O grupo de estafilococos não-aureus (SNA), frequentemente isolados de quartos mamários com mastite subclínica, ápice do teto e ambiente, possue variabilidade ecológica que desafia a compreensão da patogenia a estes atribuída. Os fatores espécie-específicos associados à essa infecção ainda não foram identificados e a susceptibilidade difere entre vacas e quartos e promove diferentes perfis de infecção. Com o objetivo de avaliar a resistência à fagocitose e atividade microbicida, comparou-se a viabilidade, a produção intracelular de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) e a fagocitose de neutrófilos sanguíneos de vacas primíparas e multíparas frente a distintos isolados viáveis de estafilococos. Utilizou-se doze vacas sadias (seis primíparas e seis multíparas) em terço médio de lactação e SO isolados viáveis de estafilococos (38 SNA e 12 Staphylococcus aureus) de diferentes nichos ecológicos. A viabilidade de neutrófilos (P = 0,55), produção de ERO (P = 0,12) e atividade funcional dos fagócitos (P = 0,33) foram semelhantes entre as primíparas e multíparas testadas . Contudo, foram observadas diferenças (P &le;0,05) entre os distintos grupos de espécies e estirpes de estafilococos quanto ao estímulo da produção intracelular de ERO pelos neutrófilos e à fagocitose. S. chromogenes de origens distintas, ápice do teto (P = 0,01), infecção intramamária transiente (P < 0,01) e infecção intramamárias persistente (P < 0,01) estimularam mais a produção de ERO pelos neutrófilos do que as outras espécies. Todos isolados foram fagocitados pelos neutrófilos, mas S. chromogenes resistiram mais eficientemente que as outras espécies de SNA, principalmente, S. chromogenes isolados do ápice do teto (P < 0,01). S. haemolyticus isolados do ápice do teta (P = 0,02) e infecção intramamária transiente (P < 0,01), assim como, S. fleurettii (P < 0,01), foram substancialmente fagocitados do mesmo modo que S. aureus isolado de suabe nasa\\ (P = 0,03). Mais evidente do que possíveis variações entre as respostas mamárias de primíparas e multíparas é a variação entre os SNA. Quanto mais adaptado à mama, maior resistência à fagocitose. / The group of non-aureus staphylococci (NAS), often isolated from mammary quarters with subclinical mastitis, teat apex and environment, has ecological variability that challenges the understanding of the pathogenesis attributed to them. The species-specific factors associated with this infection have not yet been identified and the susceptibility differs between cows and quarters and promotes different infection profiles. In order to evaluate the resistance to phagocytosis and I or microbicidal activity of these pathogens, the viability , intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and blood neutrophil phagocytosis of primiparous and multiparous cows were compared to different viable isolates of staphylococci. Twelve healthy cows (six primiparous and six multiparous) were used in the middle third of lactation and 50 viable isolates of staphylococci (38 SNA and 12 Staphylococcus aureus) from different ecological niches. Neutrophil viability (P = 0.55), ROS production (P = 0.12) and phagocyte functional activity (P = 0.33) were similar among the primiparous and multiparous groups tested. However, differences (P &lt;0.05) between the different groups of species and strains of staphylococci were observed for the stimulation of intracellular ROS production by neutrophils and phagocytosis. S. chromogenes of different origins, ceiling apex (P =0.01), transient intramammary infection (P &lt;0.01) and persistent intramammary infection (P &lt;0 .01) further stimulated the production of ROS by neutrophils than species. All isolates were phagocytosed by neutrophils, but S. chromogenes resisted more efficiently than the other SNA species, especially S. chromogenes isolated from the apex of the ceiling (P &lt;0.01). S. haemolyticus isolated from apex to ceiling (P =0.02) and transient (P &lt;0.01) intramammary infection, as well as S. fleurettii (P &lt;0.01), were substantially phagocytosed in the same manner as S. aureus isolated from nasal swab (P = 0.03). More evident than possible variations between mammary responses of primiparous and multiparous is the variation between ANS. The more adapted to the breast, the greater resistance to phagocytosis.