Main Pathogens Detected in Milk

Milk and dairy products could contain a variety of microorganisms, deriving from the environment or from infected udders, becoming an important source of foodborne pathogens. The main microorganisms involved in mastitis are Staphylococcus aureus, Prototheca spp., Mycoplasma spp. and Streptococcus spp., while the principal pathogens responsible for foodborne disease are enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli VTEC, Campylobacter spp. and Bacillus cereus. This chapter presents information on characteristics of these pathogens, and illnesses caused by them. An overview in the field of foodborne pathogen identification and detection by using different molecular techniques (multiplex PCR, quantitative PCR, digital PCR and Whole Genome Sequencing) is also reported.