A case of mycoplasma mastitis detection in cows with secondary anaerobic infection

The article presents data on the concurrent infection of a dairy herd with mycoplasmosis and clostridiosis, leading to persistent chronic mastitis, a purulent form with mammary gland abscesses, edema, and putrefactive decomposition of the muscles in the hind limbs. Comprehensive laboratory diagnostics (cultural studies, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, PCR) revealed a high prevalence of chronic (5.3%) and subclinical (53.3%) mastitis cases, as well as purulentnecrotic muscle lesions (16.6%). The primary causative agents of mastitis were M. bovigenitalium (22.2%), S. aureus (16.7–60%), and T. pyogenes, while purulent infections were predominantly caused by B. pyogenes (21.4%) and Clostridium perfringens type A. Significant antibiotic resistance was identified: 75% of E. coli isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones and first-generation cephalosporins, 33.3% of S. aureus were resistant to second-generation cephalosporins (MecA gene), and S. agalactiae and Staphylococcus spp. showed resistance to macrolides (ErmB gene). The following first-line treatments are recommended: ceftiofur for T. pyogenes and susceptible S. aureus, gentamicin for Gramnegative infections, tilmicosin or tylosin for mycoplasmal mastitis, and fluoroquinolones for clostridial infections. Antimicrobial therapy must be based on sensitivity testing, with strict adherence to dosages and treatment duration. Prophylaxis (milking hygiene, vaccination, disinfection) and regular monitoring of resistance are of paramount importance.

1. Gorbatova, H.S. Mycoplasma mastitis in dairy herds / H.S. Gorbatova, I.S. Koba // In the collection: Current problems of veterinary medicine, animal science, biotechnology and expertise of raw materials and products of animal origin. Proceedings of the scientific and practical conference. Under the general editorship of S.V. Pozyabin, L.A. Gnezdilova. – 2022. – pp. 168-179.

2. Guidelines for the diagnosis of clostridiosis of farm animals / FSBI "VNIIZH". - Moscow, 2022. - 48 p. - Reg. No. 0125/2022

3. Rules and methods of sampling in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine for laboratory research / Methodological recommendations ed. Sokolova O.V., Shkuratova I.A., Poryvaeva A.P., Bezborodova N.A., Lysova A.V. and others – Yekaterinburg, Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. - 2025. – 52 p.

4. Schneider, E.D. Identification and diagnosis of causative agents of mycoplasma mastitis in cows using bacteriological and molecular genetic methods / E.D. Schneider, S.A. Makavchik // Bacteriology. - 2018. - Vol. 3. - No. 1. - pp. 22-25

5. Alhussen, M.A. Mycoplasma bovis, M. bovigenitalium and M. dispar as pathogens of cattle: a brief description of pathogens (review) / M.A. Alhussen, A.A. Sprygin, V.V. Kirpichenko, A.A. Nesterov // Agricultural Biology. - 2021. - 56(2). – Pp. 245-260.

6. Bandel, P. Identification of risk factors affecting the prevalence of Clostridium difficile on medium-sized dairy farms / P.Bandel, R.Blagus, F.Brisky, O.Frilich et al. // Veterinary Journal. – 2016. – pp. 41-47.

7. Bergey's Guide to Systematic bacteriology: in 5 volumes / edited by D.R. Boone, R.V. Kastenholz. 2nd ed. New York: Springer, 2001-2012. Volume 3: The Firmicutes / edited by P. De Vos et al., 2009. 1450 p.

8. Calcutta, M.J. Antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma bovis: new threats and therapeutic alternatives / M.J. Calcutt, I. Lisnyansky, K. Sachse, L.K. Fox // Frontiers of Veterinary Science. - 2023. – p. 10.

9. Davud, A. Mycoplasmas as pantropical and specific host pathogens: clinical consequences, gene transfer, virulence factors and future prospects / A. Davud, S.A. Algarib, G. Zhao, T. Zhu et al. // Microbiol. Infection of the anterior cells. – 2022. – pp. 3-12.

