PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATED FROM COW MASTITIS IN ALGERIA

Abstract

Mastitis is defined as inflammation of the mammary gland and is characterized by local and systemic symptoms that occasionally cause a general infection. This illness has a heavy impact on cows’ wellbeing and milk quality. The aims of this work were to evaluate the prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis, identify the related risk factors, determine the role of Staphylococcus aureus in udder infection and its susceptibility to different antibiotic drugs. A total of 224 dairy cows from 28 farms were tested by the California mastitis test (CMT) for sub-clinical mastitis and by clinical examination for clinical mastitis. Positive samples were subjected to laboratory analysis. The results demonstrate a prevalence of 3.57% and 47.32% for mastitis and subclinical mastitis respectively. Parity, udder and leg hygiene, and stage of lactation have a significant relationship with subclinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus has been isolated from 12.5% of clinical mastitis and 24.52% of subclinical mastitis. Antibiotic susceptibility testing reveals a high resistance to penicillin G (66.6%). Tetracyclin (29.62%), Erythromycin (18.51%), Trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole (14.81%), enrofloxacin (11.11%), oxacillin (7.4%) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (3.7%). This result highlights the need to improve mastitis control measures among dairy cow farmers and the necessity to support responsible use of antibiotics in Algeria dairy farming.