Understanding acute phase proteins: Key players in E. coli and S. aureus mastitis in Sahiwal and Karan fries cows
Author(s): R Selva Rani
Abstract: Mastitis is the most common and economically harmful health issue impacting dairy cattle globally. Severity of mastitis varies with the causative pathogen, and this variation is reflected in the concentrations of key inflammatory biomarkers in milk. This study investigated the concentrations of key APPs, Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and Haptoglobin (HP) in both plasma and milk of Sahiwal and Karan Fries cows naturally infected with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Mastitis screening in 165 cows identified 24 Sahiwal and 24 Karan Fries animals, comprising both clinical and subclinical cases. Bacteriological examination revealed S. aureus as the predominant pathogen in both breeds, followed by E. coli. Quantification of APPs demonstrated consistently higher concentrations of SAA and Hp in E. coli infected cows compared to those infected with S. aureus, in both serum and milk. Overall, the results highlight the diagnostic and prognostic value of APPs as sensitive biomarkers capable of differentiating pathogen-specific inflammatory responses in mastitis. Their integration into routine screening could enhance early detection and severity assessment in dairy herds.
R Selva Rani. Understanding acute phase proteins: Key players in E. coli and S. aureus mastitis in Sahiwal and Karan fries cows. Int J Vet Sci Anim Husbandry 2025;10(12):14-16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i12a.2782
