Evaluation of MALDI-TOF-MS to differentiate sub species of the pathogen S uberis to provide an improved approach to mastitis treatment and control

Mastitis, an inflammatory disease of the udder, is a major barrier to profitable milk production, dairy cow welfare and the sustainability of dairy farming worldwide. The aim of this project is to to reduce the incidence of bovine mastitis.
Mastitis is caused by a bacterial infection and a central premise of mastitis control is to minimise the risk of infection. In order to control mastitis, it is necessary to understand how and when infections occur and how pathogens cause an infection. Although only a few species of bacteria commonly cause bovine mastitis, it is now recognised that sub species (strains) of these bacteria behave in different ways in terms of disease transmission and outcome. The aim of this research is to develop a method to differentiate strains of a common mastitis pathogen, S uberis, according to their disease transmission characteristics. Information of strain type will then be used to inform and improve mastitis control.