Sources of Prototheca spp in a dairy herd environment

A source of Prototheca spp causing mastitis in a herd of 263 milking cows in North Carolina was investigated. Of 38 samples from the dairy environment, 18 (47%) contained Prototheca spp. Isolation sites included cattle drinking water; a feed trough; mud, dirt, and excreted feces from a dirt lounging area; water, sludge, mud, and vegetation from a creek in the lounging area; and the floor of a freestall barn. Samples were collected from 5 additional dairies, including one dairy with and 4 dairies without a history of protothecal mastitis. Prototheca spp were isolated from 48 (25%) of 190 samples from various sites on all 6 dairies. Isolates were P zopfii (45; 94%) and P wickerhamii (3; 6%). Isolation frequency ranged from 4 to 47% of samples/dairy. There was no apparent difference in the isolation frequency of Prototheca spp from samples from dairies with or without a history of protothecal mastitis. Sites characterized by wetness and the presence of organic matter most commonly yielded Prototheca spp. Because Prototheca spp appear to be common in the dairy environment, factors in addition to presence in the environment may be important in development of protothecal mastitis.