ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF Escherichia coli O157:H7 FROM RAWGOAT MILK AND HYGIENIC HANDLING PRACTICES IN BABILLE DISTRICT, EAST HARARGHE, OROMIA REGION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

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 research 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 on raw goats’ milk and environmental samples. A total of 309 samples (249 milk sample, 60 environmental 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 study result showed that prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was 3.61% (9/249), and 13.33% (8/60) were from raw milk and environmental samples respectively. The antimicrobial tested, E. coli O157:H7 isolates were 100% resistant to ampicillin, and tetracycline. It was also showed resistance to Amoxicillin 70.6%, Vancomycin and Sulfisoxasole (41.2%) equal resistance to both drugs. On contrary all the isolates were found 100% susceptible to both norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. 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 consumption 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 antimicrobial resistant isolates are suggested.