Enterobacter cloacae

Enterobacter cloaceae is a bacterium from the enterobacteria group which cause acute mastitis with severe impairment of the overall health. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are two gram-negative rods from this group which are the most important causal agents of enterobacterial mastitis in our conditions.

Enterobacteria naturally occur in the digestive system of animals and humans and thus they can be found plentifully in the bedding material, on the skin etc. from where they get into the udder. 

The development of mastitis can be preceded by diarrhoea, e. g. connected with sudden change in feed, worse hygiene conditions, metabolism impairment etc. Especially high-yielding dairy cows and those with the decreased function of the teat canal closure are at risk of enterobacterial mastitis.