Abstract

Background:
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important zoonotic infection that causes diseases in chickens.

Aim:
The study aimed to isolate of MRSA from chickens that suffered from bumblefoot and perform molecular diagnosis using the mecA gene and detection of protein A using the spa gene.

Methods:
The samples were subjected to standard bacteriological examinations, including morphological and cultural characteristics, biochemical properties, and antibiotic sensitivity tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done for detection of S. aureus using the (nuc, mecA and spa) genes.

Results:
The study showed that S. aureus formed 68/100 (68%) from chickens with bumble foot disease, while only 49 / 68 (72%) of the isolates were resistant to methicillin according to the disc diffusion test. The results of molecular detection showed that all tested isolates possessed (nuc, mecA, and spa) genes that gave amplicon products at (166 bp,147 bp and 357 bp) respectively.

Conclusion:
The existence of MRSA in chicken samples comprises a threat to public health due to its potential transmission to humans and the environment.

Key words: Bumble foot; Chickens; Spa gene; MRSA.