title: Comparison of microbiologic culture, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and determination of somatic cell count for diagnosing Staphylococcus aureus mastitis in dairy cows.
abstract: Results of using microbiologic culture of a single milk sample, determination of somatic cell count (SCC), an ELISA, and a combination of determination of SCC and ELISA to diagnose Staphylococcus aureus mastitis in dairy cattle were compared. Cows were considered to have S aureus intramammary infections if microbiologic culture of at least 2 of 3 consecutive sets of milk samples yielded growth of the organism. Data were analyzed from milk samples collected over a 4-month period from 185 cows in 5 herds. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio of a positive test result for microbiologic culture of a single milk sample were 93%, 99%, and 93.0, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio of a positive test result for ELISA were 69%, 61%, and 1.8, respectively, and for determination of SCC, they were 79%, 72%, and 2.9, respectively. Combination of determination of SCC and ELISA had sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio of a positive test result of 80%, 62%, and 3.4, respectively. Results from microbiologic culture of consecutive milk samples were more consistent than results of ELISA performed on consecutive samples. These data suggest that microbiologic culture of a single milk sample is the best of the 3 tests studied for diagnosing S aureus intramammary infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Eberhart
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Sischo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D002452:Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008892:Milk / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial