Isolation of Biofilm-Forming Staphylococci from the Bulk-Tank Milk of Small Ruminant Farms in Greece

The objectives of this study were (i) to describe staphylococcal isolates recovered from bulk-tank raw milk collected sheep and goat farms during a countrywide performed in Greece, (ii) management factors potentially associated with their presence (iii) provide evidence regarding association the quality milk. In total, 312 isolates, samples 444 small ruminant evaluated work. vitro formation biofilm by was tested combining findings (a) culture appearance on Congo Red agar plates (b) results microplate adhesion test. most frequently identified species Staphylococcus aureus (75 isolates); other S. simulans (44 isolates), equorum (34 isolates) haemolyticus (26 23 identified. 224 (71.8%) biofilm-forming 148 flocks (45.5%) 55 herds (46.2%). There seasonality isolation staphylococci: spring, mostly recovered, whilst summer, non-biofilm-forming recovered. Among applying machine-milking, proportion which higher where water temperature < 50 °C or ≥90 used clean milking parlour. multivariable analyses, for emerged as only significant variable (p = 0.024), hand-milking, tendency that frequency collection farm tank 0.08). flocks, recovery staphylococci somatic cell counts total bacterial abiotic related these bacteria, specifically cleaning parlour (in machine-milking is applied) tank. These apply after production milk, they could thus be regulated appropriately order reduce load improve delivered dairy plants. farms, an also seen between high