Genotypical Determination of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Species Isolates fromBuffalo Milk and Dairy Products

In this study, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were isolated in raw buffalo milk and dairy products in local markets and supermarkets in the province of Samsun. E. faecalis and E. faecium species and VanA and VanB gene presence were identified from confirmed Enterococcus spp. isolates with PCR method, resistance profile of vancomycin was determined phenotypically and the MIC value was determined with E -test method. Enterococcus spp. was isolated from 60 (40%) of the 150 samples analyzed. In terms of species distribution, 28 (32.9%) isolates were identified as E. faecalis, while 41 (48.2%) were identified as E. faecium. Seven isolates harboured the VanA or VanB gene presence. One E. faecium isolates obtained from a milk sample was found to have a vancomycin MIC value of >= 4 mg/l, 2 E. faecalis isolates obtained from cheese samples were found to have MIC values of >= 16 mg/l and >= 32 mg/l, 2 E. faecium isolates obtained from cream samples were found to have MIC values of >= 2 mg/l and >= 2 mg/l, and 2 E. faecium isolates obtained from ice cream samples were found to have MIC values of >= 4 mg/l and >= 16 mg/l. As a result of this study, it was determined that raising awareness among producers and consumers regarding adherence to cold chain parameters during transportation and storage processes is crucial. Additionally, emphasis should be placed on maintaining milking hygiene and minimizing errors that could lead to contamination due to personnel and technological processes associated with production.