EVALUATION OF THE INDICATORS OF INFLAMMATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BOVINE MASTITIS

ABSTRACT The aim of this trial was to evaluate and compare the distinct indictors of inflammation in the diagnosis of mastitis. The somatic cell count (SCC), the California Mastitis Test score, the electrical conductivity, the hydrogen ion concentration (pH), the chloride content and the bacteriological status of 321 milk samples from mammary glands without any clinical signs were analyzed. Their predictor value as an indicator of inflammation was calculated considering the bacteriologic examination as the gold standard test. Then, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratio at various cut-off values were established. The bacteriologic exam resulted in 46.73% of the samples being positive, with Staphylococcus sp. the main genus isolated. The SCC and CMT proved to be the best predictors. On the other hand, pH, electrical conductivity and chloride content did not prove to be reliable diagnostic indicators when used in isolation.