Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T09:25:29.290Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Use of milk amyloid A in the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2013

Arianna Miglio*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
Livia Moscati*
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Perugia 06124, Italy
Gabriele Fruganti
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
Michela Pela
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Perugia 06124, Italy
Eleonora Scoccia
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Perugia 06124, Italy
Andrea Valiani
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Perugia 06124, Italy
Carmen Maresca
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Perugia 06124, Italy
*
*For correspondence; e-mail: miglioarianna@libero.it; lmoscati@izsum.it
*For correspondence; e-mail: miglioarianna@libero.it; lmoscati@izsum.it

Abstract

Subclinical mastitis (SM) is one of the most important diseases affecting dairy ewes worldwide, with negative impact on the animal health, farm income and public health. Animals with SM often remain untreated because the disease may not be revealed. Increase in somatic cell count (SCC) and positive bacteriology for mastitis pathogens in milk samples are indicative of SM but the evidence of only one of these alterations must suggest an uncertain SM (UM). UM is defined when positive bacteriological examination (Latent-SM) or SCC>500 000 cells/ml (non-specific-SM) are detected in milk. Nevertheless, SCC and bacteriological examination are expensive, time consuming and are not yet in use at the farm level in dairy ewes. Recently, a sensitive acute phase protein, amyloid A, displaying multiple isoforms in plasma and different body fluids including mammary secretion (milk amyloid A-MAA), has been investigated as a marker of mastitis in cows and, in a few studies, in sheep. The aim of this trial was to compare the concentration of MAA of single udder-halves in ewes with healthy udder-halves (HU-control group) and naturally occurring subclinical mastitis, both confirmed (SM group) and uncertain (UM groups: Latent-SM and non-specific-SM), for monitoring udder health. The reliability of a specific ELISA kit for the measurement of MAA was also tested. During a 3-month trial period, 153 udder halves were assigned to the experimental groups based on their health status: 25 with SM, 40 with UM (11 with latent-SM and 29 with non-specific-SM) and 88 HU. SCC and bacteriological analysis were performed to establish the control and subclinical mastitis groups. MAA concentrations in milk samples were measured using a specific commercially milk ELISA kit. The data were submitted to statistical analysis. Significant (P<0·05) differences among the groups SM, non-specific-SM and HU were detected with the SM having the highest level and HU the lowest. MAA concentration is affected by the udder health status and is a useful indicator of subclinical mastitis and increased SCC in sheep.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Albenzio, M, Taibi, L, Muscio, A & Sevi, A 2002 Prevalence and etiology of subclinical mastitis in intensively managed flocks and related changes in the yield and quality of ewe milk. Small Ruminant Research 43 219226Google Scholar
Al-Majali, AM & Jawabreh, S 2003 Period prevalence and etiology of subclinical mastitis in Awassi sheep in southern Jordan. Small Ruminant Research 47 243248Google Scholar
Barillet, F, Rupp, R, Mignon-Gasteau, S, Astruc, JM & Jacquin, M 2001 Genetic analysis for mastitis resistance and milk somatic cell count score in Franch Lacaune dairy sheep. Genetic Selection Evolution 33 397415Google Scholar
Bergonier, D, Van de Wiele, A, Arranz, JM, Barillet, F, Lagrifoull, G, Condorcet, D & Berthelot, X 1994 Detection of subclinical mammary infections in the ewe by mean of somatic cell counts: proposal of physiological thresolds. In Proceedings of the International Symposium of Somatic Cells and Milk of Small Ruminants, Bella, 25–27 September 1994, Italy, EAAP Publication No 77, pp. 4147Google Scholar
Bergonier, D, De Cremoux, R, Rupp, R, Lagriffoul, G & Berthelot, X 2003 Mastitis of dairy small ruminants. Veterinary Research 34 689716Google Scholar
Burriel, AR 1997 Dynamics of intramammary infection in the sheep caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci and its influence on udder tissue and milk composition. Veterinary Record 140 419423CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ceciliani, F, Ceron, JJ, Eckersall, PD & Sauerwein, H 2012 Acute phase protein in ruminants. Journal of Proteomics 75 42074231Google Scholar
Contreras, A, Sierra, D, Sanchez, A, Corrales, JC, Marco, JC, Paape, MJ & Gonzalo, C 2007 Mastitis in small ruminants. Small Ruminant Research 68 145153Google Scholar
De La Cruz, M, Serrano, E, Montoro, V, Marco, J, Romeo, M, Baselga, R, Albizu, I & Amorena, B 1994 Etiology and prevalence of subclinical mastitits in the Manchega sheep at mid-date lactation. Small Ruminant Research 14 175180Google Scholar
