title: The effect of discontinuation of postmilking teat disinfection in low somatic cell count herds. I. Incidence of clinical mastitis.
abstract: Results are described of a split-udder trial on the effect of discontinuation of postmilking teat disinfection on the incidence of clinical mastitis in seven dairy herds with a low bulk milk somatic cell count and a high incidence of clinical mastitis. Overall incidence of clinical mastitis was non-significantly lower (18%), whereas the incidence of the most prevalent pathogen associated with clinical mastitis, Escherichia coli, was significantly lower in quarters for which postmilking teat disinfection was discontinued. We concluded that discontinuation of postmilking teat disinfection may decrease the incidence of clinical Escherichia coli mastitis in herds for which standard mastitis prevention measures are executed adequately, bulk milk somatic cell count is low, and incidence of clinical mastitis is high. However, because an increase in intramammary infections with contagious pathogens may occur, care is recommended when advising discontinuation of postmilking teat disinfection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Herd Health and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: van Vliet
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Schukken
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Grommers
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Velden-Russcher
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Barkema
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002452:Cell Count; D004203:Disinfection; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D007774:Lactation; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008892:Milk / Q000166:cytology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires