Differences between bovine coagulase-negative staphylococci species and their interaction with the cow

Coagulase-negative staphylococci cause the majority of mastitis cases today. A field study is conducted to test whether differences in virulence and protection against other mastitis pathogens between CNS species are present and whether ghost immunity plays a role. Differences between CNS strains of one species will be tested in vitro (neutrophil functions) and in vivo (immune respons after infection).