An assessment of the potential for transfer of Staphylococcus aureus between humans and dairy goats in NC

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen frequently diagnosed in dairy goat intramammary infections (IMI). S. aureus also has human health significance as a zoonotic pathogen. Control of S. aureus infections is difficult because infection is easily transmitted in a herd, and because there are multiple sources of infection. In addition to the mammary gland, S. aureus has been isolated from other body sites and the environment. Mørk et al compared isolates from body sites using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and found isolates in 6% of goat milk samples and approximately 70% of nasal swabs. In this study, we identified S. aureus isolates from goat milk and nares and from the hands and noses of people milking the goats. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus from these sites, characterize antibiotic susceptibilities, and compare genotypes of isolates from the different sites. Producer surveys were used to characterize herd management practices.