PREVALENCE, ANTIBIOTICS SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILING, AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF COLIFORM MASTITIS AT COMMERCIAL DAIRY FARMS

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of coliform sub-clinical mastitis in bovines, their associated risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of E. coli. A total of 102 pure and local breed lactating cows and buffaloes were included in this study. Milk samples (n=102) were screened by the Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT). The E. coli isolated from mastitic milk were cultured on MacConkey’s agar and confirmed through PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility profiling was done through the disc diffusion method. The associated risk factors and antibiotic susceptibility profile were analyzed by chi-square, logistic regression, and ANOVA. Out of 102 screened animals, 26% (n = 13/51) pure breed and 32% (n=16/51) local breed were positive for SCM. The higher prevalence of SCM with significant association was noted in local breeds (32%), early lactation stages (57.14%), and brick block type floor (29.35%). The different risk factors showed statistically significant associations (p<0.001) such as cylindrical teat shape (32.97%; p<0.001), daily manure removal (23.32%; p<0.001), pipeline water source (25.46%; p<0.001), use of oxytocin for milk let-down (37.85%; p<0.001) and post milk teat dipping (40.82%; p<0.001). Amoxicillin, cloxacillin, gentamicin, colistin sulphate, procaine-penicillin, enrofloxacin, ampicillin, oxytetracycline, florfenicol, and streptomycin were used for anti-bio-gram profiling against E. coli isolates. Enrofloxacin (81%), gentamicin (76%), and ampicillin (67.7%) were found to be most effective in vitro. The study emphasizes breed variations, age, and management practices as influential factors for the prevalence of SCM. The effective control strategies, early detection, and prudent antibiotic use are recommended to alleviate SCM.