Figure 7.

Evaluation of quantitative ICS test scores in clinical field samples. Correlation between (A) nuc gene copy numbers (log 10 nuc gene copy number/mL) and S. aureus loads (CFU/mL), (B) nuc gene copy numbers (log 10 nuc gene copy number/mL) and ICS test scores in milk samples. Evaluation of statistical correlations among S. aureus loads, nuc gene copy numbers, and ICS test scores in milk samples containing S. aureus (n = 35). Linear regression analysis of nuc gene copy numbers and S. aureus loads, nuc gene copy numbers and ICS test scores in milk samples containing S. aureus are shown. P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. (C) Distribution of cows among ICS test scores and coliform bacteria load groups. Based on S. aureus bacteria loads, we divided 35 milk samples into groups, as follows: CFU ≤ 10⁴ (n = 8), 10⁴ < CFU ≤ 10⁵ (n = 9), 10⁵ < CFU ≤ 10⁶ (n = 9), and 10⁶ < CFU (n = 9). The stacked bar graph shows the distribution of cows in each S. aureus load group between the four different clinical severity grades: score 1 (white), score 2 (gray), score 3 (diagonal stripes), and score 4 (black). Values are given as number of cows (%). CFU, colony forming units.