| Abstrakt: |
Here we characterized the distribution and the antibiotic resistance of staphylococci from a Brazilian pork production chain. Samples (n= 1,114) from pig farms, pig lots, and slaughterhouses, located in two Brazilian states (Minas Gerais and Paraná), were subjected to coagulase-positive Staphylococcusenumeration. S. aureusisolates (n= 251) from this collection were further characterized for their resistance to oxacillin, cefoxitin, vancomycin, and tetracycline through phenotypic and molecular assays. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcuscounts from pig farms were higher compared with other samples (P< 0.05). Other counts were relatively low but were present in all production stages. S. aureusisolates were commonly resistant to oxacillin and cefoxitin (54 of 73, 74.0%), qualifying them as methicillin-resistant S. aureus,but PCR assays indicated that few harbored the expected antimicrobial resistance genes (femB, mecA,and mecC). Lower frequencies of vancomycin and tetracycline resistance were found (6.8 to 37.0%). PCR sensitivity (34.5 to 86.7%) and specificity (26.6 to 85.0%) for detection of antibiotic resistance genes varied based on the assessed antibiotic. Antibiotic-resistant staphylococci are widely distributed in the Brazilian pork production chain, and methicillin-resistant S. aureuscan become a potential health and economic impediment for the Brazilian pork industry. |
