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The objective of the study was to investigate the microbiological content of cow (Bos primigenius) milk in Latvian organic farms according to season and herd size with a purpose to detect their impact on the distribution of mastitis causing pathogens in milk. Samples were collected in 14 organic dairy farms of Latvia, 4 times through 2012: in winter, autumn, spring and summer period. Raw milk samples (n=564) obtained from cow composite milk were studied. The samples were divided into three groups in accordance with the number of cows in the cow-shed: A (3-30), B (31-60) and C (61-124). The total colony count (TTC) and the isolation of mastitis causing bacteria were analysed using standard methods. Bacterial growth occurred in 90.4% of samples. Isolated microorganisms belonged to 35 species, and the following bacteria were the most prevalent agent, including Coagulase negative staphylococci in 29.4%, Staphylococcus aureus in 24.1%, Kocuria kristinae in 12.9%, and Enterobacteriaceae spp. in 10.3% out of 564 milk samples. Depending on the season, the average number of TCC was the lowest in summer (4.66 ± 4.01 log10 CFU mL-1), moderately higher in spring and winter (4.72 ± 4.18 and 4.82 ± 3.54 log10 CFU mL-1, respectively), but significantly higher in autumn (5.43 ± 4.80 log10 CFU mL-1). Coliforms were not isolated from group A herds instead of B (3.1%) and C (4.6%). Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus was noticeably higher in B (19.1%) and C (20.8%) than in A (12.6%) herds. Most of group A herds met the milk quality requirements, while group C herds produced more contaminated milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to investigate the microbiological content of cows' milk in Latvia's organic farms with a purpose to detect potential microbiological threats in milk. Samples were collected in December 2011 at 12 biological dairy farms of Latvia. Raw milk samples (N=155) obtained from cow composite milk were studied. The total mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms (MAFAM), the presence of coliforms and coagulase-positive staphylococci, count of yeasts and moulds were analysed using standard methods. Of the sampled cows 50% had a low somatic cell count (SCC) (<200,000 cells mL-1), 23% - high, but 27% had a very high SCC (>500,000 cells mL-1). The mean value of MAFAM in the samples with low, high and very high SCC was 4.7, 5.0 and 5.0 log10 colony forming units (cfu) mL-1, respectively. The yeasts were present in 57% of milk samples with the mean concentration of 3.1 log10 cfu mL-1. Moulds were found in 27% of all milk samples; their mean concentration was 4.4 log10 cfu mL-1. Identified mould strains belonged to genera Absidia, Aspergillus, Geotrichum, Mucor and Penicillium. In cases of subclinical mastitis and latent mammary infection the most distributed mastitis pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus kristinae, Bacillus cereus and coagulase negative staphylococci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subclinical mastitis is a specific condition of mammary gland characterized by prolonged low-intensity infection and subsequent tissue damages with a decrease in milk quality. One of the promising approaches in treatment of mastitis is immunomodulation, which promotes the elimination of causative agents and the recovery of homeostasis in the mammary gland. The aim of the study was to evaluate effect of composition LLG both on cow systemic and udder local immune system parameters. A total of 10 cows with subclinical mastitis received an intramammary infusion in each quarter of LGG which consist of lysozyme, lactic acid and glycopeptides isolated from L. helveticus (in 18 experimental udder quarters) or 0.9% NaCl (in 18 control udder quarters) 3 times with 48 h intervals. During the treatment number of lymphocytes and neutrophils significantly decreased in experimental cows' blood while the same parameters increased in milk. CD8+ cells did not change remarkably, but number of CD4+, CD25+, CD38+, CD69+ and CD95+ cells was diminished in treated group during the study. 21 days after the last infusion of LLG rapid increasing of CD25+ cells was detected. Significant elevation of somatic cell count (SCC) in treated group was observed besides the number of pathogenic bacteria significantly decreased, and their amount on day 7 was close to zero. The composition LLG induces migration of lymphocytes and banded leukocytes from peripheral blood stream to mammary gland, causing a significant SCC increase and a decrease in number of pathogenic bacteria in milk. Furthermore LLG activates an acquired immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]