Isolation of Staphylococcus Aureus from Camel Milk, the impact on Value Chain and its Antimicrobial Susceptibility Condition in Babile District, Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to June 2022 in the Babile, Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia, to isolate Staphylococcus aureus along the Camel milk value chain and determine its susceptibility to different market-available antimicrobials. From a total of 223 samples examined, 18.4% (41) were positive for S. aureus. There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) in the isolation of S. aureus from milk udders at the producer and milk from containers at collectors and retailers. The isolates were highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin (100%) followed by gentamycin (92.7%), erythromycin (92.7%), kanamycin (90.2%), cefoxitin (68.3%), amikacin (65.9%). However, they were highly resistant to penicillin G (100%) followed by Ampicillin (85%), tetracycline (68.3%) Streptomycin (51.2%), and oxacillin (51.2%). An attempt was made to determine the milk handling practices and consumption behavior of actors in the milk value chain by using a field survey that included milk producers, sellers, and consumers. It revealed poor milk handling practices, raw camel milk consumption, and inadequate knowledge of milk-borne diseases. In general, the study has revealed a high possibility of public health risk posed by S. aureus in the Eastern Hararghe Zone. Public awareness about good milk handling practices, pasteurization or boiling milk before consumption, rational use of drugs, and periodic assessment of the antimicrobial sensitivity of drugs before use is strongly recommended.