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Evaluation of cisternal milk sodium, potassium, and calcium concentrations and electrical conductivity for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis and intramammary infection at dry-off and freshening in dairy cattle.
J Vet Intern Med • 2019
Publication Information
Authors
SA Kandeel; AA Megahed, PD Constable
Keywords
Not Available
Journal
J Vet Intern Med
Publisher
Not Available
Volume
33
Issue
5
Pages
2343-2353
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Open Link
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Background
Subclinical mastitis (SCM) and intramammary infection (IMI) increase the sodium (Na) concentration and electrical conductivity (EC) and decrease the potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in glandular secretions of lactating dairy cattle.
Hypothesis
Low‐cost portable Na, K, Ca, and EC meters are clinically useful cow‐side tests for diagnosing SCM and IMI.
Animals
One hundred fifteen dairy cows at dry off and 92 cows within 4‐7 days postcalving.
Methods
Quarter foremilk samples were obtained and the somatic cell count (SCC) was measured using a DeLaval cell counter with SCM defined as SCC ≥ 200 000 cells/mL. Microbiological culture of foremilk samples was used to diagnose IMI. Cisternal milk Na, K, and Ca concentrations and EC were measured using portable ion‐selective meters. Logistic regression was used to determine the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the optimal cut point was determined using Youden's index. Diagnostic test performance was evaluated by comparing the AUC and calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio (+LR) at the optimal cut point for SCM and IMI.
Results
Diagnostic test performance was much better when the meters were used to diagnose SCM as compared to IMI. Cisternal milk Na concentration provided the most accurate method for identifying quarters with SCM or IMI. However, AUC was
Subclinical mastitis (SCM) and intramammary infection (IMI) increase the sodium (Na) concentration and electrical conductivity (EC) and decrease the potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in glandular secretions of lactating dairy cattle.
Hypothesis
Low‐cost portable Na, K, Ca, and EC meters are clinically useful cow‐side tests for diagnosing SCM and IMI.
Animals
One hundred fifteen dairy cows at dry off and 92 cows within 4‐7 days postcalving.
Methods
Quarter foremilk samples were obtained and the somatic cell count (SCC) was measured using a DeLaval cell counter with SCM defined as SCC ≥ 200 000 cells/mL. Microbiological culture of foremilk samples was used to diagnose IMI. Cisternal milk Na, K, and Ca concentrations and EC were measured using portable ion‐selective meters. Logistic regression was used to determine the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the optimal cut point was determined using Youden's index. Diagnostic test performance was evaluated by comparing the AUC and calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio (+LR) at the optimal cut point for SCM and IMI.
Results
Diagnostic test performance was much better when the meters were used to diagnose SCM as compared to IMI. Cisternal milk Na concentration provided the most accurate method for identifying quarters with SCM or IMI. However, AUC was