Susceptibility pattern of aerobic bacteria isolated from septicemic cattle in Adama, Ethiopia

From November, 2011 to March, 2012 a total of 586 cattle were examined for febrile conditions. From these animals, 62 (10.6) animals were found to be febrile. So the study was conducted on these animals with the objective of identifying and carrying out antibacterial susceptibility testing on the isolates. From the total of 62 blood cultures processed, only 37 cultures gave bacteria while the remaining 25 cultures were discarded because of absence of visible bacterial growth. From the total isolates, Staphylococcus aureus were predominant by accounting 11 (29.7%) of the total isolate followed by other Staphylococcus species and Pasteurella multocida which constitutes 21.6 and 18.9% of the total population, respectively. On the other hand Salmonella and Streptococcus species were also isolated in considerable amount being encountered in 16.2 and 13.6% of the total organisms, respectively. Furthermore, antibacterial sensitivity test was performed on the isolates by the discs amoxicillin, ampicillin, gentamicin penicillin-G, chloramphenicol, oxy tetracycline polymixine B, streptomycin and ciprofloxacin. From these drugs chloramphenicol was the most effective drug being active on most of the isolates. This drug was effective on 97.3% of the total isolates followed by ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and ampicillin were effective on 89.2, 83.8 and 81.1% of the isolates, respectively.   Key words: Adama, cattle, septicaemia, febrile, Staphylococcus susceptibility test.