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Journal of Dairy Science Sep 2023The cessation of lactation (i.e., dry-off) in dairy cattle is an area of research that has received much focus in recent years. The dry period is necessary to optimize... (Review)
Review
The cessation of lactation (i.e., dry-off) in dairy cattle is an area of research that has received much focus in recent years. The dry period is necessary to optimize tissue remodeling of the mammary gland, but represents a stressful event, incorporating several changes in daily routine, diet, and metabolism. Moreover, the high milk yields achieved by modern cows in late gestation exacerbate the need for relevant manipulations in the days around dry-off, as excessive accumulation of milk might jeopardize the success of the dry period, with potential negative effects on future lactation. Production levels over 15 kg/d are an additional risk factor for udder health, delay mammary involution, and worsen metabolic stress and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the pressure to reduce antibiotic usage in farm animals has resulted in increased attention on the dry period, given that historically most dairy cattle were provided prophylactic intramammary antibiotic treatment at dry-off as a means to reduce the risk of intramammary infections in the subsequent lactation. Several strategies have been proposed over the years to cope with these challenges, aiming to gradually reduce milk yield before dry-off, promoting at the same time the start of mammary involution. Among them, the most common are based on feed or nutrient restriction, a decrease in milking frequency, or administration of prolactin inhibitors. These practices have different capacities to reduce milk yield through different mechanisms and entail several implications for udder health, animal welfare, behavior, endocrine status, metabolism, and inflammatory conditions. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the dry-off phase in high-yielding cows and of the impact of high milk production at dry-off, and to describe possible strategies that might be implemented by farmers and veterinarians to optimize this critical phase in an integrated way.
Topics: Female; Cattle; Pregnancy; Animals; Dairying; Lactation; Milk; Diet; Mammary Glands, Animal; Cell Count; Mastitis, Bovine; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 37500440
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23113 -
Veterinary World Oct 2023Staphylococci, including , , and , are significant bacteria that induce bovine mastitis, primarily because they can form biofilms in bovine teat canals. This study...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Staphylococci, including , , and , are significant bacteria that induce bovine mastitis, primarily because they can form biofilms in bovine teat canals. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of extract and a bovine teat dipping solution containing extract (BSP) against these mastitis-causing staphylococci.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
BSP was prepared using extract as the bioactive compound. The antibacterial activity of the plant extract and BSP against the pathogens was investigated using a broth microdilution method. The activity of the extract and BSP against the pathogen biofilms was also determined. A stability test was performed to observe the pH, color, turbidity, homogeneity, precipitation, and separation of BSP stored at 4°C and 25°C for up to 4 weeks.
RESULTS
The extract exhibited potent antibacterial activity against and , with similar values for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranging from 0.03 mg/mL to 0.125 mg/mL. The MIC and MBC values of the extract against were 0.5-1 mg/mL and 0.5-2 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, BSP exhibited MIC and MBC values of 12.5-50 v/v against all tested staphylococci isolates. When used at 1/2 and 1/4 × MIC, the extract and BSP significantly inhibited the formation of staphylococcal biofilms (p < 0.05) in the tested strains. The results indicated that treatment with 1/2 × MIC of the extract and BSP resulted in biofilm inhibition ranging from 30%-66% and 19%-39%, respectively. Furthermore, the extract at 16 × MIC eliminated 54%-86% of established mature isolate biofilms, whereas BSP removed 41%-61% of mature biofilm viability. Storage of BSP at 4°C did not change the factors associated with stability from the 1 to 4 week.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that BSP may exhibit potential medicinal benefits in inhibiting the growth and biofilm formation of mastitis-inducing staphylococci in bovines.
PubMed: 38023268
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2135-2142 -
International Journal of Veterinary... 2023Bovine mastitis is primarily caused by a group of bacteria known as and . However, additional types of bacteria, such as bovine non-aureus staphylococci and...
