Mastitis control: a discussion.

Abstract

Methods of mastitis control that are effective against Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus have been developed and proven successful. These control procedures, however, are not as effective against the environmental pathogens. Environmental pathogens are predominantly the coliform bacteria and species of streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae. The total extent of their present involvement in mastitis is not well documented, and this is due in part to differences in the nature of infection by environmental pathogens compared to Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus infections. Concern regarding the importance of environmental pathogens in mastitis is increasing. This concern is based, first, on current trends of dairy cattle housing and management that increase exposure to teat ends to environmental pathogens and, second, on a reduction of prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus infected quarters. The latter is a result of the effectiveness of postmilking teat end disinfection and dry cow therapy. Development of equally effective control methods for the environmental pathogens will be an important area of future mastitis research.