Staphylococcus aureus in Bovine Mastitis: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Emerging Control Strategies
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
Bovine mastitis is a major infectious disease in dairy cattle, causing significant economic losses and compromising animal health and milk quality worldwide. Among its etiological agents, Staphylococcus aureus is a key contagious pathogen due to its ability to establish persistent intramammary infections and evade host immune responses and antimicrobial therapy. This review summarizes current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and control of S. aureus in bovine mastitis. Particular emphasis is placed on virulence mechanisms, including adhesion, intracellular persistence, biofilm formation, and immune evasion, which contribute to chronic and recurrent infections. The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, including methicillin-resistant and multidrug-resistant strains, is highlighted as a major challenge limiting treatment efficacy and posing risks within a One Health context. The review also discusses emerging alternative therapies and innovative control strategies, such as anti-biofilm approaches, immunomodulation, and improved diagnostics, aimed at reducing antimicrobial use. Advances in molecular and point-of-care diagnostic tools are considered for their role in early detection and targeted interventions. Overall, effective control of S. aureus mastitis requires integrated strategies combining prudent antimicrobial use, alternative therapies, improved hygiene, and a multidisciplinary One Health approach.
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BibTeX
@article{bouari2026staphylococcus,
title = {{Staphylococcus aureus in Bovine Mastitis: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Emerging Control Strategies}},
author = {Cosmina Maria BOUARI and G. Nadăş and Smaranda Crăciun and Nicodim Iosif FIT},
journal = {Microorganisms},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14051125},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14051125},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Staphylococcus aureus in Bovine Mastitis: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Emerging Control Strategies
AU - Cosmina Maria BOUARI
AU - G. Nadăş
AU - Smaranda Crăciun
AU - Nicodim Iosif FIT
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/15
JO - Microorganisms
DO - 10.3390/microorganisms14051125
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14051125
AB - Bovine mastitis is a major infectious disease in dairy cattle, causing significant economic losses and compromising animal health and milk quality worldwide. Among its etiological agents, Staphylococcus aureus is a key contagious pathogen due to its ability to establish persistent intramammary infections and evade host immune responses and antimicrobial therapy. This review summarizes current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and control of S. aureus in bovine mastitis. Particular emphasis is placed on virulence mechanisms, including adhesion, intracellular persistence, biofilm formation, and immune evasion, which contribute to chronic and recurrent infections. The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, including methicillin-resistant and multidrug-resistant strains, is highlighted as a major challenge limiting treatment efficacy and posing risks within a One Health context. The review also discusses emerging alternative therapies and innovative control strategies, such as anti-biofilm approaches, immunomodulation, and improved diagnostics, aimed at reducing antimicrobial use. Advances in molecular and point-of-care diagnostic tools are considered for their role in early detection and targeted interventions. Overall, effective control of S. aureus mastitis requires integrated strategies combining prudent antimicrobial use, alternative therapies, improved hygiene, and a multidisciplinary One Health approach.
SN - 2076-2607
ER -