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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #181450
Title: VARIATION IN MAMMARY DEFENSE DURING BOVINE LACTATION AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TOXIC MASTITIS: PATHOGENESIS, PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT

Author
item BURVENICH, C - GHENT UNIV., BELGIUM
item Kehrli Jr, Marcus
item Paape, Max

Submitted to: Abstracts World Buiatrics Congress
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2005
Publication Date: 6/1/2005
Citation: Burvenich, C., Kehrli, Jr., M.E., Paape, M.J. 2005. Variation in mammary defense during bovine lactation and susceptibility to toxic mastitis: pathogenesis, prophylaxis and treatment. In: Malinowski, E., Bednarek, D., editors. Proceedings of the 6th Middle European Buiatrics Congress, June 1-4, 2005, Krakow, Poland. p. S1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A high proportion of intramammary coliform infections present at parturition, may develop disease characterized by severe inflammatory signs and sepsis during the first 60-70 days of lactation. In the lactating bovine mammary gland innate immunity is the most important defense system. Since the beginning of the 90ies, research on bovine mammary innate defense mechanisms in connection with the pathogenesis of coliform mastitis, increased significantly. During the last 20 years most efforts have been focused on diapedesis, phagocytosis and killing by neutrophils, one of the most important components of the efferent innate arm. How these functions modulate the clinical outcome of coliform mastitis and how they can be influenced have also been the subject of intensive research. The study of the afferent (sensing) arm that recognizes of a diverse array of pathogens is a new area of interest. The mechanism of endotoxin sensing has immense practical importance an is promising in preventing E.coli mastitis. Vaccine strategies have had limited success in reducing clinical symptoms associated with Gram-negative mastitis, but strong support as to whether these vaccines effectively contribute to the elimination of the Gram-negative pathogen remains lacking. The easiest prophylaxis today to prevent toxic mastitis is to provide periparturient cows not only with optimal hygiene conditions but also with appropriate diets during the transition period and as few additional stress events as possible around calving. The metabolic demands of increasing milk secretion (protein and energy) impact the ability of the periparturient cow to manage its metabolism, as well as its ability to recover from its immunocompromised condition. Anti-microbial treatment of Gram-negative intramammary infections and therapeutic treatment to counteract the excessive inflammatory response elicited by LPS and Gram-negative pathogens remain sub-optimal. Conventional antimicrobials do not target the LPS molecule. Interventions that can : 1) moderate the inflammatory response elicited by endotoxin and/or contribute to the elimination of the pathogen, and 2) enhance the host immune response to Gram-negative bacteria and/or neutralize excess endotoxin have the potential to be used in the treatment of E. coli mastitis. There is no doubt that several innate immune proteins provide a measure of protection in the mammary gland cisterns. However, in the bovine udder the protective role of some of them seem to be unimportant and some of them have actions that depend on the stage of the lactation cycle.