AMB Volume 42, Issue 1, 2026 Pages 46-54 https://doi.org/10.59393/amb26420106
Detection of mecA/mecC Genes in Coagulase-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Raw Beef Meat at the Retail
Krumova-Valcheva G., Mateva G., Gyurova E., Milanov M., Daskalov H.
This study aimed to detect coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus in raw beef, retailed in Bulgaria, and their antimicrobial resistance profile and detection of methicillin-resistant genes. 157 samples of retail packaged raw beef meat from various origins were investigated. The presence of coagulase-positive staphylococci was carried out according to ISO 6888-3. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by disk diffusion method and isolates with resistance to at least two antimicrobial classes were verified by the microdilution assay to detect the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to confirm MRSA. S. aureus was detected in 29.3% (46/157). MRSA were found in 3.8% (6/157). Antimicrobial resistance was found in 32.6% of S. aureus isolates with resistance to penicillin being the most common (56.5%). 33.3% (9/27) of the isolates showed resistance to cefoxitin >4mg/L. The mecA/mecC genes were identified in 6 out of a total 9 S. aureus isolates. The spa gene was detected in all tested S. aureus isolates, confirming their biochemical results. In conclusion, the raw beef meat, retailed in Bulgaria, appear to be possible source of MRSA and risk to human health. Controlling antibiotics in agriculture and food production is a first step to manage this risk.
Keywords: coagulase-positive S. aureus, MRSA, beef, antimicrobial resistance, multiplex PCR
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