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In order to determine the association between the lactation stage with serum and milk ELISA results, 697 ewes reared in 17 Paratuberculosis infected dairy farms, were sampled: 10 flocks at early/late and 7 flocks at peak lactation period. Prevalences of 7.75% (n = 697) and 5.31% (n = 697) were observed analyzing serum and milk samples, respectively, and the difference was not significant (P = 0.065). A higher number of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) seropositive sheep were found in the larger flocks than in the smaller ones (P = 0.04), when sampled in early/late lactation. Moreover, the milk ELISA revealed that 7.8% and 3.7% of the ewes were positive to MAP antibodies at early/late and peak of lactation, respectively, and the difference was highly significant (P = 0.021). Considering the importance of early diagnosis, milk ELISA could be a valid alternative tool in early/late lactation stage. Further studies, investigating the effect of MAP positivity on production parameters of ovine dairy breeds, are needed.

The aims of this work were to evaluate the potential role of enrofloxacin in controlling the severity of the clinical mastitis in sheep caused by Staphylococcus aureus; to improve cure rates and to minimize the related effects of the disease on the mammary glands. This study was conducted in commercial dairy flocks where there was on going intensive monitoring of subclinical mastitis by Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and bacteriology. Two groups of animals were selected from these flocks. Group A (n = 34 animals) and Group B (n = 39 animals) were treated with 2.5 mg/kg bw and 5 mg/kg bw, respectively of enrofloxacin (Baytril® 5% injectable solution, Bayer, Italy) for three consecutive days (2 doses per day). The effectiveness of the enrofloxacin in curing the S. aureus-induced clinical mastitis was monitored through SCC, rectal temperature, and by systemic and local mammary gland reactions from the 1st to the 14th day post treatment. The presence of S. aureus in milk samples was confirmed by bacteriological examination and PCR before and after treatment. Bacteriological cure was 39% in Group A and 82% in Group B. Both doses significantly reduced SCC (P