Detection of slime genes and antiseptic/antibiotic-resistance genes in Staphylococcal isolates from Damascus goats with subclinical mastitis

Abstract

This study aimed to detect slime genes and antibiotic/antiseptic-resistance genes in staphylococcal isolates from goats with subclinical mastitis in Hatay, Turkey. Thirty staphylococcal isolates were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analyses for detection of the studied genes. The genes responsible for slime production (icaA and icaD), in addition to oxacillin (mecA), gentamicin (aacA-aphD), erythromycin (ermA and ermC), tetracycline (tetK and tetM) penicillin (blaZ) and quarterly ammonium compound (QAC) resistance genes (qacA/qacB and qacC) were analysed by PCR assays. Slime genes predominated in goat mastitis isolates (12/30, 40.0%). The most prevalent resistance gene was blaZ, which was found in 11 (36.6%) isolates. mecA was present in 2 (6.6%) isolates, and qacA/B was found in 1 (3.3%) isolate. The other resistance genes were not detected in any isolates. Twelve of the 30 isolates were negative for the studied genes. In conclusion, the presence of ica genes in 40% of isolates illustrates the slime production ability of staphylococcal isolates in goat mastitis. The presence of these resistance genes in goat mastitis isolates is remarkable and has implications for goat milk and goat milk products for human consumption.