title: Short communication: Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk fresh cheese in Colombia.
abstract: The aim of this study was the characterization of a collection of 8 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates, obtained from samples of fresh cheese (Doble Crema) produced from raw cow milk in small dairies in Colombia. All the isolates harbored the mecA and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes, presented with SCCmec type IV, and belonged to multilocus sequence type 8 and spa type 024. Seven isolates presented 3 closely related pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles. Three of them carried the staphylococcal enterotoxin B gene. The isolates were resistant to cefoxitin, oxacillin, penicillin, and ampicillin and susceptible to all non-β-lactams antibiotics tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration values for oxacillin of 4 to 8mg/L. The isolates belonged to the community-acquired MRSA group, suggesting a human source of contamination. The risk of human infection by MRSA via contaminated foods is considered low, but contaminated food commodities can contribute to the worldwide dissemination of clones of community-acquired MRSA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Hygiene and Food Technology, Veterinary Faculty, University of León, ES24071 Spain; Grupo de Investigación en Microbiología y Biotecnología (GIMBIO), Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Pamplona, Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia.
authors.forename: Fanny C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Hygiene and Food Technology, Veterinary Faculty, University of León, ES24071 Spain.
authors.forename: María-Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: García-López
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Hygiene and Food Technology, Veterinary Faculty, University of León, ES24071 Spain. Electronic address: j.santos@unileon.es.
authors.forename: Jesús A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics; D002417:Cattle; D002611:Cheese; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008712:Methicillin; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008892:Milk / Q000187:drug effects; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D008712:Methicillin
keywords: Doble Crema cheese; MRSA; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus