# Evaluation of raw milk samples and vendor‐derived Staphylococcus aureus and Coxiella burnetii prevalence in dairy delicatessens in eastern Turkey

## TL;DR

This study found Staphylococcus aureus and Coxiella burnetii in raw milk and plastic bags from dairy shops in Eastern Turkey, highlighting a public health risk.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and genetic similarity of S. aureus and C. burnetii in retail dairy products in Eastern Turkey.

## Key findings

- 11% of samples tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, none of which were methicillin-resistant or enterotoxigenic.
- 14% of milk samples were positive for Coxiella burnetii, with 100% genetic match to reference strains in GenBank.
- High similarity was observed between S. aureus strains from milk and plastic bags from the same source.

## Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus, as well as the detection and genetic relationship of Coxiella burnetii in retail milk samples and plastic bags from 25 local dairy delicatessens. Bacteriological culture, PCR, and Sanger sequencing were performed. Eleven percent of the samples were positive for S. aureus, none of which were methicillin‐resistant or enterotoxigenic. The rep‐PCR analysis revealed a high similarity between strains isolated from milk and bag samples from the same source. Moreover, 14% of the milk samples were positive for C. burnetii, which matched 100% of the reference strains in the GenBank.

Staphylococcus aureus and Coxiella burnetii were detected in retail milk and plastic bags sold at local dairy delicatessens in Eastern Turkey. The employees in the delicatessens should be aware of the risk to public health. There is a pressing need for more effective implementation of national and international guidelines to decrease the contamination of raw milk and vendor origins.