Detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli from milk samples

Mastitis is an inflammation of the udder associated with pain, swelling, and a drop in milk production. Numerous bacterial pathogens are linked to this infection including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Mycoplasma. Among these pathogens S. aureus is a prominent cause of mastitis in animals. Both S. aureus and E. coli associated with mastitis have shown multiple antimicrobial resistances. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) pose the most challenging treatment scenario. Antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens is a concern not only in veterinary medicine, but also globally. It poses a threat not only to animal health but also leads to residual effect in milk products. In the present study, a total of thirty samples were collected from various dairy farms. Milk samples underwent isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens. Of the 30 raw milk sample, twenty were found positive for E. coli while ten were positive for S. aureus. The study revealed that raw milk is a good nutrient source for the growth of bacterial pathogens. Therefore, regular screening of raw milk is necessary to detect bacterial pathogens and minimize their spread to humans.