Isolation and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 from Raw Milk of Dairy Cattle in Holeta District, Central Ethiopia

Abstract EN

A cross-sectional study was conducted in small, medium, and large-scale dairy farms of Holeta district to isolate, identify, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 in raw milk of dairy cattle.

A total of 210 lactating cows were selected for raw milk samples, and 19% (40/210) were found to be positive for E.

coli whereas 5.2% (11/210) were confirmed as E.

coli O157 : H7 positive using the Escherichia coli O157 latex test.

Accordingly, all E.

coli was highly susceptible to Ciprofloxacin (100%), Gentamycin (100%), Oxytetracycline (100%), and Tetracycline (63.63%).

Furthermore, the resistance of 72.73%, 54.54%, 54.54%, and 45.45% was developed to Cefoxitin, Sulphamethoxazole, Cloxacillin, and Streptomycin, respectively.

Factors such as parity, age, body condition, herd size, milk yield, udder hygiene, and udder lesion showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) association with the occurrence of E.

coli infection in dairy cattle.

In conclusion, in this study, a higher prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 and its drug susceptibility profile is an alarm for the health of the public, and awareness creation to the farm owners and the community is recommended.