Abstract
This study was carried out in order to determine the disinfectant effect of Methylated spirit® (95% methanol and 5% ethanol) as a teat dip against Listeria species. Hand milking was employed to collect 576 (288 x 2) raw milk samples from different lactating cows within Sokoto metropolis (Nigeria). 288 samples were collected before disinfecting the udder teats with Methylated spirit®, while the other 288 were collected after disinfection with Methylated spirit®. The samples were analyzed using selective culture and isolation technique in which the 288 samples collected before disinfection, 114 (39.6%) were positive for Listeria species. Among the positive samples 44 (38.6%) were Listeria innocua, 16 (14.0%) Listeria ivanovii, 36 (31.6%) Listeria monocytogenes, 11 (9.6%) Listeria welshimeri and 7 (6.1%) Listeria seeligeri, while none of the 288 samples collected after disinfection was positive. The study has shown high prevalence of Listeria species in milk collected without washing/disinfecting the teats and has also established the sensitivity of Listeria species to methylated ethanol which can be used as dip for disinfecting udder teats before milking in order to prevent contamination with Listeria species and other methylated spirit-sensitive organisms. This study is essential to educate Fulani herdsmen and other milk handlers on the importance of disinfecting udder teats before milking.
Highlights
Listeria monocytogenes is the major cause of listeriosis in both man and animals (Jemmi and Stephan, 2006)
Out of the 288 samples collected before disinfecting the udder teats, 114 (39.6%) were positive for Listeria species and none of the corresponding samples collected after disinfection was positive
Statistical analysis showed significant difference in the occurrence of the organisms in milk samples collected before disinfection and in samples collected after disinfection (Chi Squaretest = 139.65, p < 0.05)
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes is the major cause of listeriosis in both man and animals (Jemmi and Stephan, 2006). The organism has cosmopolitan distribution in the environment and within the gut of animals worldwide (OIE, 2005) and unsanitary practices during slaughtering and milking processes are the main causes of Listeria contamination (Schchat et al, 1991). Products such as raw milk, raw meat products and vegetables are often contaminated with the organism and serve as vehicles of transmission (Johansson et al, 1999). The organism causes a syndrome called febrile gastroentitis
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