Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors
To reduce the negative effects of mastitis in dairy heifers in early lactation on the future milking performance, the aim of this study was to define the time-related period of intramammary infections and to relate this to risk factors at heifer and quarter level for intramammary infections and subc...
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doaj-6b004ca0d01f47199d7f5c2bc3ba6e782020-11-25T02:52:01ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-06-01101053105310.3390/ani10061053Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk FactorsJulia Nitz0Volker Krömker1Doris Klocke2Nicole Wente3Yanchao Zhang4Martin tho Seeth5Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, Faculty 2, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 30453 Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Section Production, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK–1870 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkDepartment of Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, Faculty 2, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 30453 Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, Faculty 2, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 30453 Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, Faculty 2, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 30453 Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, Faculty 2, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 30453 Hannover, GermanyTo reduce the negative effects of mastitis in dairy heifers in early lactation on the future milking performance, the aim of this study was to define the time-related period of intramammary infections and to relate this to risk factors at heifer and quarter level for intramammary infections and subclinical mastitis. In total, 279 German Holstein Frisian heifers in three farms in Northern and Eastern Germany were included in this study. Quarter milk samples for cytomicrobiological examination were collected 3 ± 1 days after calving and 17 ± 3 days after calving, and risk factors at heifer and quarter level associated with intramammary infections and clinical mastitis were recorded during the trial period. Data were analyzed using logistic regression procedures and odds ratios were calculated. Calving at older ages increased the odds of intramammary infections with non-<i>aureus</i> staphylococci (NAS) and coryneforms 17 ± 3 days after calving compared to heifers calving at a younger age. Detaching of milking cups during milking is a risk factor for new infections between day 3 ± 1 and 17 ± 3 postpartum. The milk yield after calving is associated with a decrease in intramammary infections with environmental pathogens and clinical mastitis. A high milk yield assists the development of udder edema with an increased risk of intramammary infections with NAS and coryneforms. An increased somatic cell count (SCC) after calving increased the odds of intramammary infections with contagious pathogens 17 ± 3 days postpartum. The early lactation has an important influence on udder health and intramammary infections postpartum in dairy heifers. Udder quarters eliminated pathogens during early lactation by 6.9% for cases in this study. New infections manifest themselves up until 17 ± 3 days postpartum, especially with <i>Corynebacterium</i> spp. and NAS. In total, 82.9% of the infected quarters showed new infections with another pathogen species 17 ± 3 days postpartum than 3 ± 1 days postpartum. In conclusion, the early lactation has an important influence on udder health and intramammary infections postpartum in heifers with the possibility that udder quarters eliminate pathogens, but also the danger that new infections manifest themselves. Thus, the prevention of new infections by minimizing the associated risk factors is of great importance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/6/1053heifermastitisrisk factorearly lactation |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Julia Nitz Volker Krömker Doris Klocke Nicole Wente Yanchao Zhang Martin tho Seeth |
spellingShingle |
Julia Nitz Volker Krömker Doris Klocke Nicole Wente Yanchao Zhang Martin tho Seeth Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors Animals heifer mastitis risk factor early lactation |
author_facet |
Julia Nitz Volker Krömker Doris Klocke Nicole Wente Yanchao Zhang Martin tho Seeth |
author_sort |
Julia Nitz |
title |
Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors |
title_short |
Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors |
title_full |
Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors |
title_fullStr |
Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors |
title_full_unstemmed |
Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors |
title_sort |
intramammary infections in heifers—time of onset and associated risk factors |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Animals |
issn |
2076-2615 |
publishDate |
2020-06-01 |
description |
To reduce the negative effects of mastitis in dairy heifers in early lactation on the future milking performance, the aim of this study was to define the time-related period of intramammary infections and to relate this to risk factors at heifer and quarter level for intramammary infections and subclinical mastitis. In total, 279 German Holstein Frisian heifers in three farms in Northern and Eastern Germany were included in this study. Quarter milk samples for cytomicrobiological examination were collected 3 ± 1 days after calving and 17 ± 3 days after calving, and risk factors at heifer and quarter level associated with intramammary infections and clinical mastitis were recorded during the trial period. Data were analyzed using logistic regression procedures and odds ratios were calculated. Calving at older ages increased the odds of intramammary infections with non-<i>aureus</i> staphylococci (NAS) and coryneforms 17 ± 3 days after calving compared to heifers calving at a younger age. Detaching of milking cups during milking is a risk factor for new infections between day 3 ± 1 and 17 ± 3 postpartum. The milk yield after calving is associated with a decrease in intramammary infections with environmental pathogens and clinical mastitis. A high milk yield assists the development of udder edema with an increased risk of intramammary infections with NAS and coryneforms. An increased somatic cell count (SCC) after calving increased the odds of intramammary infections with contagious pathogens 17 ± 3 days postpartum. The early lactation has an important influence on udder health and intramammary infections postpartum in dairy heifers. Udder quarters eliminated pathogens during early lactation by 6.9% for cases in this study. New infections manifest themselves up until 17 ± 3 days postpartum, especially with <i>Corynebacterium</i> spp. and NAS. In total, 82.9% of the infected quarters showed new infections with another pathogen species 17 ± 3 days postpartum than 3 ± 1 days postpartum. In conclusion, the early lactation has an important influence on udder health and intramammary infections postpartum in heifers with the possibility that udder quarters eliminate pathogens, but also the danger that new infections manifest themselves. Thus, the prevention of new infections by minimizing the associated risk factors is of great importance. |
topic |
heifer mastitis risk factor early lactation |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/6/1053 |
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