European Mastitis Research Worker Meeting 2017
40 Mastitis experts from 13 countries came together at KU SUND the 21st and 22nd of September to present their latest research and discuss emerging topics.
(foto: Bent-Ole Andersen)
‘The risk of antimicrobial resistance and the finding of MRSA in cattle herds emphasize our need for early detection of mastitis and effective control measures’ says Associate Professor Ilka Klaas, organizer of the meeting and director of CPH Cattle. Early indicators of infection, easy-to-use and valid on-farm diagnostic tests and a better understanding of the behavior and transmission of mastitis pathogens have a huge potential to reduce antimicrobial usage and improve cow health and milk production.
Presentations from different countries showed the re-emergence of mastitis pathogen Strep. agalactiae and pointed towards changes in these pathogens over the years, requiring new approaches of control. ‘New research shows that binary classification of mastitis species into contagious and environmental species is misleading´ says Professor Ruth Zadoks, University of Glasgow. Instead herd specific modes of transmission should be determined using management information or DNA fingerprinting of bacteria. She added “Importantly, technological or biological knowledge, tools and innovations need to be supported by appropriate communication and socio-economic incentives to enhance their uptake”, emphasizing the importance of interaction of mastitis researchers with farmers and the wider environment.
The meeting, which provides an informal and non-commercial platform for junior and senior researchers to share their ideas, results and concerns was organized jointly by CPH Cattle and the research project STOPMAST – Effective control of contagious mastitis.
