Selective growth of Staphylococcus aureus from flushed dairy manure wastewater using acriflavine-supplemented mannitol salt agar.

AIMS To investigate the use of mannitol salt agar (MSA) supplemented with acriflavine for selective growth and quantification of Staphylococcus aureus from flushed dairy manure wastewater (FDMW). METHODS AND RESULTS Minimal inhibitory concentrations of acriflavine in MSA were determined by comparing the growth of S. aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC 33591) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 155) in pure culture. Acriflavine concentrations of 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 mg l(-1) reduced CFU of S. epidermidis by 43%, 55% and 87%, respectively, while CFU of S. aureus subsp. aureus were only reduced by 15%, 20% and 26% at the respective concentrations of acriflavine. MSA supplemented with 1.5 mg l(-1) acriflavine was tested for selective growth of indigenous S. aureus from three grab samples of FDMW. Acriflavine concentrations of 1.5 mg l(-1) reduced background flora without significantly reducing (P < 0.05) indigenous S. aureus counts. CONCLUSIONS Acriflavine-supplemented MSA provides an effective media for selective growth and quantification of indigenous S. aureus from FDMW in the presence of high levels of background microflora. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY S. aureus is implicated for mastitis infections in dairy cows. Therefore, a reliable means for monitoring and detecting the organism in FDMW provides a tool for measuring the effectiveness of treatment for reducing S. aureus levels and implementing flushwater recycling without affecting herd health.