Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in dairy farms and personnel in selected towns of West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the foodborne disease-causing bacterial pathogens. A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected towns of the West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia from December 2020 to April 2021. The objectives of the study were to estimate the occurrence and load of S. aureus in raw cows’ milk, the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the S. aureus isolates, and assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the farmers on factors of antimicrobial resistance. A total of 311 samples from raw cows’ milk (212), milkers’ hands (44), and milking buckets (55) swabs were collected and tested. The disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the factors of milk contamination with S. aureus and antimicrobial resistance. The Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used for data analyses. The result indicated that 16.72% (52/311) (95% CI: 12.75–21.34%) of the samples were positive for S. aureus. The occurrence of S. aureus was 22.73%, 16.51%, and 12.73% in milkers’ hand swabs, cow milk, and milking bucket swabs, respectively. The mean count of S. aureus from raw cows’ milk was 4.3± 1.45 log10 CFU/ml. About 88% of S aureus isolates were resistant to ampicillin while 82.9% and 70.7% of the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime respectively. The majority of the S. aureus isolates (61%) showed multi-drug resistance. The odds of S. aureus isolation from the milk of cows were significantly high in older cows (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 5.54; p = 0.001), in late lactation stages (AOR: 3.6; p = 0.012), and in farms where house cleaning was done twice per week (AOR: 8.7; p = 0.001). A high percentage of farmers had insufficient knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about the factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance. In conclusion, the poor milk hygienic practices, high rate of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and inadequate KAP of farmers about factors of AMR suggest potential public health risks thus requiring training and surveillance programs.

Occurrence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and resistance genes of Staphylococcus aureus in milk and milk products in the Arsi highlands of Ethiopia

“…In this study, the mean log 10 CoPS for raw milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese were 4.6, 3.8, and 3.2 log 10 CFU/mL, respectively. Similar findings were reported in previous studies conducted in Ethiopia [ 43 , 61 ] and Tanzania [ 62 ] for milk and milk products. However, our results differed from previous studies that reported higher CoPS levels in raw milk in Ethiopia [ 11 , 63 ] and Zimbabwe [ 61 ].…”

“…Similar findings were reported in previous studies conducted in Ethiopia [ 43 , 61 ] and Tanzania [ 62 ] for milk and milk products. However, our results differed from previous studies that reported higher CoPS levels in raw milk in Ethiopia [ 11 , 63 ] and Zimbabwe [ 61 ]. According to the European Commission’s microbiological criteria for dairy products, raw cow’s milk intended for direct human consumption is considered satisfactory if S. aureus counts in all samples does not exceed 500 CFU/mL.…”

Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in dairy farms and humans with reference to antimicrobial profile in Qalyobia Governorate

“…Staphylococcus aureus is a major zoonotic pathogen that not only produce large economic losses in dairy animal production but also poses a risk to public health (Zhou et al, 2017).Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known opportunistic bacterium that can infect dairy animals as well as people. It is the third most prevalent causes of foodborne illness globally (Banu et al, 2022).The bacterium is a frequent colonizer and is thought to be a part of the natural commensal flora of people and animals, colonizing about 30-50% of the human population (Dweba et al, 2018). In humans, S. aureus colonizes the skin and nasal passages.…”

Assessment of antibiotic resistant profile of coliform and Staphylococcus spp. isolated from milk from Kathmandu valley

“…A number of milk-borne epidemics and outbreaks, such as diphtheria, dysentery, typhoid, etc., have occurred through the consumption of milk and its products by humans [2]. The presence of food pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli in milk and milk products is responsible for food-borne infections ranging from mild to serious cases, even leading to death [3]. Additionally, AMR among these food pathogens is on the rise [3][4][5] and has resulted in an increased number of hospitalizations, which in turn has increased morbidity and mortality [6].…”

“…The presence of food pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli in milk and milk products is responsible for food-borne infections ranging from mild to serious cases, even leading to death [3]. Additionally, AMR among these food pathogens is on the rise [3][4][5] and has resulted in an increased number of hospitalizations, which in turn has increased morbidity and mortality [6]. According to the WHO, at least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, which could escalate to 10 million deaths per year by 2050 [7].…”