Safety Issues Regarding the Detection of Antibiotics Residues, Microbial Indicators and Somatic Cell Counts in Ewes’ and Goats’ Milk Reared in Two Different Farming Systems

Abstract

Milk samples of ewes’ and goats’ unprocessed milk were collected from milk tanks from various farms in Epirus, Greece and classified in two groups according to the type of farming. Analyses of the samples included microbial inhibition assays to detect the presence of antibiotic residues, isolation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains as microbiological indicators for susceptibility to antimicrobial medicines, Somatic Cells and Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS) counts. These findings were correlated with each other as well as to the stage of the lactation period and to the type of the farming practices. Monitoring of bulk tank milk for residues of antibiotics should be performed after heating of the milk, on a regular basis, and should include at least two different tests. The results point out that the type of farming affects the CNS counts as well as the prevalence of residues in the milk. Furthermore, the inverse correlation between CNS counts and prevalence of residues of antibiotics suggests a possible protective role of CNS. Resistance of the bacterial indicators to antibiotics was random and relatively rare, perhaps acquired in past due to misuse of antibiotics, turning the indicator microorganisms to reservoir of resistance.

Dietary Factors and Production Season Effect on the Properties of Goat Cheese

“…This pathogen is mainly transmitted by food handlers and contact with surfaces [50], which is why it is present in the cheeses regardless of the season of production. These findings agree with those results mentioned by Rozos et al [51], who analyzed goat milk from two types of farming systems (group A: stabled, fed with concentrates and hay, and milked in milking parlors; group B: grazing throughout the day with manual milking). Samples from group B exhibited counts of this microorganism for four out of the six months sampled, compared to group A, which only showed the presence in two of the sampled months.…”

Use of Antibiotics against Bacterial Infections on Dairy Sheep and Goat Farms: Patterns of Usage and Associations with Health Management and Human Resources

“…Strict enforcement of regulations and the application of continuous assessments for detection of residues in animal products in the country motivate farmers to maintain withdrawal periods after antibiotic use. Nevertheless, a recent study in Greece reported that in 12.1% of raw milk samples from sheep, antibiotic residues were detected [ 20 ], which is higher than the proportion of farmers skipping withdrawal periods. Hence, it becomes evident that although the majority of farmers would observe withdrawal periods, residues may still be detected in milk, as the result of other mistakes during usage of antibiotic products, potentially highlighting the need for the determination of accurate bodyweight.…”

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“…The authors conclude that systematic measures to prevent and combat mastitis lead to a significant increase in the efficiency of dairy farms. Among the measures designed to combat the spread of mastitis, a particular place is given to specific prevention and immunotherapy ( Vasileiou et al, 2019;Chobyrka et al, 2020;Rozos et al, 2022).…”