Mastitis
Bovine mastitis is an inflammation of the udder tissue in the mammary gland, typically caused by physical an infection, and is the most common disease leading to economic losses in…
STAR IDAZ Approach
Mastitis, inflammation of the mammary gland is primarily caused by bacterial intramammary infection. For control we often rely on the use of antimicrobials. Mastitis has many potential causative agents, of which the most common are staphylococcal, streptococcal, coliform and Mycoplasma species. These agents may cause both subclinical and clinical infections, with major consequences for animal health, economic viability of dairy farms and animal welfare. As mastitis is the major component in antimicrobial usage on dairy farms, treatment with antimicrobials is an important One Health aspect of mastitis control in livestock, as some of these active ingredients are also used in human medicine.
STAR IDAZ IRC works along activities of the National Mastitis Council to set up and coordinate activities of the Mastitis Working Group.
Working group
The National Mastitis Council
The National Mastitis Council is a not-for-profit professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. The NMC promotes research and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality, and milk safety. Founded in 1961, NMC now has about 1,100 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world. The NMC is headquartered in Minnesota.
Key People
Fernando Nogueira Souza,
Federal University of Alagaos, University of São Paulo Brazil
Vinicius da Silva Duarte,
Norwegian University of Life Sciences Norway
Luís Melo,
University of Minho Portugal
Orla Keane,
Teagasc Ireland
Ruth Zadoks,
University of Sydney Australia
Sofie Piepers,
Mexcellence Belgium
Sarne De Vliegher,
Ghent University Belgium
Gilles Foucras,
Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire Toulouse France
Karlien Supré,
Kreavet Belgium
Featured
EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism
The EU financially supports the aquaculture sector with a wide range of funding programmes, mainly implemented through…
Reports
Reports and outcomes from meetings and workshops
Research roadmaps and gap analyses
Gap analysis summary
A first workshop to initiate research roadmaps was held as a short course during the National Mastitis Regional Meeting in Ghent in August 2024. It brought together experts to identify priorities and knowledge gaps, and its outcomes laid the groundwork for developing the mastitis research roadmaps. In this workshop, mastitis vaccination was seen as a priority and the subject of further discussion.
After the workshop, additional external experts were consulted, and the mastitis vaccination roadmap is being finalised in 2026.
Projects
Displaying 4 of 41 projects
VIEW ALL PROJECTSAdvancing knowledge of non‑aureus Staphylococci epidemiology in dairy cattle: species and strain typing matters
Planned Completion date 01/01/2024
United States
Improving Robustness and Climatic Resilience in U.S. Sheep Populations through Genomics
Planned Completion date 30/11/2025
United States
Genomic and Mitigation Strategies to Control Mastitis
Planned Completion date 30/09/2026
United States
Agroecological Approach to Enhance U.S. Sheep Industry Viability and Rangeland Ecosystem Conservation
Planned Completion date 20/06/2027
United States
Recent publications
Reports and outcomes from meetings and workshops
Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation of Mastitis in Dairy Cattle: A Review
Photobiomodulation of the mammary gland for the treatment of mastitis in dairy cattle
A meta-analysis of prevalence of mastitis in dairy Cattle in Algeria
Evaluation of tri-plate rapid on-farm culture system to make therapeutic decisions for mastitis cases in dairy cattle