Intramammary Infection in the One Humped Kenyan Camel Camelus Dromedarius with Streptococcus Species and its Influence on Subclinical Mastitis

Matofari, Joseph W. (1999) Intramammary Infection in the One Humped Kenyan Camel Camelus Dromedarius with Streptococcus Species and its Influence on Subclinical Mastitis. Masters thesis, Kenyatta University.

[img] PDF (Intramammary Infection in the One Humped Kenyan Camel camelus dromedarius with Streptococcus Species and its Influence on Subclinical Mastitis)
Intramammary Infection in the One Humped Kenyan Camel camelus dromedarius with Streptococcus Species and its Influence on Subclinical Mastitis.pdf - Accepted Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (40MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Camels are kept for milk production in many arid and semi arid lands (ASAL) of Africa and Asia.They are adapted to survive in these arid lands and produce milk for a long period even underunfavourable conditions. In Kenya, the ASAL area is over 70% and camel milk is the main protein supplement to the pastoralists in these areas. Despite their importance as milk producing animals, knowledge regarding udder health and milk hygiene is non existent in Kenya. Information on mastitis screening tests and their relevance for application to the camel is lacking. The present study was carried out to characterise streptococcus species associated with subclinical mastitis in the Kenyan camel (under ranch conditions) and their effect on milk yield. The aim was also to asses the value of inflammatory markers, thus California mastitis test (CMT), Conductivity and somatic cell counts (SCC) as indicators of subclinical mastitis in the camel. The study was done at 01 Maisor Ranch in Laikipia District. Ninety-two lactating camels were used in this study. Sampling was done at random. Clinically normal quarters were sampled at each visit. Each quarter was tested for subclinical infection before sampling. The tests used were CMT, Conductivity and SCC. The investigation took a period of 11 months. A total of 435 milk"samples were collected. Infection status of quarters was determined by bacteriological analysis of milk samples. Bacterial growth was detected in 290 of 435 milk samples cultured while 145 samples did not yield -any growth. Of the total bacterial isolates. streptococci were the most frequently isolated representing 46.9%. The most frequently isolated subclinical mastitis streptococcus pathogens were group D (non-enterococci) streptococci , that formed 63.7% of the total streptococcal isolates. The viridans and enterococci streptococci formed 23.1% and 2.2% respectively. Streptococcus dysgalactiae identified, as Lancefield type G was 7.7% while Streptococcus agalactiae (Lancefield type B) was only 3.3%. The group D and G streptococci were classified as environmental streptococci while group B was classified as infectious streptococci. Therefore, the environmental streptococcal pathogens were responsible for the subclinical mastitis in the camelsinvestigated. Infection with infectious (pathogenic) streptococci showed a low mean milk yield as compared to infection with environmental streptococci. However, there was a general decrease in mean milkyield in all infected quarters. Milk conductivity increased with infection. Conductivity of milksamples from quarters infected with infectious streptococci was higher than that of quarters infected with environmental streptococci. A number of quarters with elevated conductivity showeda somatic cell count (SCC) of more than 5x105 cells mrl when infected by infectious streptococci and some environmental streptococci. SCC ranged from 2xl05 to 7xl05 cells mr! of milk.Quarters infected with infectious streptococci had higher mean values for SCC than those quarterswith environmental streptococci. Conductivity when used together with SCC proved to be more accurate as subclinical mastitis indicator in camels. However, mean conductivity for CMJ positive cases was higher. The main conclusions in this study were that subclinical mastitis in camels is due to streptococcal species especially environmental streptococci. The bovine subclinical mastitis detection methods cannot apply to the camelidae.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: Q Science > QL Zoology
R Medicine > RB Pathology
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Tim Khabala
Date Deposited: 06 Oct 2017 08:35
Last Modified: 06 Oct 2017 08:35
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/2470

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item