"California Mastitis" and "Modified Whiteside" tests as screening to caprine mastitis

Abstract

The interpretation of screening tests is a major problem observed during the caprine mastitis control programmes. In this paper the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and a modified Whiteside (WM) test were studied as screening test to detect subclinical infection of udder in 126 milk samples collected from dairy goats (Saanen, Alpine, Toggenburg and Crossbred). The CMT ≥ 2 and WM ≥ 2 scores were admitted as the ideal screening level. The CMT showed the highest sensibility and specificity, being the recommended according to Youden index. When the tests were studied as a serial or paralell association, no significant advantage was observed.