Emergence of livestock-associated MRSA ST398 from bulk tank milk, China

LA-MRSA ST398 strains were isolated from bulk tank milk samples in Shanghai and their susceptibilities to antimicrobials were determined using the broth dilution method. Genomic characterization of MRSA ST398 strains was performed by WGS and their evolutionary relationships were assessed by phylogenetic analysis.

The presence of LA-MRSA ST398 in bulk tank milk might be a serious threat to public health, highlighting the need for active surveillance of LA-MRSA in healthy cattle in China.