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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Molecular detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different foodstuffs in Egypt
Doha Elsayed Naeim1, Ibrahim Elsayed Eldesoukey1, Amgad Ahmed Moawad1
1Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Abstract:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is a major public health problem. Therefore, this study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of MRSA in various food products. A total number of 204 food samples including raw milk (n = 30), cheese (n = 60), chicken (n = 25), beef (n = 24) and fish (n = 65) were collected from August to November of 2021 within different localities in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, the northern region of Egypt. All samples were assessed through a series of bacteriological and biochemical techniques to identify MRSA. Out of 204 samples, 52(25.49%) isolates were presumptively identified as MRSA on oxacillin resistance screening agar base media. Of these 52 isolates, 17(32.69%) were characterized as coagulase-positive. For the molecular confirmation of MRSA, all isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction assays to detect mecA and mecC. In addition, mecA was identified in all the isolates (100%), whereas, none was positive for mecC. Therefore, based on the detection of mecA, the overall occurrence rate of MRSA among the samples was 8.33%. The isolates were also subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Cefoxitin, cefuroxime, oxacillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid were completely resistant (100%) to the isolates, however, susceptible to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin. Raw milk had the highest prevalence of MRSA (13.30%), followed by chicken (12.00%), fish (9.20%), cheese (5.00%) and beef (4.20%). Due to the possibility of transmission of these strains to humans, the high prevalence of MRSA in various foodstuffs in Egypt poses a potential public health risk.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was found in 8.33% of Egyptian food samples, with raw milk showing the highest prevalence. This finding highlights a potential public health risk due to foodborne MRSA transmission.
Area of Science:
- Food Safety
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat.
- The presence and prevalence of MRSA in food products require thorough investigation to assess public health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MRSA in various food products in Egypt.
- To identify the molecular markers (mecA and mecC) and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of detected MRSA isolates.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological and biochemical techniques were used to presumptively identify MRSA in 204 food samples.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were employed for molecular confirmation of MRSA by detecting mecA and mecC genes.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on confirmed MRSA isolates.
Main Results:
- MRSA was detected in 8.33% of the analyzed food samples.
- The mecA gene was present in all confirmed MRSA isolates (100%), while the mecC gene was absent.
- Raw milk exhibited the highest MRSA prevalence (13.30%), followed by chicken (12.00%) and fish (9.20%).
- MRSA isolates showed 100% resistance to cefoxitin, cefuroxime, oxacillin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, but remained susceptible to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the presence of MRSA in Egyptian food products, indicating a potential public health concern.
- The high prevalence in raw milk, chicken, and fish warrants targeted surveillance and control measures.
- Findings underscore the importance of monitoring food safety to prevent the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to consumers.