10. Daubenspec, J.M. Mycoplasma genitalium biofilms contain Polyglcnac and promote antibiotic resistance / J.M. Daubenspec, A.H. Totten, J.Needham, M.Feng et al. / / Front Microbiol. – 2020. – pp. 11-27.

11. Dudek, K. Anaerobic concomitant infections in mycoplasma-associated mastitis of cattle: pathological and diagnostic aspects / K. Dudek, R.A.Nicholas, E. Shakava, D. Bednarek // Journal of Comparative Pathology. – 2021. -No. 186. – pp. 1-12.

12. Fox L.K. Mycoplasma mastitis in dairy herds: current trends and challenges / L.K. Fox // Journal of Dairy Science. – 2021. - № 104(3). - Pp. 2650-2664.

13. Gomez, F. Molecular determination of Mycoplasma bovis in milk samples from cows with mastitis in Brazil / F. Gomez, M. Henriques, R. Oliveira // Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. – 2020. - №51(4). – P. 1783-1790.

14. Jacobson, B.T. Innovative methodology for determining sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs in Biofilms of mycoplasmas / B.T. Jacobson, J. Dewitt-Dibbert, E.T. Selong, M. Quirk et al. // Microorganisms. – 2024. -№12(12). – Pp. 26-50.

15. Larone, D.H. Fungi, important from a medical point of view: an identification guide (6th ed.) / D.H. Larone // ASM Press. - 2018.

16. Maunsell, F.P. Coinfection with mycoplasma bovis and anaerobic bacteria in cattle mastitis: clinical and microbiological features / F.P. Maunsell, G.A. Donovan, K. Risko, M.B. Brown // Veterinary microbiology. – 2022. - p. 268.

17. Nishi, K. Characterization of Mycoplasma bovis biofilm in co-cultivation with Trueperella pyogenes / K. Nishi, S. Gondaira, Y. Hirano, M. Ohashi et al. // Veterinary Medicine. – 2025. - №56(1). – Article 22.

18. Oliver, S.P. Resistance of mastitis pathogens to antimicrobial drugs / S.P. Oliver, S.E. Murinda // Veterinary clinics: The practice of using food animals. – 2012. - № 28 (2). - Pp. 165-185.

19. Parker, A.M. Review of diagnostic methods for mycoplasmas in cattle / A.M. Parker, P.A. Sheehy, M.S. Hazelton, K.L. Bosward et al. // Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. – 2018. - №32(3). – Pp. 1241-1252.

20. Ribeiro, M.G. Biofilm formation and profiles of resistance to antimicrobial drugs Trueperella pyogenes isolated in cattle mastitis in Brazil / M.G. Ribeiro, R.M. Risseti, S.A.D. Bolanos, K.A. Caffaro et al. // Veterinary Microbiology. – 2021. – pp. 109-156.

21. Rood, J.I. Extension of the Clostridium perfringens toxin-based typing scheme / J.I. Rood, V. Adams, J. Lacey, D. Liras // Anaerobes. - 2018. -pp. 5-10.

22. Silva, R.O.S. Clostridioides difficile in cattle mastitis: toxin typing and models of antimicrobial resistance / R.O.S. Silva, M.L. D'Elia, K.A. de Oliveira Junior, R.L. Santos // Veterinary microbiology. – 2021. - No.256. – pp. 109-153.

23. Tolbum, R.K. Mycoplasma mastitis in dairy cattle / R.K. Tolbum, J.J. Snope, O.S. Sampimon, J. Sol et al. //. – 2008. - №133 (3). – Pp. 96-101.

24. Uzal, F.A. Clostridial mastitis in dairy cattle: problems of diagnosis and treatment / F.A. Uzal, M.A. Navarro, J. Asin, E.E. Henderson // Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Research. – 2022. - №34(2). – Pp. 202-210.

25. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the control of mycoplasma infections in cattle. WHO Technical Reports Series on Animal Health No. 15. Geneva: World Health Organization. - 2023. – p. 48.