Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk dairy products handcrafted in traditional alpine small-scale farms, and characterised the enterotoxigenicity and resistance to methicillin. Among the analysed samples, 69% exceeded the international microbiological recommendations. The highest counts were observed for cheese or fatty products (~106 cfu/g). Conversely, lower contamination levels concerned raw milk and whey cheese (~102 cfu/g). A total of 163 S. aureus isolates were collected, and the prevalence of MRSA was low (1.7%) but not negligible. The finding of enterotoxins genes in 67% of the isolates is of concern for the public health.
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