Somatic cell counts as predictors of Staphylococcus aureus-induced bovine mastitis in raw milk from dairy herds in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region, Morocco

Rachid Hnini; Eliane Silva; Hicham Esselmani; Mohamed Obaouz; Mustapha Oukbab; Ahmed Ait Chaoui; Fatiha Chigr; Mohamed Merzouki

doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.8

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Open Vet. J.. 2025; 15(11): 5513-5522

doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.8

Somatic cell counts as predictors of Staphylococcus aureus-induced bovine mastitis in raw milk from dairy herds in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region, Morocco

Rachid Hnini, Eliane Silva, Hicham Esselmani, Mohamed Obaouz, Mustapha Oukbab, Ahmed Ait Chaoui, Fatiha Chigr, Mohamed Merzouki.

Abstract
Background:
Somatic cells are milk secreting epithelial cells shed from the gland lining and white blood cells that enter the mammary gland in response to injury or infection.

Aim:
The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the quality of bulk raw cow milk by the somatic cell count (SCC) to identify mastitis in four areas of the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. In addition, the determination of the relationship between the SCC and mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus was assessed, as well as the presence of antibiotic residues.

Methods:
SCC was measured using the DeLaval cell counter, S. aureus enumeration was performed using Baird Parker agar medium, and antibiotic residues were tested using the Delvotest method.

Results:
A SCC average of 328.1, 329.2, 325.4 and 311.3 x103 cells/ml was detected in areas 1-Fkih Ben Salah, 2-Khouribga, 3-Souk Sebt and 4-Oued Zem, respectively. A S. aureus average of 39.0, 591.0, 372.0 and 854.0 CFU/ml was found in the same areas, respectively. No antibiotic residues were detected in any of the samples analyzed.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the SCC, S. aureus counts, and antibiotic residue results obtained in the studied areas suggest, on the one hand, good herd health status and, on the other hand, the quality and safety of the milk for consumption in these areas. Finally, this represents a new approach to predicting and preventing damage to the mammary glands of dairy cows.

Key words: Antibiotics; Mastitis disease; Morocco; Somatic cell count (SCC); Staphylococcus aureus.

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Hnini R, Silva E, Esselmani H, Obaouz M, Oukbab M, Chaoui AA, Chigr F, Merzouki M. Somatic cell counts as predictors of Staphylococcus aureus-induced bovine mastitis in raw milk from dairy herds in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region, Morocco. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.8

Web Style

Hnini R, Silva E, Esselmani H, Obaouz M, Oukbab M, Chaoui AA, Chigr F, Merzouki M. Somatic cell counts as predictors of Staphylococcus aureus-induced bovine mastitis in raw milk from dairy herds in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region, Morocco. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=276929 [Access: November 30, 2025]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.8

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Hnini R, Silva E, Esselmani H, Obaouz M, Oukbab M, Chaoui AA, Chigr F, Merzouki M. Somatic cell counts as predictors of Staphylococcus aureus-induced bovine mastitis in raw milk from dairy herds in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region, Morocco. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.8

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Harvard Style

Hnini, R., Silva, . E., Esselmani, . H., Obaouz, . M., Oukbab, . M., Chaoui, . A. A., Chigr, . F. & Merzouki, . M. (2025) Somatic cell counts as predictors of Staphylococcus aureus-induced bovine mastitis in raw milk from dairy herds in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region, Morocco. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.8

Turabian Style

Hnini, Rachid, Eliane Silva, Hicham Esselmani, Mohamed Obaouz, Mustapha Oukbab, Ahmed Ait Chaoui, Fatiha Chigr, and Mohamed Merzouki. 2025. Somatic cell counts as predictors of Staphylococcus aureus-induced bovine mastitis in raw milk from dairy herds in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region, Morocco. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.8

Chicago Style

Hnini, Rachid, Eliane Silva, Hicham Esselmani, Mohamed Obaouz, Mustapha Oukbab, Ahmed Ait Chaoui, Fatiha Chigr, and Mohamed Merzouki. "Somatic cell counts as predictors of Staphylococcus aureus-induced bovine mastitis in raw milk from dairy herds in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region, Morocco." doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.8

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

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