Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxin genes in chicken meat samples

Year 2026, Volume: 73 Issue: 1, 49 - 55, 01.01.2026

Gamze Turkal , Arife Ezgi Telli , Nihat Telli , Yusuf Biçer , Yusuf Doğruer

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1744826

Abstract

Foodborne outbreaks remain a significant global public health concern, often linked to the consumption of contaminated animal-derived foods. Among these, chicken meat is particularly recognized as a major reservoir of Staphylococcus aureus, a pathogenic microorganism associated with both food intoxication and antimicrobial resistance. S. aureus can produce enterotoxins responsible for foodborne illness and may also exhibit methicillin resistance (MRSA), complicating treatment options. This study aims to investigate the methicillin resistance and the presence of enterotoxin genes in S. aureus strains isolated from retail chicken meat. Out of 200 chicken meat samples, MRSA was detected in 24% (n=48). Among these MRSA isolates, the mecA gene, which is associated with methicillin resistance, was identified in 66.6% (n=32) of isolates via PCR. Notably, no classical enterotoxin genes were found in any of the tested samples. Although the absence of classical enterotoxin genes suggests a low risk of staphylococcal intoxication in this sample group, the presence of MRSA strains underscores a persistent public health concern regarding antimicrobial resistance in the food chain.

Keywords

Chicken meat , Enterotoxin genes , Methicillin-resistant , S. aureus

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