Growth of environmental mastitis pathogens in various bedding materials

• Published in: Journal of dairy science Vol. 69; no. 7; pp. 1932 - 1941
• Main Authors: Zehner, M. M, Farnsworth, R. J, Appleman, R. D, Larntz, K, Springer, J. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Savoy, IL Am Dairy Sci Assoc 01.07.1986; American Dairy Science Association
• Subjects: alojamiento de animales; animal housing; Animals; bacteria; bacterie; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; bovin laitier; Cattle; cell counting; conteo de celulas; cows; dairy cattle; Disease Reservoirs; Epidemiology; escherichia; Escherichia coli - isolation & purification; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; ganado de leche; Housing, Animal; klebsiella; Klebsiella pneumoniae - isolation & purification; logement des animaux; mammite; mastitis; Mastitis - microbiology; Microbiology; numeration cellulaire; streptococcus; Streptococcus - isolation & purification; vaca; vache; Manure; Mastitis; Wood; Litter; Growth; Escherichia coli; Materials; Newsprint; Streptococcus uberis; Zoopathogen; Chip; Straw; Streptococcaceae; Bacteria; Environment; Sawdust; Escherichieae; Klebsielleae; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Enterobacteriaceae
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(86)80620-8

The objective of the study was to determine whether, under controlled conditions, bedding materials vary in their ability to support growth of different environmental pathogens independent of the presence of feces, urine, or other contamination. Five sterilized bedding materials (fine hardwood chips, recycled dried manure, chopped newspaper, softwood sawdust, and chopped straw) and three bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus uberis) were used for a total of 15 bedding/bacteria combinations, replicated in three trials. Samples were incubated at 37 degrees C, and bacterial counts were determined over 5 d. Rapid growth was seen in straw and recycled manure, some growth occurred in hardwood chips, and a rapid decline in bacterial counts was observed in paper and softwood sawdust. In general, K. pneumoniae and E. coli showed more rapid growth or less rapid decline than did S. uberis. These results demonstrate that clean, damp bedding may support bacterial growth and suggest that high bacterial counts under barn conditions are influenced by factors more complex than type of bedding used.