Current and Alternative Treatment Approaches for the Control of Bovine Mastitis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64614/vzs-37Keywords:
Mastitis, antimicrobial resistance, nanoparticles, bacteriophage, immunotherapyAbstract
Current and alternative treatment approaches in bovine mastitis control have gained importance due to increasing antimicrobial resistance and public health risks associated with antibiotic residues. Mastitis leads to significant economic losses by reducing milk yield, increasing treatment costs, and causing premature culling in both clinical and subclinical forms. This review comprehensively discusses strategies developed as alternatives to antibiotics, including immunotherapy, vaccines, nanoparticle technology, bacteriocins, bacteriophages, and herbal products, ant evaluates their effectiveness, limitations, and clinical applicability. In immunotherapy and vaccine studies, cytokine applications, mRNA-based approaches, and subunit vaccines were evaluated to stimulate humoral and cellular immunity; however, protection remains limited due to mammary tissue's unique immunology, biofilm formation by pathogens, and intracellular localization. Nanoparticles are promising for biofilm penetration and targeted drug delivery, but tissue toxicity and insufficient long-term safety data remain major disadvantages. Bacteriocins, such as nisin and lactacin 3147, attract attention due to short withdrawal periods in milk and low risk of resistance development, while herbal products, including essential oils and propolis, offer advantages in accessibility and safety. Although bacteriophages exhibit specific activity, they are limited by a narrow spectrum and stability issues. In conclusion, most alternative approaches are experimental, and combination strategies (e.g., nanoparticle–herbal active substance or bacteriocin–immunotherapy) may provide superior efficacy compared to single-use applications. Therefore, randomized field studies, safety profiles, and cost-effectiveness analyses are urgently needed. Multifaceted strategies should be developed within integrated herd management and the One Health approach to reduce antibiotic dependence
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