Raw Sheep Milk as a Reservoir of Multidrug-Resistant : Evidence from Traditional Farming Systems in Romania.

: is a major pathogen of concern in raw milk due to its potential to cause foodborne illness and its increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Romania, data on the occurrence and resistance patterns of in raw sheep milk from traditional farming systems remain limited. This study investigated the presence and antimicrobial resistance of in 106 raw sheep milk samples collected from traditional farms in the Banat region of western Romania. : Coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) were enumerated using ISO 6888-1:2021 protocols. Isolates were identified at the species level using the Vitek 2 system and molecularly confirmed via PCR targeting the 16S rDNA and genes. Methicillin resistance was assessed by detecting the gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Vitek 2 AST-GP79 card. : CPS were detected in 69 samples, with confirmed in 34.9%. The gene was identified in 13.5% of isolates, indicating the presence of methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Resistance to at least two antimicrobials was observed in 97.3% of isolates, and 33 strains (89.2%) met the criteria for multidrug resistance (MDR). The most frequent MDR phenotype involved resistance to lincomycin, macrolides, β-lactams, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. : The high prevalence of , including MRSA and MDR strains, in raw sheep milk from traditional farms represents a potential public health risk, particularly in regions where unpasteurized dairy consumption persists. These findings underscore the need for enhanced hygiene practices, prudent antimicrobial use, and AMR monitoring in small-scale dairy systems.