Occurrence of bovine mastitis and isolation of Staphyloccocus species from fresh cow milk in settled Fulani herds in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted on 360 dairy cows (1440 quarters) to determine the prevalence of mastitis A stud y was conducted on 360 dairy cows (1440 quarters) to determine the prevalence of mastitis (1 b y California Mastitis Test (CMT) and Staph (C (CMT) and Staphylococci in settled Fulani herds in Kaduna State, Nigeria. ylococci in settled Fulani herds in Kaduna State, Ni geria. The prevalence of mastitis at cow level was 26.9% (97/360 The prevalence of mastitis at cow level was 26.9% (97/360 ) and out of which 23.9% (86/360 ) and out of which 23.9% (86/360 ) and ) and 3.1% (11/360 3.1% (11/360 ) were subclinical mastitis and clinical mastitis respectivel ) were subclinical mastitis and clinical mastitis respectivel y. The prevalence at y. The prevale quarter level was 21.7% (312/1440, quarter level was 21.7% (312/1440, ) and out of which 6.5% (28/1440 ) and out of which 6.5% (28/1440 ) was clinical mastitis and ) was clinical mastitis and 19.7% (284/1440 19.7% (284/1440 ) was subclinical mastitis respectivel ) was subclinical mastitis respectivel y. Statistical anal y. Statistical anal ysis showed that there was ysis showed that there was si si gnificant difference in the occurrence of mastitis amo gnificant difference in the occurrence of mastitis amo ng the age group (P<0.05). The prevalence at quarter level was 25.2% (157/624) in adult cows, 20.2% (97/480) in young adults and 17.3% at quarter level was 25.2% (157/624) in adult cows, 20.2% (97/480 at quarter level was 25.2% (157/624) in adult cows, 20.2% (97/480 ) in young adults and 17.3% ) in young adults and 17.3% (58/336) in old cows. Similar pattern of occurrence was recorded for both clinical and subclinical (58/336) in old cows. Similar pattern of occurrence was recorded for both clinical and subclinical (58/336 ) in old cows. Similar pattern of occurrence was recorded for both clinical and subclinical mastitis as the adults had 21.8% and 3.4 %, young adults had 19.8% and 0.4% and old cows had had 21.8% and 3.4 %, young adults had 19.8% and 0.4% and old cows had had 21.8% and 3.4 % , young adults had 19.8% and 0.4% and old cows had 15.8% and 1.5% respectivel 15.8% and 1.5% respectivel y. The CMT scores showed that 55 (64.0% y. The CMT scores showed that 55 (64.0%) of the milk samples had a ) of the milk samples had a score of 1+, 26 (30.2%) had a score of 2+, 3 (3.5) had a score of 3+ while onl score of 1+, 26 (30.2%) had a score of 2+, 3 (3.5) had a score of 3+ while onl y 2 (2.3%) had y 2 (2.3%) had a score of “Trace”. Sixty seven (69.1%) of the samples that were positive for CMT were found to be score of “Trace”. Sixty seven (69.1%) of the samples that were positive for CMT were found to be culture positive and out of which 56.7% (55/97) were S. aureus and 12.3% (12/97) were culture positive and out of which 56.7% (55/97) were S. aureus and 12.3% (12 /97) were coagulase-negative staph negative staph ylococci (CONS). The hi ylococci (CONS). The hi gh prevalence of both c gh prevalence of both c linical and subclinical mastitis coupled with the isolation of S. aureus and CONS are of great public health concern and mastitis coupled with the isolation of S. aureus and CONS are of great public health concern and requires strict control and preventive measures. The stud requires strict control and preventive measures. The stud y recommends standards h y recommends standards h ygienic ygienic measures during milking and culling of infecte d cows to stop the spread of pathogens to uninfected measures during milking and culling of infecte cows.