The prevalence and risk factors of subclinical mastitis in water buffalo (Bubalis bubalis) in Bangladesh

• Published in: Research in veterinary science 2023-05, Vol.158, p.17-25
• Main Authors: Singha, Shuvo, Koop, Gerrit, Ceciliani, Fabrizio, Derks, Marjolein, Hoque, Md. Ahasanul, Hossain, Mohammed Kawser, Howlader, Md. Matiar Rahman, Rahman, Md. Mizanur, Khatun, Momena, Boqvist, Sofia, Persson, Ylva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bangladesh - epidemiology; Bangladesh farms; Bison; Buffaloes; Bulk milk somatic cell count; California mastitis test; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cell Count - veterinary; Clinical Science; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dairying; Female; Hand milking; Klinisk vetenskap; Lactation; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine - epidemiology; Milk; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Survey; Teat and udder shape; Udder health
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.03.004

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) in water buffalo is responsible for reduced milk yield and quality. This cross-sectional study was carried out to a) estimate the prevalence of SCM, b) identify risk factors associated with SCM, and c) identify farm-level risk factors associated with bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC). The buffalo farms included in this study represented five rearing systems: free-range, semi-free-range, household, semi-intensive, and intensive, providing a total of 3491 functional quarters of 880 lactating buffalo on 248 farms. The California mastitis test score was used to identify SCM. Bulk milk samples (n = 242) were used for farm-level BMSCC. Quarter and buffalo-level risk factors for SCM were measured using questionnaires and observations. The overall SCM prevalence was high at 27.9% at the quarter-level (25th and 75th percentiles: 8.3% and 41.7%) and 51.5% at buffalo-level (25th and 75th percentiles: 33.3% and 66.7%). The geometric mean BMSCC was 217,000 cells/mL of milk (ranging from 36,000-1,213,000 cells/mL), which is low on average, but some farms could improve substantially. The buffalo rearing system, udder location (left versus right), teat shape, udder asymmetry, number of milkers, and having a quarantine facility were associated with buffalo udder health. Our findings suggest that mainly using free-range rearing systems may help decrease the prevalence of SCM primarily by employing buffalo breeding and better farm biosecurity, and udder health control strategies can be designed based on our findings. •A high prevalence of SCM at buffalo (52%) and quarter (28%) levels.•The mean bulk milk somatic cell count in this study was 217,000 cells/mL.•Buffalo rearing system, teat shape, and udder symmetry were associated with SCM prevalence.•Our study may help develop udder health control strategies in water buffalo in Bangladesh.