The aim of this study was to gain information on quality traits, mainly bacterial and somatic cell counts of bulk milk, produced by small- and medium-scale producers in a semiarid northeastern region of Brazil and to identify and characterize possible risk factors associated with those quality traits. A cross-sectional study was performed on 50 farms. Bulk milk samples were collected for bacterial and somatic cell counts. Additionally, information about farm demographics, general management practices, hygiene, and milking procedures was also obtained. Multivariable analysis using logistic regression was performed with predictors previously identified by univariate analysis using a Fisher's Exact test. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts varied from 3.59 log to 6.95 log cfu/mL, with geometric mean of 5.27 log cfu/mL. Mean total coliform count was 3.27 log (1.52 log to 5.89 log) most probable number (MPN)/mL, whereas mean thermotolerant coliforms was 2.38 log (1.48 log to 4.75 log) MPN/mL. A high positive correlation was observed between aerobic mesophilic bacteria and coliform counts. Although most farms met the standard for the current regulations for total bacteria (88%) and somatic cell counts (94%), nearly half of the producers (46%) would have problems in achieving the 2012 threshold limit for total bacteria count if no improvement in milk quality occurs. Mean value for staphylococci was 3.99 log (2.31 log to 6.24 log) cfu/mL, and Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 33 (66%) farms. Premilking teat-end wash procedure (odds ratio=0.191) and postmilking teat dip (odds ratio=0.67) were associated with lower aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus counts in bulk milk, respectively. Considering that the farm characteristics in this study are representative of the semiarid northeastern region, these findings encourage further investigations for supporting intervention measures intended to improve the quality of milk produced by smallholders.

Highlights Staphylococci are commonly found in the environment of semi-extensive dairy farms and milk is the main source of contamination. Manual milking can play a role in the dissemination of Staphylococcus spp. in semi-extensive dairy farms. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in milk and milker's hand swabs and might be of public health significance.

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Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a qualidade microbiológica do leite caprino produzido por agricultores no Cariri paraibano. Foram analisadas 160 amostras de unidades produtivas de base familiar selecionadas, aleatoriamente e analisadas no LAPOA/CCA/UFPB. Observou-se que 48,1% das amostras analisadas para mesófilos aeróbios encontram-se em desacordo com a IN 37. Para coliformes totais, os resultados variaram entre zero e 2 x 107 UFC/mL. Para Staphylococcus aureus¸ verificou-se que 9 amostras (9,4%) estavam contaminadas por esse patógeno. Quanto a presença de Salmonella enterica, foi possível realizar o isolamento desse patógeno em duas amostras (1,3%). Com relação à contaminação por Listeria spp., foram detectados 15 isolados (9,4%) pertencentes ao gênero, no entanto, nenhum confirmado para Listeria monocytogenes. Os níveis de contaminação revelam uma possível falha no processamento de higiene na ordenha como também incidência de mastite subclínica ligados a fatores de risco, sendo necessário, dessa forma, implementar boas práticas de higiene de ordenha como também medidas eficazes de higienização de equipamentos e utensílios utilizados no processamento do leite.

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