Mastitis Management and Prevention
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Scopo dell'insegnamento è formare lo studente sulle metodiche di campo e di laboratorio utilizzate per il controllo delle mastiti dei ruminanti, approfondendo gli aspetti relativi alle tecnologie emergenti per il monitoraggio delle mastiti e ai metodi tradizionali e innovativi per l'identificazione e la caratterizzazione degli agenti eziologici, con un accenno alle strategie di prevenzione e ai metodi terapeutici alternativi agli antibiotici.
Expected learning outcomes
Al termine del corso lo studente avrà una visione aggiornata e consapevole delle tecnologie e dei metodi utilizzabili per rilevare, monitorare e controllare le mastiti e le infezioni intramammarie dei ruminanti da latte. Acquisirà inoltre competenze e capacità analitiche ed espositive su argomenti pertinenti alle tematiche del corso.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course will provide an overview of dairy ruminant mastitis detection and management strategies in the laboratory and in the farm. The methods for detecting inflammation and infection, identifying and characterizing etiologic agents, monitoring antibiotic resistance, and reducing antibiotic use will be illustrated and discussed, focusing on novel technologies and innovative approaches.
Class lectures:
Detecting IMI and mastitis in the diagnostic laboratory and on the farm;
Innovations in bacterial detection and identification (qPCR, MALDI-TOF-MS);
Molecular characterization of pathogens and molecular epidemiology basics (RAPD, PFGE, WGS, and their applications);
Strategies for reducing antibiotic use (selective dry cow therapy, alternatives to antibiotics);
Bedding management and mastitis
Vaccines: pitfalls and perspectives
Managing small ruminant mastitis
Practical activities:
Setup and interpretation of commercial on-farm culture systems;
MALDI-TOF-MS for the identification of mastitis agents;
Dairy farm visits.
Class lectures:
Detecting IMI and mastitis in the diagnostic laboratory and on the farm;
Innovations in bacterial detection and identification (qPCR, MALDI-TOF-MS);
Molecular characterization of pathogens and molecular epidemiology basics (RAPD, PFGE, WGS, and their applications);
Strategies for reducing antibiotic use (selective dry cow therapy, alternatives to antibiotics);
Bedding management and mastitis
Vaccines: pitfalls and perspectives
Managing small ruminant mastitis
Practical activities:
Setup and interpretation of commercial on-farm culture systems;
MALDI-TOF-MS for the identification of mastitis agents;
Dairy farm visits.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of microbiology, immunology, and hygiene. The course will be held in the English language.
Teaching methods
Class lectures and practical activities in the laboratory and in the farm.
Teaching Resources
The lecture contents will be available on the course website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Presentation of a scientific article on the topic selected by the Professor/s with a short final discussion in English.
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 3
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Professors:
Addis Maria Filippa, Moroni Paolo
Shifts:
Professor(s)