Therapeutic effects of a combined antibiotic-enzyme treatment on subclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate a combined antibiotic-enzyme therapy for Staphylococcus aureus mastitis and biofilm formation. A total of 141 cases of S. aureus chronic mastitis from three farms were divided into two groups: the control group (n = 54) were treated with Nafpenzal (R) ointment; the enzyme + antibiotic group (n = 87) were treated with Nafpenzal (R) plus an enzymatic ointment (MastiVeyxym (R)). Quantitative determination of biofilm formation was determined using a colorimetric microplate assay and the detection of ica genes by PCR. Enzyme + antibiotic therapy did not significantly improve cure rates compared to control (48.3 vs 38.9%). The cure rate for infections caused by biofilm-positive strains was 42.6 and 46.6% for control and enzyme + antibiotic groups, respectively (P > 0.05). Comparison of cure rates between farms showed a relationship with somatic cell count (SCC), parity and oxacillin resistance. 79.4% of the isolates produced biofilm and antibacterial resistance rates for oxacillin, penicillin and streptomycin were 25.5, 71.6 and 95.7%, respectively. These results indicate that while the increase in mastitis cure rate using enzymatic therapy was not significant, this treatment could be useful in some situations.