An Evaluation of Subclinical Mastitis During Lactation in Anatolian Buffaloes

Subclinical mastitis in Anatolian buffaloes (n = 71) in Afyon, Turkey was evaluated using 1637 milk samples collected monthly for 9 months. Tests applied to milk samples included the California Mastitis Test (CMT), somatic cell count (SCC), and bacteriological examination. The threshold limit for SCC was found as 130 x 10(3) cells/ml. Anatolian buffaloes are infected above this level and they are likely to be uninfected below this level. The highest rates of intramammary infection (IMI) per quarter (36.5%) and animal (69.1%) were encountered during the highest rainfall month of May. Candida spp., coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) and Staphylococcus aureus and mixed infections were isolated at the rate of 41.91%, 20.59%, and 16.91% of quarters, respectively. Quarters infected with S. aureus(9.7%) were associated with CMT scores >0 and elevated SCC. No significant increase in CMT scores >0 and elevated SCC were observed during the period in which the incidence of Candida spp. was high. However, CMT (-) milk samples were determined to display higher SCC in autumn months when compared to other seasons. The microbial isolation rates in CMT (-) and CMT (+) quarters during the first 4 months of lactation were determined to be higher in comparison to other stages of lactation. The most sensitive antibiotic was amoxycillin+clavulonic acid. As it has low numbers of infectious agents, bubaline milk is important for human welfare. However, higher infection rates were observed during rainy periods, during the first 4 months of lactation, after the 5(th) lactation, in late spring and early summer calvers, and in machine milked animals. In addition to SCC and CMT results, bacteriological examination could be carried out to identify mastitis.