Detecting Mycoplasma Mastitis

Introduction Mycoplasmas are normal inhabitants of the upper respiratory airways, urinary and genital tracts, and the digestive system; however, they can become infectious and cause high impact diseases in dairy herds including mastitis and metritis. In dairy cattle, Mycoplasma bovis is the most commonly isolated mycoplasma species (spp.). This species is very invasive and capable of colonizing different organs including the ear canal, the joints and the udder. Other species such as Mycoplasma californicum and bovigenitalium are also common pathogens in dairy cattle. Mycoplasma spp. cause disease in cattle of all ages; in calves for example, they cause pneumonia, arthritis, and otitis. In dairy heifers and cows, they cause clinical and subclinical mastitis, metritis, and pneumonia.