Research studies were conducted to investigate some epidemiological aspects of bovine mastitis in and around Lahore.

A total of 45 small livestock units/herds were surveyed and epidemiological data was collected from 4000 bovine population on prescribed proforina. Bacteriological examination was aiso performed on 1000 milk samples after presumptive screening with modified california mastitis test (C.M.T.).

Analysis of the data showed, the herd incidence rate of 88.88 per cent and the disease incidence rate of 8.33 per cent (lactating animals) during this project. CMT on 1000 quarter milk samples showed 14.3% incidence of subclinical mastitis and 10.6% animals were positive bacteriologically. Relative incidence of acute, subacute and chronic forms of disease was 38.33, 43.90 and 13.37 per cent, respectively. Quarter infection rate was 33.40 per cent in affected buffaloes and 10.36 per cent in infected cattle. It was significantly higher in hind than in fore quarters in buffaloes.

All the breeds of buffaloes and cattle maintained in the area were reported to be affected occasionally during the lactation. Age and lactation wise distribution of rnastitis cases varied in different age and lactation groups; being highest in 6-8 years of age group 42.93% and 4-6 lactation (39.45%). Number of cases were higher (53.63%) during early stage of lactation than in middle (21.97%) and (24.4%) late stages. High milk yielding group 12-14 litres daily was more prone to the disease. Disease was reported to cause 30.26 per cent decrease in milk production of affected animals. Udders/teats of 4.0 per cent animals had history of surgical manipulation. Housing on pakka floor (48.9%) incidence was observed to have some association with the disease.

Of the 1000 milk samples 143 were found positive by C.M.T.and 106 samples yielded 171 isolates of different species; 86 Staphylococcus aureus, 9 Staphylococcus epiderinides, 30 Streptococcus agalactiae, 17 Streptococcus dysagalactiae, 11 Bacillus cereus, 10 Escherichia co/i, 5 Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antobiotic sensitivity of the isolates showed that they were sensitive in descending order to Gentamycin, Chlortetracyline, Sul;fonamide (Tribrissin), Chloramphanicol, Ampicilline, Tylosine. Penicilline & Tetracycline.

Out of 86 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus 60 were penicillin resistant of which 23 produced penicillinase. In order to reduce the huge economic losses in terms of milk reduction (30.26% ), the findings of this project are hoped to guide for the control of disease at subclinical stage on a large scale. However, additional studies are suggested for the epidemiology of this disease.