Characterization of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from healthy cattle and buffaloes in a linked community

Abstract

Objective:To give updated information regarding the occurrence of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolated from dairy cattle and buffalos in a linked study population. Design: Descriptive study. Samples:The study comprised 360 samples (240 of animal origin and 120 from humans). Three different types of samples (including teat swabs, milk and feces, 80 each) were collected from animals in addition (nasal swabs, hand swabs and stool specimens, 40 each) were collected from contact persons. Procedures:The collected samples were examined by stander techniques. Results:S. aureus was identified in 59.3% (73/123) from the examined farm dairy cattle. MRSA was not determined in any of the examined cows’ samples while for buffaloes, it was detected in 63.2% (12/19), 64.7% (11/17) and 40 % (4/10) in milk, teat swabs and fecal samples, respectively. For smallholding cattle and buffaloes, MRSA was detected in the above mentioned samples and in relation to the recovered S. aureus isolates (at cefoxitin 4μg/ml) in the following pattern: 22.2% (4/18), 15% (3/20) and 18.8% (3/16) and 20% (3/15), 100% (11/11) and 43.8% (7/16), respectively. However, in contact persons the percentage was 85 (34/40), 82.5 (33/40) and 90 (36/40) from nasal swabs, hand swabs and stool specimens, respectively. Conclusion and clinical relevance:The results herein confirmed that cows, buffaloes and their contact workers could play a significant role in the transmission of MRSA, whereas the detection of MRSA in the raw milk, teat swabs and feces of cows and buffaloes may create the opportunity for the transmission of such bacteria.