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ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PATTERNS IN FARM MILK BACTERIA ACROSS KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PAKISTAN

Naveed Khan, Irfan Haider, Mujadded Abdullah, Muhammad Fayaz, Mustafa khan, Zaheer Ullah, Abdul Kabir*

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Abstract

This study investigates the antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria found in milk from farms in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. A total of 250 milk samples were analyzed, revealing the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (30.4%) and Escherichia coli (21.6%). The disk diffusion method showed alarming patterns of antibiotic resistance. The research also examined the distribution of Staphylococcus aureus in relation to area, breed, age, species, and farming system. The results indicate a significant presence of this bacterium in the farm milk samples collected, with variations across different parameters. For instance, 40% of the samples from Swat and 40% from Swabi were affected, while all samples from Kurram were negative. The highest number of affected samples was found in the HF breed (33.3%), and older cattle (2.5 years) were more susceptible to Staphylococcus aureus (54.5%). Interestingly, all buffalo samples were affected, and dairy farms had a higher number of affected samples (35.4%) compared to household farms (16.9%). These findings highlight the urgent need for strict antibiotic policies and enhanced milk safety protocols. The study advocates for a balanced approach to livestock management, promoting both economic prosperity and public health safety. It contributes to the global discourse on antibiotic stewardship, offering insights for sustainable dairy practices.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, farm milk, microorganism, Anti-microbial activity.