Milk is a highly nutritious food that can be obtained from a variety of animal sources such as cows, goats, sheep and buffalo for human consumption. On account of zoonotic importance of some opportunistic pathogens of public health significance in milk, the studytherefore was designed for isolation identification and antibiotic resistance assessment of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherchia coli and Salmonellaspp in raw milk of cows and buffaloes.
A total of 60 raw milk samples were collected from buffaloes (n=30) and cows (n=30) located in an area around district Lahore. To evaluate the source of milk borne pathogens in milk, half samples (n=15) of each animal species were taken directly from udder while remaining half (n=15) from milking utensils at the same farm. Samples were cultured for isolation and confirmed by biochemical tests and their antibiotic resistance pattern was checked by Kirby baur disk diffusion test.
Samples that were taken from udder of buffalos,E.coli, Salmonellaspp and Staph aureus was isolated from 60%, 26% and 46% of processed samples whereas from utensils E.coli, Salmonella spp. and Staph aureuswas isolated from 66.66%, 66.66% and 73.33%of samples respectively.
While Samples that were taken from udder of cow’sE.coli, Salmonella and Staph aureus was isolated from13%, 0% and 40% of processed samples where as samples that were taken from utensils at the same farm E.coli, Salmonella and Staph aureuswas isolated 26%, 26.66% and 46% respectively.
Antibiotic resistance pattern of isolates E.coli, Salmonellaspp and Staph aureus showed 100% resistance to Lincomycin and Tylosine. Ciprofloxacin showed 75% sensitivity followed by Ciprofloxacin showed 75% sensitivity followed by 65%Oxytetracyclin 60% doxycycline and 58% Amoxicillin.
CONCLUSION
Our study reveals that raw milk supplied and consumed in Lahore city of Pakistan is contaminated with public health significancebacteria Salmonella spp, E.coli and Staph aureusdue to unhygienic conditions and milking practices.Data ofAntibiotic resistant profiling of these isolates showed 100% resistant to Lincomycinand Tylosine. While sensitive against Ciprofloxacin> Doxycycline >Oxytetracycline.Efforts should be made to use antibiotics wisely and hygienic practices should be followed during collection to supply chain of milk to avoid spread of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains from animal source to human beings.