Research Article

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

Volume: 73 Number: 1 January 1, 2026

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

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

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Food Hygiene and Technology

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

November 25, 2025

Publication Date

January 1, 2026

Submission Date

July 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 73 Number: 1

APA
Turkal, G., Telli, A. E., Telli, N., Biçer, Y., & Doğruer, Y. (2026). Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxin genes in chicken meat samples. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 73(1), 49-55. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1744826
AMA
1.Turkal G, Telli AE, Telli N, Biçer Y, Doğruer Y. Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxin genes in chicken meat samples. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73(1):49-55. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1744826
Chicago
Turkal, Gamze, Arife Ezgi Telli, Nihat Telli, Yusuf Biçer, and Yusuf Doğruer. 2026. “Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and Enterotoxin Genes in Chicken Meat Samples”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 (1): 49-55. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1744826.
EndNote
Turkal G, Telli AE, Telli N, Biçer Y, Doğruer Y (January 1, 2026) Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxin genes in chicken meat samples. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 1 49–55.
IEEE
[1]G. Turkal, A. E. Telli, N. Telli, Y. Biçer, and Y. Doğruer, “Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxin genes in chicken meat samples”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 49–55, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1744826.
ISNAD
Turkal, Gamze - Telli, Arife Ezgi - Telli, Nihat - Biçer, Yusuf - Doğruer, Yusuf. “Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and Enterotoxin Genes in Chicken Meat Samples”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73/1 (January 1, 2026): 49-55. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1744826.
JAMA
1.Turkal G, Telli AE, Telli N, Biçer Y, Doğruer Y. Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxin genes in chicken meat samples. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73:49–55.
MLA
Turkal, Gamze, et al. “Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and Enterotoxin Genes in Chicken Meat Samples”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 73, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 49-55, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1744826.
Vancouver
1.Gamze Turkal, Arife Ezgi Telli, Nihat Telli, Yusuf Biçer, Yusuf Doğruer. Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxin genes in chicken meat samples. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Jan. 1;73(1):49-55. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1744826