A study on prevalence of bacteriological mastitis in dromedary camels (Camelusdromedarius) and its Antibiogram Profile

The prevalence of the clinical and sub clinical mastitis in Camelus dromedaries (n=488) was determined along with their causes and risk factors involved in around coastal mangroves areas of upper Sindh. Eighty-two households were selected on the basis of holding milking camel. The milk samples collected aseptically were 1190 from clinical and 378 from sub clinical out of total 1568 samples. To assess the prevalence all these samples were screened for California Mastitis Test (CMT), Surf Test and White Side Test and bacterial culture. Out of 1568 cultured quarter milk samples, 138 found positive for clinical 11.59% (138/1190) and 22.75% (86/378)for subclinical mastitis. At animal (camel) level the prevalence of clinical 50.61% (165/220) and subclinical mastitis was 33.95% (55/220camels).It was concluded that, an overall infection rate is higher in the right fore quarter (36%) as compare to left fore quarter (27%), Similarly the higher infection rate is found in right hind quarter (20%) then left hind quarter (18%) for clinical and sub clinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus gram-positive bacterium was observed predominant with a prevalence of 29.26% (48/164) and Staphylococcus epidermidis 23.78% (39/164) followed by gram-negative Escherichia coli with prevalence of 20.12% (33/164). Streptococcus agalactiae and Bacillus spp. were the fourth and fifth predominant isolates with prevalence of 13.41% and 8.55% (22/163 & 14/164) respectively. Corynebacterium was the least isolates with 4.88% prevalence. An overall 30.2% (116/384) prevalence of camel mastitis was recorded with clinical mastitis 25.3% (97) and sub- clinical mastitis 4.9% (19/384). The overall prevalence was 25.8% (397/1536) in all quarters of buffaloes. The isolated organisms were analyzed for antibiogram assay using 12 commonly used antibiotics and enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, gentamicin, and kanamycin were found most effective antimicrobials amongst all tested drugs. These results exhibited a high prevalence of mastitis in dromedary camels with significant antimicrobial resistance of bacterial pathogens. Therefore, proper prevention and control strategies are warranted in the area to minimize the economic losses of camel farmers and to avoid public health hazards.