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:24:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGCA13MA111.pdf: 1564151 bytes, checksum: f070dcd7283938facf093efc2818ea37 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-15 / This study was aimed to identify risk factors of subclinical mastites in dairy herds located in the region of West, Midwest, Serrana and Southern in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in 30 dairy herds, totaling approximately 1.700 lactating cows, participating in Dairy Control Service of Santa Catarina Association of Cattle Breeders (ACCB) during the period November 2011 to December 2012. Information on the characterization of milk-producing units and their management programs were obtained by survey with the farmes as well as by monitoring the farms. During the development of the work selected farms were visited three times to update the data, and after the visits has assembled a database with information from test dairy controls and survey. The dynamics of subclinical mastitis was determined from the ratio of the somatic cell count (SCC) of the previous month to the current month s SCC. In the analysis of the dynamic of intramammary infections was initially used the Chi-square (X²) to test associations between each independent variable with the dyna =mics of mastitis, followed by logistic regression analysis to estimate the risk of new infections in contrast to healthy cows and chronic infections compared to new infections. The average count of SCC was 493, 728 cells/mL, being that in 32.3% of control cows were healthy (SCC<200,000/mL). the explanatory variables that composed the final logistic regression model for risk of a cow developing a new case of mastitis in relation to healthy cows were parity, hyperkeratosis at the teat, udder depth, udder dirt and adoption of milking line. Cows with> 4 birth had 1.65 times the risk of new intramammary infection compared to ptimiparous cows (P <0.01). For cows with a mean score of hyperkeratosis ends above of 3 (scale of 1 to 4) was observed 1.61 times greater risk of developing new infections, cows with udders below the hock achieved risk of 2.46 (P <0.001) and cows with dirty udders many showed risk of 1.55 times of becoming infected. Farms hat do not perform line for milking animals had infected increased the 1.55 times greater risk of developing infections. The final model of logistic regression showed the best explanation for the risk of developing a chronic infection of subclinical mastitis in relation to new subclinical mastitis including maintenance of milking equipment, stage of lactation and udder depth. Farmsn that perform maintenance of milking equipment only eventual had 2.17 times greater risk of owning cows with chronic infection (P <0.001) cows above 100 days in milk already increased risk, ranging from from 2.70 to 5.88 and cows with udder depth at or below the hock shown risk approximately 1.65 compared to the cows shallowe udders (P <0.01) / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar os fatores de risco para mastite subclínica em propriedades leiteiras localizadas nas mesorregiões Oeste, Meio-oeste, Serrana e Sul do Estado de Santa Catarina. O experimento foi desenvolvido em 30 rebanhos, perfazendo aproximadamente 1.700 vacas em lactação, participantes do Serviço de Controle Leiteiro da Associação Catarinense de Criadores de Bovinos (ACCB) durante o período de novembro de 2011 a dezembro de 2012. Informações sobre a caracterização das unidades produtoras de leite e seus programas de manejo foram obtidas a partir de questionário aplicado aos produtores, bem como através do acompanhamento das propriedades. Durante o desenvolvimento do trabalho as propriedades selecionadas foram visitadas três vezes para atualização dos dados, sendo após as visitas foi montada uma base de dados com informações do controle leiteiro e do questionário. A dinâmica da mastite subclínica foi determinada da relação da contagem de células somáticas (CCS) do mês anterior com a CCS do mês atual. Para análise da dinâmica das infecções intramamárias foi primeiramente utilizado o teste Qui-quadrado (2) para testar associações entre cada variável independente, seguida de análise de regressão logística para a estimativa de risco de novas infecções em contraste às vacas sadias e infecções crônicas em comparação às novas infecções. A contagem média da CCS foi de 493.728 células/mL, sendo que em 43,3% dos controles as vacas encontravam-se sadias (CCS <200.000/mL). As variáveis explicativas que compuseram o modelo final de regressão logística para risco de uma vaca desenvolver um novo caso de mastite em relação às vacas sadias foram à ordem de parto, hiperqueratose da 8 extremidade dos tetos, profundidade do úbere, sujidade do úbere e adoção de linha de ordenha. Vacas com > 4 partos apresentaram risco de 1,65 vezes de nova infecção intramamária em relação às vacas primíparas (P <0,01). Para vacas com escore médio de hiperqueratose acima de 3 (escala de 1 a 4) foi observado risco 1,61 vezes maior de contrair novas infecções, vacas com úberes abaixo da linha do jarrete obtiveram risco de 2,46 (P <0,001) e vacas com úberes muitos sujos apresentaram taxa de risco