Molecular Detection and Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns of S. aureus Isolates from Fish Samples of Retail Outlets in Tirupati Town

Authors

  • Surekha Janapala M.V.Sc. Scholor, Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, SVVU, Tirupati-517501, India.
  • Ramya Putturu Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517501, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Swetha Chinta Siva Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517501, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Suresh Yasarla Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517501, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Poornasree Mada Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517501, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Pavani Sambathula Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517501, Andhra Pradesh, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.2.06

Keywords:

Fish, Fish meat, mecA, MRSA. nuc, S. aureus.

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the ESKAPE pathogen which is widely recognized for antibiotic resistance and responsible for food poisoning. Inadequate hygienic practices at fish market act as a source for the transmission of S. aureus from fish meat to human. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of S. aureus from retail meat outlets in Tirupati. A total of 120 fish meat samples were collected and examined for S. aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) using cultural and molecular methods. Of the 120 samples, 38 (31.6%) were found positive by culture methods and 21(17.5%) were confirmed as S. aureus by targeting the nuc gene using PCR. These 21 isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test. The highest antibiotic resistance was observed for oxacillin (100%), followed by ciprofloxacin (86%). Presence of mecA gene was detected among 16 isolates. Sea food contaminated with MRSA accelerates the spread of drug resistant strains resulting in significant public health concerns.

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Published

2026-03-10

How to Cite

Janapala, S., Putturu, R., Siva, S. C., Yasarla, S., Mada, P., & Sambathula, P. (2026). Molecular Detection and Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns of S. aureus Isolates from Fish Samples of Retail Outlets in Tirupati Town . Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 22(2), 31-35. https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.2.06