Staphylococcus aureus in Food: Prevalence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Public Health Implications

The field of food safety and microbiology has increasingly focused on the persistent threat posed by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) contamination in a variety of food sources. Recently, the prevalence of S. aureus, including antibiotic-resistant forms such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), has been documented in raw and minimally processed foods like leafy salads, meats, and dairy products. These strains not only trigger a spectrum of health concerns, from minor skin infections to severe systemic illnesses, but also challenge existing public health frameworks due to evolving resistance profiles. Despite extensive surveillance and research on S. aureus, significant knowledge gaps persist in understanding its contamination routes, transmission dynamics from farm to table, and the effectiveness of control measures in food environments.Novel studies have highlighted the growing complexity in tracking and managing foodborne S. aureus outbreaks, particularly in relation to resistance mechanisms and virulence factors. While advancements in molecular detection have enabled more precise identification, the global dissemination of antibiotic-resistant strains underscores the urgency of coordinated public health responses. Existing literature points to incomplete mapping of high-risk foods, insufficient molecular epidemiology data, and the need for more robust risk assessment models. Additionally, current interventions appear less effective in minimizing cross-contamination during food processing and storage, highlighting a critical gap between research insights and practical implementation.This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding of Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in food, elucidate the drivers of antibiotic resistance, and evaluate the broader public health implications. The objective is to collect up-to-date research on contamination sources, transmission pathways, and innovative detection and control strategies, with a particular focus on the interplay between food handling practices, microbial ecology, and resistance gene dissemination. Contributors are encouraged to address fundamental questions on the molecular epidemiology of S. aureus, the effectiveness of intervention strategies, and the implications for risk management and policy.To gather further insights into the prevalence, resistance patterns, and control of Staphylococcus aureus in food environments, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Epidemiology and surveillance of S. aureus in diverse food chains• Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and virulence in foodborne S. aureus• Innovations in detection and monitoring techniques• Risk assessment models and transmission dynamics from farm to fork• Evaluation of intervention and decontamination strategies in food processing• Public health and clinical outcomes of foodborne S. aureus exposure• Policy, regulatory, and communication challenges in food safety management Topic editors: Paola Cremonesi, Bianca Castiglioni, Milena Brasca, Maria Schirone Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77256/staphylococcus-aureus-in-food-prevalence-antibiotic-resistance-and-public-health-implications