de 1,55 vezes maior de tornar-se infectadas. Propriedades que não realizam linha de ordenha para animais mais infectado apresentaram taxa de risco de 1,55 vezes mais de contraírem infecção. O modelo final de regressão logística que apresentou melhor explicação para o risco de desenvolver uma infecção de mastite subclínica crônica em relação a novos casos de mastite subclínica incluiu as características manutenção dos equipamentos de ordenha, estágio de lactação e profundidade do úbere. Propriedades que realizam a manutenção dos equipamentos de ordenha de forma apenas eventual apresentaram taxa de risco 2,17 vezes maior de possuir vacas com infecção crônica (P <0,001), vacas a partir de 100 dias de lactação já apresentam um risco aumentado, variando de 2,70 a 5,88 e vacas com profundidade do úbere junto ou abaixo da linha do jarrete mostraram risco de aproximadamente 1,65 em comparação com as vacas com úbere mais raso (P <0,01)

A mastite bovina é considerada a doença de maior impacto nos rebanhos leiteiros, exercendo efeito econômico negativo sobre a produtividade e perdas significativas à indústria de laticínios. Tendo em vista os impactos na sanidade animal e os prejuízos econômicos acarretados, o objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar de forma mais abrangente a comunidade microbiana presente em rebanhos leiteiros com mastite subclínica utilizado o sequenciamento parcial do gene 16S ribossomal RNA (rRNA). Especificamente, foram caracterizadas as comunidades bacterianas presentes em amostras de leite vindas de três fazendas comerciais, sendo que cada fazenda contribuiu com amostras com alta contagem de células somáticas (CCS > 200.000 cel./mL) e com baixa contagem (CCS < 200.000 cel./mL) perfazendo um total de 57 animais. O DNA total foi extraído e amplificado com os oligonucleotídeos iniciadores da região V3 e V4 do gene 16S rRNA. O sequenciamento foi realizado utilizando a tecnologia de sequenciamento de nova geração através do equipamento MiSeq (Illumina - San Diego, EUA). Para efeito de comparação, alíquotas de todas as amostras foram destinadas ao cultivo microbiológico para identificação de bactérias causadoras da mastite. Os fragmentos amplicons de todas as amostras foram submetidos a uma série de análises computacionais utilizando o programa QIIME. Após a avaliação adicional das sequências em nível de espécie, verificou-se que em geral as bactérias diagnosticadas por cultura geralmente não corresponderam com as sequências mais abundantes detectadas pelo sequenciamento. A análise da composição da microbiota de amostras de leite provenientes de animais saudáveis revelou a presença de uma grande diversidade de espécies bacterianas, mesmo que nenhuma bactéria tenha sido detectada por técnica de cultura. A espécie bacteriana mais abundante em todas as amostras foi Staphylococcus chromogenes. Staphylococcus aureus também foi detectada na grande maioria das amostras As diferenças na composição microbiana foram observadas entre as amostras quando a comparação foi feita de forma individual. Estas diferenças foram notórias em composição taxonômica e foram refletidas por intermédio das estimativas de alfa e beta diversidade. Quando a comparação foi realizada por separação de grupos com alta e baixa CCS, essa diferença não foi tão evidente. Com este estudo será possível compreender a diversidade dos microrganismos presentes na glândula mamária de animais saudáveis e com mastite subclínica. Essas informações podem ser úteis podendo contribuir no planejamento de medidas terapêuticas e preventivas mais eficazes da doença. / Bovine mastitis is considered the most impact disease in dairy herds, exerting negative economic effect on productivity and significant losses to the dairy industry. In view of the impact on animal health and carted economic losses, the objective of this study was to characterize more comprehensively the microbial community present in dairy herds with subclinical mastitis using the partial sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA). Specifically, the bacterial communities present in samples of milk coming from three commercial farms were identified, and each farm contributed samples with high somatic cell count (SCC> 200,000 cel./mL) and low count (SCC <200,000 cel./ml) for a total of 57 animals. Total DNA was extracted and amplified with primers of the V3 and V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequencing was performed using the new generation of sequencing technology through MiSeq equipment (Illumina - San Diego, USA). For comparison, aliquots of all samples were intended for microbiological culture for identification of bacteria which cause mastitis. The amplicon fragments of all samples were subjected to a series of computer analyzes using the