Escherichia coli-mastitis in dairy cows

Abstract: Escherichia (E) coli is one of the most common udder pathogens associated with acute clinical mastitis in Swedish dairy cows. The aim of this study is to review some of the existing literature on E coli mastitis from a Swedish perspective. The bacteria, its most important characteristics, and diagnostics under field conditions is covered, as well as what happens during infection, how E coli affects the cow and which consequences this have. Clinical symptoms associated with E coli mastitis are described and information on when these cases of mastitis usually occurs is given. Risk factors in the cow's enviroment are described as well as the importance of the cow's immune defence. Swedish recommendations regarding therapy and profylaxis are described at individual and herd level. Finally, a comparison of biochemical characteristics of Swedish E coli isolates using the Pheneplate-method is described.