Bovine mastitis is primarily caused by a group of bacteria known as and . However, additional types of bacteria, such as bovine non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci (NASM) as well as lactic acid bacteria (LAB), are considered minor pathogens and have less impact on cows. Modulating bovine neutrophil activities and gene expressions in response to bacterial stimuli prompted the cells to execute effector functions to combat udder infections. Although neutrophils can manage major mastitis-causing bacteria, this strategy has not been tested against minor pathogens, i.e. NASM, spp. Our main objective was to investigate how neutrophils interacted with major and minor pathogens during bacterial stimulation. The results reveal that neutrophils performed offensive duties regardless of the type of bacteria encountered. Neutrophils generated high levels of reactive oxygen species, efficiently phagocytosed both types of bacteria, and facilitated extracellular killing by releasing NET structures against all bacteria. In addition, neutrophils migrated preferentially towards the majors rather than the minors, although myeloperoxidase (MPO) degranulation did not differ substantially across bacteria. Furthermore, the killing capacity of neutrophils was not dependent on any particular bacterium. The correlation of effector functions is intimately linked to the up-regulation of genes associated with the above functions, except for , which was down-regulated. Furthermore, neutrophil apoptosis can be modulated by altering apoptosis-associated genes in response to harmful stimuli. These findings provide valuable information on how neutrophils react to major and minor mastitis-causing bacteria. However, future research should explore the interplay between minor pathogens and the host's responses.
PubMed: 37841527
DOI: 10.1080/23144599.2023.2262250 -
International Journal of Women's Health 2023Despite the rising incidence rate of granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM), uncertainties persist about its etiologic and predisposing factors to guide clinical treatment...
BACKGROUND
Despite the rising incidence rate of granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM), uncertainties persist about its etiologic and predisposing factors to guide clinical treatment and early prevention. The objective of this study is to explore the predisposing factors for GLM.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This case-control study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University. Patients with GLM (cases) were matched with healthy examinees (controls) in a 1:1 ratio according to gender and living area. We analyzed their demographic features and investigated 75 factors that may be relevant to GLM using a standard questionnaire. Univariate and multivariable binary conditional logistic regression analyses were used to compare the differences between the two groups and evaluate the predisposing factors that may induce GLM.
RESULTS
There were 594 female GLM patients and 594 matched controls included in the study. The average age of the cases was 32.78 years (mainly 20 to 40). The incidence was high within five years after childbirth, and lesions were mainly in the unilateral breast. Univariate and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses obtained six relevant factors and six high-risk factors. The six relevant factors included age, marriage, emotional abnormality, high prolactin, psychiatric drug intake, and sex hormone intake. Additionally, the independent high-risk factors for GLM included gestation, nipple invagination, blunt trauma, non-iatrogenic massage, lactation disorder, and nipple discharge (odds ratio (OR)=17.378, 8.518, 4.887, 3.116, 2.522, 1.685, <0.05). Menopause was an independent protective factor (OR=0.249, <0.05).
CONCLUSION
The factors that increase milk and secretion production in the mammary duct are the main risk factors of GLM, especially when the nipples are invaginated. These factors can obstruct the duct and induce inflammation. Additionally, hormonal disorders, extrinsic trauma, and emotional abnormalities can accelerate the occurrence of GLM.
PubMed: 37795195
DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S414054 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jul 2023The Nili Ravi, a buffalo breed from Pakistan, significantly contributes to the dairy industry. Mastitis is one of the major challenges affecting milk production in this...
The Nili Ravi, a buffalo breed from Pakistan, significantly contributes to the dairy industry. Mastitis is one of the major challenges affecting milk production in this breed. The objective of the current study was to identify the bacterial communities and diversity in healthy and mastitic milk of this breed. Milk samples ( = 14) were collected from Nili Ravi buffaloes with different udder health statuses, i.e., healthy (5), subclinical mastitis (4), and clinical mastitis (5). The DNAs were extracted, subjected to partial amplification of 16S rDNA (V3 and V4 regions), and sequenced using the Illumina platform. The results revealed variations in the bacterial communities in the milk of animals with different udder health statuses. Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum in the healthy group, while clinical and subclinical mastitis milk had a higher abundance of Firmicutes. Dominant bacterial genera in the healthy group were (11.60%), (7.65%), and (4.70%), whereas the clinical mastitis group was dominated by (33.96%), (7.87%), and (2.68%), and the subclinical mastitis group was dominated by (15.70%), (6.70%), and (6.58%). Assignment of operational taxonomic units at the species level resulted in most species being assigned to uncultured or unknown bacteria or remaining unassigned. Alpha diversity indices indicated lower microbial diversity in the clinical mastitis group, while beta diversity indices showed a scattered pattern of sample clustering in PCA plots among different groups. It is concluded that bacterial diversity in the milk of Nili Ravi buffaloes suffering from clinical mastitis is lower compared to healthy and subclinical mastitis cases. It is concluded that the variations in the microbiota of healthy and mastitic milk may be further investigated and exploited as signature microbes associated with the udder health status of Nili Ravi buffalo.
