Determination of in vitro microbial sensitivity in Enterococcus spp. isolated from cases of bovine mastitis and milk from bulk tanks

Abstract

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are often resistant to multiple antimicrobials, have a wide geographical distribution, and currently represent a major cause of nosocomial infections. The most isolated Enterococcus species are E. faecium and E. faecalis. They can be isolated from the intestinal tract, feces, infected udders and the environment. Enterococci are present causing intramammary infection (IMI) cases of clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy herds and contaminating bulk tanks. However, the data are scarce in relation to the microbial sensitivity of these strains isolated in milk production, both in the animals and in bulk tanks. The objective of the present study is to determine the "in vitro" microbial profile of enterococci isolated from milk samples in dairy cattle herds and bulk tanks in order to evaluate the potential risk to human health of these multiresistant strains.