Browsing by Author "FASIL, MENGISTU"

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    CAMEL MASTITIS AND ITS IMPACT ON QUALITY OF MILK IN GEWANE WOREDA, AFAR REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
    (2007-06) FASIL, MENGISTU; Dr. Bayleyegn Molla
    Quarter milk samples (n = 404) from 101 traditionally managed lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Gewane district of Afar region were examined to estimate the prevalence of mastitis, identification of bacterial causes associated with mastitis and determine fat and protein content of camel milk. Twenty one of the 101 (20.8%) camels examined were diagnosed as mastitis cases based on clinical signs. Thirty one of the 101 camels (30.7%) udders examined were infested with ticks and had lesion on the teats and udder skin, 45.2% had mastitis. There were significant association (p< 0.05) between tick infestation and mastitis. Lactating camels at early and mid lactation were found most affected by mastitis (p<0.05) than those at late lactation. One hundred ninety six of the 404 camel quarter milk samples (48.5%) were positive for California mastitis test (CMT). Out of 196 positive quarter milk samples, 164 (83.7%) yielded pathogenic bacteria. A positive correlation (r = 0.76) was observed between CMT positive results and presence of major pathogens in camel milk samples. The main mastitis pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and other Streptococcus species, E.coli, Micrococcus species, corynebacterium, Actinomyces species Pasteurella haemolytica and Bacillus species. Twenty CMT-positive and CMT-negative pooled quarter milk samples each were evaluated for fat and protein content. The average mean fat and protein percentage in CMT-negative milk were 3.83% ± 0.081 and 2.85 ± 0.024 respectively. However, in CMT-negative milk it was 1.97 ± 0.071 and 2.91± 0.13 respectively. Fat percentage were lower in all parity number and stage of lactation but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Protein percentage were significantly higher in CMTpositive milk samples in different parity (p<0.05). The present study results suggest that mastitis in camels was prevalent in Gewane district of Afar Regional State, North Eastern Ethiopia. California mastitis test has shown to be valuable indicators of udder infection of camels. Gram positive cocci were the dominant species among mastitis pathogens isolated. Tick infestation together with thorny bushes, use of anti-suckling devices and teat or udder lesions were found predisposing factors to the occurrence of mastitis. Although camels in the Afar pastoralist are managed traditionally on poor quality feed and scarce water source, the protein and fat content of the milk were in the normal range. Slight alterations in fat and protein contents were observed in CMT-positive milk samples