Isolation and Antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated From Bovine Mastitis in Bardaghat Municipality, Nepal

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Mastitis in dairy animals is a major economic and public health concern in Nepal, exacerbated by the emergence of antimicrobial‐resistant pathogens. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine milk in Bardaghat Municipality, Nepal. Results A cross‐sectional survey screened 196 milk samples from lactating cows and buffaloes using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). The overall prevalence of S. aureus was 39.79%. Strikingly, 100.00% of isolates exhibited resistance to oxacillin, indicating the widespread presence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Moreover, 25.64% of isolates were multidrug‐resistant (resistant to n 3 antibiotic classes), and 18% had a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index > 0.2. No statistically significant associations were found between the prevalence of S. aureus and evaluated risk factors. Conclusions These findings underscore an urgent need for improved mastitis management, including routine bacterial screening, judicious antibiotic use and public health measures to mitigate transmission of resistant S. aureus to humans.