QIIME program. After further evaluation of the sequences at the species level, it was found that in general the bacteria do not generally diagnosed by culture corresponded to the most abundant sequences identified by sequencing. The analysis of milk samples from microbial composition from healthy animals revealed the presence of a diversity of bacterial species, even though no bacteria have been detected by culture technique. The most abundant bacterial species in all samples was Staphylococcus chromogenes. Staphylococcus aureus was also detected in most samples differences in microbial composition were found between the samples when a comparison was made individually. These differences were noticeable in taxonomic composition and were reflected by means of the estimates of alpha and beta diversity. When comparison was performed by separation of high and low groups with CCS, this difference was not so evident. This study will be possible to understand the diversity of microorganisms present in the mammary gland of healthy animals and with subclinical mastitis. This information can be useful and can contribute in the planning of more effective therapeutic and preventive measures of the disease.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

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L’objectif de cette étude était de déterminer l’impact d’une infection intra-mammaire (IIM) subclinique causée par staphylocoque coagulase-négative (SCN) ou Staphylococcus aureus diagnostiquée durant le premier mois de lactation chez les taures sur le comptage de cellules somatiques (CCS), la production laitière et le risque de réforme durant la lactation en cours. Des données bactériologiques provenant d’échantillons de lait composites de 2 273 taures Holstein parmi 50 troupeaux ont été interprétées selon les recommandations du National Mastitis Council. Parmi 1 691 taures rencontrant les critères de sélection, 90 (5%) étaient positives à S. aureus, 168 (10%) étaient positives à SCN et 153 (9%) étaient négatives (aucun agent pathogène isolé). Le CCS transformé en logarithme népérien (lnCCS) a été modélisé via une régression linéaire avec le troupeau comme effet aléatoire. Le lnCCS chez les groupes S. aureus et SCN était significativement plus élevé que dans le groupe témoin de 40 à 300 jours en lait (JEL) (P < 0.0001 pour tous les contrastes). La valeur journalière du lnSCC chez les groupes S. aureus et SCN était en moyenne 1.2 et 0.6 plus élevé que le groupe témoin respectivement. Un modèle similaire a été réalisé pour la production laitière avec l’âge au vêlage, le trait génétique lié aux parents pour la production laitière et le logarithme népérien du JEL de la pesée inclus. La production laitière n’était pas statistiquement différente entre les 3 groupes de culture de 40 à 300 JEL (P ≥ 0.12). Les modèles de survie de Cox ont révélé que le risque de réforme n’était pas statistiquement différent entre le groupe S. aureus ou SCN et le groupe témoin (P ≥ 0.16). La prévention des IIM causées par SCN et S. aureus en début de lactation demeure importante étant donné leur association avec le CCS durant la lactation en cours. / The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a subclinical intramammary infection (IMI) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) or Staphylococcus aureus diagnosed during the first month of lactation in heifers on somatic cell count (SCC), milk production and culling risk during the entire first lactation. Bacteriological analysis data of composite milk samples taken from 2,273 Hostein heifers among 50 dairy herds were interpreted according to the National Mastitis Council guidelines. Among the 1,691 heifers meeting the selection criteria, 90 (5%) were diagnosed with S. aureus, 168 (10%) with CNS, and 153 (9%) were negative (no pathogen isolated). Test-day SCC transformed in natural logarithm (lnCCS) was fit in a linear regression model with herd as random effect. The lnSCC in S. aureus and CNS groups were significantly higher than in negative group from 40 to 300 days in milk (DIM) (P < 0.0001 for all contrasts). At test-day level, lnSCC in S. aureus and CNS groups was on average 1.2 and 0.6 higher than the negative group respectively. A similar model was used for milk yield with age at calving, parent average genetic value for milk yield and natural logarithm of tested DIM included. Milk yield was not statistically different between culture groups from 40 to 300 DIM (P ≥ 0.12). Compared with negative heifers, the culling hazard ratio estimated using Cox survival analysis in S. aureus and CNS infected heifers was not significant (P ≥ 0.16). Prevention of CNS or S. aureus IMI in early lactation remains important for its association with SCC during the ensuing lactation.

