Whole genome-based characterization of 33 Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitis in small ruminants in Sardinia, Italy

This study aimed to gain insight into the genotypes, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles and virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical mastitis in small ruminants' farms in Sardinia, Italy. Thirty-three S. aureus were phenotypically identified and confirmed by real-time PCR. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted and the sequence data were analysed to reveal the genetic diversity, AMR markers and virulence genes to draw a conclusion for a current situation of small ruminants' clinical mastitis in dairy herds in the state and the potential public health risk. Furthermore, possible phylogenetic relations between S. aureus strains from various farms and within one farm were analysed.