A total number of 54 adult dairy buffalos were divided into 3 groups based on
California Mastitis Test and Somatic Cell Count; group-1 (38 buffalos) with negative
CMT and SCC; group-2 (12 buffalos) with positive CMT and SCC and group-3 (4
buffalos) with positive CMT and negative SCC. Ultrasonography of the mammary
gland and supramammary lymph nodes was achieved via 7.5 MHz linear transducer.
Subclinical mastitis was characterized ultrasonographically by homogenous
hypoechoic parenchyma, hypoechogenic contents of gland cistern, the irregular
contour lining of teat canal, slightly thickened teat wall, loss the characteristic threelayered
appearance of the teat wall and overlapped ill distinct rosette of Furstenberg,
papillary ducts and orifice. Superficial inguinal lymph node was enlarged, easily
identified and completely hypoechogenic entire structure. Group 2 suffered from
subclinical mastitis revealed significant (P≤0.05) increase in lymph node length, depth,
elapse area, elapse volume and teat wall thickness, significant (P≤0.05) decrease in
gray scale analysis of lymph node and significant (P≤0.05) increase in gray scale
analysis of udder parenchyma and cisterns milk contents than that in group 1 and
group 3. In conclusion, ultrasonography provides an accurate, non-invasive and rapid
field technique for diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in buffalo. |
