Features of hygienic-sanitary conditions at dairy units in the Municipalities from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and bacteriological analysis involved in the mastitis etiology

Abstract

ABSTRACT. de Alencar T.A., de Mendonça E. da C.L., Marques V.F., de Melo D.A., Rojas A.C.M., da Motta C.C., Santiago G.S., Dubenczuk F.C., Medeiros P.T. de C., Coelho S. de M. de O. & de Souza M.M.S. [Features of hygienic-sanitary conditions at dairy units in the Municipalities from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and bacteriological analysis involved in the mastitis etiology.] Aspectos das condições higiênico-sanitárias em unidades leiteiras em municípios do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil e análise dos agentes bacterianos envolvidos na etiologia das mastites. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 36(2):199-208, 2014. Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected] Dairy industry performs a very social important activity that yielded more than three million jobs in the last decade. Mastitis, inflammation of the mammary gland that can be caused by several microorganisms, is one of the most important economic losses causes and the incorporation of adequate hygienic procedures to daily handling is considered the most efficient way to control it. Otherwise the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials is a negative feature in this control, raising the positive pressure selection and favoring the spread of resistance genes. The present study performed an epidemiologic inquiry and a bacteriological survey in five dairy farms located at South Fluminense Dairy Belt in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The obtained data showed that 80% of studied dairy properties presented unsatisfactory hygienic conditions in milking line and water supply. After bacteriological analysis a total of 201 isolates was obtained from milk samples being 85,07% (171/201) of Staphylococcus spp. and 14,93% of Gram-negative rods (30/201). From milking line samples it was obtained 70 isolates being 80% (56/70) Staphylococcus spp. and 20% (14/70) Gram-negative rods. Antimicrobial resistance assays revealed high rates of beta-lactamic resistance in Staphylococcus spp. and azithromycin, tetracycline and doxycycline resistance in Gram-negative rods.