Abstract:
Small ruminants, particularly Goats are produced for meat, milk and economic returns of
pastoral community including in Ethiopia. Goat milk is frequently consumed for children. Raw
milk can be a good medium for bacterial growth and can lead to foodborne diseases, such as
E. coli O157:H7. The hygienic condition concerning contamination with E. coli O157:H7 was
not yet known in goats’ milk in Ethiopia particularly in Babile Pastoral area. The aim of this r
esearch is to isolate, to identify and to perform antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of E. coli
O157:H7 from raw goat Milk and Hygienic Practices in Babille District, East Hararghe Zone,
Eastern Ethiopia. Across sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to June 2023 o
n raw goats’ milk and environmental samples. A total of 309 samples (249 milk sample, 60 en
vironmental swabs) were collected. The isolation and identification processes were carried out
by using enrichment, differential and selective medium following manufacturer’s instruction. E.
coli O157:H7 latex test was then used for confirmation. Disk diffusion technique was used for
antibiotic susceptibility test of 9 antimicrobials. Besides, a structured questionnaire was used
to collect socio-demographic data and potential risk factors for contamination of milk. Out of
309 samples tested, the overall prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was found to be 5.5%). The stu
dy result showed that prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was 3.61% (9/249), and 13.33% (8/60) w
ere from raw milk and environmental samples respectively. The antimicrobial tested, E. coli O
157:H7 isolates were 100% resistant to ampicillin, and tetracycline. It was also showed resist
ance to Amoxicillin 70.6%, Vancomycin and Sulfisoxasole (41.2%) equal resistance to both dr
ugs. On contrary all the isolates were found 100% susceptible to both norfloxacin and ciprofl
oxacin. Of the isolates, 88.24 % exhibited multidrug resistance. The study showed the spread
of multidrug resistant E. coli O157:H7 isolates in the study areas. Therefore, raw milk consu
mption and indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs should be discouraged. Farmers should
be trained on milk hygiene and proper milk handling practices and further study on antimicro
bial resistant isolates are suggested
