Mastitis: mycoplasma
Synonym(s): Mycoplasmataceae Bovis, californicum, bovigenitalium, alkalescens
Introduction
- Mycoplasma is classified as a contagious pathogen.
- Mycoplasmal mastitis can be difficult both to diagnose and to treat.
Geographic incidence
- Worldwide:
- It is reported to be of increasing importance in the USA.
- Cases of clinical mastitis caused by mycoplasma have been reported in the UK and Ireland.
- In May 2022, New Zealand reported that M. bovis Mycoplasma bovis had been eradicated from all but one farm in the country.
- Prevalence:
- A survey of bulk milk samples in the USA estimates the prevalence to be between 1-6%. Underestimation is highly likely as recovered animals may not shed even though still infected. Bulk milk samples may only represent those animals not infected or clinically infected. False negatives are likely in testing as numbers of bacteria shed may be so low as to go undetected.
- A tendency toward higher prevalence has been found with increasing herd size. Presumably this is related to purchasing replacements to expand and therefore opening large herds up to entry of infection.
- In Greece the prevalence in 37 herds was estimated to be 5.4%. Of the individual cows identified as infected all had been imported.
- A survey of 345 bulk tank samples in France failed to identify Mycoplasma.
- A survey of bulk tank samples from 200 farms in Belgium found a prevalence of 1.5% (3 farms).
- In England & Wales Mycoplasma species represent less than 0.5% of bacteria isolated from mastitis samples submitted for culture. Previous to this in 2004 VLA submissions diagnosed Mycoplasma only once in 4455 samples (0.02%).
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Family: mycoplasmataceae.
- Class: mollicutes.
- Genus: Mycoplasma.
- 9 genera of which 5 have specific veterinary interest.
- 100 species.
- Majority of pathogens relevant to animals exist here.
- M. bovis M bovis and M. californicum would appear to be the most prevalent species implicated in order of importance. However, M. bovigenitalium and M. alkalescens have also been commonly identified though not to the same extent.
- Other mastitis causing species include M. bovirhinis, M. canadense, M. leachii, M. arginini, M. dispar, bovine group 7 and F-38.
- M. wenyonii M wenyonii is more commonly associated with hindlimb edema , but may also be associated with clots in milk.
Pathophysiology
- Mycoplasma is classified as a contagious pathogen therefore reservoirs of infection will predominantly exist within the udder of infected animals.
- Milking is the most likely period of transmission.
- The milking parlor, operator/s and milking accessories act as avenues for fomite transmission of the infection to uninfected cows, ie liners, wash cloths, towels, re-used/dirty gloves, hands and dump buckets Milk machine.
- As a result of its systemic dissemination spread may occur not only from indirect/direct udder contact during milking but also via shedding from other mucosal surfaces such as the eyes, nose, vagina and rectum or via hematogenous spread to the udder.
- The ability of Mycoplasma to survive in the environment has been highlighted for up to 236 days in manure in the dark at 23-28°C/73.4-82.4°F.
- M. bovis utilizes adhesion and invasion mechanisms to establish infection in the udder and can elicit humoral and cellular responses.
- Recycled sand used as bedding has been proposed as a possible source of infection, though evidence to support this as a route of infection transfer is lacking.
- Subclinical asymptomatic carriers of Mycoplasma can be frequent with shedding occurring from mucosal surfaces.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Blesheuvel et al (2023) Within-herd transmission od Mycoplasma bovis infection after initial detection in dairy cows. JDairySci
- Gelgie A E, Korsa M G & Dego O K (2022) Mycoplasma bovis mastitis. Curr Res Mic Sci 3, 100123 SciDirect.
- Fox L K (2012) Mycoplasma mastitis. Causes, transmission, and control. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 28 (2), 225-237 PubMed.
- Passchyn P et al (2012) Between-herd prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis in bulk milk in Flanders, Belgium. Res Vet Sci 92 (2), 219-220 PubMed.
- Punyapornwithaya V, Fox L K et al (2012) Time to clearance of Mycoplasma mastitis: The effect of management factors including milking time hygiene and preferential culling. CN Vet J 35 (10), 1119-1122 PubMed.
- Punyapornwithaya V, Fox L K et al (2012) Brief Communication - Time to clearance of Mycoplasma mastitis: The effect of management factors including milking time hygiene and preferential culling. CVJ 53 (10), 1119-1122 PubMed.
