INDAGINI AMBIENTALI IN ALLEVAMENTI BOVINI CON INFEZIONI INTRAMAMMARIE DA MRSA

The present study was conducted in dairy herds were MRSA presence was previously demonstrated with the aim to (i) evaluate the prevalence of MRSA intra-mammary infections (IMI) and (ii) identify the specific environmental contamination. MRSA IMI's were detected at low prevalence (less than 5%), except for one herd where it reached the 24,8%. The circulating MRSA genotypes were different for each herd and in two herds two different genotypes were found with one of them predominant. Four and 11 out of 18 cows, among those with MRSA IMI, were positive for nasal and udder skin swabs, respectively. The environmental analyses showed that milking parlor was systematically contaminated in different sites as well as the young calves mangers and buckets, whereas the heifers pens and mangers were not. Thus, in MRSA positive herds, especially milkers and personnel to young calves should be considered at risk of occupational infections.