Mycotic mastitis in ruminants caused by yeasts

The veterinary literature registers sporadic cases of infections caused by environmental microorganisms in which the main agents involved are yeasts, yeasts-like and filamentous fungi. In relation to dairy animals, the yeasts are more frequently incriminated as the aetiological agents of mycotic mastitis. Most cases occur under the form of localized outbreaks and / or after treatment with antimicrobial agents. The main genera involved in mastitis are Candida and Cryptococcus, besides others such as Geotrichum, Pichia and Trichosporon. The purpose of this review is to point out the main aspects of mastitis caused by yeasts and yeast-like fungi, such as etiology, predisposing factors, pathogenicity, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis, through a chronological approach of the first reports, with main focus on results described recently in national and international veterinary literature. The mycotic mastitis control should be mainly focused on preventive methods, especially based on adequate management of essential factors like proper milking procedures and a high level of hygiene of the environment and equipments, with the aim of reducing the number of affected animals, assuring the quality and innocuity of dairy food safety.