L’objectif de cette étude était de déterminer l’impact d’une infection intra-mammaire (IIM) subclinique causée par staphylocoque coagulase-négative (SCN) ou Staphylococcus aureus diagnostiquée durant le premier mois de lactation chez les taures sur le comptage de cellules somatiques (CCS), la production laitière et le risque de réforme durant la lactation en cours. Des données bactériologiques provenant d’échantillons de lait composites de 2 273 taures Holstein parmi 50 troupeaux ont été interprétées selon les recommandations du National Mastitis Council. Parmi 1 691 taures rencontrant les critères de sélection, 90 (5%) étaient positives à S. aureus, 168 (10%) étaient positives à SCN et 153 (9%) étaient négatives (aucun agent pathogène isolé). Le CCS transformé en logarithme népérien (lnCCS) a été modélisé via une régression linéaire avec le troupeau comme effet aléatoire. Le lnCCS chez les groupes S. aureus et SCN était significativement plus élevé que dans le groupe témoin de 40 à 300 jours en lait (JEL) (P < 0.0001 pour tous les contrastes). La valeur journalière du lnSCC chez les groupes S. aureus et SCN était en moyenne 1.2 et 0.6 plus élevé que le groupe témoin respectivement. Un modèle similaire a été réalisé pour la production laitière avec l’âge au vêlage, le trait génétique lié aux parents pour la production laitière et le logarithme népérien du JEL de la pesée inclus. La production laitière n’était pas statistiquement différente entre les 3 groupes de culture de 40 à 300 JEL (P ≥ 0.12). Les modèles de survie de Cox ont révélé que le risque de réforme n’était pas statistiquement différent entre le groupe S. aureus ou SCN et le groupe témoin (P ≥ 0.16). La prévention des IIM causées par SCN et S. aureus en début de lactation demeure importante étant donné leur association avec le CCS durant la lactation en cours. / The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a subclinical intramammary infection (IMI) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) or Staphylococcus aureus diagnosed during the first month of lactation in heifers on somatic cell count (SCC), milk production and culling risk during the entire first lactation. Bacteriological analysis data of composite milk samples taken from 2,273 Hostein heifers among 50 dairy herds were interpreted according to the National Mastitis Council guidelines. Among the 1,691 heifers meeting the selection criteria, 90 (5%) were diagnosed with S. aureus, 168 (10%) with CNS, and 153 (9%) were negative (no pathogen isolated). Test-day SCC transformed in natural logarithm (lnCCS) was fit in a linear regression model with herd as random effect. The lnSCC in S. aureus and CNS groups were significantly higher than in negative group from 40 to 300 days in milk (DIM) (P < 0.0001 for all contrasts). At test-day level, lnSCC in S. aureus and CNS groups was on average 1.2 and 0.6 higher than the negative group respectively. A similar model was used for milk yield with age at calving, parent average genetic value for milk yield and natural logarithm of tested DIM included. Milk yield was not statistically different between culture groups from 40 to 300 DIM (P ≥ 0.12). Compared with negative heifers, the culling hazard ratio estimated using Cox survival analysis in S. aureus and CNS infected heifers was not significant (P ≥ 0.16). Prevention of CNS or S. aureus IMI in early lactation remains important for its association with SCC during the ensuing lactation.

