Phenotypic diagnosis and genotypic identification of Bacillus cereus causing subclinical mastitis in cows

Research (Published online: 07-05-2023)

1. Phenotypic diagnosis and genotypic identification of Bacillus cereus causing subclinical mastitis in cows

Rasha H. Eid, Noha E. Aref, and Eman S. Ibrahim

Veterinary World, 16(5): 888-894

Rasha H. Eid: Department of Mastitis and Neonatal Disease, Animal Reproduction Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

Noha E. Aref: Department of Mastitis and Neonatal Disease, Animal Reproduction Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

Eman S. Ibrahim: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.888-894

Article history: Received: 16-01-2023, Accepted: 14-03-2023, Published online: 07-05-2023

Corresponding authors: Eman S. Ibrahim

E-mail: dr.eman911@yahoo.com

Citation: Eid RH, Aref NE, and Ibrahim ES (2023) Phenotypic diagnosis and genotypic identification of Bacillus cereus causing subclinical mastitis in cows, Veterinary World, 16(5): 888-894.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Bovine mastitis is a disease that affects dairy cows and impacts the global dairy industry. Bacillus spp. can infect the mammary gland during lactation, intramammary treatment, or dry cow therapy. This study aimed to isolate and identify Bacillus spp. in raw milk samples from cows with subclinical mastitis from dairy farms in Beheira, Giza, Alexandria, and Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. We also investigated their antibiotic sensitivity and detected the enterotoxigenic and antibiotic resistance genes.

Materials and Methods: A total of 262 milk samples (15-20 ml each) were examined microscopically, biochemically, and phenotypically. A polymerase chain reaction was used for genotypic identification and detecting antibiotic-resistance and enterotoxigenic genes. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested using the agar well diffusion test.

Results: Bacillus cereus was identified in 47.7% of samples. Nhe and hblD enterotoxin genes were found in 93.64% (103/110) and 91.82% (101/110) of the samples, respectively. Tetracycline and β-lactam antibiotic-resistance genes were present in 0% (0/110) and 98.18% (108/110), respectively, of the samples. All isolates were resistant to cefepime, cefixime, and oxacillin, while they were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic, chloramphenicol, ampicillin/sulbactam, and levofloxacin.

Conclusion: These results highlight the need to promote awareness regarding B. cereus, the most common pathogen causing mastitis in Egyptian dairy cows. We also emphasized that antibiotic misuse during mastitis is a potential public health threat.

Keywords: antibiotics, dairy cows, Egypt, lactation.