ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen is a Gram positive, spherical bacterium that causes serious diseases in animals. The prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of coagulase positive Staphylococci isolated from farm animals in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike was investigated. A total of 200 samples were collected from ear and nostrils of five different animals comprising Goat (56), Sheep (16), Rabbit (42), Pig (36) and Cattle (50) were analysed. 108 (54%) of the total number of the samples were coagulase positive Staphylococci while 43 (21.5%) were coagulase negative Staphylococci, 49 (24.5%) showed no growth. Of this 108 positive S. aureus isolates, 37.9% were from goats, 26.8% from cattle, 14% from pigs, 12.1% from rabbits and 9.2% from sheep. All 108 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were subjected to in vitro antibiotic susceptibility test using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. A battery of eight (8) antibiotics containing Ceftazidime (30µg), Cefuroxime, (30µg) Gentamicin (10µg), Ceftriatone (30µg), Erythromycin (5µg), Cloxacillin (5µg), Oflaxacin (5µg) and Augmentin (30µg) was used. Ofloxacin was found to be the most effective chemotherapeutic agent with 60(55.5%) sensitivity, followed by Gentamicin 55(50.9%) and Augumentin 40(37%) respectively. The highest resistance was recorded against cloxacillin 90 (83.3%), followed by ceftazidime 80(74.1%) and cefuroxime70 (64.8%). Also 86 (79.6%) of the isolates were resistant to two or more of the antibiotics tested. The result of this study identifies the presence of Multiple Drug Resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus in farm animals. This is of a major public health concern due to their zoonotic transmission and also as the farm animals can serve as a reservoir for dissemination of multiple antibiotic resistance Staphylococcus aureus to the community.   

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables viii

List of Figures ix

List of Plates x

Abstract xi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION 1

Introduction 1

Objectives of the Study 3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1 Nature of Staphylococcus aureus 4

2.2 Nature of Staphylococcus aureus 4

2.3 Growth and Survival Characteristics 5

2.4 Virulence factors 5

2.5 Pathogenesis 10

2.6 Epidemiology 11

2.7 Staphylococci Infection in Animals 11

2.8 Staphylococci Infection in Man 14

2.9 Antimicrobial Agents 15

2.10 Classification of Antimicrobial Agent 15

2.11 Mechanism of Action of Antibiotic 19

2.12 Antibiotic Resistance 21

2.13 Mechanism of Resistance to Antibiotics 22

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHOD 24

3.1 Research Area 24

3.2 Sample Collection 24

3.3 Sterilization of Materials 24

3.4 Media used and their preparation 25

3.5 Microbiological Analysis 25

3.6 Isolation of bacteria 25

3.7 Identification of Isolates 25

3.7.1 Macroscopic Examination 26

3.7.2 Microscopic Examination 26

3.7.3 Biochemical Tests 26

3.7.3.1 Catalase Test 26

3.7.3.2 Coagulase Test 27

3.7.3.3 Sugar Fermentation Test 27

3.8 Antibiotic sensitivity test 28

3.9 Statistical analysis 28

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT 29

4.1 Results 29

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 40

5.1 Discussion  40

5.2 Conclusion 43

5.3 Recommendation 43

REFERENCES

APPENDIX