Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination in Multiple-Dose Medication Vials in Dairy and Poultry Farms in Khartoum State , Sudan

Abstract

The prevalence and types of aerobic bacterial contamination in multiple-dose veterinary medication vials (MDVs) in dairy and poultry farms in Khartoum state, Sudan were determined and evaluated in the present study. Samples from a total of 99 MDVs of 16 injectable and non-injectable drugs from 13 dairy and 5 poultry farms were investigated. Bacterial contamination was identified in 16/66 (24.2%) containers of injectable medications and in 20/33 (60.6%) containers of non-injectable medications. The isolates were biochemically differentiated to nine bacterial species; at least three of them are known as potential pathogens which were recovered from both injectable and non-injectable medications. No notable difference in bacterial contamination between poultry and dairy farms was observed in terms of bacterial types and percentage of contaminated farms, but it did exist between the relatively good and bad hygienic measures in both farm types. In conclusion, multiple-dose veterinary medication containers in animal farms are at risk of contamination by potentially pathogenic bacteria which may constitute a real threat to animal health. Therefore, all measures to prevent such contamination are necessary to be in action.