Caprine Subclinical Mastitis: Prevalence and Etiological Study in Central Iran

Subclinical mastitis is a significant problem in dairy goat husbandry and has a negative impact on milk production and animal health. This study investigated the microbial pathogens associated with subclinical mastitis in goats from Isfahan province, focusing on the identification of bacterial species, evaluation of their biofilm-forming ability, and assessment of their antibiotic resistance patterns. A total of ۲۰۰ goats were randomly selected from three livestock-rich districts in Isfahan. Samples were collected from apparently healthy goats, and the Somatic Cell Count (SCC) was measured to assess udder health. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to detect pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus spp. The results showed that ۹۷% of the samples had an SCC value of less than ۶۰۰,۰۰۰ cells/mL. Of the ۵۴ samples tested by PCR, ۴۲.۵۹% contained Staphylococcus genes, ۲۵.۹۲% contained S. aureus, and ۱۴.۸۱% contained both Streptococcus spp. and E. coli. In addition, ۶۲.۹۶% of the isolates formed moderate biofilms, while ۲۲.۲۲% exhibited strong biofilm formation. Alarmingly, all isolates showed resistance to amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone. These results underline the need for improved hygiene practices on dairy farms and continuous monitoring of milk quality to effectively address the challenges posed by pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance. In addition, the development of alternative therapeutic methods to treat resistant infections is also recommended.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antibiotic resistance ، biofilm ، goats ، Isfahan ، Mastitis