Fatal Septicemia Linked to Transmission of MRSA Clonal Complex 398 in Hospital and Nursing Home, Denmark

Petersen

Clinical Infectious Diseases

et al. 2017

Self Cite

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergence of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections in Denmark

Petersen

Clinical Infectious Diseases

et al. 2017

Self Cite

“…A recent prospective study of swine farm workers in Holland found that carriage of ST398 MRSA was not associated with elevated risk of infections, healthcare contact, or measures of reduced quality of life [ 60 ]. Somewhat surprisingly, the small numbers of fatal human cases of ST398 infection have occurred in people without known livestock contact, but who were generally medically compromised [ 61 ]. Even though there are a small number of fatal human cases of ST398 infections, it is important to better understand the interchange of S. aureus between humans and animals and the implications for the transfer of resistance elements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal study of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection in a cohort of swine veterinarians in the United States

et al. 2017

BackgroundPeople working with pigs are at elevated risk of harboring methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in their nose, which is attributable to occupational exposure to animals harboring livestock adapted S. aureus. To obtain insight into the biological nature of occupationally related nasal culture positivity, we conducted a longitudinal study of 66 swine veterinarians in the USA.MethodsThe study cohort resided in 15 US states and worked predominantly with swine. Monthly for 18 months, participants self-collected nasal swabs and completed a survey to report recent exposure to pigs and other animals; the occurrence of work related injuries; and any relevant health events such as skin and soft tissue infections or confirmed staphylococcal infections. Nasal swabs were cultured using selective methods to determine the presence of MRSA and methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), and isolates were characterized by spa typing and MLST.ResultsPrevalences of S. aureus (64%, monthly range from 58 to 82%) and MRSA (9.5%; monthly range from 6 to15%) were higher than reported for the US population (30% and 1.5% respectively). Predominant spa types were t034 (ST398, 37%), t002 (ST5, 17%) and t337 (ST9/ST398 13%), a distribution similar to that found in a concurrent study in pigs in the USA. Veterinarians were classified into three groups: Persistent carriers (PC, 52%), Intermittent carriers (IC, 47%) and Non-carriers (NC, 1%). Persistent carriage of a single spa type was observed in 14 (21%) of participants, and paired (first and last) isolates from PC subjects had minor genetic differences. Swabs from PC veterinarians carried higher numbers of S. aureus. Among IC veterinarians, culture positivity was significantly associated with recent contact with pigs.ConclusionsExposure to pigs did not lead to prolonged colonization in most subjects, and the higher numbers of S. aureus in PC subjects suggests that unknown host factors may determine the likelihood of prolonged colonization by S. aureus of livestock origin. Exposure to S. aureus and persistent colonization of swine veterinarians was common but rarely associated with S. aureus disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-017-2802-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Microbial Drug Resistance

“…Furthermore, given that both lineages have a broad host spectra and recognized zoonotic potential it underlines the possible transmission risk to other endangered species and to zoo personnel. In addition, the potential for inter-human transmission of both of these MRSA lineages has been already demonstrated, 59,60 therefore contact with staff working in zoos could to be a risk factor to assess when investigating the epidemiology of MRSA in people without livestock contact.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusCC398 andmecC-positive CC130 from Zoo Animals in the United Kingdom

Bortolami

Verin

Chantrey

et al. 2017

Little is known about the characteristics and diseases associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nondomestic animals. Four presumptive MRSA isolates, obtained from clinical (n = 3) and surveillance specimens (n = 1) from dwarf (Helogale parvula) and yellow mongooses (Cynictis penicillata) from a United Kingdom zoo, were analyzed by PCR for detection of mecA and mecC-mediated methicillin resistance, and virulence genes. Isolates were genotyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and spa sequence typing. Three isolates, obtained from the dwarf mongooses, carried mecA, tetK, and fexA resistance and virulence genes (icaA, icaD, and sec) and were typed to SCCmec IVa, spa type t899, and clonal complex (CC) 398. The fourth MRSA isolate, obtained from the femoral bone marrow of a yellow mongoose showing postmortem findings consistent with septicemia, carried mecC and was oxacillin/cefoxitin susceptible, when tested at 37°C but showed a characteristic MRSA susceptibility profile at 25°C -2°C. Furthermore, this isolate exhibited a different genetic background (SCCmecXI/ t843/CC130) and had biofilm-associated genes (bap, icaA, and icaD) and tetK tetracycline resistance genes. This work describes the first isolation of livestock-associated MRSA CC398 from two zoo mongoose species where it was associated with both clinical disease and colonization, and the first isolation of mecC MRSA from a zoo species in the United Kingdom. Both reports highlight the potential for zoo species to act as reservoirs for these zoonotic agents.