Prevalence of Mycobacteria in Raw Milk Sampled in Karnal, India

Abstract

A total of 308 raw milk samples, 209 from an organized farm and 99 from a market source, were examined for the presence of mycobacteria. Mycobacteria were recovered from 4.3o/oofthe farm samples and from 5.1 o/o of the market samples. The isolated cultures identified on the basis of morphological and physiological characteristics and virulence included Mycobac-terium tuberculosis (bovine and human strains), M. phlei, M. kansasii, M. fortuitum, M. aquae and M. intracellulare. The significance of presence of even a few virulent strains of mycobacteria in raw milk is discussed.