Le traitement sélectif (TS) des vaches laitières au tarissement (où seuls les quartiers ou les vaches infectées sont traités avec des antimicrobiens) constitue une alternative potentielle au traitement universel (TU, où tous les quartiers de toutes les vaches reçoivent des antimicrobiens, quel que soit leur statut infectieux), pour une utilisation plus judicieuse des antimicrobiens. L'objectif de cette thèse était d’apporter plus de lumière sur les décisions de traitement antimicrobien ciblant les quartiers ou vaches infecté(e)s au tarissement. Différents devis et méthodologies ont été utilisés pour répondre à cet objectif. Un essai contrôlé randomisé a été conçu et 569 vaches (2,251 quartiers) provenant de 9 troupeaux laitiers du Québec avec un comptage de cellules somatiques (CCS) du réservoir <250 000 cellules/mL ont été systématiquement enrôlées et réparties au hasard dans 4 groupes : 1) traitement antimicrobien seul pour tous les quartiers ; 2) traitement antimicrobien combiné avec un scellant interne à trayon pour tous les quartiers ; 3) traitement antimicrobien sélectif seul basé sur les résultats de la culture bactériologique du lait sur Petrifilm® ; et 4) traitement antimicrobien sélectif combiné avec un scellant interne à trayon basé sur les résultats de la culture du lait sur Petrifilm®. Dans les groupes de TS, les quartiers non infectés n'ont reçu qu'un scellant interne à trayon. Aucune différence significative n'a été détectée entre le TS par quartier et le TU des vaches laitières au tarissement, en termes d'élimination des infections intramammaires (IIM) et de prévention de nouvelles IIM pendant la période de tarissement, de risque d'un premier cas de mammite clinique (MC), de production laitière moyenne quotidienne et de CCS au cours des 120 premiers jours de la lactation suivante. Un TS reposant sur les résultats d'une culture de lait de quartier sur Petrifilm® au tarissement a permis de réduire l'utilisation d'antimicrobiens de 52% (IC à 95%: 39 – 64) par rapport à un TU. En plus de cet essai contrôlé randomisé, la culture du lait par quartier à l'aide de Petrifilm® a été comparée à l'historique du CCS par une estimation bayésienne de leur précision pour identifier les quartiers ou les vaches qui devraient être traités avec des antimicrobiens dans des protocoles de TS au tarissement. Compte tenu de la disponibilité des données de CCS, de la facilité d'utilisation du dernier test de CCS pré-tarissement et de la valeur prédictive négative élevée qui pourrait être obtenue, les producteurs pourraient envisager d'utiliser uniquement le dernier test de CCS pré-tarissement comme outil potentiel pour identifier les vaches qui devraient être traitées avec des antimicrobiens au tarissement. Le dernier test de CCS pré-tarissement peut être utilisé seul ou en combinaison avec la culture de lait par quartier sur Petrifilm® sur les vaches avec un CCS élevé pour identifier encore plus spécifiquement les quartiers qui doivent être traités. L'ajout d'une culture de lait par quartier à la ferme sur Petrifilm® pour les vaches identifiées comme infectées à l'aide des données du CCS améliorerait la précision du test (principalement la valeur prédictive positive) et réduirait davantage l'utilisation d'antimicrobiens. Également, une revue systématique et une série de méta-analyses ont été menées pour étudier l'efficacité du TS par rapport au TU, afin de guider les décideurs et les utilisateurs qui s'engagent dans une utilisation plus efficace et judicieuse des antimicrobiens au moment du tarissement. Treize articles représentant 12 essais contrôlés, randomisés ou non, étaient disponibles pour les analyses. Le TS a permis de réduire de 66% (IC à 95%: 49 – 80) l'utilisation d'antimicrobiens au moment du tarissement. Les résultats appuient fortement l'idée que le TS réduirait l'utilisation d'antimicrobiens au moment du tarissement, sans effet négatif sur la santé du pis ou la production laitière au cours des premiers mois de la lactation subséquente, si, et seulement si, les scellant internes à trayons sont utilisés pour les quartiers non traités avec des antimicrobiens. Enfin, le suivi de l'utilisation d'un scellant interne à trayon a été effectué pour déterminer la proportion de quartiers qui ont conservé le bouchon de scellant jusqu’à la première traite après le vêlage et la persistance de résidus de scellant dans le lait après le vêlage. Un bouchon de scellant était présent jusqu'à la première traite pour 83% des quartiers, et nous pourrions émettre l'hypothèse que la perte du bouchon s'est produite près du vêlage secondaire à la tétée ou pour une autre raison (ex., la pression hydrostatique du lait), étant donné que les associations observées