Prevalence, Molecular Characterization, Antibiotics Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Egyptian Soft Cheese, and Effect of Rosemary Essential Oil on its Viability

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus has the ability to yield heat stable enterotoxins resulting in food intoxication in human with variable intensity. So, the objectives of this research are to investigate the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus in Egyptian Soft Cheese (Talaga cheese), molecular identification of nuc and mecA genes in isolated strains by Multiplex PCR, assess the antimicrobial resistance profile using 16 different antibiotics as well as evaluate the Antimicrobial activity of rosemary oil on the viability of S. aureus. Sixty random samples of Talaga soft cheese were collected from different market places and dairy shops in various districts of Mansoura town, Dakahlia governorate. Egypt. S. aureus was discovered in 30% (18/60) from examined samples where 4 isolates (22.2%) were proved to be enterotoxigenic strains. All S. aureus isolates contained on nuc gene, however the mecA gene was found only in 5 S. aureus isolates (27.7%). S. aureus isolates showed a higher multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) where the average MAR index was 0.479 and this leads to an increase in the public health hazard. The antimicrobial properties of rosemary essential oil as a natural antimicrobial agent were evaluated against S. aureus strain (ATCC 25923). It could be concluded that using rosemary essential oil with 2% concentration was highly effective in reducing and inhibiting S. aureus.