CAMEL MASTITIS AND ITS IMPACT ON QUALITY OF MILK IN GEWANE WOREDA, AFAR REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
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Date
2007-06
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Abstract
Quarter milk samples (n = 404) from 101 traditionally managed lactating camels (Camelus
dromedarius) in Gewane district of Afar region were examined to estimate the prevalence of
mastitis, identification of bacterial causes associated with mastitis and determine fat and protein
content of camel milk. Twenty one of the 101 (20.8%) camels examined were diagnosed as
mastitis cases based on clinical signs. Thirty one of the 101 camels (30.7%) udders examined
were infested with ticks and had lesion on the teats and udder skin, 45.2% had mastitis. There
were significant association (p< 0.05) between tick infestation and mastitis. Lactating camels at
early and mid lactation were found most affected by mastitis (p<0.05) than those at late lactation.
One hundred ninety six of the 404 camel quarter milk samples (48.5%) were positive for
California mastitis test (CMT). Out of 196 positive quarter milk samples, 164 (83.7%) yielded
pathogenic bacteria. A positive correlation (r = 0.76) was observed between CMT positive results
and presence of major pathogens in camel milk samples. The main mastitis pathogens isolated
were Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae,
Streptococcus dysgalactiae and other Streptococcus species, E.coli, Micrococcus species,
corynebacterium, Actinomyces species Pasteurella haemolytica and Bacillus species. Twenty
CMT-positive and CMT-negative pooled quarter milk samples each were evaluated for fat and
protein content. The average mean fat and protein percentage in CMT-negative milk were 3.83%
± 0.081 and 2.85 ± 0.024 respectively. However, in CMT-negative milk it was 1.97 ± 0.071 and
2.91± 0.13 respectively. Fat percentage were lower in all parity number and stage of lactation but
it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Protein percentage were significantly higher in CMTpositive
milk samples in different parity (p<0.05). The present study results suggest that mastitis
in camels was prevalent in Gewane district of Afar Regional State, North Eastern Ethiopia.
California mastitis test has shown to be valuable indicators of udder infection of camels. Gram
positive cocci were the dominant species among mastitis pathogens isolated. Tick infestation
together with thorny bushes, use of anti-suckling devices and teat or udder lesions were found
predisposing factors to the occurrence of mastitis. Although camels in the Afar pastoralist are
managed traditionally on poor quality feed and scarce water source, the protein and fat content of
the milk were in the normal range. Slight alterations in fat and protein contents were observed in
CMT-positive milk samples
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Keywords
Camelus dromedarius, mastitis, CMT, aetiology, prevalence, fat and protein