Introduction and immunity Flashcards

1
Q

what is mastitis?

A

inflammation of the mammary gland

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2
Q

what are the two types of mastitis?

A

clinical
subclinical

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3
Q

what is subclinical mastitis?

A

infection present but no clinical signs, there will be changes in the SCC and milk quality/quantity

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4
Q

what is clinical mastitis?

A

inflammation of the udder with visible change to milk, udder and cow

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5
Q

what are the grades of clinical mastitis?

A

1, 2A, 2C, 3

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6
Q

what is grade 1 clinical mastitis?

A

mild mastitis with some changes in milk (clots or consistency)

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7
Q

what is grade 2A clinical mastitis?

A

acute mastitis with changes to the milk, the udder is hot and painful

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8
Q

what is grade 2C clinical mastitis?

A

chronic mastitis with changes to the milk, the udder is hard and lumpy

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9
Q

what is grade 3 clinical mastitis?

A

changes seen to milk and udder with a systemically unwell cow

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10
Q

what are the two groups of mastitis pathogens?

A

environmental and contagious

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11
Q

what are the main environmental mastitis pathogens?

A

E. coli
Strep. uberis
Klebsiella spp.

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12
Q

what are the main contagious mastitis pathogens?

A

Strep. uberis
Strep. agalactiae
Strep. dysgalactiae
Staph. aureus
Coagulase negative staphs
Mycoplasma spp.

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13
Q

what pathogen is both an environmental and contagious mastitis pathogen?

A

Strep. uberis

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14
Q

where do the contagious mastitis pathogen live?

A

have to live on an animal (the cow)

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15
Q

what are the possible consequences if the cow doesn’t clear a mastitis infection?

A

chronic infection (spreads to other cows)
permanent damage (reduced milk yield)
death (toxaemia)

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16
Q

how does mastitis effect the milk product produced by the cow?

A

high SCC milk will go off quicker

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17
Q

what is the legal limit of SCC to be able to sell milk?

A

400 000 /ml

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18
Q

what are the two defence systems of the mammary gland?

A

innate immune system (first line)
acquired immune system

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19
Q

what are the parts of the innate immunity of the mammary gland?

A

resident leucocytes
antimicrobials in milk
teat skin
teat canal

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20
Q

what is the teat skin protect against mastitis?

A

aims to prevent colonisation of bacteria by having stratified squamous epithelium plus bacteriostatic fatty acids

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21
Q

how can we ensure the teat skin remains a functional part of the immune system?

A

post-milking teat dip emollients
prompt treatment of lesions
good milking machine function

22
Q

when is a major risk period for entry of bacteria in relation to the teat canal?

A

during and after milking (stays open for 20-30 minutes post milking)

23
Q

how does the teat canal protect against mastitis bacteria?

A

remains closed when not being milked
keratin lining traps bacteria then continuously sloughs
keratin plug forms during dry period

24
Q

how long does it take the teat canal to close after milking?

A

20-30 minutes

25
Q

what are some possible cause of teat canal damage?

A

milking machines (hyperkeratosis)
external trauma
teat lesion
teat cannulas

26
Q

how can teat end hyperkeratosis be graded?

A

no ring (N)
smooth/slightly rough (S)
rough ring (R)
very rough ring (VR)

27
Q

what are some causes of teat end hyperkeratosis?

A

excessive milking vacuums
faulty pulsators
liner types
teat shape

28
Q

why are rough/very rough rings of teat end hyperkeratosis a risk factor for mastitis?

A

teat end doesn’t close properly and the crevices provide a good environment for pathogens

29
Q

how can we protect the teat canal and end?

A

genetics
good milking machine function
allow loafing time post-milking
teat sealants at dry off

30
Q

what are the resident leucocytes present in the mammary gland?

A

macrophages, neutrophils, T lyphocytes

31
Q

what is the function of the resident leucocytes of the mammary gland?

A

phagocytosis/killing of pathogens
trigger acquired immune system by release of pro-inflammatory mediators and antigen presentation

32
Q

what are the antimicrobial substances present in milk?

A

lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lysoymes
free complement

33
Q

what is lactoferrin?

A

iron chelating protein that inhibits the growth of bugs that require iron (eg. E. coli)

34
Q

is lactoperoxidase bacteriostatic or bactericidal?

A

bacteriostatic

35
Q

are lysozymes bacteriostatic or bactericidal?

A

bactericidal

36
Q

what are the parts of the acquired immune system of the mammary gland?

A

B and T lymphoctyes
inflammatory cytokines

37
Q

what are the functions of B lymphocytes?

A

produce IgM and IgG after initial exposure then will produce IgG2 antibodies if there is a repeated exposure
present antigen to T lymphocytes

38
Q

what are the two types of T lymphocytes?

A

T helper cells
T cytotoxic cells

39
Q

what is the function of T helper cells?

A

produce cytokines following antigen recognition to stimulate an immune response

40
Q

what is the function of T cytotoxic cells?

A

eliminate host cells invaded by pathogens

41
Q

what effects mammary gland immunity?

A

genetics (immunity and conformation)
stage of lactation
nutrition
vaccination
stress

42
Q

what can be genetically select cattle for which will decrease the risk of mastitis?

A

low SCC
udder confirmation
yield

43
Q

what are high risk times in lactation for mastitis?

A

dry period and early lactation

44
Q

why is early and late dry period a risk period of mastitis?

A

early - teats still open
late - colostrum good media for bacteria and make start to leak from teats

45
Q

why is the dry period a risk period for mastitis?

A

cessation of milking. - increased mammary pressure and widened teat canal
bacteria not flushed out
no teat dipping
keratin plug takes time to form

46
Q

why is white blood cell (neutrophil) function reduced in the early dry period?

A

udder is full of fat and cellular debris from lactation that will interfere with their function

47
Q

why is white blood cell function reduced in the peri-parturient cow?

A

increased levels of IgG for colostrogeneis can interfere with neutrophil function
hormone changes (cortisol, progesterone…) suppress the neutrophil recruitment and phagocytic ability
reduced feed intakes and hence poor nutrition

48
Q

how can poor nutrition increase mastitis risk?

A

negative energy balance - leucocyte activity impaired
vitamin E/selenium deficiency leads to weak leucocytes
SARA - reduced intakes leading to negative energy balance, diarrhoea leads to poor cow hygiene
hypocalcaemia - weaken teat sphincter mechanism

49
Q

how can SARA increase the risk of mastitis?

A

reduced intakes causing negative energy balance
diarrhoea leads to poor cow hygiene

50
Q

can mastitis be vaccinated against?

A

yes - startvac

51
Q

what does startvac protect against?

A

Staphylococcus aureus
coliforms
coagulase negative Staphylococci

52
Q
A