Virulence factors in Escherichia coli strains and phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolated from bovine milk produced in conventional and organic farms

• Grant number: 11/17957-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2012
• End date: January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Domingos da Silva Leite
• Grantee: Amanda Keller Siqueira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, production and consumption of dairy products has been growing exponentially, a fact verified by the change in the milk trade balance in 2004, whence the country became a milk exporter. In the same proportion is an increase in demand for animal products produced in the organic system. Several reasons are given worldwide for the increased demand for organic products, including concern for the environment, a desire to avoid pesticides, promoting animal welfare, and the belief that organic foods are safer and more nutritious compared to foods produced in the conventional milking system. Raw milk is still widely marketed and consumed in Brazil. It is estimated that around 30% of national production of milk is illegal. Raw milk has, in general, high numbers of coliforms. The control of mastitis is essential to milk production. Producers include day use of drugs. The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in humans and animals has increased the selective pressure for resistant strains of microorganisms. The animals can become reservoirs of resistant microorganisms. The spread can occur through direct contact (skin, saliva, feces) or indirect (food, water). The emergence and increase of antimicrobial resistance in Brazil and the world highlight the need for continuing studies of the sensitivity profile of bacteria isolated from humans and animals. (AU)