Eckersall, PD 2001 Acute phase proteins as markers of infection and inflammation: monitoring animal health, animal welfare and food safety. Irish Veterinary Journal 53 307311Google Scholar
Eckersall, PD & Bell, R 2010 Acute phase proteins: biomarkers of infection and inflammation in veterinary medicine. Veterinary Journal 185 2327CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eckersall, PD, Young, FJ, McComb, C, Hogarth, CJ, Safi, S, Weber, A, McDonald, T, Nolan, AM & Fitzpatrick, JL 2001 Acute phase proteins in serum and milk from dairy cows with clinical mastitis. Veterinary Record 148 3541CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eckersall, PD, Lawson, FP, Bence, L, Waterston, MM, Lang, TL, Donachie, W & Fontaine, MC 2007 Acute phase protein response in an experimental model of ovine caseus lymphadenitis. BMC Veterinary Research 19 35Google Scholar
Fruganti, G, Ranucci, S, Tesei, B & Valente, C 1985 Valutazione dello stato sanitaria della mammella di pecore durante un intero ciclo di lattazione. ‘Safety evaluation of the sheep udders during an entire lactation period’. Clinica Veterinaria 108 286296Google Scholar
Fthenakis, GC 1996 Use of somatic cell counts or of indirect tests in milk for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in ewes. In Proceedings of Somatic Cells and Milk of Small Ruminants, International Symposium, Bella, Italy. pp. 2729 (Ed. Rubino, R). The NetherlandsGoogle Scholar
Fthenakis, GC, Marples, RR, Richardson, JF & Jones, JE 1994 Some properties of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from cases of ovine mastitis. Epidemiology Infection 112 171176CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gerardi, G, Bernardini, D, Elia, CA, Ferrari, V, Iob, L & Segato, S 2009 Use of Serum Amyloid A and milk amyloid A in the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Research 76 411417Google Scholar
Gonzalez Rodriguez, MC, Gonzalo, C, San Primitivo, F, Carmenes, P & Rodriguez, MCG 1995 Relations between somatic cell count and intramammary infection of the half udder in dairy ewes. Journal of Dairy Science 78 27532759Google Scholar
Green, TJ 1984 Use of somatic cell counts for detection of subclinical mastitis in ewes. Veterinary Record 114 4348Google Scholar
Gronlund, U, Hulten, C, Eckersall, PD, Hogarth, C & Persson Waller, K 2003 Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A in milk and serum during acute and chronic experimentally induced Staphylococcus aureus mastitis. Journal of Dairy Science 70 379386Google Scholar
Gronlund, U, Hallen Sandgren, C & Persson Waller, K 2005 Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A in milk from dairy cows with chronic sub-clinical mastitis. Veterinary Research 36 191198CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Harmon, RJ, Eberhart, RJ, Jasper, DE, Langlois, BE & Wilson, RA 1990 Microbiological Procedures for the Diagnosis of Bovine Udder Infection. Arlington VA, USA: National Mastitis Council IncGoogle Scholar
Hogan, JS, Gonzalez, RN, Harmon, RJ, Nickerson, SC, Olivers, SP, Pankey, JW & Smith, KL 1999 Laboratory Handbook on Bovine Mastitis. Madison WI, USA: National Mastitis Council IncGoogle Scholar
Kalmus, P, Simojoki, H, Pyörälä, S, Taponen, S, Holopainen, J & Orro, T 2013 Milk haptoglobin, milk amiloyd A, and N-acetyl-b-d-glucosaminidase activity in bovines with naturally occurring clinical mastitis diagnosed with a quantitative PCR test. Journal Dairy Science 96 36623670CrossRefGoogle Scholar
IDF 1987 Bovine Mastitis. Definition and Guidlines for Diagnosis. Bull. No211.Brussels, Belgium: International Dairy FederationGoogle Scholar
Karreman, HJ, Wentink, GH & Wensing, T 2000 Using serum amyloid A to screen dairy cows for subclinical inflammation. Veterinary Quarterly 22 175178Google Scholar
Kovacevic-Filipovic, M, Ilic, V, Vujcic, Z, Dojnov, B & Bozic, T 2012 Serum Amyloid A isoforms in serum and milk from cows with Staphylococcus aureus subclinical mastitis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 145 120128CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kiossis, E, Brozos, CN, Petridou, E & Boscos, C 2007 Program for the control of subclinical mastitis in dairy Chios breed ewes during lactation. Small Ruminant Research 73 194199Google Scholar
Larson, MA, Weber, A, Weber, T & McDonald, T 2005 Differential expression and secretion of bovine serum amlyloid A3 (SAA3) by mammary epithelial cells stimulated with prolactin or lipopolysaccharide. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 107 255264Google Scholar
Las Heras, A, Dominguez, L & Fernandez, JF 1999 Prevalence and aetiology of subclinical mastitis in dairy ewes of de Madrid region. Small Ruminant Research 32 2129CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leitner, G, Chaffer, M, Caraso, Y, Ezra, E, Kababea, D & Saran, A 2001 Udder infection and milk somatic cell count, NAGase activity and milk composition-fat, protein and lactose-in Israeli Assaf and Awassy sheep. Small Ruminant Research 49 157164CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leitner, G, Chaffer, M, Shamay, A, Merin, U, Saran, A & Silanikove, N 2004 Changes in milk composition as affected by subclinical mastitis in sheep. Journal of Dairy Science 87 4652Google Scholar
