Bovine mastitis is one of the most costly diseases currently affecting dairy cattle.
Mastitis is basically a bacterial infection of the mammary glands. These losses are primarily due to lost milk production, increased veterinary costs, increased cow mortality and discarded milk. There is also some concern that current herd treatment or preventative measures using antibiotics may introduce these unwanted substances into the nation s food supply. Characterize virulence factors of mammary gland pathogens. Develop and evaluate techniques for modulation of host responses to mastitis pathogens.