnormal milk. New clinical infections should be treated promptly and appropriately, especially in first-lactation cows. Tissue damage can be minimized if animals are treated during the early stages of infection. As always, consult a veterinarian regarding off-label treatment options. The use of DHI program SCC records in addition to visual observation of forestripped milk and milk culture results will indicate effectiveness of treatment.
Many researchers have looked at the efficacy of pirlimycin treatment both in heifers prior to calving and in all animals as an extended therapy treatment during lactation. According to the manufacturer, pirlimycin is one of the most effective compounds against S. aureus because its chemical nature allows it to penetrate mammary tissues. In heifers, a single tube of pirlimycin treatment in each quarter six to 12 days prior to calving significantly reduced S. aureus infections at calving (Roy et al. 2007). Furthermore, mastitis data presented to the FDA suggests that two tubes, administered 24 hours apart to infected quarters of cows during lactation, resulted in a cure rate of 36.6 percent, whereas only 1.1 percent of nontreated controls recovered spontaneously. In field cases, the rate of cows cured during lactation increased to 49.4 percent. However, trials using the same treatment scheme at Louisiana State University and Iowa State University found cure rates of only 12 percent or less for chronically infected S. aureus cows during lactation.
Single-quarter, extended therapy with repeated label doses of pirlimycin has been examined as a means of providing drug levels beyond the expected life of the leukocytes that naturally fight off this infection. This protocol has been widely adopted for new intramammary infections with S. aureus, as it increases cure rates. Four-quarter extended treatment with repeated label doses will provide adequate therapeutic concentrations for many S. aureus bacteria. A cure rate of 50 percent at four weeks after treatment was found in more than 100 treated cows (Belschner et al. 1996). Whether these cure rates justify the additional expenses and effort, not to mention the potential risk of extra-label use and antibiotic residue, is unknown.
Dry cow therapy (DCT) is more effective in eliminating infections than lactating treatment. However, DCT is not effective if the infections have become chronic by the end of lactation. When cows are not given DCT, spontaneous cures have been very low. DCT is cost-effective (Kirk et al. 1997). When a cow is dried off, it is recommended to treat all quarters with a commercially available DCT. Follow these steps when dry treating:
New infections are commonly found in heifers, either at calving or in early lactation. Up to one-third of these infections are caused by S. aureus. Often these S. aureus infections, if untreated, become clinical and recur throughout the first lactation and into the second lactation. Furthermore, these infections increase the chance of contagious spread to other animals in the herd. Several management practice can be used on heifers prior to calving to eliminate infections before the start of lactation.
Administration of dry cow therapy to heifers has been evaluated in several Louisiana studies. A dry cow product containing penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin was administered during the first, second, or third trimester of pregnancy in 35 bred heifers from four herds. Although prevalence of infection and SCC were reduced by treatment in all three groups of heifers, heifers dry-treated during the second trimester of pregnancy demonstrated the greatest reduction in mastitis and SCC at calving (Nickerson et al. 1995). It is recommended that heifers be treated with dry cow treatment at 60 days before expected calving date. Teat ends should be properly cleaned and disinfected before and after treatment. It is important to check milk for the presence of antibiotic residue at three to five days after calving or before the milk is allowed in the bulk tank.
In Tennessee, a lactating cow antibiotic treatment containing either cloxacillin or cephapirin was administered to heifers at seven to 10 days before expected calving (Oliver et al. 1992). Cephapirin gave better treatment results than cloxacillin but resulted in antibiotic residue in milk at three days after calving. Treating heifers with cephapirin 14 days before expected calving eliminated the residue problem. It is therefore recommended that heifers be treated with lactating cow mastitis treatment at 14 days before expected calving, using precautions indicated under the preceding section about dry cow therapy.
Many mastitis infections (not specifically S. aureus) originate in the peripartum period. A well-drained pasture is preferred as a calving area, with no access to ponds, swampy areas, or drainage ditches. A clover-grass sod is desired, in contrast to fescue or muddy, beaten-up lots. Lots and pastures should be managed to prevent muddy areas where cattle would lie down. Filthy, damp, or muddy pens, lots, or pastures continually expose the teat end to a barrage of bacteria. Pens should be well-bedded, clean, dry, and comfortable. Selenium-vitamin E supplementation or injections at two to three weeks before expected calving have been shown to reduce mastitis after calving. Vitamin E levels of 1,000 IU/day during the dry period and 500 IU/day during lactation are recommended by the National Research Council. Other minerals and vitamins shown to reduce the incidence of mastitis include vitamin A/ beta-carotene, copper, and zinc. By testing animals to identify micronutrient deficiencies, providing a balanced ration, avoiding poorly fermented silages, and including dietary supplementation of vitamin E and selenium, proper nutrition can be maintained to reduce incidence of mastitis.
