Comparison of California Mastitis Test (CMT) , Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) and bacteriological examinations for detection of camel (Camelus dromedarius) mastitis in Ethiopia
Abdel Gadir Atif, E.; Hildebrandt, G.; Kleer, J.N.; Molla, B.; Kyule, M.N.; Baumann, M.P.O.
Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 119(1-2): 45-49
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0005-9366 PMID: 16450708 Document Number: 597151
The objective of this study was to compare the results of California Mastitis Test (CMT), Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and bacteriological examinations for the detection of udder infections in camels. A total of 956 quarter milk samples from 253 traditionally managed lactating camels were collected aseptically from Negele (Borena Region), Dire Dawa, and Gewane (Afar Region), Ethiopia according to multi-stage sampling. The quarter milk samples were subjected to CMT, SCC and bacteriological examinations. 571 (59.7%) quarter milk samples had microorganisms. Out of the 571 samples, 428 (75.0%) had isolates that were identified as major pathogens (MAP) and 143 (25.0%) as minor pathogens (MIP). A positive correlation was found between CMT scores and bacteriological classes (MAP, MIP) (p-value=0.00). A high correlation (p-value=0.00) was obtained between CMT scores and SCC. The differences among the median log SCC of bacteriological classes (MAP, MIP) were not significant (p-value=0.24). Similarly, the application of the cut-off level of 2.5x105/ml indicated less agreement (p-value=0.32) for bacteriological classes MAP and MIP. It is concluded that CMT can be used for the detection of udder infection in camels, while further investigation is required for the use of SCC as a diagnostic tool for normal and mastitic camel milk.