Relationship Between Cell Counts in Bovine Milk and the Presence of Mastitis Pathogens (Yeasts and Bacteria)

SummaryBovine mastitis is an economically important disease in dairy industry and a variety of pathogen microorganisms are involved. The AA carried out a study to investigate the prevalence of yeasts and bacteria in milk samples (794) from dairy cows of Umbria (Central Italy), belonging to 19 herds, and the relationship between cell counts in bovine milk and the presence of these pathogens. 29.7 % milk samples were positive for pathogen microorganisms, of those 4.9 % were positive for yeasts and bacteria, 4.4 % for yeasts and 20.4 % for bacteria. The species of yeasts and bacteria most frequently encountered were Trichosporon capitatum (31.2%), T. beigelii (18.72%) and Candida albicans (12.48%), C. guillermondii (12.48%), C. tropicalis (12.48%); with regard to bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (34.3%) and S. albo (19.8%). The presence of yeasts and bacteria in milk samples are correlated to an increase of somatic cell counts even if with different degree. Epidemiological and sanitary correlation were carried out.