Application of the California mastitis test in intramammary Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus infections of camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Kenya

A study was conducted on 207 lactating camels in six herds in Kenya to eval uate the California mastitis test (CMT) for the detection of intramammary i nfections (IMIs) caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aure us and to investigate the prevalence of both the pathogens in the camel udd er. IMI with S. agalactiae was found in 12% of all camels sampled. IMI with S. aureus was present in 11% of all camels sampled. The herd-level prevale nce of IMI varied between 0 and 50% for S. agalactiae and between 0 and 13% for S. aureus. Longitudinal observations over 10-12 months confirmed persi stent infections for both pathogens. Observations in one herd suggested tha t camel pax was a contributing factor in spreading and exacerbating S. agal actiae udder infections. The CMT had quarter-level sensitivities of 77 and 68% for S. agalactiae and S. aureus in camels, respectively. The CMT specificities were 91% for both the pathogens. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.