Enterotoxigenicity and Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Subclinical Bovine Mastitis Milk in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, enterotoxigenicity and antibiotic resistance of S. aureus from mastitic milk using standard procedures. The results showed that out of the 339 quarter milk samples tested 105(30.9%) had subclinical mastiis and only two out of 105 mastitic milk was without S. aureus isolates. Seventy three of the isolates tested for enterotoxin production showed that 20 isolates produced Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A (SEA) either singly or in combination with other enterotoxins 22 SEB, 24 SEC and 17 SED. One isolate produced all four exterotoxins and two out of the 20 isolates tested had enterotoxin gene encoding SEA. The study also revealed high resistance patterns for both enterotoxin (range 20-87%) and non enterotoxin (range 29-69%) producers. None of the isolates was sensitive to all antibiotics tested. The findings are of public health importance since raw milk is frequently consumed by pastoralists and their children at farm stead's. There is need to create awareness through outreach education.