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Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2022; 50(01): 30-37
DOI: 10.1055/a-1696-3952
Original Article

Bacteriological investigation of milk samples and biopsies from the mammary gland of healthy sows

Bakteriologische Untersuchung von Milch- und Biopsieproben aus Gesäugekomplexen klinisch gesunder Sauen
Florian Spiegel‡   *
1   Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany
,
Sebastian Spiegel‡   *
1   Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany
,
Alexandra von Altrock
1   Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany
,
Jutta Verspohl
2   Institute for Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany
,
Frauke Seehusen
3   Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
,
Michael Wendt
1   Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany
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Abstract

Objective Milk samples from clinically healthy sows often contain a similar bacterial content as samples from mastitic sows. To verify whether contamination during sample collection is a possible reason for this or bacterial content in the mammary gland postpartum is a regular finding, the aim of the present study was to compare the suitability of milk samples and mammary gland biopsies for assessing the bacteriological status of healthy sows.

Material and methods Twenty-five clinically healthy sows of different parities were selected. The mammary skin and teats were cleaned and disinfected before biopsies and milk samples were taken from the second mammary gland on the left udder side one day postpartum. Needle biopsies were performed after local anaesthesia. Samples were investigated bacteriologically for aerobic bacteria and a semi-quantitative classification of bacterial growth was carried out. Additionally, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies from 18 of the healthy sows were stained and scored for inflammatory cells.

Results A low bacterial content could be found in 96 % of milk samples and in 92 % of biopsies from the healthy sows. Both Gram-positive (mostly streptococci and staphylococci) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) were detected. Histopathological examination revealed mild inflammatory cell infiltration with mainly plasma cells and lymphocytes, in rare cases neutrophilic granulocytes.

Conclusion Biopsies of the mammary gland provided similar results with regard to bacteriological investigation compared to milk sampling although these were collected under aseptic conditions. Therefore, it is assumed that ubiquitous bacteria are regularly present in the colostrum and in the mammary gland tissue of clinically healthy sows after parturition. Histopathological findings were not entirely uneventful.

Clinical relevance Milk samples and biopsies from the thoroughly cleaned and disinfected mammary gland indicate a regular bacterial load of the gland postpartum; biopsies do not provide advantages with regard to hygienic conditions.

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel Milchproben von klinisch gesunden Sauen enthalten häufig einen ähnlichen Keimgehalt wie Sauen mit Mastitis. Um festzustellen, ob eine Kontamination während der Probenentnahme als Ursache in Frage kommt oder ob Bakterien regelmäßig im Gesäuge nach der Geburt vorkommen, war das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie, Milchproben und Gesäugekomplexbiopsien klinisch gesunder Sauen vergleichend auf die Eignung des Probenmaterials für die bakteriologische Kontrolle zu überprüfen.

Material und Methoden Bei 25 klinisch gesunden Sauen unterschiedlicher Parität erfolgte die Entnahme von Biopsien und Milchproben jeweils am zweiten Komplex der linken Gesäugeseite einen Tag post partum nach Reinigung und Desinfektion der Zitzen- und Gesäugehaut. Biopsien wurden mithilfe einer Biopsienadel nach Lokalanästhesie entnommen. Die Proben wurden bakteriologisch auf ihren aeroben Keimgehalt untersucht und es wurde eine semiquantitative Bestimmung des Keimgehaltes vorgenommen. Zusätzlich wurden Formalin-fixierte Paraffin-Schnitte der Gewebebiopsien von 18 der Sauen histologisch auf Entzündungszellen untersucht.

Ergebnisse In 96 % der Milchproben und 92 % der Biopsien der gesunden Sauen konnte ein geringer Keimgehalt gefunden werde. Es wurden sowohl Gram-positive (vorwiegend Streptokokken und Staphylokokken) als auch Gram-negative Bakterien (Escherichia coli) nachgewiesen. Bei histopathologischen Untersuchungen konnten geringe Entzündungszellinfiltrationen, hauptsächlich bestehend aus Plasmazellen und Lymphozyten, selten aus neutrophilen Granulozyten, nachgewiesen werden.

Schlussfolgerung Biopsien von Milchdrüsen lieferten für die bakteriologische Untersuchung im Vergleich zu Milchproben ähnliche Ergebnisse, obwohl sie unter aseptischen Bedingungen entnommen wurden. Es ist anzunehmen, dass ubiquitäre Keime regelmäßig in der Milch und im Milchdrüsengewebe von klinisch gesunden Sauen nach der Geburt vorhanden sind, dabei waren die histopathologischen Befunde nicht völlig unauffällig.

Klinische Relevanz Milchproben und Proben aus dem Drüsengewebe von Sauen, die aus gründlich gereinigten und desinfizierten Gesäugekomplexen gewonnen werden, weisen nach der Geburt auf einen regelmäßigen Keimgehalt in der Milchdrüse hin. Biopsien bieten dabei keinen Vorteil im Vergleich zu Milchproben bezüglich der hygienischen Bedingungen.

Key words

swine - colostrum - needle biopsy - mastitis - histology

Schlüsselwörter

Schwein - Kolostrum - Nadelbiopsie - Mastitis - Histologie

Fußnote

* Both authors contributed equally.




Publication History

Received: 01 June 2021

Accepted: 27 October 2021

Article published online:
02 March 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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