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Review
. 2025 Jun 5;13(6):176.
doi: 10.3390/diseases13060176.

The Role of Targeted Microbiota Therapy in the Prevention and Management of Puerperal Mastitis

Mariarosaria Matera  1 , Chiara Maria Palazzi  2 , Alexander Bertuccioli  2   3 , Francesco Di Pierro  2   4   5 , Nicola Zerbinati  4 , Massimiliano Cazzaniga  5 , Aurora Gregoretti  2 , Ilaria Cavecchia  2
Affiliations
Review

The Role of Targeted Microbiota Therapy in the Prevention and Management of Puerperal Mastitis

Mariarosaria Matera et al. Diseases. .

Abstract

Mastitis, an inflammatory condition of the breast, significantly affects breastfeeding women and can lead to the early cessation of lactation. This article explores the pathophysiology of mastitis, distinguishing between acute mastitis (AM) and subacute mastitis (SAM), with a focus on the microbial dynamics involved. AM is primarily associated with Staphylococcus aureus, while SAM is linked to a dysbiotic milk microbiota characterized by an imbalance of microbial species, including increased levels of opportunistic pathogens. The role of inflammation and the gut-breast axis in the development of mastitis are discussed, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiota. Recent studies highlight the potential of probiotics as a preventive and therapeutic measure against mastitis, showing promising results in reducing incidence and recurrence. However, further research is necessary to optimize probiotic strains, dosages, and treatment protocols. This review underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of the microbiological, immunological, and inflammatory factors involved in mastitis to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Keywords: breastfeeding; dysbiosis; inflammation; mastitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pathophysiology of mastitis from a microbiome perspective. DAMPs: damage-associated molecular patterns; PAMPs: pathogen-associated molecular patterns; and TLR: Toll-like receptors.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Milk dysbiosis as the origin of the risk of developing mastitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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