Is mastitis treated with antibiotics?

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Last updated: February 17, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

Treatment of Mastitis

Mastitis is often treated with antibiotics, as evidenced by several studies:

  • A study published in 2021 1 found that antibiotics were the preferred first-line medical therapy for granulomatous mastitis, with a mean duration of antibiotic therapy of 7.0±4.5 months.
  • Another study from 2014 2 found that intravenous antibiotics were prescribed in all patients with neonatal mastitis, followed by oral continuation therapy of 7-14 days.
  • A 2018 study 3 noted that the increased incidence of antibiotic resistance in mastitis-causing species is a key concern for treatment, highlighting the need for novel therapies.

Antibiotic Resistance and Treatment Efficacy

The efficacy of antibiotics in treating mastitis can be affected by antibiotic resistance:

  • A 1996 study 4 found that florfenicol and cloxacillin did not differ significantly in efficacy against clinical or subclinical bovine mastitis, with overall cure rates being low.
  • A 2020 study 5 proposed that combination therapy with drugs that work synergistically against conserved and unique targets can help increase efficacy and lower the usage of antibiotics for treating bacterial infections.

Types of Antibiotics Used

Different types of antibiotics have been used to treat mastitis:

  • Clarithromycin was the antibiotic of choice in a 2021 study 1, with a mean duration of steroid therapy of 4.3±2.5 months.
  • A 2014 study 2 found that Staphylococcus aureus strains were resistant to macrolides and penicillins, but sensitive to amikacin, ofloxacin, and vancomycin.
  • A 2020 study 5 found that phosphorylcholine and ceftiofur exhibited a synergistic effect against S. aureus and a strong additive effect against Staphylococcus epidermidis in vitro.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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