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A total of 1388 goats from 31 farms distributed throughout Sardinia, Italy, were investigated in this study. The goat population of Sardinia accounts for a quarter of the entire goat population of Italy. In this work, data and information concerning each farming site were collected, a detailed clinical examination of the udder of lactating animals was carried out, and microbiological examination of milk was performed. Results were then subjected to statistical analysis in order to highlight possible correlations among all findings. Significant results were obtained by comparing clinical findings with bacteriological positivity of milk. Intra-mammary infections were detected in 22.7% of all goats examined. Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Mycoplasma spp. were detected in 73.5%, 9.7%, and 4.7% of positive milk cultures, respectively. Other bacterial genera showed a prevalence lower than 3%. Milk positivity to Staphylococcus aureus was significantly associated to presence in the udder of pustules, ulcers, nodules, and rubor (p |
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