Bovine staphylococcal mastitis is primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus staphylococci.S. aureus is the most common pathogenic bacterium responsible for mastitis,capable of inducing acute or chronic infections in the mammary gland through its virulence factors,leading to reduced milk production and elevated somatic cell counts in milk. Although non-aureus staphylococcal strains are generally considered minor pathogens,they can also cause subclinical mastitis in dairy cows and impair milk quality.Staphylococci evade the host's immune defenses through various mechanisms,including biofilm formation,intracellular survival,and the production of immune evasion factors. Additionally,by inducing autophagy and altering cell wall structures,staphylococci enhance their persistence and pathogenicity within the host.The host immune response involves the coordinated action of innate and adaptive immunity, with neutrophils and macrophages playing a critical role in early immune defense,while antibodies and cell-mediated immune responses contribute to infection clearance. This review aimed to analyze the pathogenic and defensive mechanisms of bovine staphylococcal mastitis,providing new insights for disease prevention and treatment.

bovine mastitis  /  Staphylococcus aureus  /  pathogenesis  /  host immunity  /  prevention and control strategy