Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis: a review. 1997

G P Keefe
Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown.

Streptococcus agalactiae continues to be a major cause of subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle and a source of economic loss for the industry. Veterinarians are often asked to provide information on herd level control and eradication of S. agalactiae mastitis. This review collects and collates relevant publications on the subject. The literature search was conducted in 1993 on the Agricola database. Articles related to S. agalactiae epidemiology, pathogen identification techniques, milk quality consequences, and control, prevention, and therapy were included. Streptococcus agalactiae is an oblique parasite of the bovine mammary gland and is susceptible to treatment with a variety of antibiotics. Despite this fact, where state or provincial census data are available, herd prevalence levels range from 11% (Alberta, 1991) to 47% (Vermont, 1985). Infection with S. agalactiae is associated with elevated somatic cell count and total bacteria count and a decrease in the quantity and quality of milk products produced. Bulk tank milk culture has, using traditional milk culture techniques, had a low sensitivity for identifying S. agalactiae at the herd level. New culture methods, using selective media and large inocula, have substantially improved the sensitivity of bulk tank culture. Efficacy of therapy on individual cows remains high. Protocols for therapy of all infected animals in a herd are generally successful in eradicating the pathogen from the herd, especially if they are followed up with good udder hygiene techniques.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008414 Mastitis, Bovine INFLAMMATION of the UDDER in cows. Bovine Mastitides,Bovine Mastitis,Mastitides, Bovine
D002170 Canada The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D002417 Cattle Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor. Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013290 Streptococcal Infections Infections with bacteria of the genus STREPTOCOCCUS. Group A Strep Infection,Group A Streptococcal Infection,Group A Streptococcal Infections,Group B Strep Infection,Group B Streptococcal Infection,Group B Streptococcal Infections,Infections, Streptococcal,Infection, Streptococcal,Streptococcal Infection
D013292 Streptococcus agalactiae A bacterium which causes mastitis in cattle and occasionally in man. Streptococcus Group B
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D015995 Prevalence The total number of cases of a given disease in a specified population at a designated time. It is differentiated from INCIDENCE, which refers to the number of new cases in the population at a given time. Period Prevalence,Point Prevalence,Period Prevalences,Point Prevalences,Prevalence, Period,Prevalence, Point,Prevalences

Related Publications

G P Keefe
July 1946, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association,
G P Keefe
November 1967, American journal of veterinary research,
G P Keefe
December 2012, Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997),
G P Keefe
August 1948, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association,
G P Keefe
May 2002, Journal of veterinary medicine. B, Infectious diseases and veterinary public health,
Copied contents to your clipboard!