Autogenous toxoid vaccine in the prophylaxis of staphylococcal mastitis in cattle

Abstract

The use of an autogenous vaccine/toxoid in the prophylaxis of clinical and subclinical staphylococcal udder infections in a dairy herd is described. Mainly first calving cows were included in the trial, and the results are given on 25 vaccinated and 18 uninoculated control animals. Four injections of vaccine at weekly intervals were given and every 6 months a further inoculation was given with a view to reinforcing immunity.Observations were made over a period of 2½ years and there was a significant difference in the number of heavy staphylococcal infections and clinical cases in treated and control groups during the first 18 months, only one clinical case occurring in the treated group compared with 9 in the controls. Major infections totalled 8·1% during this period compared with 1·9% in the treated cattle, total staphylococcal infections being 16·2% compared with 7% in the respective groups.In the last 12 months of the experiment eight clinical cases occurred in the treated group compared with five in the controls. It is clear from these results compared with those for the first 18 months that the reinforcing doses of vaccine/toxoid every 6 months were insufficient to maintain immunity. Subclinical infections, however, remained at a lower level in the treated group than in the control animals.The significance of subclinical staphylococcal infections in relation to Whiteside tests is discussed, also the possible relationship of toxoid and bacterial vaccination to actual immunity produced. Some evidence is given that the presence of blood serum antitoxin is not necessarily associated with immunity.