Identification of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in yoghurts from Şanlıurfa by real-time PCR

Abstract

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important pathogenic microorganisms that display multiple drug resistance, causing severe infections in animals and humans. Contaminated or raw milk products, such as yoghurt, are one of the root causesof such MRSA infections for the consumers. Recent studies on clonal investigation revealed the same clonal isolates of animals in humaninfections. Thus, the epidemiology of these bacteria in food products and animals has gained importance. Therefore, the aim of this study wasto epidemiologically detect MRSA in yoghurt samples from Urfa via real-time PCR. To detect MRSA via real-time PCR, the mecA gene wasinvestigated on the DNA obtained from the yoghurt samples. Among 64 yoghurt samples, of which 55 were unpackaged and 9 were packaged,the MRSA mecA gene was only detected in 2 (3.13 %) unpackaged samples via real-time PCR. These results showed that it was possible todetect and epidemiologically investigate MRSA, an important pathogen for human and animal health, via real-time PCR from yoghurt sampleswith direct DNA isolation. In addition, this pathogen can be found in the products sold in Şanlıurfa, which indicates that it may lead to severediseases in case of consumption, if not conformed to hygienic conditions.