Authors : Melaku Sombo, Kelay Belihu, Tesfaye Rufael, Kassahun Asmare and Kumela Lelisa
Abstract: The flourishing markets oriented dairy farms in urban setups in Ethiopia are constrained by mastitis. In Ethiopia, a number of studies have shown a range of bacterial pathogens causing mastitis as dominant pathogenic species. This survey was designed to estimate the prevalence and identify the major bacterial pathogens involved in sub clinical mastitis in and around Sebeta area. One hundred thirty crossbred lactating dairy cows were sampled in 10 intensive farms. Following clinical assessment of the udder and teat, milk screening was done using Californian Mastitis Test (CMT). Consequently, bacteriological examination was conducted for identification and characterization of pathogens involved. The study revealed that out of the 520 quarters examined, 16 of them were blind (3.2%) and 504 were functional. From a total of 504 quarters tested for subclinical mastitis 387 (76.8%) were positive. The animal level prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 90.8% (N = 118/130). The bacterial isolates identified from CMT positive sub-clinically affected udder includes Staphylococcus aureus (27.2%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (19.1%), Staphylococcus intermedius (16.9%), Staphylococcus hyicus (2.9%), Streptococcus agalactiae (11.8%), Streptococcus dysagalactiae (5.9%), Corynebacterium bovis (5.9%), Actinomyces pyogenes (5.88%), Streptococcus uberis (3.7%) and Micrococcus species (0.8%). The observed high prevalence along with multiple potential pathogens identified is a clear indication how serious the problem is both in the studied farms and probably beyond. Thus, researchers would like to emphasize the need for urgent intervention to control the diseases and prevent the associated loss.
Melaku Sombo, Kelay Belihu, Tesfaye Rufael, Kassahun Asmare and Kumela Lelisa, 2021. Isolation of Pathogenic Bacteria Causing Mastitis from Subclinically Infected Crossbreed Dairy Cows in Sebeta Town, Central Ethiopia. Veterinary Research, 14: 1-6.