Occurence and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk for cheesemaking

Fifty-four samples of raw milk for cheesemaking were tested for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. Multiplex polymerase chain reactions were performed to identify presumptive isolates and the presence of enterotoxin-coding genes sea-see. The strains were tested for antibiotic resistance. Eighty strains were identified as S. aureus and 31 of these carried one or more enterotoxin genes (sea-see). Resistance to eritromycin, penicillin and ampicillin was widespread among isolates. Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk for cheesemaking may constitute a risk with respect to staphylococcal food poisoning from raw milk products.