Phage typing of staphylococci isolated from dairy cows in New Zealand

Abstract Extract Two nation-wide surveys have been conducted to determine the incidence of bacterial contamination of udders of dairy cows in New Zealand (Anon., 1958; Anon., 1967). The 1965–6 survey (Anon., 1967) indicated that 40% of the cows were shedding β-haemolytic staphylococci at the time of sampling and it was concluded that infection with β-haemolytic staphylococci was the most important single cause of mastitis in New Zealand. Staphylococci. were isolated from 80% of the samples from cows with clinical mastitis encountered in the 1965–6 survey. There are many different strains of staphylococci and it is necessary to determine which of these are involved in udder infections.