The Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Milk and Dairy Products in Balikesir, Turkey

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen that causes severe infections in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the antimicrobial profile of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in cow bulk tank milk and dairy products in the region of Balikesir in Turkey. Of 175 milk and dairy products' samples, 26 were found to be positive for coagulase-positive staphylococci and 3 (2 samples from cow bulk tank milk and 1 sample from tulum cheese) were MRSA phenotypically being resistant against both oxacillin and cefoxitin. Among these, 17 were confirmed as S. aureus by the detection of nuc gene and one as MRSA carrying the mecA gene. All MRSA isolates were found to be also resistant against ampicillin, penicillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Consequently, even though the prevalence of MRSA in cow bulk tank milk and dairy products was relatively low (1.70%), it may pose serious risks in terms of food safety and public health. In order to prevent the prevalence of MRSA in dairy products, hygienic measures, especially in terms of personal hygiene and disinfection of equipment in all stages of dairy production, should be taken, and HACCP and GMP regulations should be implemented.

Investigation of mecA gene, virulence traits and antibiotic resistance profiles in methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from dairy products

“…We observed that none of the yogurt samples was contaminated with MRSA. Consistent with our findings, the absence of MRSA in yogurt samples was reported by Ektik et al () and Papadopoulos et al (). However, Demirci, Yığın, Kılıç Altun, Dınç, and Erol () identified MRSA by the presence of the mec A gene in 2 out of 64 yogurt samples collected in Şanlıurfa, Turkey.…”

“…All of the MRSA isolates were resistant to penicillin. The same result was found by Ektik et al (), and similar results were published by Papadopoulos et al () with 99.3% resistance and by Can et al () with 95% resistance. Consistent with our data, several studies performed in different countries also reported resistance to tetracycline (Can & Çelik, ; Ferreira et al, ; Oniciuc et al, ; Pamuk et al, ; Papadopoulos et al, ; Traversa et al, ), clindamycin (Can & Çelik, ; Pamuk et al, ; Traversa et al, ), and chloramphenicol (Pamuk et al, ; Papadopoulos et al, ).…”

“…In the E‐test results, multiple antibiotic resistance was observed in a total of 19 MRSA strains originating from cheese (10 strains), butter (5 strains), and buttercream (4 strains). Multiple resistant MRSA identification in other milk and dairy products has also been reported by several authors (Can & Çelik, ; Ektik et al, ; Oniciuc et al, ; Papadopoulos et al, ). Remarkably in the results of our study identified a vancomycin‐resistant MRSA strain showing resistance to multiple antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline, and clindamycin.…”

“…Consistent with our data, several studies performed in different countries also reported resistance to tetracycline (Can & Çelik, ; Ferreira et al, ; Oniciuc et al, ; Pamuk et al, ; Papadopoulos et al, ; Traversa et al, ), clindamycin (Can & Çelik, ; Pamuk et al, ; Traversa et al, ), and chloramphenicol (Pamuk et al, ; Papadopoulos et al, ). In addition to antibiotics tested in the present study, resistance to erythromycin (Can & Çelik, ; Pamuk et al, ; Traversa et al, ), ampicillin (Can & Çelik, ; Ektik et al, ), and ciprofloxacin (Oniciuc et al, ; Papadopoulos et al, ) has been reported in milk and dairy isolates of MRSA.…”

“…Fourteen of butter samples harbored MRSA. In contrast, Mrzaei et al (), Ektik et al () and Papadopoulos et al () did not find MRSA in butter. We observed that none of the yogurt samples was contaminated with MRSA.…”