Resumo

QUEIROGA, M.C. et al. Small ruminant mastitis unity: studies on grazing ewes. Rev. de Ciências Agrárias [online]. 2007, vol.30, n.1, pp.276-281. ISSN 0871-018X.

The “Small Ruminant Mastitis Unit”, formally constituted in the scope of the Programa Nacional de Re-equipamento Científico, Science and Technology Foundation, gathers the collaborative work of several research groups that have been addressing the issue of small ruminants intramammary infections, related to animal health, veterinary public health and food safety and quality. Its main purpose is to generate an adequate environment for research and scientific communication that may contribute to reduce mastitis prevalence in small ruminants and thus to improve milk production and quality, with benefits for both milk and cheese producers as well as protecting food consumers. Work already developed by this team comprises isolation and identification of ovine mastitis pathogens, detection of virulence factors in the most relevant bacteria, studies on the infection mechanisms and host local and systemic immune response and other epidemiological studies. A deeper knowledge of aetiology and physiopathology of ovine mastitis, aiming at understanding the immune response modulation, may contribute to the development of control methods based on immune stimulation, alternative to antibiotic treatment.

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