<em>In vitro</em> Evaluation of the Phagocytosis Activity of Neutrophils and Characterization of <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> Mastitis in Dairy Cows of Small Family Farms

A total of 269 cows in small family herds in the central region of México from different municipalities of México State were studied. Composed milk samples were obtained to detect subclinical mastitis and S. aureus infection and for characterization of phenotypes as follows: biotypes, capsular exopolysaccharide 5 and 8, ORSA/MRSA and MRSA strains; and in vitro phagocytosis neutrophil activity and apoptosis by S. aureus serotype 5. Results were evaluated by estimating proportions and chi-square test (p < 0.05). The microbial isolation rate was 46%; S. aureus isolation rate was 23.4–21.0% among cow herds; 39% of microbial isolates were in 1500–2500 cells/mL, with Wisconsin test. The phenotypes of S. aureus were: biotypes A and C are identified frequently that produce alpha and beta-hemolysin toxins, and a smaller proportion other hemolysins types. S. aureus isolates capsular serotypes 5 and 8 show differences in the in vitro neutrophil phagocytosis activity and apoptosis. The ORSA/MRSA isolates show that MRSA strains? mec A gene was confirmed by PCR. The S. aureus infection level in the dairy cow herds shows a wide municipal distribution, identifying different S. aureus pathotypes enclosed to virulence factors and MRSA to establish a potential health risk in small dairy cow herds in México.