Open AccessDissemination and persistence of Pseudomonas spp. in small-scale dairy farms
Author(s) -
Daniele Nucera,
Sara Lomonaco,
Patrizia Morra,
Marco Francesco Ortoffi,
D. Giaccone,
Maria Ausilia Grassi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
italian journal of food safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.359
H-Index - 13
ISSN - 2239-7132
DOI - 10.4081/ijfs.2016.5652
Subject(s) - pseudomonas , persistence (discontinuity) , milking , pseudomonadaceae , pseudomonas fluorescens , biology , pseudomonadales , veterinary medicine , contamination , microbiology and biotechnology , enumeration , polymerase chain reaction , bacteria , zoology , ecology , medicine , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , engineering , biochemistry , combinatorics , gene , genetics
This study was aimed at collecting data on presence, dissemination and persistence of Pseudomonas in small-scale dairy farms. Six farms (located in Piedmont) were visited three times over 2014: 116 waters (wells and different faucets/pipes) and 117 environmental samples (milking equipments and drains) were collected. Enumeration of Pseudomonadaceae was performed, 3-5 colonies/samples were selected for identification via 16SrDNA/oprI polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and typed by enterobacterial-repetitive- intergenic-consensus (ERIC)-PCR. Pseudomonadaceae were detected in 77% of samples. No statistical differences were found among proportions of positives across farms, sample typologies and seasons. Most isolates were Pseudomonas fluorescens (45%), and ERIC-PCR showed 32 persistent types diffused across farms. All in all, Pseudomonas spp. represents a challenge, considering its presence over time in water as well as in teat cups, indicating a continuous source of contamination. Moreover, persistency of strains may indicate biofilm-formation and/or sanitisers resistance, therefore emphasising the role of primary production for preventing milk contamination by Pseudomonas spp