Prevalence of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus in organic milk and cheese in Tabriz, Iran

• Published in: Iranian journal of microbiology Vol. 6; no. 5; pp. 345 - 349
• Main Authors: Rahbar Saadat, Yalda, Imani Fooladi, Abbas Ali, Shapouri, Reza, Hosseini, Mir Mohsen, Deilami Khiabani, Zahra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iran Tehran University of Medical Sciences 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Cheese; Enterotoxin; Medical Sciences; Organic Milk; Staphylococcus aureus; Enterotoxin; Cheese; Organic Milk; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 2008-3289; 2008-4447

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a gastrointestinal disease, which is caused by consumption of contaminated food with enterotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (SEs). Milk and its products are known sources of food borne diseases. This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of enterotoxigenic S. aureus strains in organic milk and cheese in Tabriz - Iran. A total of 200 samples (100 milk samples and 100 cheese samples) were collected from farms and milk collection points in Tabriz - Iran. The samples were cultured and identified by standard bacteriological methods, then PCR was performed to detect sea gene. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 27% of all samples (milk and cheese). Results of PCR showed that 12.96% of S. aureus isolates possessed sea gene. It suggested the potential public health threat of S. aureus resulting from contamination of dairy products. So, efforts are required to improve safety standards for preventing staphylococcal food poisoning.