Somatic cell count as an indicator of subclinical mastitis and increased inflammatory response in asymptomatic lactating women

Abstract

This pilot study suggests that SCC at a level of (greater than or equal to) 250,000 cells mL −1 , as used in the dairy industry, is a suitable index to identify asymptomatic subclinical mastitis in lactating women since it reflects a significant increase in the inflammatory response compared to milk samples from healthy women. Using this index should aid studies into the short- and long-term consequences of subclinical mastitis for mother and infant.