PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS OF YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA ISOLATED FROM SHEEP AND GOAT MILK

Abstract

 Introduction: The gastrointestinal disease Yersiniosis, is mainly caused by Yersinia enterocolitica along with Y. pseudotuberculosis, which is less common. The present study examines the prevalence of raw goat and sheep milk contamination with Y. enterocolitica collected from Erbil Governorate, Iraq while analyzing the antibacterial resistance profiles of the isolated strains and monitoring seasonal variations in contamination and resistance patterns. Methods: Raw milk samples were collected from a total of 300 animals (150 each from sheep and goat), the samples were tested using culture-based detection methods, yielding a contamination rate of 9.7%. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in contamination rates between sheep and goat milk (p = 0.559), or between village and sale point sources (p = 0.715). Seasonal trends showed a gradual decline in contamination rates from mid-winter to early summer, although these variations were not statistically significant (p ? 0.561). Conclusion: The antimicrobial resistance testing revealed alarming resistance patterns to commonly used antibiotics, including cefotaxime, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides. These findings highlight the public health risks posed by Y. enterocolitica found in raw milk and underscore the need for improved food safety practices and antibiotic stewardship in the region.