Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in poultry meat in Qena, Egypt

Aim: To study the prevalence of pathogenic coagulase positive, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in poultry meat and its products. Materials and Methods: A total of 125 poultry samples were collected during 2012 in Qena governorate for presence of pathogenic coagulase positive, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Samples were taken from freshly slaughtered whole chicken carcasses (25/125), chicken portions (25/125), chicken luncheon (25/125), chicken sausages (25/125) and chicken burgers (25/125). Results: It was observed that 44% (11/25), 52% (13/25), 40% (10/25), 24% (6/25) and 44% (11/25) of bacterial isolates were positive for methicillin-resistance tests for freshly slaughtered whole chicken carcasses, chicken portions, chicken luncheon, chicken sausages and chicken burgers respectively. Higher contamination rate of MRSA was found in raw poultry meat and the lower rate in poultry meat products subjected to heat treatment and preservatives. Conclusion: Poultry meat and its products were considered as an important source of spreading of MRSA in humans. Hence, strict hygienic measures should be taken in poultry slaughter houses and in food preparing establishments.