Coliform Mastitis
Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland as a result of invasion through the teat canal by disease causing organisms. There are two categories of mastitis--contagious and environmental. The contagious type of mastitis is usually passed from cow to cow typically in the milking parlor, or through handling. Environmental mastitis is broken down into two groups as well: streptococcal and coliform. The group of coliforms that commonly cause mastitis includes E. coli, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter.
Environmental mastitis caused by coliforms is difficult to control since the organisms are naturally found in the soil and surrounding area. To fight this form of mastitis a unique strain of bacteria is used in a few current vaccines. This J-5 strain of E. coli has been mutated and no longer has the protein coat that the body's immune system uses to distinguish one bacteria from another. Since the J-5 E. coli lacks this outer coat, it has a core antigen that resembles other gram-negative bacteria.
When this form of E. coli is used in a vaccine, it stimulates the body to produce antibodies to the transformed E. Coli. The antibodies cannot distinguish between the J-5 strain and other gram-negative bacteria because they are so similar. Therefore, the vaccinated animals are protected from the majority of coliform mastitis-causing bacteria.
Coliform mastitis can be treated with antibiotics, but this can release endotoxins and can cause milk withdrawal. Untreated mastitis can cause a quarter of the udder to drop in, or cease milk production, and lower the immune response in the animal leaving it open to other illnesses.
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