The mastitis pathogen Streptococcus uberis is gaining importance but is also proving increasingly difficult to control. This was reported by the M-team (mastitis team) of Ghent University in Belgium.
The bacterium is one of the most important causes of mastitis in dairy cattle worldwide. Streptococcus uberis can cause clinical mastitis with flakes in the milk, abnormal milk, and sometimes fever. Subclinical mastitis only involves an increased cell count. In Belgium, the bacterium is in the top 3 of both clinical and subclinical mastitis.
Hygiene is important
In terms of prevention, it’s important to know that most Streptococcus uberis strains behave like environmental pathogens and are therefore primarily found in straw, manure, and cubicles. It goes without saying that hygiene, in the form of a clean and dry bedding area for dairy cows, and especially for dry cows, is important.
The M-team also reports that changes have occurred since the last update in 2011. For example, there is now more variation in virulence and behaviour: some strains cause short-term udder infections, others cause chronic udder infections, and yet other strains cause chronic udder infections, but only in animals with compromised immunity.
It used to be said that a Streptococcus uberis infection was relatively easy to cure, but now, complete recovery often only occurs in 50-70% of cases. A possible explanation for the lower recovery rates is that some Streptococcus uberis strains can form capsules and penetrate the epithelial cells in the udder. This makes them less accessible to administered antibiotics and the cow’s immunity. The M-team also reports that a vaccine against Streptococcus uberis mastitis is now available.
Wijnand Hogenkamp
Source: dairyglobal
