Detection of subclinical mastitis in camels (Camelus dromedarius) using somatic cell count, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and lactate dehydrogenase activity

Clinical and subclinical mastitis (SCM), mostly related to intramammary infection (IMI), is prevalent in pastoralist camel herds. An IMI has implications for public animal health as well household economy. As bacterial culturing expensive, time consuming impractical a setting, other early detection methods SCM camels need be investigated. Somatic cell count (SCC) the standard detecting cattle. The udder indicators of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity are useful diagnostic markers cow, sheep goat milk; they could potential use milk production. aim this study was improve understanding camels, specifically assess SCC, NAGase- LDH milk. In addition, associations between (defined by California Mastitis Test (CMT) score ≥3 no signs clinical mastitis) were total, 40 healthy without sampled four herds Kenya. Quarter samples collected aseptically screened using CMT. SCC analysed direct counter (DCC, DeLaval), NAGase kinetic fluorometric measures. 116 tested with CMT SCC. Of these, 88 further LDH. median 151,000 cells/mL (IQR: 49,500–709,000 cells/mL), 18.5 U/l (IQR:14.8–24.0 U/l) 12.0 8.5–16.2 respectively. All inflammatory (SCC, NAGase, LDH) significantly associated (P < 0.001). conclusion, that can used quarters SCM.