Trematode infections in pregnant ewes can predispose to mastitis during the subsequent lactation period

Interactions between parasitic infections and reproductive efficiency in sheep

“…The above studies were the first to confirm that parasitic infections predispose ewes to mastitis, both diseases being significant health and welfare problems in sheep flocks. It is interesting to note that in one of these studies (Mavrogianni et al, 2014), the association between trematode infection and mastitis was shown in the immediately post-partum period, when relaxation of immunity (Sections 6.2 and 8.1) would be present. In the other one of the above papers , the authors have presented evidence of impaired local defence mechanisms in the mammary glands of parasitised ewes, which might explain pathways for the association observed.…”

“…In two recent publications, Mavrogianni et al (2012Mavrogianni et al ( , 2014 have shown the effects of gastrointestinal parasitic infections to development of mastitis in ewes. In a field study, trematode infections (F. hepatica and D. dendriticum) in lactating multiparous ewes have led to increased incidence of clinical or subclinical mastitis during the first two weeks post-partum (Mavrogianni et al, 2014). In an experimental study, deposition of Mannheimia haemolytica into the teat duct of trichostrongylid-infected ewes resulted to development of clinical mastitis, whilst healthy controls developed only subclinical disease after challenge .…”

Mastitis in sheep – The last 10 years and the future of research

“…Waage and Vatn (2008) reported that dystocia was followed by an increased incidence of mastitis. In two recent studies, Mavrogianni et al (2012Mavrogianni et al ( ,2014 have proposed that parasitic infections predisposed ewes to mastitis: Mavrogianni et al (2012) described that nematode infections during lactation predisposed ewes to mastitis, whilst Mavrogianni et al (2014) reported that trematode infections of pregnant ewes would support development of mastitis in the subsequent lactation period; proposed pathogenetic mechanisms were that depletion of energy by helminthes would affect leucocytic function in the affected animals, thus impeding efficient mammary defenses, whereas in trematode infections, increased b-hydroxybuturate concentrations had a direct effect in function of leucocytes (Mavrogianni et al, 2014). Also, recently, pregnancy-toxaemia has been recognised as a risk factor for mastitis in ewes (Barbagianni et al, 2015).…”

“…High production may lead to increased nutritional demands and consequential reduction in immunological competence (Houdijk et al, 2003), accounting, at least partly, for the increased incidence of intramammary infections during the initial stage of a lactation period . The peri-parturient relaxation of immunity that occurs in ewes (Barger, 1993;Coop and Kyriazakis, 1999) may be responsible for the increased incidence risk of the disease observed in the immediate post-partum period (Mavrogianni et al, 2014).…”

Predisposing factors and control of bacterial mastitis in dairy ewes

“…In any case, inadequate health status of the ewe plays a crucial role towards mastitis manifestation, affecting both animals' overall hygiene condition and their immune system function (Sordillo, 2005). Based on the results of recent studies by Mavrogianni et al, (2012Mavrogianni et al, ( , 2014 it can be assumed that trematodes and nematodes infections during dry period and lactation, respectively, may increase the incidence of mastitis. Also, teat lesion due to Orf virus infection forms a significant predisposing factor of intramammary infections resulted from local immunity relaxation (Mavrogianni et al, 2007).…”