Subclinical bovine mastitis by Prototheca zopfii in Spain

Purpose. In this paper the isolation of Prototheca zopfii from cows with subclinical mastitis in three dairy farms from the rural area of Barcelona (Spain) is reported. Materials and methods. A total of 70 animals were selected by the practitioners as having subclinical mastitis. Milk samples were inoculated onto blood agar and incubated at 37°C for 24-48 h. Results and Discussion. Prototheca sp. was recovered in 16 milk samples from 9 cows. Based upon their morphologic features and assimilation pattern profiles, the isolates were identified as P. zopfii. Although in recent years the incidence of protothecal bovine mastitis has increased, it is still considered an underreported dairy cow disease. To our knowledge, no previous references have been found to bovine protothecal mastitis in Spain.