The MAST-O-TEST® and MASTOP-H® in identification and treatment of sub-clinical bovine mastitis in dairy herds

Two hundred dairy cows from 10 dairy farms were examined between June 1st to August 31st, 1999 in Irbid governorate of Jordan by MAST-O-TEST® (a Sub-Clinical Mastitis Detector) to detect sub-clinical mastitis in dairy cows. This instrument was designed to measure the changes in electrical resistance in milk reflecting the udder health status of the cow. Only 47 quarters in 16 cows were positive and were used to study the therapeutic effect of MASTOP-H®, which is a new natural product manufactured for mastitis treatment. Milk samples were collected from all quarters that were positive on the MAST-O-TEST® and examined for Somatic Cell Counts (SCC), bacterial isolation and in-vitro antibiotic sensitivity. Out of all positive quarters, 32 had SCC more than 283.000/ml and 12 had low SCC but were bacteria positive. MAST-O-TEST® was able to detect 94 % of all sub-clinical mastitic quarters. Each of these quarters was infused by MASTOP-H® once daily for 2 consecutive days. Twelve hours post treatment, SCC was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in all quarters infused by MASTOP-H®. Out of 47 positive quarters, 23 and 6 samples had bacterial isolates before and after treatment, respectively. This decrease in the number (74 %) of infected quarters after infusion by MASTOP-H® was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The most common organisms isolated from sub-clinical mastitis cases were Staphylococcus aureus (25.53%), Streptococcus sp. (12.76%) and E. coli (8.51%).