DETECTION AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF COAGULASE-POSITIVE STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND METHICILIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATED FROM RAW PORK IN THE RETAIL

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is widespread in pork meat and can cause a severe food poisoning. The aim of present study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of the antimicrobial resistance of S. aureus and MRSA from retail raw pork meat in Bulgaria between 2019 and 2021. Coagulase-positive S. aureus were detected in 30.8% (52/169). Susceptibility to all antimicrobials was detected in 28.8% (15/52) of S. aureus isolates by the disk-diffusion method. Мultidrug resistance was found in 18 of a total of 52 isolates (34.6%). A study of the MIC indicated resistance to the cefoxitin (> 4 mg/L) in 8 of the total 23 tested isolates (34.8%) The mecA gene was confirmed in 5 of the tested isolates. The high prevalence of MRSA in raw pork meat, sold in Bulgaria should be considered as a signal of the risk of its spread in the human population. This requires the implementation of appropriate hygiene practices in the production, processing and sale of meat and meat products to reduce the spread of MRSA to humans.