biostudies-literatureHurst SMThis pilot study was funded by private investors of Koru Biotech Solutions, and a project grand from New Zealand government agency Callaghan Innovation, Wellington, New Zealand.310https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12837993biostudies-literatureUnknown16(2)Prevalence of LPS in Gram-negative bacterial udder infections determines mastitis severity and disease prognosis. This pilot study explores the notion that milk-soluble (s) LPS/IgG complex levels in dairy cows link mastitis severity to intramammary Gram-negative infections during early lactation. Milk, within a single herd, was analysed from (i) 34 early lactating cows with acute mastitis and (ii) milk selected from peak lactation cows displaying either healthy (SCC < 100 × 10³ cells/mL, <i>n</i> = 146) or subclinical mastitis (SCC > 150 × 10³ cells/mL, <i>n</i> = 135) characteristics. Milk was assessed for (i) sLPS/IgG using an "in-house" ELISA, (ii) udder inflammation using LDH activity, and (iii) bacterial presence applying on-farm and standard microbiological laboAnimals : an open access journal from MDPIPilot Study: Soluble LPS/IgG Milk Complexes in Relationship to Early Lactation Acute Mastitis in Dairy Cows.PMC12837993N/ALaven RHurst SMPernthaner AfalsePilot Study: Soluble LPS/IgG Milk Complexes in Relationship to Early Lactation Acute Mastitis in Dairy Cows.Prevalence of LPS in Gram-negative bacterial udder infections determines mastitis severity and disease prognosis. This pilot study explores the notion that milk-soluble (s) LPS/IgG complex levels in dairy cows link mastitis severity to intramammary Gram-negative infections during early lactation. Milk, within a single herd, was analysed from (i) 34 early lactating cows with acute mastitis and (ii) milk selected from peak lactation cows displaying either healthy (SCC < 100 × 10³ cells/mL, <i>n</i> = 146) or subclinical mastitis (SCC > 150 × 10³ cells/mL, <i>n</i> = 135) characteristics. Milk was assessed for (i) sLPS/IgG using an "in-house" ELISA, (ii) udder inflammation using LDH activity, and (iii) bacterial presence applying on-farm and standard microbiological labo2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-06-13T03:23:39.763Z2026-06-13T03:12:23.656ZS-EPMC128379934159449810.3390/ani16020310