Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of enterobacteriaceae isolated from uteri of cattle slaughtered at city abattoir, Kampala

Abstract

This was a cross sectional study with an aim to assess the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the bovine uterus after slaughter and their antibacterial susceptibility at the City abattoir, Kampala. A total of 75 uterine samples were collected from slaughtered cattle at the abattoir. Isolation and identification was done for the Enterobacteriaceae organisms and antibacterial susceptibility determined using Disc diffusion test. The results indicated that 16% of the samples were positive for Enterobacteriaceae organisms. The organisms were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp with proportions of 66.7 % and 33.3% respectively. The prevalence of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp was 10.9% and 5.3% respectively. From all the seven antibacterial drugs used, E.coli was most susceptible to Gentamicin (100%), Nalidixic acid (100%), Trimethoprim Sulphamethoxazole (84.7%) and Tetracycline (71.4%). While Klebsiella spp was most susceptible to Gentamicin, Nalidixic acid and Tetracycline with susceptibility of 100%, 75% and 75% respectively. Ampicillin, Streptomycin and Trimethoprim Sulphamethoxazole were the most resisted drugs by the Klebsiella spp at 100%, 50% and 50% respectively. Escherichia coli mostly resisted streptomycin, Ampicillin and Tetracycline mostly with 42.9%, 23.6% and 23.6% respectively. In conclusion, the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae was 16% and the highest proportion was E.coli with 66.7%. Streptomycin, Tetracycline and Ampillicin were the most resisted antibacterial agents with 42.9%, 28.6% and 28.6% resistance respectively suggesting that these drugs should not be used in treatment of uterine infection unless if shown by antibiotic sensitivity.