Cystic echinococcosis in the endemic island of Sardinia (Italy): has something changed?

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a disease of livestock and humans caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) species complex and occurs especially in areas where sheep breeding is widespread.

Effects of intramammary infections on somatic cell score and milk yield in Sarda sheep.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of intramammary infections (IMI) on somatic cell score (SCS) and milk yield in dairy ewes.

Methods: Monthly milk samples were collected from a flock of 202 Sarda sheep, over a period of 7 months, for bacteriological culture and measurement of somatic cell counts (SCC). During the same period, milk yield was measured daily using electronic milk meters connected to each half-udder cluster of the milking machine.

Relationship between mammary gland infections and some milk immune parameters in Sardinian breed ewes.

Over the last few years an increased rate of intramammary infections caused by environmental and opportunistic pathogens has been observed in sheep farms. The presence of these microorganisms is mainly related to poor conditions of environmental hygiene and/or to decreased defenses of the mammary gland. The work we present here is a part of a project on the immune status of ewe mammary gland and its influence on mastitis development.