Pathogenic, Enterotoxin-Producing Staphylococci in Mink Feed and Mink Feed Raw Materials

Abstract

Samples of 51 mink feeds and 101 raw material batches were analysed for pathogenic staphylococci. Of the feed samples 37 % were contaminated with pathogenic staphylococci, the mean count being 3.02 log CFU (colony forming units)/g and the highest count being 4.48 log CFU/g of feed. Of the raw materials investigated, slaughter-house offals were most frequently contaminated and contained highest counts of S. aureus, 60 % of the samples being positive with a mean log count of 3.86/g and a maximum of 5.70/g. Forty-eight staphylococcal isolates were tested for eniterotoxin production. Toxin A, B or G were produced by eight isolates, A being the most common. None of the isolates produced B or E toxins.

Sammanfatting

Foder- och råvaruprov, 152 ialt, blev analyserade för förekomst av patogena stafylokocker; 37 % av foderproven var kontaminerade med patogena stafylokocker, i medeltal var bakteriehalten 3.02 log per gram foder, högsta halten var 4.48 log bakterier per gram foder. Av undersökta råvaror var slaktavfallsprodukterna mest kontaminerade, 60 % av proven innehöll stafylokocker, i medeltal 3.86 log bakterier per gram, högsta halten var 5.70 log bakterier per gram. Fyrtioåtta isolerade bakteriestammar testades med avseende på enterotoxinbildning, 17 % av stammarna producerade A, C eller D toxin, ingen av stammarna producerade B eller E toxin.