How prevalent is coliform mastitis?
Current trends toward higher dairy production, higher milk quality and lower somatic cell counts (SCC) have made coliform mastitis (mastitis caused by E. coli) one of the fastest-growing problems for dairymen. The following statements give an idea of how widespread coliform mastitis is today: • Coliforms were identified in 100 percent of 100 consecutive bulk tank cultures processed by the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in 1999.(1) • Up to 40 percent of all clinical mastitis is caused by environmental bacteria like E. coli.(2) • In a trial of low-SCC herds with clinical mastitis, 43.5 percent of cases were caused by coliforms.(3) • In a trial where 29.7 percent of clinical mastitis was attributed to coliforms, 58.9 percent of those clinical cases rated as most severe (abnormal milk, swollen quarters and systemic signs) were linked to coliforms.
