STAPH AND E. COLI ARE THE MAJOR PATHOGENS OF MASTITIS IN BUFFALOS

Abstract

Buffaloes play important role in the economy of country through milk production. Mastitis is a main barrier in the milk production in dairy sector of Pakistan. The aim of this study was to identify the number of cases of mastitis in study area, optimization of PCR for immediate detection of main bacterial pathogens of mastitis, comparison of efficacy of culture method and Polymerase chain reaction. We also aimed to conclude the efficacy of different antibiotic against isolated bacteria and studied the gross and histopathological lesions. For this purpose 100 udder parenchyma tissue sample of slaughtered buffaloes were collected at Lahore abattoir on the basis of sign and symptoms of clinical mastitis. The microbiological analysis, culture method showed staphylococcus aureus as a major pathogen (24%), followed by E. coli (21%) and mixed infection (9%). Cultural identification of major pathogen was confirmed by PCR. Histopathological results in the current study showed epithelial degeneration and necrosis, exudation, proliferation of connective tissue, fragmented alveoli, hyperemia, congestion, atrophied alveoli, infiltration of neutrophil and fibrosis. Antimicrobial sensitivity test showed major pathogens were highly sensitive to cefoperazone with sulbactam (90%) and amikacin (42%), but were highly resistant to erythromycin and penicillin (100%). It concludes S. aureus and E. coli are major cause of mastitis and are responsible for various histopathological changes. The major pathogens showed variable rate of sensitivity to different antibiotics disc. These findings help to understand the pathological significance of mastitis, prevention of drug resistance, control and treatment of mastitis.