Bovine mastitis cause severe economic losses resulting from reduced milk production, treatment cost, increased labour, milk withheld following treatment and increased cost of veterinary services. Escherichia coli is one of the major environmental pathogen associated with clinical mastitis. Therefore the present study was done to know the incidence of clinical mastitis caused by E. coli in the Proddatur region of Andhra Pradesh by means of culture and confirmation by Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR). Out of 78 clinical mastitis milk samples obtained from various semi-organized private farms, a very high incidence rate of bovine clinical mastitis caused by E. coli has been reported which was found to be 41% as identified by isolation of gram negative bacteria on basic media, followed by selective differentiation of E. coli using eosine methylene blue agar and further confirmation by PCR. This study suggests an important need for the adequate milking procedures, maintenance of proper sanitation, regular screening for the early detection of sub-clinical mastitis cases, good udder health practices including pre- and post dipping for the prevention and control of mastitis due to E. coli. | Incidence of bovine clinical mastitis caused by Escherichia coli
