Project Number: LAB03327 CRIS Number: 0177620 PREVENTION OF BOVINE MASTITIS BY PRE- AND POSTMILKING TEAT ANTISEPSIS

Investigators: Nickerson, S. C., Boddie, R. L., Owens, W. E.

Termination Date: 12/31/2002
Reporting period: 01/01/1999 TO 12/31/1999

Progress Report:
Three postmilking teat dips were tested for efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae in two separate studies. The first study evaluated a barrier teat dip product containing 0.98% phosphoric acid as the base and an activator containing 0.65% sodium chlorite, and polymers that formed a barrier film over the teat end. Each part was mixed in equal quantities prior to use. A nonbarrier teat dip product was tested during the same study. The nonbarrier dip was provided as a base solution containing 1.67% phosphoric acid and an activator containing 2.5% sodium chlorite; one part base and one part activator were mixed with 14 parts tap water to yield the teat dip product. The second study evaluated a chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide barrier teat dip provided in two separate solutions that were mixed in equal quantities prior to use. The barrier dip containing 0.65% sodium
chlorite reduced new intramammary infections (IMI) caused by Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae by 41.0 and 0%, respectively. The nonbarrier dip containing 2.5% sodium chlorite reduced new IMI caused by Staph. aureus by 65.6% (P < 0.01) and reduced new IMI caused by Strep. agalactiae by 39.1%. The chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide teat dip reduced new IMI caused by Staph. aureus by 91.5% (P < 0.001) and new IMI caused by Strep. agalactiae by 71.7% (P < 0.005). Teat skin and teat end conditions were evaluated before and after the first study; no deleterious effects among dipped quarters compared with control quarters were noted for the two sodium chlorite teat dip products.

Publications: (1)
Warren, W., K. Eskew, B. Bhatt, R. Rawls, S. Nickerson, and G. Seigel. Mastitis control system   (MCS). Pages 164-165 in Proceedings of the National Mastitis Council Annual Meeting. National Mastitis Council, Inc. Madison, WI. 1999.

Impact:
Postmilking teat dipping with nonbarrier products is the most practical management tool to reduce mastitis by contagious pathogens that occur at milking time. Such germicides are far less effective against infections caused by environmental pathogens that occur between milkings. New barrier products currently being developed should be effective in preventing mastitis after the cows exit the dairy parlor and reducing overall incidence of disease.