title: Mastitis in sheep--The last 10 years and the future of research.
abstract: Bacterial mastitis is a significant welfare and financial problem in sheep flocks. This paper reviews the recently published literature, including publications that highlight the significance and virulence factors of the causal agents, especially Staphylococcus aureus and Mannheimia haemolytica, the primary causes of the disease. Research has also contributed to the understanding of risk factors, including genetic susceptibility of animals to infections, supporting future strategies for sustainable disease control. Pathogenetic mechanisms, including the role of the local defenses in the teat, have also been described and can assist formulation of strategies that induce local immune responses in the teat of ewes. Further to well-established diagnostic techniques, i.e., bacteriological tests and somatic cell counting, advanced methodologies, e.g., proteomics technologies, will likely contribute to more rapid and accurate diagnostics, in turn enhancing mastitis control efforts.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Gelasakis
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Mavrogianni
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Petridis
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: N G C
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Vasileiou
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece. Electronic address: gcf@vet.uth.gr.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fthenakis
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000382:microbiology*; D016978:Mannheimia haemolytica / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008413:Mastitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D016871:Pasteurellaceae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D034561:Sheep, Domestic; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: Dry-period mastitis; Genetic resistance; Intramammary infection; Mannheimia haemolytica; Prevention; Risk factors; Somatic cell counts; Staphycoccus aureus; Teat; Treatment