A survey of <i>Prototheca bovis</i> infection in dairy farms of the Hubei province, China

Bovine mastitis, caused by Prototheca bovis, has received much attention worldwide. To investigate the status of P. bovis infection in dairy farms Hubei, we collected 1,158 milk samples and 90 environmental from 14 China. The isolates were identified with traditional biological methods molecular techniques, their pathogenicity was tested through mice experiments. Isolates 57 20 as bovis. tests proved that isolated could cause mastitis mice, manifesting severe red swelling mammary glands. Histopathological analysis tissue sections showed necrosis nodules lesions formed infected tissue, accompanied macrophage neutrophil infiltration. These results suggested existence pathogenic Hubei province, China, brewer's grains fresh feces possibly playing important roles spread this disease.