[Escherichia coli mastitis in cattle. II. Pathogenesis and symptomatic therapy]

The pathogenesis, course run by the disease, and symptomatic treatment of mastitis due to Escherichia coli in dairy cattle are reviewed in relation to the functioning of cellular and humoral defence mechanisms. The systemic symptoms of disease during mastitis caused by E. coli are attributed to the release and subsequent absorption from the udder of endogenous inflammatory mediators, rather than the direct absorption of endotoxins into the circulation. The course run by the disease during mastitis due to E. coli varies considerably. Reasons for these variations include genetic variation, stage of lactation and the function of humoral and cellular defence mechanisms.