Molecular detection of foodborne pathogens in Ardabil's milk supply

Foodborne diseases, often associated with animal products, cause illnesses globally. Contaminated animal products, particularly milk, are responsible for two-thirds of foodborne disease outbreaks, posing significant challenges to public health and economic sectors. This highlights the need for stringent food safety measures to protect public health. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the frequency of major foodborne pathogens in bulk milk samples in Ardabil province, Iran.

Between April and August 2024, 281 unpasteurized bulk milk samples were collected from cattle, sheep, and goat in Ardabil province, Iran. Samples were transported under hygienic conditions and stored at -20°C. DNA was extracted from 15 mL of milk samples and then molecular identification of various foodborne pathogens was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR methods. Geographic information systems (GIS) were employed to determine pathogen dispersion, creating scatter plots using ArcMap 10.8.1 software based on GPS coordinates of sampling locations.

Among 281 bulk milk specimens that were tested, the frequency of various foodborne pathogens was as follows: Coxiella burnetii 9.2%, Listeria monocytogenes 1%, Brucella spp. 11.3%, Campylobacter jejuni 7.8%, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex 8.1%, Salmonella enterica 6.4%, Staphylococcus aureus 3.9%, Escherichia coli 3.2%, and Bacillus cereus 12.8%.

This study highlights the high frequency of major foodborne pathogens in unpasteurized bulk milk samples from Ardabil province, Iran. This underscores the critical need for enhanced food safety measures. The high frequency of contamination, particularly from B. cereus, Brucella spp., and C. burnetii, pose serious public health risks. Implementing stringent monitoring and control strategies in the dairy industry is essential to reduce the incidence of foodborne diseases and protect consumers. Continuous surveillance and education on proper food handling practices are imperative to safeguard public health and prevent future outbreaks of foodborne illnesses in the region.