Use ofN-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase to detect teat canal inflammations

Abstract
Infections of the bovine mammary gland are considered to be ascending infections through the teat canal (Forbes & Hebert, 1968). With respect to skin and wound infections, staphylococci in particular adhere to and colonize traumatized areas (Mertzet al.1987).Staphylococcus aureusand coagulase-negative staphylococci can colonize the teat canal for weeks before they invade upper parts of the mammary gland (Forbes & Hebert, 1968). Such teat canal infections predispose the mammary gland to mastitic infections, particularly with the so-called ‘contagious’ mastitis pathogens, namelyStaph. aureus, Streptococcus agalactiaeandStr. dysgalactiae.