Approximately every second animal suffers from one case of clinical mastitis per lactation. For the therapy the method of choice is the application of antibiotics like third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and fluorquinolones which are used in human medicine, too. It is hypothesized that the development of antibiotic resistences may be associated with antibiosis. However, effective alternatives do not exist. The aim of this project is the development of an agent used for the therapy of bovine mastitis and containing living lactic acid bacteria. These microorganisms colonize bovine teat and udder epithelia and – as a result – may displace mastitis causing pathogens. The environment-related goals of the project are

1. the reduction of the entry of antibiotics from dairy farms into the environment
   and 
2. the avoidance of the contamination of milk with antibiotic residues.

The project consists of two phases: In the first phase strains of lactic acid bacteria are isolated which are able to inhibit the growth of mastitis causing pathogens in vitro. Inhibiting isolates will be integrated into matrices which allow the therapy of infections of the bovine mammary gland. In the second phase in vivo studies will be conducted: The tolerability of the developed prototypes, the establishment of the strains on teat and udder epithelia as well as the effects of the newly developed agent on healing rates will be evaluated.

Project Operation:

Hochschule Hannover
Fakultät II, Abteilung Bioverfahrenstechnik
Prof. Dr. med. vet. Volker Krömker
Heisterbergallee 12
30453 Hannover
Telefon: 0511-9696-2205
Telefax: 0511-9296-2210

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Veterinärmedizin
Tierklinik für Fortpflanzung
Prof. Dr. med. vet. Wolfgang Heuwieser
Königsweg 65 Haus 27
14163 Berlin
Telefon: 030-838-62100
Telefax: 030-838-62620

Dr. Windmann Pharma GmbH
Bahnhofstraße 2-3
26810 Westoverledingen – Ihrhove
Telefon: 04955-987990-0
Telefax: 04955-987990-9

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