Vol. 11, Special Issue 11 (2022)

Author(s):
Pandey M, Das DP, Panda SK, Patra RC, Jena GR, Samal L and Das BC

Abstract:
The research work entitled “Clinico-pathological studies of subclinical mastitis in bovines” was carried out over a period from 7^th March 2019 to 15^th June 2019. The research was committed to study prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis in and around Bhubaneswar, efficacy of various indirect screening tests- CMT, SFMT and WST, haematological, biochemical examination and antioxidant profile tests of some suspected cases, microbiological culture of some suspected milk samples. In the present investigation, random milk samples from 380 lactating cows and 55 buffaloes were screened for subclinical mastitis through California mastitis test at cow side and further screening by SCC for a period of 2 months from areas in and around Bhubaneswar. Out of these 380 animals, 163 cows and 5 buffaloes were found to be subclinically mastitic through SCC, accounting to 42.9% prevalence. Along with these screening test, WST and SFMT was performed to determine the efficacy of the indirect screening tests. Additional details about the animal like breed, age, parity, lactation stage and milk yield was also noted. According to these data, prevalence related to the above parameters was determined. 30 random blood samples were collected along with 6 from the apparently healthy animals. All the milk samples were subjected to cytological examination and isolation and bacterial identification. Based on the Somatic cell count, quarter milk samples were classified as normal (SCC <2 X10⁵ /ml) and sub-clinically affected (SCC>2X10⁵/ml) milk samples. In differential leukocyte count (DLC), the neutrophil count of the SCM affected milk samples was significantly higher than that of the normal milk samples while lymphocytes and macrophages significantly decreased in SCM. Cytological examination of the milk smear by Geimsa staining revealed leukocytes, desquamated epithelial cells, fat globules and clumps of bacteria. Staphylococcus spp. was determined as the predominant isolate followed by Streptococcus spp. and E. coli. Blood samples were subjected to haematological examination. Biochemical examination and antioxidant profile test was carried out from serum. Haematological analysis revealed there was significant decrease in Hb, PCV, TEC and lymphocyte count but a significant increase in TLC of blood of the sub clinically affected mastitic animals. A differential count of leukocytes revealed increase in the neutrophil % and eosinophil % but decrease in lymphocyte count. Serum biochemical analysis revealed that significant increase in in the levels of AST and TP. Recommendations for appropriate therapy was given to the farmers based on the screening tests and recovery rate was determined to be 62% by further screening after 3 weeks.