Evaluation of Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from selected cattle farms.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasingly serious global health problem. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a highly adaptable gram-positive bacterium pathogen causing various infections associated with mastitis in dairy animals resulting in the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Gayaza town Wakiso district. A total of 34 udder milk and swabs were collected and analyzed. Up to 38.2% (13/34) had S. aureus, 35.3 % (12/34) had other Staphylococcus species and 26.5% (9/34) were free from Staphylococcus. Looking at the samples with S. aureus, 33.3% (8/24) were udder milk and 50% (5/10) were swabs. The S. aureus isolates were subjected to six antibiotics for antimicrobial susceptibility tests following the Bauer Kirby disc diffusion method as stipulated by CLSI. The isolates were highly resistant to Tetracycline (69.2%), erythromycin and ampicillin (53.8%) followed by chloramphenicol (38.5%), vancomycin (15.4%), ciprofloxacin (7.7%). Most of the isolates (92.3%; n=12) were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agent. In conclusion, there was a prevalence of 38.2% S. aureus with antimicrobial resistance from the farm samples. This calls for improved drug regulation and use in the farms to prevent worsening of the situation. Furthermore, implementation of proper sanitary and disinfection practices could go a long way in preventing any infections.