Introduction: Mastitis in cattle is a serious problem which causes considerable economic losses in dairy cattle herds. The most common etiological factors are bacteria followed by mycoplasmas, viruses, fungi and algae. Studies on fungal and algal infections of the mammary gland in cows are increasingly common due to their growing incidence. So, the aim of this study was conducted on prevalence rate of fungal and algal species in dairy cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis. Materials and methods: A total of 400 milk samples were collected from cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis from 10 dairy cattle herds in suburb of Mashhad, Iran. All samples were inoculated in Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol at 28 °C for 10 days. The isolates were identified according to their morphological characteristics and biochemical profile. Results: Fungal and algal contamination was detected in 35.7% examined samples. It was shown that milk samples of cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis were contaminated with 7 different fungal and algal agents. Among all fungi and alga isolated from milk samples, prototheca spp. (23.25%) was the most dominant followed by yeast spp. (7.5%), Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. (2% each), Cladosporium spp. (1/5%), Trichosporon spp. (1.25%) and Geotrichum spp. (0/7%). Conclusion: It is concluded that fungal and algal infections can occur in mammary glands of lactating Holstein dairy cows with mastitis. Good hygiene and sanitation practices of animal farm and judicious use of antibiotics will lower incidence of bovine mycotic mastitis.

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