PubMed: 37508075
DOI: 10.3390/ani13142298 -
Cureus Sep 2023Background Postponing elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the approach to both malignant and benign breast diseases. This paper aims to...
Background Postponing elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the approach to both malignant and benign breast diseases. This paper aims to share how the COVID-19 pandemic affects our approach to breast cancer, benign breast cases, and the procedures' results. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary-level public hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. We retrospectively analyzed our treatment options for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and benign breast disease in the general surgery clinic of a tertiary hospital that declared a pandemic status between March 11, 2020, and June 1, 2020. Results The number of patients who visited the breast outpatient clinic and received a diagnosis of breast cancer was 23. Among the benign diseases, no intervention was made except for abscess (eight patients, 40%) and mastitis (12 patients, 60%). Conclusions Patients with acute abscesses and mastitis were treated for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy were chosen for those diagnosed with cancer. Priority was given to oncology protocols rather than surgical approaches during the pandemic. We think that different approaches will be defined as the pandemic continues.
PubMed: 37745739
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45653 -
Epigenetics Dec 2023Mastitis is among the main reasons women cease breastfeeding, which leads to them supplementing breast milk with artificial formula. In farm animals, mastitis results in...
Mastitis is among the main reasons women cease breastfeeding, which leads to them supplementing breast milk with artificial formula. In farm animals, mastitis results in significant economic losses and the premature culling of some animals. Nevertheless, researchers do not know enough about the effect of inflammation on the mammary gland. This article discusses the changes to DNA methylation in mouse mammary tissue caused by lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation (4 h post-injection of lipopolysaccharide). We analysed the expression of some genes related to mammary gland function, epigenetic regulation, and the immune response. The analysis focused on three comparisons: inflammation during the first lactation, inflammation during second lactation with no history of inflammation, and inflammation during second lactation with previous inflammation. We identified differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs), differentially methylated regions (DMRs), and some differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for each comparison. The three comparisons shared some DEGs; however, few DMCs and only one DMR were shared. These observations suggest that inflammation is one of several factors affecting epigenetic regulation during successive lactations. Furthermore, the comparison between animals in second lactation with and without inflammation, with no inflammation history during first lactation showed a different pattern compared to the other conditions in this experiment. This indicates that inflammation history plays an important role in determining epigenetic changes. The data presented in this study suggest that lactation rank and previous inflammation history are equally important when explaining mammary tissue gene expression and DNA methylation changes. RRBS, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing; RT-qPCR, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; MEC, mammary epithelial cells; TSS, transcription start site; TTS, transcription termination site; UTR, untranslated region; SINE, short interspersed nuclear element; LINE, long interspersed nuclear element; CGI, CpG island; DEG, differentially expressed gene; DMC, differentially methylated cytosine; DMR, differentially methylated region; GO term, gene ontology term; MF, molecular function; BP, biological process.
Topics: Humans; Female; Mice; Animals; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Lipopolysaccharides; Lactation; Mastitis; Gene Expression
PubMed: 37302099
DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2215633 -
Journal of Dairy Science Dec 2023Costs of production have deeply increased each year in the last decades, breeders are continuously looking for more cost effective and more efficient ways to produce...
Costs of production have deeply increased each year in the last decades, breeders are continuously looking for more cost effective and more efficient ways to produce milk. Despite the major signs of progress in productivity, it is fundamental to optimize rather than maximize the performances of the dairy cows. Mastitis is still a highly prevalent disease in the dairy sector which causes several economic losses and environmental effect. Its accurate and early diagnosis is crucial to improve profitability of dairy cows and contribute to a more sustainable dairy industry. Among mastitis reduction strategies, there is the urgent need to implement breeding objectives to select cows displaying mastitis resistance by investigating the genetic mechanisms at the base of the inflammatory response. Therefore, in this study we aimed to further understand the genetic background of the differential somatic cell count (DSCC), which provides thorough insights on the actual inflammatory status of the mammary glands. The objectives of this study were to estimate on a cohort of 20,215 Italian Simmental cows over a 3-yr period: (1) the heritability and repeatability values of somatic cell score (SCS) and DSCC, (2) the genetic and phenotypic correlations between these 2 traits and milk production and milk composition traits, (3) the heritability and repeatability values of SCS and DSCC within class of udder health status. Heritability was low both for SCS (0.06) and DSCC (0.08), whereas the repeatability values for these traits were 0.43 and 0.36, suggesting that the magnitude of cow permanent environmental effect for these traits is remarkable. The genetic and phenotypic correlation of SCS with DSCC was 0.612 and 0.605, respectively. Because both significantly differed from the unit, we must consider those traits as different ones. This latter aspect corroborates the need to consider the DSCC as a further indicator of inflammatory status which might be implemented in the Simmental breed genetic evaluation. It is worthy to mention that heritability estimates for SCS and DSCC were the highest in healthy cows compared with the other udder health classes. This implies that when the udder health status changes, it is most likely due to environmental factors rather than aspects related to the animal's genetics. In contrast, the highest additive genetic variance and heritability found for SCS and DSCC in the healthy group might reveal the potential to further implement breeding strategies to select for healthier animals.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cattle; Animals; Milk; Mastitis, Bovine; Cell Count; Phenotype; Mammary Glands, Animal; Italy; Lactation
PubMed: 37641255
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23639 -
International Breastfeeding Journal Sep 2023In 2022 the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) published Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, which aims to update clinical approaches to management of... (Review)
Review
Does the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine's Clinical Protocol #36 'The Mastitis Spectrum' promote overtreatment and risk worsened outcomes for breastfeeding families? Commentary.
