A study on in-vitro antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of the predominant bacterial isolates obtained from respiratory infection in sheep

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens associated with respiratory infections in sheep and their in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility in and around Hassan, Karnataka, India. A total of 150 samples, including 110 nasal swabs, 21 lung and 19 tracheal swabs, were collected for bacteriological isolation and antibiotic sensitivity testing. All samples yielded bacterial isolates, with E. coli (22.66%) being the most prevalent, followed by Mannheimia haemolytica (16.66%), Klebsiella spp. (15.33%), Streptococcus spp. (14.66%), Staphylococcus spp. (12.66%), Pasteurella multocida (7.33%), Bacillus spp. (6.66%), Pseudomonas spp. (3.33%) and Serratia marcescens (0.66%). Antibiogram studies revealed that P. multocida showed highest sensitivity to co-trimoxazole, M. haemolytica was completely sensitive to β-lactam and macrolide antibiotics, while E. coli was most responsive to amoxycillin-sulbactam but resistant to erythromycin. The findings indicate rising antimicrobial resistance among bacterial agents of ovine respiratory infections.