Harnessing bacteriophages for mastitis prevention in Kenya in goats

 

In Kenya, there are approximately 28 million goats, representing the country’s most abundant livestock resource. Mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) is a critical health issue for animals. It affects the reproductive health of goats and has a negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions, posing a multifaceted challenge. Staphylococcus sp. has been identified as the primary bacterial cause of mastitis in goats, of which significant isolates have demonstrated resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics.

To combat this issue, and in response to the pressing need for an effective and sustainable solution to address antimicrobial resistance in ruminant farming practices, this project will develop bacteriophage (a virus that destroys bacteria)-based solutions for the efficient management of mastitis in goats. The plan is to isolate novel staphylococcus phages from Kenyan goats and milk samples and leverage currently available supplies of these phages. The plan will be to evaluate the efficacy of combinations of phages in vitro as well as in mastitis infection models involving both mice and goats to refine the phage-based therapy for field application.

This project goes beyond laboratory research by examining the socioeconomic impact of mastitis in goat farming and how phage technology could be a sustainable solution to empower women goat farmers. The multifaceted endeavour is driven by the need to enhance goat health, safeguard livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture in Kenya.
This project is funded through InnoVet-AMR2, a four-year partnership between IDRC and the United Kingdom’s Department of Health and Social Care. The initiative is aimed at reducing the emerging risk that antimicrobial resistance in animals poses to global health and food security.