Occurrence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Dairy Farms of Wayanad District of Kerala

Author: Femi Francis, Prejit, Ramziya P.K., Anjusha K.M., Asha K., Marita Dias and Amal Raj K.V.

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Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is an ubiquitous bacterial pathogen causing food borne diseases. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistant pathogens in the environment. One among these antimicrobial resistant pathogens being the methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), posing serious threat to the lives of people and animals. Therefore, an experimental study was conducted in randomly selected dairy farms of Wayanad district of Kerala, India from January 2023 to March 2023. The objectives of the study was to determine the occurrence of S. aureus and MRSA in raw milk of cow and its environment namely, udder washings, and hand washings. The study also attempted to evaluate the S. aureus isolates' antibiotic susceptibility patterns. A total of 60 samples, including 20 each of milk, udder washings, and milkers' hands, were collected and analysed. The isolates' susceptibility to various types of antibiotics was evaluated using the disc diffusion technique. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result indicated that 63.33% (38/60) of the samples were positive for S. aureus. The occurrence of S. aureus was 20%, 80%, and 90% in raw milk, udder washings, and hand washings respectively. Among the 38 S. aureus isolates obtained from various samples, 42.11% isolates were resistant to oxacillin followed by 7.89% isolates resistant to cefoxitin. The occurrence of MRSA from the recovered S. aureus isolates was 7.89% and these isolates were resistant to cefoxitin. The presence of MRSA indicates possible public health problems, necessitating training and surveillance programmes, as well as severe efforts to curtail indiscriminate antibiotic usage, in order to avoid the disastrous impacts of the Antimicrobial Resistance silent pandemic.

Keywords

AMR, Milk, MRSA, Hand washings, S. aureus, Udder washings

Conclusion

The present study confirmed a high occurrence of S. aureus in the milker’s hand followed by udder washings and milk samples. The recovered S. aureus isolates had a high rate of antibiotic resistance, notably to oxacillin. The detection of MRSA in the current study highlights how crucial it is to stop the emergence of resistance genes in the environment. To minimise the growth and spread of drug-resistant bacteria, stringent adherence to antibiotic regime, hygienic practises of milking, along with strict monitoring in the distribution of antibiotics, should be mandatory. Promoting mass awareness campaigns and bolstering the public health education system can both serve as useful means of achieving the objective. In this case, AMR surveillance and monitoring initiatives must be implemented immediately.

References

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How to cite this article

Femi Francis, Prejit, Ramziya P.K., Anjusha K.M., Asha K., Marita Dias and Amal Raj K.V. (2023). Occurrence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Dairy Farms of Wayanad District of Kerala. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 663-667.