Immunological and bacteriological quality of fresh cow colostrum and passive immunity transfer in selected dairy farms in Fars, Iran

Background

The quality of colostrum is affected by IgG level and microbial load.

Aims

The quality of colostrum used in feeding dairy calves and passive immunity transfer in selected dairy farms in Fars province, Iran was investigated.

Methods

A total of 75 colostrum and neonatal blood samples were collected from 11 herds. The immunological quality of colostrum was assessed using a Brix digital refractometer. The bacteriological quality was assessed by performing total plate count (TPC), total coliform count (TCC), spore-former count, fungi count, and species-specific PCR assay to detect some bacterial species.

Results

The mean Brix of colostrum samples was 25.4% and 72% of the samples had a Brix score ≥22%. The mean serum Brix and the prevalence of failure of passive transfer (FPT) were 10% and 4%, respectively. The mean TPC, TCC, spore-former count, and fungi count were 3.6 × 10⁵, 2.8 × 10⁴, 3.2 × 10⁴, and 1.1 × 10⁴ CFU/ml, respectively. The results showed that 50, 5.9, and 4% of colostrum samples were positive for Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp. and Maycobacterium paratuberculosis, respectively. There was no evidence of contamination with Brucella spp., Corynebacterium bovis and Mycoplasma bovis.

Conclusion

Considering all colostrum quality indicators comprehensively, only 37.3% of the studied samples met the industry standard. A large number of calves were at risk of receiving poor quality colostrum, especially in terms of microbial contamination. Further researches are needed to evaluate the colostrum management and the effect of bacterial contamination of colostrum on the health of neonate calves in this region.

The relationship between aging and oral health inequalities assessed by the DMFT index

AIM

A cross-sectional study to determine the caries experience characteristics and their relationship with aging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using stratified sampling method, 748 subjects divided into 3 age groups of 11-14, 14-17 and 17-20 year-olds (355 females and 393 males, aged 15.11 ± 2.23 years) were examined in urban area of Isfahan (Iran). The DMFT scores (DT, MT, FT) were recorded. The Student t-test was used to assess any differences in the mean DMFT score between genders. Simple (DMFT >0), severe caries experience (DMFT >8), severe form of filling (FT>3), and decay (DT>6) were calculated. Chi-square tests were performed to assess any relationship between gender and DMFT variables. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the predictive value of gender and age groups for the DMFT categories dichotomized into presence or absence of DMFT-related variable. Scatter plots and Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to explore the relationships between the DMFT (DT, MT, FT) and participant's age.

RESULTS

The mean DMFT values for the sample, 11-14, 14-17 and 17-20 year-olds were 4.94, 3.03, 5 and 6.66, respectively. Caries prevalence (DMFT >0) and active caries prevalence (DT >0) were 88.8% and 81.8%, respectively. Prevalence of active caries (DT) did not vary significantly between genders; however, prevalence of fillings (FT) was higher in females (OR 1.96, 95% CI, 1.45-2.67). The odds of experiencing caries (DMFT, DT, FT) increased with increase in participant's age. Prevalence of subjects with DT>6 was higher in males than in females (OR 1.50, 95% CI, 1.04-2.01). Prevalence of subjects with FT>3 was higher in females than in males (OR 1.74, 95% CI, 1.10-2.73). Significant positive correlations existed between the participant's age and DMFT (rho 0.40), DT (rho 0.34) and FT scores (rho 0.194), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Caries experience was highly prevalent in our sample. With increase in age, there was an upward trend in caries prevalence and mean DMFT.