title: Relationship between teat-end condition, udder cleanliness and bovine subclinical mastitis.
abstract: The aims of the present study were to relate intramammary infection (IMI) occurrence and somatic cell count (SCC) with teat-end condition (TEC) and udder cleanliness (UC). Milk samples from 1931 teats were evaluated according to the presence of IMI and SCC. Scores were applied to teats according to the TEC and to UC. Teats ends with a very rough ring had the largest number of IMI when compared to the other three categories, as well as animals with dirtier udders. The change in a TEC score increased by around 30% the chance of IMI. Also, the chance of the animal developing IMI increased by approximately 47% when the UC score increased. No significant association between both scores and quarter SCC was found. It can be concluded that animals with very rough teat end rings and very dirty udders have a greater predisposition to IMI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 18618-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Pinho Manzi
authors.forename: Diego Borin
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nóbrega
authors.forename: Patrícia Yoshida
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Faccioli
authors.forename: Marcella Zampolli
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Troncarelli
authors.forename: Benedito Donizete
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Menozzi
authors.forename: Hélio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Langoni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009558:Nipples / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012307:Risk Factors