Prevalence, associated risk factors, and isolation of major bacterial causes of mastitis in lactating cows in Ethiopia

Authors: Zerihun Shabula, Gizachew Hailegebreal and Mesele Abera

Arch.Life.Sci.Res. 2025. vol. 1, Iss. 1 pp:49-60
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/alsr.2025.1.0006

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Abstract:

Mastitis causes major economic losses as it adversely degrades milk quality and quantity and impairs public health. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to June 2023 to estimate the prevalence, assess the associated risk factors, and isolate major bacterial pathogens in lactating cows in the Dara district, Sidama, Ethiopia. Kebado town and six rural kebeles were purposefully chosen from the district due to their large dairy cow population. Herds and households were selected purposively based on the presence of lactating cows, and individual cows were selected by using a simple random sampling technique. A total of 376 cows were examined for the presence of clinical and subclinical mastitis by clinical examination and California Mastitis Test (CMT), respectively. Milk samples from cows that tested positive for mastitis were examined bacteriologically. Stata software version 14 was used to perform statistical analysis. An overall prevalence of 24.2% (95% CI: 19.9-28.6) with 21% subclinical and 3.2% clinical mastitis was recorded at the cow level. Likewise, a quarter-level prevalence of 11.3% (95% CI: 9.3-13.4), with 9.5% subclinical and 1.8% clinical mastitis, was recorded. From observed risk factors, breed, parity, management system, dry cow therapy, washing udder, and milking mastitic cow last showed significant association (p<0.05) with the occurrence of mastitis in the multivariable logistic regression model. Of 79 culture-positive milk samples subjected to bacteriological examination, 40.5%, 25.3%, 16.5%, 13.9%, and 3.8% were recorded for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, E. coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively. According to the study, mastitis poses a significant problem for dairy cows, public health, and the economy. Improving the awareness of dairy farmers on the impact of mastitis, developing the hygienic status of cows, and using dry cow therapy are recommended as possible solutions for the prevention and control of mastitis.

Keywords:

: Bacteria, Dara, Lactating cows, Mastitis, Prevalence, Risk Factor

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