Title : Harnessing bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics for Mastitis prevention in goats in Kenya
Abstract:
In Kenya, goats represent the country’s most abundant livestock resource, with an estimated population of approximately 28 million. Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland, is a significant health issue for goats, negatively impacting their productivity and reproductive health, and contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Staphylococcus species have been identified as the primary bacterial cause of mastitis in goats, and many isolates exhibit resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics. This presents a multifaceted challenge, particularly given the pressing need for sustainable solutions to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in ruminant farming. To tackle this issue, this project aims to develop bacteriophage-based therapies for the effective management of mastitis in goats and the reduction of antibiotic use, as well as AMR Staphylococcus strains in Kenyan goat farms. The approach involves isolating novel Staphylococcus strains from Kenyan goat milk samples and Staphylococcus phages from milk and water sources neighbouring goat farms, as well as utilizing existing phage stocks from the Félix d’Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses (www.phage.ulaval.ca) in Canada. Beyond laboratory investigations, the project is also evaluating the socioeconomic impact of mastitis on goat farming, focusing on how phage therapy could provide a sustainable solution, particularly benefiting women goat farmers. The initiative seeks to improve goat health, reduce antibiotic use and the burden of AMR, and promote sustainable agriculture in Kenya. Given the lack of prior studies on phage therapy in Kenyan goats, the technology must be tested and proven as safe and effective. Initial findings have led to the isolation of several Staphylococcus strains from goat milk and some phages with lytic activity against these strains from water samples collected across Kenyan goat farms. Preliminary data indicate that Staphylococcus chromogenes, S. caprae and S. xylosus are the most isolated strains in goats with subclinical mastitis and that phages capable of infecting and killing Staphylococcus strains are successfully being isolated. Ongoing work includes characterizing these newly isolated Staphylococcus strains and phages, with the most promising candidates set to be tested as phage combinations in vitro and in vivo, using mastitis infection models in mice and goats. This project represents a comprehensive effort to address AMR challenges in mastitis management in Kenyan goat farms by developing phage-based treatments for practical field applications, ultimately contributing to more sustainable treatment options.
