ETIOLOGY OF MASTITIS IN BERGAMACIA SHEEP SUBMITTED IN MILKING MACHINE, RAISED IN FARM AT BOTUCATU, SP

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to stablish, according to the results of microbiologic culture of milk, the main mastitis pathogens in Bergamácia sheep. Thirty seven sheep in lactation were examined weekly, submitted to daily mechanical milking. The animals were examined once a week, during eight weeks, totalizing 482 samples of milk. The California Mastitis Test (CMT) was used to diagnostic subclinical mastitis and the strip milk test detect clinical mastitis. There weren’t any cases of clinical mastitis during the period of the experiment. Of the 482 samples analyzed by the CMT, 461 (95,64%) were considered negative and 21 (4,36%) positive, these with the following distribution: score 1+ (n=7; 1,45%), 2+ (n=8; 1,66%) e 3+ (n=6; 1,25%). The microbiologic culture of CMT positive milk samples were made, in blood agar of sheep 5% e MacConkey agar, incubating at 37ºC, being the survey made after 24, 48 e 72 hours of incubation. The distribution of isolated microorganisms in pure culture and in association was the following: Staphylococcus spp (n=12; 61,11%), Streptococcus spp (n=3; 16,66%), Bacillus spp (n=2; 13,89%), Corynebacterium bovis (n=2; 5,56%) e Serratia spp (n=1; 2,78%). Staphylococcus spp. was the most frequent agent in subclinical mastitis cases and in the studied herd.