Identification of Candida species isolated from cows suffering mastitis in four Brazilian states

Mammary gland inflammation (mastitis) continues to be the most frequent and expensive disease of dairy cows (Zaragoza et al., 2011). It negatively influences the economic effectiveness of farms and the hygienic quality of milk (Bradley, 2002). More than 135 different microorganisms have been found as etiological agents of mastitis (Watts, 1988; Bradley, 2002). In addition to bacterial agents, several other groups of microorganisms such as yeasts, molds and algae can cause an inflammatory process and alteration in the udder (Krukowski et al., 2006; Spanamberg et al., 2009). Although the incidence of mastitis due to fungi is usually low in dairy herds, sometimes they have been associated with clinical mastitis in dairy cattle (Spanamberg et al., 2009). 