If your mastitis prevention program doesn’t include vaccinating for coliform mastitis, it probably should. The following article describes the basics of coliform mastitis, research on coliform vaccines, and differences between the products currently available for purchase.
Coliform mastitis is mainly caused by E. coli, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter bacteria. E. coli and Klebsiella are the most common causes of coliform infections. Differences between bacterial strains within the ‘coliform’ bacteria, as well as differences in how cows respond to coliform infections, leads to variation in symptoms and milk appearance. Most often, farmers and their advisors diagnose coliform cases when the cow has ‘hot’, watery mastitis in early lactation. Both E. coli and Klebsiella can cause severe cow symptoms, however, research suggests Klebsiella mastitis more often leads to a cow’s dying or being culled. Coliforms can also cause long-term chronic infections leading to eventual cow culling because of low production and/or high SCC.
Coliform mastitis infections are often associated with substantial loss of milk production. Lactation infections typically occur before peak milk and likely have an impact on milk producing cells of the infected quarter(s). Coliform mastitis is most often a problem in the late dry period, around calving, and within the first 90-days of lactation. Risk of coliform mastitis also increases in the summer-time or during wet conditions compared with winter or dry weather conditions. Most herds have at least periodic issues with coliform mastitis in early lactation.
Strategies to prevent coliforms are mainly hygiene related – bedding management during the dry period, heifer rearing period, pre-calving, and early lactation. Completeness of cleaning and drying teat ends before milking is another control strategy that is believed to reduce risk of coliform mastitis. Organic bedding types are most commonly associated with coliform mastitis, particularly wet bedding and wet sawdust. However, studies also found Klebsiella in sand bedding, especially associated with bedding maintenance programs that pull contaminated sand from base layers up to the top of the bedding and also programs using bedding retainers at back of stalls to reduce use of bedding.
Coliform mastitis vaccine use is an additional control strategy that can reduce herd risk of coliform mastitis. Research has shown that for herds with over 1% coliform mastitis, vaccine use is financially beneficial and was estimated to increase herd profits by $57 per lactation. Unfortunately, based on a USDA study – the National Animal Health Monitoring System (2007), the percent of farms using coliform vaccines is under 38%, despite being commercially available for a quarter of a century. Coliform vaccination is substantially higher in herds over 500 cows compared with mid-size and small herds and may reflect ability to comply with need for multiple injections during the dry period, or perceived cost versus benefit (See Figure 1).
Figure 1. NAHMS Survey of Coliform Vaccine Use by Herd Size (2007)
There are currently three Coliform Vaccines marketed in the U.S. (See Table 1). These vaccines are similar in that they contain what is called a rough (“R”) mutant bacteria that provides protection against infections caused by a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria. Two R-mutant bacteria are used in coliform vaccines, ‘E. coli O111:B4’ is marketed by Pfizer as J-5™ and Merial as J-VAC®, and ‘Salmonella typhimurium Re-17’, is marketed by ImmVac as Endovac Bovi®. The rough mutants have exposed core antigens which stimulate antibody production by the cow which act quickly in the case of new infections and are intended to reduce the symptoms of clinical coliform mastitis. Most studies have shown that new infections are not prevented but the impact of infections on milk production and duration of infections is reduced. Data is available for all three products to demonstrate efficacy against coliform mastitis. Recent studies show that the impact of the vaccine is reduced as time from last vaccination is increased. For example, a study that evaluated 2 injections of J-VAC, at dry-off and around calving showed that efficacy of the vaccine decreased as days in milk increased beyond 50 days.
The vaccines differ slightly in the label recommendations for use. A summary of key points, including label directions, dose, and indications for use can be found in Table 1. In addition, more information can be found on the company websites provided at the bottom of this post. Prices for products were found on a veterinary supply company website (See Table 2) and are intended to demonstrate similarities in price despite some differences in recommended protocol. Cost varies from $2.55 to $4.92 before shipping (mail order) for the entire protocol per cow for the lactation. Prices vary with quantity or size of bottle purchased. The price for the vaccine is very minimal compared with the cost of clinical coliform mastitis.
Table 1. Commercial Coliform Vaccines available in the U.S.
Table 2. Mastitis Coliform Vaccine Purchase Price Economics
Prices were obtained from an online animal health supply company on Sept 5, 2012. Prices do not include shipping costs. Alternative bottle sizes may be available in some cases and from different suppliers. Prices are used to provide a comparative idea of purchase price. It is important to choose a bottle size that will be used quickly upon opening. Only buy what you will use within a short period of time. It is important to buy from a company or person who understands the importance of quality handling of vaccines. Vaccine should be kept out of direct sunlight, refrigerated and used quickly once opened. Always check the expiration dates before purchasing and using vaccine. Don’t use after expiration date unless you like to lose money twice – the bottle of vaccine and the down cow with enterotoxemia due to useless vaccine.
Good vaccine management is essential when using coliform vaccines like all other vaccine products. Only buy what you will use within a relatively short time period and check expiration dates before use. Keep vaccines out of direct sunlight and refrigerate after opening. Do not use vaccine on cows with mastitis or other diseases at the time you would normally vaccinate. Boosters are essential to vaccine performance so make sure second or third shots are scheduled and given according to label directions.
Coliform mastitis can be expensive. Estimates for cost of a single case range from $100 to over $300. Research on coliform vaccines suggest that their use can be an effective strategy to reduce severity of clinical symptoms and reduce impact of coliform mastitis on milk production, duration of symptoms, and risk of culling cows with clinical coliform mastitis in early lactation. Vaccines should be used in conjunction with good bedding and hygiene management during lactation, the dry period, and around calving for maximal herd protection against coliform mastitis.
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For more information see the following websites and discuss options with your udder health advisor.
Company Labels:
- IMMVAC: ENDOVAC-Bovi®
- Merial: J-VAC®
- Pfizer: J-5 BacterinTM
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Dr. Sandy Costello is owner and mastitis/milk quality specialist at Milk Quality Pays and provides on-farm milk quality consulting, training, and product and applied research to aid producer decisions. The mission of Milk Quality Pays is to ensure clients produce and sell milk of the highest quality while maximizing profitability from milk income and maximizing customer assurance of product quality, safety, and worker & animal well-being. Dr. Costello can be reached at 570-768-6140 or scostello@milkqualitypays.com.
