Staphylococcus sp counting and detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins and toxic shock toxin syndromefrom cooled raw milk

In order to count and identify Staphylococcus sp., the detection of the Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) and toxic shock toxin syndrome (TSST-1), 80 raw milk samples cooled at 4 degrees C and stored in bulk tanks for 48 hours in different farms from Minas Gerais State were analyzed. Staphylococcus sp. was observed in all samples and the counts varied from 1.0 x 10(5) to 2.5 x 10(7) CFU/ml (mean = 5.60 log CFU/ml,. sd = 0.53 and CV = 9.46%). A total of 436 strains of Staphylococcus were isolated and identified as S. aureus, S hyicus, S. epidermidis, S. intermedius, S. cohnii, S. sciuri, S. schleirferi and S. delphini. Strains showing identical biochemical profile, from the same sample, were grouped into a pool and them were induced to produce SE and TSST-I. The detection of toxins was made by the OSP (Optimum Sensivity Plate) method and the cellophane-over-agar technique. It was identified SEA, SEB, SEC, SED and TSST1 in different percentages. From the 138 formed pools, 91 produced, at least, one or more toxin, including TSST-1. From the enterotoxigenic pools, 24.6% were coagulase positive, while 41.3% were negative. The presence of entorotoxigenic negative coagulase Staphylococcus. strains isolated from milk samples is important in relation to public health.