CHARACTERIZATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATES FROM TRADITIONAL DAIRY PRODUCTS OF SMALL-SCALE ALPINE FARMS.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]