Dr. Md. Abul Fazal
Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Bangladesh
Abstract Title: Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mastitis Pathogens in Dairy Herds in Bangladesh: Molecular Insights and Risk Factor Analysis
Biography: Md. Abul Fazal completed his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health from Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University at the age of 45. He currently serves as the Director of the Apollo Poultry and Dairy Diagnostic Laboratory in Cumilla. Previously, he worked as a Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health at the same university. Dr. Fazal has published over eight research papers in reputed scientific journals and has accumulated nearly 100 citations. He has a strong research interest in both classical and molecular microbiology.
Research Interest: This study investigated the diversity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Klebsiella spp., and E. coli associated with subclinical mastitis (SCM) in Bangladeshi dairy herds, along with key risk factors. Quarter milk samples were collected from 284 lactating cows across 30 farms. Using the California Mastitis Test, 178 cows (62.7%) were diagnosed with at least one SCM-affected quarter. Bacterial isolates were identified using conventional methods and PCR, with AMR and virulence genes detected molecularly. Among Staphylococcus spp., S. chromogenes (65.7%) was predominant, followed by S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, S. aureus, and S. sciuri. Prevalence of Streptococcus spp., E. coli, and Klebsiella spp. was 39.9%, 18.0%, and 6.7%, respectively. High resistance to ampicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was observed in S. aureus and S. sciuri, while S. chromogenes, S. haemolyticus, and S. epidermidis showed high resistance to cefepime. Multidrug resistance was widespread. The mecA gene was detected in S. aureus (32.1%) and S. chromogenes (6%), while pvl and tst virulence genes were found in S. sciuri, S. haemolyticus, and S. aureus. Risk factors identified included older age, early lactation, firm udder condition, prior mastitis, and antimicrobial use for Staphylococcus spp., and lack of quarantine and front-left quarter infection for E. coli. These findings underscore the need for targeted mastitis control, improved antibiotic stewardship, and farm-level biosecurity in Bangladesh's dairy sector.