Evaluation of a test for early detection of subclinical mastitis in cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate a test for the diagnosis of mastitis in cattle farms in the Center region of Algeria. The study was carried out in 100 lactating cows belonging to 15 farms. The test assed was the California Mastitis Test (CMT), whose positivity was revealed by changes in the consistency of the reagent-milk mixture on a black-bottomed plate. A bacteriological analysis was performed on all positive samples to confirm the infection and identify the bacteria. CMT was positive in 25% of cows and prevalence was twice higher in cows producing more than ten liters of milk. The bacteriological analysis showed that 96% of the positive samples contained pathogenic bacteria, among which staphylococci had been the most frequently isolated. CMT results were very highly correlated with bacteriological findings. Therefore, CMT seems to be a useful tool to develop in small- or large-scale programs, for control of mastitis based on systematic and regular screenings.