entre la présence ou non d'un bouchon de scellant observable et les chances de nouvelles IIM étaient relativement faibles. Les résidus de scellant pouvaient être observés dans le lait jusqu'à 12 jours après le vêlage, quoique 75% des quartiers n’excrétaient plus de scellant au bout de 5 jours en lait. / Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT, in which only infected quarters or cows are treated with antimicrobials) represents an alternative to blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT, in which all quarters of all cows at dry off are treated with antimicrobials, regardless of their infection status), for a more judicious use of antimicrobials. The objective of this thesis was to shed more light on targeted antimicrobial treatment decisions of infected quarters or cows at dry-off. Different study designs and methodologies were used to meet this objective. A randomized controlled trial was designed and a total of 569 cows (2,251 quarters) from 9 dairy herds in Québec with bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC) <250,000 cells/mL were systematically enrolled and randomly allocated to 4 groups: 1) antimicrobial treatment alone of all quarters; 2) antimicrobial treatment combined with an internal teat sealant (ITS) of all quarters; 3) selective antimicrobial treatment alone based on milk bacteriological culture results on Petrifilm®; and 4) selective antimicrobial treatment combined with an ITS based on milk culture results on Petrifilm®. In the selective antimicrobial treatment groups, uninfected quarters received only an ITS. No significant differences were detected between quarter-based selective and blanket dry cow therapies, in terms of elimination of intramammary infections (IMI) and prevention of new IMI during the dry period, risk of a first case of clinical mastitis (CM), daily average milk yield and somatic cell count in the first 120 days of the subsequent lactation. A selective antimicrobial treatment relying on results of quarter milk culture using Petrifilm® at dry off enabled a reduction in antimicrobial use of 52% (95% CI: 39 – 64) as compared to blanket dry cow treatment. In addition to this randomized controlled trial, quarter milk culture using Petrifilm® was compared with SCC history through a Bayesian estimation of diagnostic accuracy to identify quarters or cows that should be treated with antimicrobials in selective treatment protocols at dry off. Considering the availability of SCC data, the easiness of using just the last Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) test before dry off, and the high negative predictive value that could be achieved, producers may consider using just the last DHI test before dry off results as a potential tool to identify cows that should be treated with antimicrobials at dry off. The last SCC test before 7 dry off may be used alone or in combination with quarter-level on-farm Petrifilm® milk culture on high SCC cows to more specifically identify quarters that need to be treated. Adding quarter-level milk culture using Petrifilm® to cows identified as unhealthy using cow-level SCC data could improve the test accuracy (mainly the positive predictive value) and further reduced the use of antimicrobials. Also, a systematic review and a series of meta-analyses were conducted to investigate the efficacy of SDCT compared with BDCT, to guide decision-makers and users to engage in a more effective and judicious use of antimicrobials at dry-off. Thirteen articles representing 12 controlled trials, randomized or not, were available for analyses. SDCT reduced the use of antimicrobials at dry off by 66% (95% CI: 49 – 80). Evidences strongly support that SDCT would reduce the use of antimicrobials at dry off, without any detrimental effect on udder health or milk production during the first months of the subsequent lactation, if, and only if, ITS are used for healthy quarters untreated with antimicrobials. Finally, a follow up on the use of ITS was performed to determine the proportion of quarters that had retained the sealant plug until the first milking after calving and the persistence of ITS residues in milk after calving. A sealant plug was present at first milking after calving for 83% of the quarters, and we could hypothesize that the loss of the plug occurred closely around calving due to suckling or for another reason (e.g., milk hydrostatic pressure), since the observed associations between the presence or not of an observable sealant plug and the odds of new IMI were relatively small. The sealant residues could be observed in milk up to 12 days in milk, although 75% of the quarters had expelled the last ITS residues by 5 days in milk.