A case of bovine mastitis caused by Bacillus cereus

Authors: Merrall M, Parkinson TJ, Fenwick SG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 47, Issue 4, pp 151-152, Aug 1999
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Mammary gland/udder, Mastitis, Infectious disease, Milk
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Although the cause of most bovine mastitis can be attributed to the major pathogens of the udder (Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli), occasional cases occur that are caused by more unusual organisms. The mastitis caused by a number of these organisms may be characterised by a very marked degree of tissue damage and, consequently, grossly abnormal mammary secretions. Notable amongst such organisms is Bacillus cereus, for which a number of cases have been reported from many countries with significant dairy industries (Scheifer et al., 1976; Jones andTurnbul1, 198 1). In a British survey, B. cereus mastitis accounted for 0.3% of cases (Johnson, 198 l), whilst in the Sydney region of Australia, 119 cows were diagnosed with B. cereusmastitis between 1960 and 1985 (Johnson, 1986). However, no previous case reports have been found for cattle in New Zealand, although it is isolated from time to time in routine culture of milk from cows with inexplicably high somatic cell counts (Anon, 1982; Graham, 1998). Only a very few cases have been reported from pastoral cattle anywhere in the world. In September 1998, a recently calved (4 weeks), fourth lactation Friesian cow was presented with mastitis. One quarter of the udder was hard and painful to the touch. The secretion of the quarter was scanty, watery and purplish-red in colour; a sample was collected…

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