Parity as a risk factor for caprine subclinical intramammary infection

In a cross-sectional study, 324 lactating goats of the Murciano-Granadina b reed were randomly selected from 18 herds. Animals were in late lactation a nd bacteriological analyses including mycoplasmas were made from aseptic mi lk samples individualy taken from udder halves. The presence of intramammar y infection (IMI) was studied in relation to goat parity. Three parity grou ps were considered: first and second; third, fourth and fifth; and six and greater parities. Prevalence of IMI was 22% of halves and 34% of animals. M ost of isolates were Staphylococci (70%). Using the prevalence ratio (PR) a nd confidence interval (CI), we saw a positive statistical association betw een subclinical intramammary infection and greater than fifth parity (PR=1. 80; 95% CI=1.21, 2.68). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.