Genetic variability between S. aureus isolates and differences in the epidemiology and control of subclinical mastitis in a subset of low and high SCC herds in Ireland

This study aims to isolate Staphylococcus aureus from cows affected with subclinical mastitis in 10 control and 10 problem herds to establish if S. aureus strains affecting low SCC herds were similar to those affecting high SCC herds. One objective was to determine if some isolates were non-bovine-adapted strains, which would have obvious implications for control measures.