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Page No. : 29–33

ABSTRACT

Epidemiology of Escherichia coli mastitis in Kashmir was investigated from September 2001 to October 2003. E. coli was isolated from 48 (19.5%) of 246 clinical cases of mastitis. Prevalence was highest during winter (56.25%) and lowest in autumn (6.25%). Higher prevalence was recorded in the 3rd lactation and lowest in the 1st lactation (10.41%). Of the 110 infected udder quarters, 6.25% cases were recorded one week before parturition, whereas 16.6%, 18.75%, 10.4%, and 6.25% were recorded in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks after parturition, respectively, with the highest percentage in the first month. Infection rates of 69.09% and 30.91% were recorded in rear and front quarters, respectively. Seventeen serotypes of E. coli were recovered from milk and bedding material. Serotypes O109, O141, and O30 were isolated exclusively from milk, whereas O17, O22, O2, and O58 were recovered from bedding material. The mean E. coli viable counts were highest in winter (8.01 ± 0.36) and lowest in autumn (2.17 ± 0.31). Disc diffusion testing showed ceftriaxone to be the most effective antibiotic (90.62%) against E. coli isolates. However, clinical recovery was recorded in only 78.18% of quarters.

Keywords: Bovine, E. coli, Kashmir Valley, Mastitis