Prevalence Of Staphylococcus Aureus in Clinical Cases of Buffaloes with Mastitis and Broiler Chicken with Gangrenous Dermatitis

The emergence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as a significant pathogen in livestock and poultry necessitates comprehensive surveillance to understand its prevalence and implications for animal health and productivity. This study focuses on the prevalence of S. aureus in two critical animal health contexts: mastitis in buffaloes and gangrenous dermatitis (GD) in broiler chickens across twelve districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. Milk samples were collected from buffaloes diagnosed with clinical mastitis, and skin swabs were taken from broilers exhibiting signs of GD. Microbiological identification involved culturing on selective media such as Mannitol Salt Agar and performing biochemical assays, including catalase, coagulase, and hemolysis tests on blood agar. Molecular confirmation was achieved through PCR amplification targeting specific staur genes. Out of 130 milk samples from buffaloes with mastitis, S. aureus was detected in 78.09% of cases. Among the 86 skin swabs from GD-afflicted broilers, S. aureus prevalence was 100%. These findings underscore the significant burden of S. aureus infections in both dairy and poultry production systems. The high prevalence highlights the pathogen's role in economic losses, reduced productivity, and potential zoonotic transmission risks. This study provides essential baseline data for developing targeted strategies to manage and mitigate S. aureusassociated infections in livestock and poultry, contributing to improved animal health and food safety.