Controlling acute Escherichia coli mastitis during the periparturient period with recombinant bovine interferon gamma

The efficacy of recombinant bovine interferon (rBoIFN)-gamma against experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis during the periparturient period was investigated. Dairy cows intramammarily treated with rBoIFN-gamma 24 h before the E. coli challenge had fewer infected quarters, lower clinical scores, and infections of shorter duration when compared to placebo-treated animals. All rBoIFN-gamma treated cows survived the experimental E. coli challenge. However, placebo treated cows had a 42% mortality rate attributed to coliform mastitis within 3 days of the challenge. Results from this study suggest that intramammary infusion of rBoIFN-gamma can prevent the rapid, unrestricted growth of E. coli within the mammary gland and inhibit the subsequent development of an unlimited inflammatory response under experimental conditions. It is likely that controlling severe local inflammatory reactions may also decrease the pathological alterations to mammary parenchymal tissue that often accompanies acute coliform mastitis during the periparturient period. The potential for prophylactic treatment of perinatal dairy cows with rBoIFN-gamma to regulate the rate, severity, and duration of naturally occurring coliform mastitis during periods of heightened susceptibility is discussed.