Bacteria isolated for this study were derived from 96c ows (163 quarters positive for the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and 9 swabs taken from the hands of milking staff, on 9 farms in the municipality of Jataí, state of Goiás, Brazil. Of the samples collected (163 from milk and 9 swabs taken from hands) 83 strains of the genus Staphylococcus spp. were identified: S. aureus (31), S. saprophyticus (29), S. xylosus (17), S. epidermidis (4), S. intermedius (2).In this study,35 profiles were generated from 83 samples of Staphylococcus, and profile IA (64.5%) of S. aureus, IS (44.8%) of S. Saprophyticus, VX (35.3%) of S. xylosus and IIE (50%) of S. epidermidis were the most prevalent. There was a predominance of one type among isolates of S. aureus in herds. Identical strains were found in different animals of the same farm, as well as genetic identity between the strain isolated from the hand of the milker and the animal. Thus, our data showed that there is variability among isolates, but also genetic similarity of some strains concentrated in certain locations. The genetic similarity may comprise a complex of related clones, suggesting a relationship of cross-contamination and transfer among strains of human and animal origin.
Subclinical bovine mastitis; Staphylococcus spp.; RAPD-PCR