Mavrogenis, AP, Koumas, A, Kakoyiannis, CK & Taliotis, CH 1995 Use of somatic cell counts for the detection of subclinical mastitis in sheep. Small Ruminant Research 17 7984Google Scholar
McDonald, TL, Weber, A & Smith, JV 1991 A monoclonal antibody sandwich immunoassay for serum amyloid A (SAA) protein. Journal of Immunological Methods 144 149155Google Scholar
McDonald, TL, Larson, MA, Mack, DR & Weber, A 2001 Elevated extrahepatic expression and secretion of mammary-associated serum amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) into colostrum. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 83 203211CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McDougall, SM, Murdough, P, Pankey, W, Delaney, C, Barlow, J & Scruton, D 2001 Relationships among somatic cell count, California mastitis test, impedance and bacteriological status of milk in goats and sheep in early lactation. Small Ruminant Research 40 245254Google Scholar
Menzies, PI & Ramanoon, SZ 2001 Mastitis of sheep and goat. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 17 333358Google Scholar
Mork, T, Waage, S, Tollersrud, T, Kvitle, B & Sviland, S 2007 Clinical mastitis in ewes; bacteriology, epidemiology and clinical features. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 49 23Google Scholar
Murata, H, Shimada, N & Yoshioka, M 2004 Current research on acute phase proteins in veterinary diagnostic: an overview. Veterinary Journal 168 2840Google Scholar
Nielsen, BH, Jacobsen, S, Anderson, PH, Niewold, TA & Heegaard, PM 2004 Acute phase protein concentrations in serum and milk from healthy cows, cows with clinical mastitis and cows with extramammary inflammatory conditions. Veterinary Record 154 361365Google Scholar
O'Mahony, MC, Healy, AM, Harte, D, Walshe, KG, Torgerson, PR & Doherty, ML 2006 Milk Amyloid A: correlation with cellular indicis of mammary inflammation in cows with normal and raised serum amyloid A. Research in Veterinary Science 80 155161Google Scholar
Pengov, A (2001) The role of coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. and associated somatic cell counts in the ovine mammary gland. Journal of Dairy Science 84 572574Google Scholar
Peris, C, Molina, P, Fernandez, N, Rodriguez, M & Torres, A 1991 Variation in somatic cell count, California mastitis test and electrical conductivity among various fractions of ewe's milk. Journal of Dairy Science 74 15531560CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pyörälä, S 2003 Indicators of inflammation in the diagnosis of mastitis. Veterinary Research 34 565578Google Scholar
Radostits, OM, Gay, CC, Hinchcliff, KW & Constable, PD 2007 Veterinary Medicine. A Textbook of the Disease of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats and Horses, 10th edition. p. 675. St Luis Mo, USA: Saunders ElsevierGoogle Scholar
Rupp, R, Bergonier, D, Dion, S, Aurel, MR, Robert-Granier, C & Foucras, G 2009 Response to somatic cell count-based selection for mastitis resistance in a divergent selection experiment in sheep. Journal of Dairy Science 92 12031219Google Scholar
Safi, S, Khoshvaghti, A, Reza, S, Bolourchi, M & Nowrouzian, I 2009 Acute phase proteins in the diagnosis of bovine subclinical mastitis. Veterinary Clinical Pathology 35 16Google Scholar
Saran, A & Leitner, G 2000 Interaction between bacteria, immunity and therapy in the mammary gland. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Immunology of Ruminant Mammary Gland. Stresa, Italy, June 11–14. pp. 290297. (Ed. Zecconi, A)Google Scholar
Saratsis, P, Alexopoulos, C, Tzora, A & Fthenakis, GC 1999 The effect of experimentally induced subclinical mastitis on the milk yield of dairy ewes. Small Ruminant Research 32 205209Google Scholar
Waage, S, Skei, HR, Rise, J, Rogdo, T, Sviland, S & Odegaard, SA 2000 Outcome of clinical mastitis in dairy heifers assessed by reexamination of cases one month after treatment. Journal of Dairy Science 83 7076CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Watkins, GH, Burriel, AR & Jones, JE 1991 A field investigation of subclinical mastitis in sheep in southern England. British Veterinary Journal 147 413Google Scholar
Winter, P, Fuchs, K, Walseh, K & Colditz, IG 2003 Production of serum amyloid A in serumand milk during experimental Stapphylococcus epidermidis mastitis in ewes. Veterinary Record 152 558562CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Winter, P, Miny, M, Fuchs, K & Baumgartner, W 2006 The potential of measuring serum amyloid A in individual ewe milk and in farm milk for monitoring udder health on sheep dairy farms. Research in Veterinary Science 81 321326Google Scholar
Vautor, E, Cockfield, J, Le Marechal, C, Le Loir, Y, Thiery, R & Lindsay, J 2009 Difference in virulence between Staphylococcus aureus isolates causing gangrenous mastitis versus subclinical mastitis in a dairy sheep flock. Veterinary Research 40 56Google Scholar