Influence of Bacterial Species on Physical Characteristics and Somatic Cell Counts in Clinical and Subclinical Mastitis Milk of Kundhi Buffaloes

ABSTRACT A total of 852 (213 animals) and 840 (210 animals) milk samples were collected from lactating buffaloes with signs of clinical and subclinical mastitis respectively. The California Mastitis Test was performed to confirm mastitis. The sub-clinical cases were categorized by severity of infection with moderate severe, severe, more severe and most severe. All the 646 positive samples analysed, 41.95% were found with flacks, 7.73% with watery consistency, 15.01% with pus, 10.06% with blood tinge, 21.67% had odour while 3.56% were noted with curd like consistency. Staphylococcus aureus was logged as the dominant species caused intensive gel formation in subclinical mastitis. However, 840 quarters were found with infection at diverse degree. Only 102 Most severe (4+) samples noted strong gel as with mean somatic cell count (SCC) of 8,1x105 while 60 more severe (3+) samples showed distinct gel with mean SCC of 2,7x105. Among the 102 strong positive samples, 57 (17.27%) contained pathogens. The correlation between SCCml-1 and colony forming unit (CFU) ml-1 of bacterial population was analysed. The mean SCC was counted as 82x105 cells ml-1in clinical and 50x105 cells ml-1 in subclinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus was recorded as the most dominant species. The mean values of 93x105 CFU ml-1 were counted for clinical mastitis while 51x105 CFU ml-1 was measured for subclinical mastitis. A clear difference between Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and Total Bacterial Count (TBC) was observed in two groups of buffaloes. The significance of the study is considered useful in apprising health of the animals recommending future strategies to control the infections, an important factor in productivity enhancement.