Survey on the presence of antibiotic residues in raw milk samples from six sites of the dairy pool of Niamey, Niger

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Antibiotics are widely used in animal production for treating the diseases and for preventing or increasing animal growth. The presence of antibiotic residues in milk is a public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the use of antibiotic residues in raw milk from the dairy pool of Niamey in three farms (Toukounous, Kirkissoye, and Niamey) and three collection centers (Hamdallaye, Kollo, and Say). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A direct interview (questionnaire) was used to collect data regarding the mode of use of antibiotics, the level of knowledge of farmers according to the withdrawal period, and a cross-sectional study was conducted on 192 samples of raw milk. The Delvotest(®) T was used to monitor antibiotic residues in milk. The data were analyzed using SAS and R software. RESULTS: The most commonly used antibiotics were those from the family of tetracycline (86.7%) and from the family of beta-lactams (13.3%). Regarding the statements of farmers, the reasons why the farmers use antibiotics were the following: About 47% in case of prevention and treatment, 29% for treatment, 12% for prevention, and 12% for increase dairy production. Moreover, the farmers lacked the necessary information about withdrawal period. Screening of antibiotic residues was performed using a standardized biological test kit, the Delvotest(®). In total, from 192 samples of raw milk, 19 (9.9%) were positive including ten from collection centers and nine from farms. This could lead to a risk of exposure when a consumer drinks locally produced raw milk. CONCLUSION: Raw milk supplied from the area of the study has a level of antibiotic residues, and the breeders have a low level of knowledge about the withdrawal period.