The phenotypic resistance pattern of staphylococci isolates from bovine mastitis was studied. The phenotypic resistance percentages obtained for the antibiotics tetracycline (17.90 %), sulpha- trimethoprim (15.40 %), ceftriaxone- tazobactum (14.19%), gentamicin and amoxycillin- clavulanate (11.11 %) each, enrofloxacin (10.49%) and cefoperazone (8.64 %) was assessed to identify multi-drug resistance (MDR) in the isolates. The MDR bacterial isolates were identified as Staphylococcus spp (12.34%). Seven MDR coagulase positive isolates and 13 coagulase negative isolates were selected for the multi-drug resistance profiling. The MAR index was also calculated for each isolate. The highest MAR index was noticed for the isolate which showed resistance against all the antibiotics studied. The occurrence of multi-drug resistance in mastitis pathogens results in recurrent mastitis in dairy cattle and to the related economic losses for the livestock owners along with serious implications in public health.

Highlights

• High occurrence of MDR Staphylococcus spp. was reported from recurrent bovine mastitis.
• Emergence of coagulase negative staphylococci as a major pathogen for subclinical mastitis in cattle