Mastite subclínica causada por Staphylococcus aureus: impacto econômico e na saúde pública

Abstract

Subclinical mastitis is a silent disease without macroscopic changes in milk or udder, being considered the disease that causes the greatest losses to dairy cattle. The losses caused by subclinical mastitis are significant, mainly due to the reduction in the production of the quarters, in addition there is a reduction in milk quality, interfering in the characteristics of this, important for the dairy products industry. Staphylococcus aureus is the main causative agent of this disease, being an important pathogen, also responsible for food poisoning. Foods involved in outbreaks and cases of staphylococcal food poisoning include raw milk, pasteurized milk and cheeses, with S. aureus being the most frequently isolated microorganism. Milk from cows with mastitis is the second food of animal origin in which there is greater percentage of isolation of Staphylococcus aureus Resistant Methicillin. Producers' awareness is extremely important to reduce the impacts caused by this disease, since, from the knowledge, measures can be taken to prevent and control the disease in the herds and consequently to produce a quality product, preventing it from causing problems. In view of this, this paper aims to elaborate a literature review on subclinical mastitis caused by S. aureus and its economic and public health impacts in order to support the preparation of didactic material for informative purposes for rural producers.