Stato dell'arte sulla mastite bovina da Prototheca spp

In the last years the awareness about Prototheca spp. as an udder pathogen has been increased, even in our farms. Nevertheless, prevalence data exist just at a local extent. Feasible therapeutic options are not available yet. The more efficient way to manage infections is culling the infected animals. The selection of cows to be tested and sensitivity of cultural media employed are very important. Biotechnology can be useful in differentiating saprophytic and pathogenic specie found in the environment, contributing to clarify the epidemiological farm picture. Evaluating risk factors, basing on epidemiology of a pathogen that is of environmental origin but also spreads as a contagious one, is indispensable to manage outbreaks and keep prevalence low.