The best treatment for S. aureus mastitis is prevention. Recommendations to prevent spread of contagious
mastitis pathogens include:
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Belschner, A. P., J. W. Hallberg, S. C. Nickerson, and W. E. Owens. 1996. Staphylococcus aureus mastitis therapy revisited. Proceedings, National Mastitis Council annual meeting, Madison, Wis., 116-22.
Boddie, R. L., S. C. Nickerson, W. E. Owens, and J. L. Watts. 1987. Udder microflora in nonlactating heifers. Agri-Practice 22-25.
Halleron, R. 1997. Liner slips cause 10 to 15 percent of new infections. Hoard’s Dairyman 142 (August): 624. Fort Atkinson, Wis.: W. D. Hoard and Sons Company. www.hoards.com.
Jones, G. M., R. E. Pearson, G. A. Clabaugh, and C. W. Heald. 1984. Relationships between somatic cell counts and milk production. Journal of Dairy Science 67(8): 1823-31.
Kirk, J. H., S. L. Berry, I. A. Gardner, J. Maas, and A. Ahmadi. 1997. Dry cow antibiotic treatment in a herd with low contagious mastitis prevalence. Proceedings, National Mastitis Council annual meeting, Madison, Wis., 164.
Nickerson, S. C., E. P. Hovingh, C. Peterson, S. Brannock, E. Schaffer, and P. W. Widel. 2008. Administration of a Staphylococcus aureus bacterin to dairy heifers reduces new infection rate and somatic cell counts at time of calving. Paper presented at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting, Indianapolis, Ind. Journal of Dairy Science 91:300, E-supplement 1, abstract No. 247.
Nickerson, S. C., W. E. Owens, and R. L. Boddie. 1995. Mastitis in dairy heifers: Initial studies on prevalence and control. Journal of Dairy Science 78(7): 1607-18.
Oliver, S. P., M. J. Lewis, B. E. Gillespie, and H. H. Dowlen. 1992. Influence of prepartum antibiotic therapy on intramammary infections in primigravid heifers during early lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 75(2): 406-14.
Owens, W. E., S. C. Nickerson, P. J. Washburn, and C. H. Ray. 1991. Efficacy of a cephapirin dry cow product for treatment of experimentally induced Staphylococcus aureus mastitis in heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 74(10): 3376-82.
Pyorala, S. and E. Pyorala. 1997. Accuracy of methods using somatic cell count and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity in milk to assess the bacteriological cure of bovine clinical mastitis. Journal of Dairy Science 80(11): 2820-25.
Rasmussen, M. D., E. S. Frimer, D. M. Galton, and L. G. Petersson. 1992. The influence of premilking teat preparation and attachment delay on milk yield and milking performance. Journal of Dairy Science 75(8): 2131-41.
Roberson, J. R., L. K. Fox, D. D. Hancock, J. M. Gay, and T. E. Besser. 1994. Ecology of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various sites on dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science 77(11): 3354-64.
Roberson, J. R., L. K. Fox, D. D. Hancock, J. M. Gay, and T. E. Besser. 1998. Sources of intramammary infections from Staphylococcus aureus in dairy heifers at first parturition. Journal of Dairy Science 81(3): 687-93.
Roy, J. P., D. Du Tremblay, L. DesCoteaux, S. Messier, D. Scholl, and E. Bouchard. 2007. Effect of precalving intramammary treatment with pirlimycin in nulliparous Holstein heifers. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research 71(4): 283-91.
Schukken, Y. H., R. N. Gonzalez, L. L. Tikofsky, H. F. Schulte, C. G. Santisteban, F. L. Welcome, G. J. Bennett, M. J. Zurakowski, and R. N. Zadoks. 2009. CNS mastitis: Nothing to worry about? Veterinary Microbiology 134(1-2): 9-14.
Sol, J., O. C. Sampimon, J. J. Snoep, and Y. H. Schukken. 1997. Factors associated with bacteriological cure during lactation after therapy for subclinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Dairy Science 80(11): 2803-08.
Tenhagen, B. A., I. Hansen, A. Reinecke, and W. Heuwieser. 2009. Prevalence of pathogens in milk samples of dairy cows with clinical mastitis and in heifers at first parturition. Journal of Dairy Research 76(2): 179-87.
Trinidad, P., S. C. Nickerson, and R. W. Adkinson. 1990. Histopathology of staphylococcal mastitis in unbred dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 73(3): 639-47.
Trinidad, P., S. C. Nickerson, and T. K. Alley. 1990. Prevalence of intramammary infection and teat canal colonization in unbred and primigravid dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 73(1): 107-14.
Wilson, D. J., R. N. Gonzalez, and P. M. Sears. 1995. Segregation or use of separate milking units for cows infected with Staphylococcus aureus: Effects on prevalence of infection and bulk-tank somatic cell count. Journal of Dairy Science 78(9): 2083-85.
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, re-print, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Alan L. Grant, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Jewel E. Hairston, Interim Administrator,1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
June 11, 2010