BACKGROUND
In 2022 the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) published Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, which aims to update clinical approaches to management of benign lactation-related breast inflammation. The protocol has been timely because of the exponential increase in knowledge about the human milk microbiome over the past decade. This Commentary aims to continue respectful debate amongst clinicians and researchers within the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and more broadly, confident that we share a fundamental commitment to promote breastfeeding and support the well-being of lactating women, their infants and their families.
ANALYSIS
Although Clinical Protocol #36 offers advances, it does not fulfil the principles of best practice implementation science for translation of evidence into clinical guidelines. Clinical Protocol #36 inaccurately represents studies; misrepresents theoretical models as proven aetiologies; does not consistently attribute sources; does not reliably apply the SORT taxonomy; and relies upon single case reports. As a result, various recommendations in Clinical Protocol #36 lack an evidence-base or credible underlying theoretical model. This includes recommendations to use 'lymphatic drainage' massage, therapeutic ultrasound, and oral lecithin. Similarly, based on a contestable theoretical model which is presented as fact, Clinical Protocol #36 makes the recommendation to either reduce frequency of milk removal or to maintain current frequency of milk removal during an episode of breast inflammation. Although Clinical Protocol #36 limits this advice to cases of 'hyperlactation', the diagnosis 'hyperlactation' itself is undefinable. As a result, this recommendation may put breastfeeding women who present with breast inflammation at risk of worsened inflammation and decreased breast milk production.
CONCLUSION
Clinical Protocol #36 offers some advances in the management of breast inflammation. However, Clinical Protocol #36 also exposes clinicians to two international trends in healthcare which undermine health system sustainability: overdiagnosis, including by over-definition, which increases risk of overtreatment; and antibiotic over-use, which worsens the crisis of global antimicrobial resistance. Clinical Protocol #36 also recommends unnecessary or ineffective interventions which may be accessed by affluent patients within advanced economies but are difficult to access for the global majority. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine may benefit from a review of processes for development of Clinical Protocols.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Female; Breast Feeding; Lactation; Mastitis; Inflammation; Overtreatment; Clinical Protocols
PubMed: 37670315
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-023-00588-8 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023The objective of this review is to investigate the distribution and the characteristics of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) implicated in ovine mastitis, and... (Review)
Review
The objective of this review is to investigate the distribution and the characteristics of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) implicated in ovine mastitis, and especially in subclinical cases, in order to provide a global perspective of the current research data and analyze specific critical aspects of the issue. PRISMA guidelines were implemented in the search of the last 20 years of the related literature in two databases. In total, 139 studies were included in this review. Relevant data were tracked down, assembled, and compared. Regarding the geographical distribution, most studies originated from Europe (68), followed by South America (33). Lacaune was the most examined breed, while was the predominantly identified species, representing approximately 39% of the obtained isolates. Antibiotic resistance in the relevant bacteria was documented mostly for Penicillin (32.8%) and Amoxicillin (32.1%), while biofilm- and toxin-associated genes were encountered in variable rates because significant inequalities were observed between different articles. Significantly higher rates of antimicrobial resistance were detected in Asia and South America compared to Europe. Finally, the diagnostic procedures carried out in the respective studies were evaluated. Conventional culture and biochemical tests were mostly performed for simple strain identification; therefore, further molecular investigation of isolates should be pursued in future studies, as this will provide important data regarding specific aspects of the implication of CoNS in ovine mastitis.
PubMed: 38136695
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121661