Etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of udder pathogens from cases of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in Sweden
2011

Study of Udder Pathogens in Dairy Cows with Mastitis in Sweden

Sample size: 583 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ylva Persson, Ann-Kristin Nyman, Ulrika Grönlund-Andersson

Primary Institution: National Veterinary Institute, Sweden

Hypothesis

What is the microbial etiology and antimicrobial resistance of udder pathogens in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis?

Conclusion

Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated pathogens, and resistance to antimicrobials was rare.

Supporting Evidence

  • The most common isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (19%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (16%).
  • Resistance to penicillin G was found in 4% of S. aureus and 35% of CNS isolates.
  • Overall resistance to other antimicrobials was uncommon.

Takeaway

This study looked at sick cows to find out what germs were making them sick and if those germs could resist medicine. They found that most germs were not resistant to the medicine.

Methodology

The study collected 583 quarter milk samples from 583 dairy cows across 226 farms and analyzed them for bacterial presence and antimicrobial resistance.

Potential Biases

Potential bias from sampling only during specific months and reliance on veterinarians for sample collection.

Limitations

The study may not capture all cases of subclinical mastitis due to the single sampling method.

Participant Demographics

Cows were primarily Swedish Holstein (53%) and Swedish Red (42%), with a range of parity from 1 to 9.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

(1.17; 3.52)

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1751-0147-53-36

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