Distribution of Lactococcus spp. in New York State dairy farms and the association of somatic cell count resolution and bacteriological cure in clinical mastitis samples.

We investigated the distribution of pathogenic non-agalactiae gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci (GPCN) in a convenience sample of New York State dairy farms. Our primary objective with the clinical mastitis (CM) GPCN samples was to evaluate somatic cell count (SCC) resolution and bacteriological cure of Streptococcus dysgalactiae or Streptococcus uberis versus Lactococcus lactis or Lactococcus garvieae in cows that received an approved intramammary treatment. In phase I, we assessed the distribution of the GPCN and SCC resolution. In phase II, we evaluated the SCC resolution and bacteriological cure in CM samples from the 4 farms with the highest prevalence of L. lactis or L. garvieae in phase I. In phase I, 8,868 CM and subclinical mastitis (SCM) milk samples were received from 143 farms. The GPCN samples identified by culture were confirmed with MALDI-TOF. From the 473 MALDI-TOF-confirmed GPCN samples, 155 were S. dysgalactiae (33%); 150, S. uberis (32%); 112, L. lactis (24%); 16, L. garvieae (3%); and 40, other GPCN (8%). From these, 277 were CM samples and 127 were eligible for the evaluation of SCC resolution, which was defined as SCC ≤200,000 cells/mL in a composite sample 15 to 60 d post-diagnosis. The odds of SCC resolution in CM samples was evaluated with multivariable logistic regression, and the odds were 6.1 [95% confidence interval (CI):2.7-13.9] times higher for S. dysgalactiae or S. uberis compared with L. lactis or L. garvieae. In phase II, a total of 1,662 CM and SCM samples were evaluated with microbiological methods as in phase I, of which 211 samples were confirmed by MALDI-TOF: 39% were S. dysgalactiae (n = 61) and S. uberis (n = 21); 55%, L. lactis (n = 114) and L. garvieae (n = 2); and 6%, other GPCN (n = 13). In total, 168 CM samples were eligible for analysis and 118 were included in the final SCC resolution model. Similar statistical methods as in phase I were performed, and the odds of SCC resolution were 2.4 (95% CI: 1.1-5.5) times higher for S. dysgalactiae or S. uberis compared with L. lactis or L. garvieae. Bacteriological cure was defined as having a different or negative culture on a quarter sample taken 14 to 28 d after initial diagnosis. The odds of bacteriological cure (n = 121) were 8.0 (95% CI: 2.5-25.6) times higher for S. dysgalactiae or S. uberis compared with L. lactis or L. garvieae. Differences in SCC resolution and bacteriological cure between these groups may dictate a different management approach.

Evaluation of powdered 0.5% chlorhexidine acetate-based postmilking teat dip compared with a foamed 1% iodine-based postmilking teat dip under cold weather conditions in northern New York.

The objective of this trial was to compare a powdered 0.5% chlorhexidine acetate-based postmilking teat dip with a foamed 1% iodine-based postmilk teat dip during winter on clinical mastitis, subclinical mastitis (somatic cell count ≥200,000 cells/mL), linear score, teat skin condition, teat end score for hyperkeratosis, and risk of developing a new intramammary infection (IMI). Holstein cows (n = 331) housed in freestall and tiestall barns on one farm were blocked by pen, parity, lactation stage, and lactation performance. They were assigned randomly to a powdered chlorhexidine postmilking teat dip (PD; Derma Soft n' Dry, IBA Inc., Millbury, MA) or a foamed iodine-based postmilking teat dip (ID; FS-103, IBA Inc.). Treatments were applied for 6 wk starting January 4, 2016, for 3 milkings per day. Milk samples were collected from each quarter at the beginning and end of the trial and analyzed for aerobic culture and somatic cell count. Cows that had a clinical mastitis event during the trial were quarter sampled for aerobic culture at the time of clinical event. Teat skin condition and teat end score for hyperkeratosis were evaluated at the beginning, middle, and end of the trial based on a 3- and 5-point scale, respectively. No treatment difference was observed for linear score or teat skin condition. Teat end score was greater for ID cows compared with PD cows (2.72 vs. 2.77) at the conclusion of the trial. At the beginning of trial 102 PD quarters and 129 ID quarters had an IMI identified on aerobic culture, 402 PD and 457 ID quarters cultured negative, and 109 PD and 125 ID samples were classified as "no significant growth." At the conclusion of the trial, 129 PD and 101 ID quarters had an IMI. Use of PD resulted in a greater risk for developing a new IMI, based on bacteriological culture, at the conclusion of the trial as compared with ID (relative risk = 1.51; confidence interval: 1.10-2.07). Additionally, use of PD resulted in a greater risk as compared with ID of coagulase-negative staphylococci (relative risk = 1.5; confidence interval: 1.10-2.25) and Staphylococccus aureus (relative risk = 2.30; confidence interval: 1.04-5.07) to be present at the conclusion of the trial. In conclusion, use of PD led to a lower teat end score, an increase in new IMI, and an increased risk of coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staph. aureus compared with ID after 6 wk of product use.