Prevalence of Bacterial Species Isolated from Subclinical Mastitis in Ewes in Siirt Province

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis and the causative microorganisms in ewes in Siirt province

where small ruminant farming is widespread. The study used 349 ewes between days 50 and 80 of lactation. Milk samples were taken from the ewes and subjected to the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Scoring was performed according to the gelling stage. Milk samples were collected from ewes into sterile plastic tubes for somatic cell count (SCC) and bacterial isolation. Somatic cell count measurements were performed using the cell counter device. Bacterial analyses were carried out in the microbiology laboratory. In total

349 sheep were evaluated

of which 198 (56.73%) tested positive for CMT and 151 (43.27%) tested negative. Furthermore

while bacterial growth was not detected in 145 (41.55%) of the 349 ewes

it was detected in 204 (58.45%). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (n:119

58.33%) was the most frequently detected

followed by Mycoplasma agalactiae (n:35

17.16%). Following these bacteria

Escherichia coli (n:15

7.35%)

Klebsiella pneumoniae (n:10

4.90%)

Staphylococcus aureus (n:10

4.90%)

Enterococcus spp. (n:5

2.45%)

Non-enterobacteriaceae (n:5

2.45%)

Corynebacterium spp. (n:2

0.98%)

Micrococcus spp. (n:2

0.98%)

and Streptococcus spp. (n:1

0.49%) were isolated. In conclusion

a high prevalence of subclinical mastitis was found in Siirt province. It was concluded that informing farmers about the implementation of mastitis prevention and control programs would be beneficial.