Studies on the possible role of cattle nuisance flies, especially Hydrotaea irritans, in the transmission of summer mastitis in Denmark

Abstract

The summer mastitis pathogens Actinomyces pyogenes, Peptococcus indolicus, Bacteroides melaninogenicus ss. levii, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Streptococcus dysgalactiae were isolated from the polyphagous symbovine dipterans Hydrotaea irritans (Fallén) and Morellia sp. caught around dairy heifers on pasture, but not from the haematophagous species Haematobia irritans (L.), Haematobosca stimulans (Meigen), Culicoides sp. and Simulium sp. Secretions from clinical cases of summer mastitis proved to be sources of summer mastitis bacteria for more than 3 weeks despite antibiotic treatment and teat amputation. Taking into account the seasonal activity pattern of Hydrotaea irritans and its topographical distribution on grazing cattle, it appears evident that this fly may play a central role in the establishment and maintenance of the bacterial contamination with summer mastitis pathogens on the teats of healthy cattle. In the present study the survival of A.pyogenes and P.indolicus for 7 days in experimentally infected Hydrotaea irritans, as demonstrated by the recovery of these microorganisms from agar plates exposed to live infected flies, is described. However, experimental transmission of summer mastitis from sick to healthy heifers by Hydrotaea irritans proved unsuccessful.

Necrobacillosis in Free-Living Male European Bison in Poland

“…Infection, however, may take place by exposure of the preputial orifice to feces, manure or moist soil contaminated with these organisms. Insects may also play a role in the transmission of fusobacteria from feces to bison and possibly also from diseased to healthy bison, a mechanism that has been suspected to play a part in the transmission of summer mastitis of cattle in Denmark (Madsen et al, 1991). It has been known for a long time that in most, if not all, cases of necrobacillosis, fusobacteria are found in association with other, usually aerobic bacterial species.…”

Peptoniphilus stercorisuis sp. nov., isolated from a swine manure storage tank and description of Peptoniphilaceae fam. nov.

“…Almost all species have been isolated from human clinical material. However, Peptoniphilus indolicus can be isolated from cattle, swine and occasionally also be recovered from insects associated with cattle and from human clinical specimens (Ezaki et al , 2001; Madsen et al , 1991); while Peptoniphilus methioninivorax was isolated from retail ground beef (Rooney et al , 2011).…”

Acute phase response in heifers with experimentally induced mastitis

“…Actinomyces pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Peptostreptococcus indolicus (Vecht et al 19876;Madsen et al 1992a;Pyorala et al 1992). It has been suggested that certain flies act as vectors for the pathogenic bacteria (Thomas, 1987;Madsen et al 1991), and insect bites and other teat traumas are considered predisposing factors to summer mastitis (Nielsen et al 1987). In addition, different host factors play a role in the establishment and development of the summer mastitis syndrome (Vecht et al 1987 a).…”