Retained Placenta as a Potential Source of Mastitis Pathogens in Dairy Cows
Source abstract
Abstract
(1) Background: Retained placenta (RP) and mastitis are relevant diseases in dairy cows. This study mainly aimed to evaluate the contamination of uterine fluid by mastitis pathogens in dairy cows presenting RP. (2) Methods: Uterine fluids were sampled at RP diagnosis (89 ± 15 h after calving) from 5 primiparous and 10 (parity: 2–5) multiparous cows. The real-time PCR methodology was used to identify 15 mastitis and uterine pathogens. Results were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression, including the factors fever and parity. (3) Results: The prevalence of Escherichia coli was 93.3% (95% CI: 70.2–98.9%); Staphylococcus spp. (93.3%; 95% CI: 70.2–98.9%), yeasts (92.9%; 95% CI: 68.5–98.7%), Trueperella pyogenes/Peptoniphilus indolicus (80.0%; 95% CI: 54.8–93.0%), Streptococcus uberis (78.6%; 95% CI: 52.4–92.4%) and Streptococcus dysgalactiae (57.1%; 95% CI: 32.6–78.6%) comprised the largest proportions of pathogens in uterine contamination. Strep. uberis was related to the presence of fever (relative risk: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.0–2.8; p = 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Dairy cows with RP can be a relevant source of mastitis pathogens in farms. Only Strep. uberis was linked to clinical signs of infection. A high proportion of yeasts was observed in uterine fluids. Further research is needed to evaluate the real impact of RP on mastitis prevalence in dairy herds.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Milk Quality and Mastitis in Dairy Cows
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA-CSIC), Puerta De Hierro Avenue s/n, CP, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa De Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain
Funding
Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)
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