Original Research

Mastitogenic bacteria isolated from dairy cows in Kenya and their antimicrobial sensitivity

George K. Gitau, Royford M. Bundi, John Vanleeuwen, Charles M. Mulei
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association | Vol 85, No 1 | a950 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v85i1.950 | © 2014 George K. Gitau, Royford M. Bundi, John Vanleeuwen, Charles M. Mulei | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 30 October 2012 | Published: 26 February 2014

About the author(s)

George K. Gitau, Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Royford M. Bundi, Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
John Vanleeuwen, Department of Health Management, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Charles M. Mulei, Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

There is limited epidemiological knowledge on udder health in Kenyan dairy cattle that would aid in a pro-active approach towards mastitis prevention. The study objectives were: (1) to investigate the prevalence and distribution of clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle in Mukurwe-ini and Nakuru Districts, Kenya, and (2) to determine the antibacterial sensitivity of the organisms causing bovine mastitis in these districts. The study involved field-screening of milk samples from 241 dairy cows on 128 farms by use of the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and, if CMT-positive, followed by bacteriological culture of the major causative agents and their respective antibiotic sensitivity to eight commonly used antibiotics. All participating farms were visited twice during the study period. The results obtained during the first and second visits showed the prevalence of clinical mastitis to be very low: 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively; 56.0% and 65.0% of cows were CMT-positive on at least one quarter and 49.6% and 58.7% of cows were culture-positive, respectively. There was no significant difference in mastitis prevalence between Nakuru and Mukurwe-ini districts (p > 0.10). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 68.0% and 77.0% of samples during the first and second visits, respectively. Other frequently isolated agents included Streptococcus agalactiae, and other Streptococcus spp., S. aureus and S. agalactiae were most sensitive to gentamycin and norfloxacin, and least sensitive to cotrimazole and ampicillin. Knowing the prevalence of mastitogenic organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities could improve treatment efficacy and cow longevity.

Keywords

Dairy Cattle, mastitis, Nakuru District, Mukurwe-ini District, Kenya

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