- Arcangioli M et al (2011) Prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis udder infection in dairy cattle: Preliminary field investigation in southeast France. NZ Vet J 59 (2), 75-78 PubMed.
- Punyapornwithaya V et al (2011) Incidence and transmission of Mycoplasma bovis mastitis in Holstein dairy cows in a hospital pen: A case study. Prevent Vet Med 98 (1), 74-78 PubMed.
- Radaelli E et al (2011) Outbreak of bovine clinical mastitis caused by Mycoplasma bovis in a North Italian herd. Res Vet Sci 91 (2), 251-253 PubMed.
- Boonyayatra S et al (2010) Effects of storage methods on the recovery of Mycoplasma species from milk samples. Vet Microbiol 144 (1-2), 210-213 PubMed.
- Justice-Allen, Trujillo J, Corbett R et al (2010) Survival and replication of Mycoplasma species in recycled bedding sand and association with mastitis on dairy farms in Utah. J Dairy Sci 93 (1), 192-202 PubMed.
- Punyapornwithaya V et al (2010) Association between an outbreak strain causing Mycoplasma bovis mastitis and its asymptomatic carriage in the herd: A case study from Idaho, USA. Prevent Med Vet 93 (1), 66-70 PubMed.
- Filioussis G et al (2007) Isolation of Mycoplasma bovis from bovine clinical mastitis cases in Northern Greece. Vet J 173 (1), 215-218 PubMed.
- Houlihan M G et al (2007) Mastitis and arthritis in two dairy herds caused by Mycoplasma bovis. Vet Rec 160 (4), 126-127 PubMed.
- Nicholas R, Ayling R & McAuliffe L (2007) Mycoplasma mastitis. Vet Rec 160 (11), 382-382.
- Biddle M F, Fox L K & Hancock D D (2003) Patterns of mycoplasma shedding in the milk of dairy cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection. JAVMA 223 (8), 1163-1166 PubMed.
- González R N & Wilson D J (2003) Mycoplasmal mastitis in dairy herds. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 19 (1), 199-221 PubMed.
- Nicholas R A J & Ayling R D (2003) Mycoplasma bovis: disease, diagnosis, and control. Res Vet Sci 74 (2), 105-112 PubMed.
- Thomas A et al (2003) Antibiotic susceptibilities of recent isolates of Mycoplasma bovis in Belgium. Vet Rec 153 (14), 428-431 PubMed.
- Kirk J H, Glenn K & Ruiz L (1997) Epidemiological analysis of Mycoplasma spp isolated from bulk tank milk samples obtained from dairy herds that were members of milk cooperative. JAVMA 211, 1036-1038 PubMed.
- Jasper D (1980) Prevalence of mycoplasmal mastitis in the western states. Calif Vet 34 (4), 24-26 CabDirect.
Other sources of information
- Veterinary Medicines Directorate (2022) Top Ten Imported Veterinary Medicines - Quarterly Report 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2021. GOV.UK. Website: www.gov.uk.
- APHA (2014) VIDA Table 8: Pigs 2013. pp 2-5.
- Zadoks R (2014) Mycoplasma Mastitis - Is it a Problem in the UK? In: British Mastitis Conference.
- Bradley A J, Barkema H, Biggs A, Green M & Lam T (2012) Control of Mastitis and Enhancement of Milk Quality. In: Dairy Herd Health. CAB. pp 117-168.
- Quinn P et al (2011) Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Disease. 2nd edn. Wiley-Blackwell, USA.
- Divers T & Peek S (2008) Eds Rebhun’s Diseases of Dairy Cattle. 3rd edn. Elsevier Inc, USA.
- USDA-APHIS (2008) Prevalence of Contagious Mastitis Pathogens on U.S. Dairy Operations, 2007. Info Sheet. USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health. Website: www.aphis.usda.gov (pdf download).
- USDA-APHIS (2003) Mycoplasma in Bulk Tank Milk on U.S. Dairies. Info Sheet. USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services or Epidemiology and Animal Health. Website: www.aphis.usda.gov (pdf download).
- American Animal Health, Inc. (online) Mycoplasma bovis bacterin. Myco-B ONE Dose Product Insert. Website: www.myco-b.com.
- Ministry for Primary Industries (online) Mycoplasm bovis situation report. Biosecurity New Zealand. Website: www.mpi.govt.nz.