Mastitis in Dairy Cattle: A Comprehensive Review of Microbial Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Control Strategies

Abstract

Mastitis remains one of the most economically significant diseases in the dairy industry globally. Characterized by inflammation of the mammary gland, it is predominantly caused by microbial agents, particularly bacteria. The disease manifests in both clinical and subclinical forms, adversely affecting milk yield, quality, and animal welfare. This review provides a comprehensive overview of mastitis in dairy cattle, focusing on microbial etiology, epidemiological patterns in India and abroad, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and management practices. Additionally, the paper explores recent advances in diagnostics and control strategies, emphasizing the importance of biosecurity, immunomodulation, and herd-level interventions. A clearer understanding of mastitis and its causative factors is critical to devising effective prevention and treatment protocols in modern dairy farming. Mastitis is one of the costliest and most stubborn diseases in dairy farming, and this review matters because it pulls together both the scientific side and the practical side of controlling it. The problem is that farmers and vets often struggle with scattered information on causes, immune response, and control, and this paper solves that by putting everything in one place. Its special strength is the way it blends global knowledge with context from India, which adds local relevance and makes it more useful to a wider audience.