CALIFORNIA-MASTITIS AND MODIFIED-WHITESID E TESTS AS SCREENING TO CAPRINE MASTITIS

The interpretation of screening tests is a major problem observed duri ng the caprine mastitis control programmes. In this paper the Californ ia Mastitis Test (CMT) and a modified Whiteside (WM) test were studied as screening test to detect subclinical infection of udder in 126 mil k samples collected from dairy goats (Saanen, Alpine, Toggenburg and C rossbred). The CMT greater than or equal to 2 and WM greater than or e qual to 2 scores were admitted as the ideal screening level. The CMT s howed the highest sensibility and specificity, being the recommended a ccording to Youden index. When the tests were studied as a serial or p aralell association, no significant advantage was observed.