Short communicationMRSA detection in raw milk, some dairy products and hands of dairy workers in Egypt, a mini-survey

The main goal of this study was to report the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in raw milk and some dairy products sold in the local markets and villages at Dakahlia province, Egypt. Raw milk, kariesh cheese, ice cream and hand swabs of dairy workers were sampled. It was predicted the high prevalence and counts of detected coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus (CP S. aureus) throughout all of the examined samples and swabs, which certainly reflect the neglected hygienic practices either in the production of raw milk and dairy products or in the personal hygiene. Molecular detection of mecA gene in the CP S. aureus isolates was adopted for the identification of MRSA strains, which could be only identified from 5 samples of raw milk and dairy products, and it was not detected in any of the hand swabs. One out of the five MRSA isolates showed resistance against both vancomycin and oxacillin, while other strains showed resistance against oxacillin alone. This study is the first in term of MRSA detection in raw milk and its products in Egypt, and also elucidates a possible way of transmission of community acquired MRSA.

► MRSA could be isolated among tested raw milk and dairy products samples. ► High staphylococcus aureus prevalence and counts were revealed in this study. ► Raw milk and its product may constitute a route of transmitting CA-MRSA.