Bovine mastitis and intramammary drug delivery: review and perspectives

Intramammary infections (IMIs) represent a major feature in bovine patholog y. The treatment of Ms. concern antimicrobial substances. Therapeutic strat egies involve administration of immediate release formulations during lacta tion with or without long-acting formulations during the dry period. Curren t treatments are not very successful and cure rates are poor, especially to wards Staphylococcus aureus which is responsible for chronic infections and huge economic losses. New strategies have recently been investigated. Thes e include particular immunomodulators like lysostaphin or cytokines, and no vel formulations (e.g. liposomes, microparticles or nanoparticles) that all ow uptake of the active component by phagocytes and thus prolong an enhance d antibacterial activity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.