In vitro susceptibility testing of ceftiofur against bovine mastitis pathogens isolated as part of an ongoing surveillance program (2002- 2010)

Abstract

Although many antimicrobial susceptibility reports have been published that include mastitis pathogens, few have compared susceptibility trends over time and geographical areas. In 2001, Pfizer Animal Health (PAH) initiated a pilot susceptibility surveillance program, and requested that six veterinary diagnostic laboratories submit bacterial pathogens isolated from naturally occurring mastitis infections for susceptibility testing at PAR. That year, 354 pathogens were tested. The program has grown and more than 1,200 isolates are tested each year. Results of ceftiofur activity against mastitis pathogens for the years 2002 to 2010 are reported here. SPECTRAMAST® was approved in 2005 for the treatment of clinical mastitis associated with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Strep. dysgalactiae, and Escherichia coli in lactating dairy cattle and for the treatment of subclinical mastitis associated with Staphylococcus aureus, Strep. dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis in dairy cattle at the time of dry off.