History of dry cow therapy

Andrew Biggs’ interesting history of dry cow therapy has stimulated memory. 1, 2 Escherichia coli is found in the colon contents and faeces of all mammals. Bovine mastitis caused by E coli udder infection was first recorded by Kitt in 1896,3 but did not emerge as a major cause of clinical bovine mastitis in the UK until the 1970s. Strains recovered from mastitis were of faecal origin from a faecally contaminated environment.4 Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus were the major UK mastitis pathogens until the 1970s. Subclinical infection with these persisting contagious pathogens elevated milk somatic cell counts. There was concern that if these two pathogens were eradicated or much reduced by application of the Five Point Plan, their niche might be filled by another pathogen. This did not transpire, but environmental pathogens grew in comparative importance. Experimentally, it is difficult...

Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Jones, T. O. Tags: Letters & amp; Notices Source Type: research