Isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profilling of Escherichia coli from clinically non-mastitis animals in Sokoto metropolis

Abstract

Mastitis, which is the inflammation of the mammary gland, is among the most common and very significantly devastating potential dairy disease occurring in all dairy herds worldwide. This study investigated the prevalence of environmental pathogens specifically Escherichia coli in clinically non mastitis animals. A total of 200 samples from cows and goats were cultured on nutrient agar. From the result after culturing, 178 samples showed colonial growth which were then sub cultured on selective media (EMB) and characterized by Gram staining in which the prevalence was found to be 18.5% and the result of Gram staining revealed short to medium sized rod organisms staining pinkish. Representatives of positive isolates were then subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility profiling where all were found to be resistant to Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, Ampicillin, and tetracycline but susceptible to chloramphenicol and gentamycin. The current study has shown a little decrease in the prevalence of Escherichia coli causing mastitis which may be because of regular treatment, and improvement of sanitary condition which must be maintained. Also, sensitivity of the test employed and the period during which the work was conducted might be some of the reasons for the low prevalence. Enhanced sanitary measures during milking and education on hygienic practices are recommended to further reduce contamination risks.