ABSTRACT

The study is aimed to detect and PCR characterize S. aureus enterotoxin gene from mastitic cow

milk within Zaria metropolis. Four hundred and three quarter milk samples were collected from

104 lactating cows in 17 dairy hreds which included Palladan, Shika, Hanwa, Wusasa and Bomo.

The physicochemical characteristics (Temperature, PH, and Specific gravity and Titratable

acidity) and proximate composition (Moisture content, Protein content, Fat content and Ash

content of the milk were determined. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis using California

mastitis test (CMT), bacteriological analysis using standard methods, antibacterial susceptibility

and identification of the gene encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin A and B using PCR technique

were carried out. The Temperature, PH, Specific gravity and Titratable acidity of the milk ranged

from 23-370C, 4.10 – 6.97, 1.023 – 1.032 and 0.14 – 0.23 respectively. The Moisture, Ash, Fat,

and Protein content of the milk ranged from 86.99 – 87.67%, 0.66 – 0.69%, 3.22 – 3.81% and

3.13 – 3.45%. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis based on CMT reaction was (23.3%), 54

S.aureus were isolated from mastitic milk. The mean standard deviation ± of the total bacterial

count from all the locations ranged from 6.22 ± 0.10 - 6.43 ± 0.12 and for the staphylococcal

count from 2.98 ± 0.13 - 3.24 ± 0.11. The antibacterial susceptibility results shows that all the

54 S. aureus isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, norfloxacin and erythromycin (100%),

88.9% were sensitive to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin while 7.4% were sensitive to penicillin and

methicillin. Out of the 15 isolates tested for enterotoxin A and B, 2 harboured gene for SEA and

5 isolates harboured gene for SEB but none of the isolates harboured both gene for SEA and

SEB. The study concludes that further attention is needed to improve the hygienic and safety of

milk and dairy farmers should be educated on the need to control mastitis, as it may decrease

milk production and reduce the quality of the milk.

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