The Microbiological Quality of Raw Ovine Milk in the Banat Region of Romania with a Focus on and Its Pathogenic Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance

Overview

Journal Vet Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Veterinary Medicine

Date 2024 Nov 26

PMID 39591336

Authors

Razvan-Dragos Rosu

Adriana Morar

Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan

Mirela Imre

Khalid Ibrahim Sallam

Al-Ashmawy A Maha

Samir Mohammed Abd-Elghany

Sebastian Alexandru Popa

Razvan-Tudor Patrinjan

Doru Morar

Kalman Imre

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study investigated the bacteriological quality of raw ovine milk produced by farms located in the Banat region of Romania. Additionally, the pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance of the isolated strains were evaluated. A total of 95.8% (69/72) of the screened bulk tank milk samples, collected at the farm level immediately after milking, demonstrated appropriate total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TMB) counts, varying from 3.32 to 6.09 log10 CFU/mL. However, 4.2% (3/72) of the samples were above the regulatory limit of 6.18 log10 CFU/mL. was identified in 66.6% of the examined samples, and from the total number ( = 48) of isolates, 18.8% harbored the 2 gene, highlighting pathogenic potential. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing with the Vitek2 system of the isolated strains revealed resistance against ampicillin (45.8%), gentamicin (20.8%), ticarcillin-clavulanic acid (18.8%), cephalexin (18.8%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (8.3%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (2.1%). Additionally, 64.6% of the strains showed intermediate resistance against amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, while no resistance was recorded against imipenem. Five (18.5%) strains were multidrug-resistant. This study's results underline hygienic sanitary deficiencies during the milking phase and indicate that raw ovine milk can be contaminated with pathogenic and multidrug-resistant strains, highlighting a potential risk to public health. Further studies are encouraged to better understand the risk posed to the consumer via the consumption of ovine milk and derived products.

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