Mycoplasma Mastitis

Recognition of Mycoplasma-induced mastitis is on the increase. Although Mycoplasma bovis is identified as the causative agent in more than 50 per cent of the mastitis cases, seven other Mycoplasma species have also been isolated. The mycoplasmas are commonly found in the microflora of the respiratory and urogenital tracts of normal cattle, where precipitating factors can initiate their role as pathogens. Most udder infections are spread from cow to cow by physical contact and are precipitated through deficiencies in procedures in milking, equipment maintenance, sanitation, and udder infusion. Generally, the reaction in the udder is severe and persistent, and recovered animals remain shedders and potential carriers. Extensive therapy with antibiotics has not proven effective in altering the course of the disease. Control procedures in epizootics of mycoplasmal mastitis are based either on elimination of the infected animals by culling or through the co-existence on the dairy of known carrier animals segregated and milked separately from the uninfected animals. Adequate sanitation, proper udder infusion, and good milking principles are requisites to preventing mycoplasmal infections.