Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in Veal Calf Farming: Human MRSA Carriage Related with Animal Antimicrobial Usage and Farm Hygiene

Abstract

IntroductionRecently a specific MRSA sequence type, ST398, emerged in food production animals and farmers. Risk factors for carrying MRSA ST398 in both animals and humans have not been fully evaluated. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated factors associated with MRSA colonization in veal calves and humans working and living on these farms.MethodsA sample of 102 veal calf farms were randomly selected and visited from March 2007–February 2008. Participating farmers were asked to fill in a questionnaire (n = 390) to identify potential risk factors. A nasal swab was taken from each participant. Furthermore, nasal swabs were taken from calves (n = 2151). Swabs were analysed for MRSA by selective enrichment and suspected colonies were confirmed as MRSA by using slide coagulase test and PCR for presence of the mecA-gene. Spa types were identified and a random selection of each spa type was tested with ST398 specific PCR. The Sequence Type of non ST398 strains was determined. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsHuman MRSA carriage was strongly associated with intensity of animal contact and with the number of MRSA positive animals on the farm. Calves were more often carrier when treated with antibiotics, while farm hygiene was associated with a lower prevalence of MRSA.ConclusionThis is the first study showing direct associations between animal and human carriage of ST398. The direct associations between animal and human MRSA carriage and the association between MRSA and antimicrobial use in calves implicate prudent use of antibiotics in farm animals.

Empfehlungen zur Prävention und Kontrolle von Methicillin-resistenten Staphylococcus aureus-Stämmen (MRSA) in medizinischen und pflegerischen Einrichtungen

“…Demgegenüber zeigte eine Untersuchung unter Landwirten mit Rinderhaltung, dass nur 7 % persistente MRSA-Träger waren [229]. Auch bei nicht direkt exponierten Familienangehörigen, die auf landwirtschaftlichen Mastbetrieben mit MRSA-Nachweis leben, werden LA-MRSA detektiert, allerdings mit 4-5 % deutlich seltener als bei ihren exponierten Familienmitgliedern [156,228].…”

“…Auch bei nicht direkt exponierten Familienangehörigen, die auf landwirtschaftlichen Mastbetrieben mit MRSA-Nachweis leben, werden LA-MRSA detektiert, allerdings mit 4-5 % deutlich seltener als bei ihren exponierten Familienmitgliedern [156,228]. Die Nachweishäufigkeit von MRSA in konventionellen Mastbetrieben scheint positiv mit der Bestandsgrö-ße zu korrelieren [229,230]. Die Verbreitung zwischen den Mastanlagen geschieht dabei primär über den Tierverkehr, also über Zu-und Verkauf von Ferkeln [231].…”

Characterization of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusfrom healthy carrier chickens

“…This clone was later named ''livestock associated MRSA'' (LA-MRSA) and corresponded to the clonal complex (CC) 398 (Voss et al, 2005). Ever since, this clone has been found in many animal species, including poultry, all over the world (Persoons et al, 2009;Van den Eede et al, 2009;Fessler et al, 2010;Graveland et al, 2010;Graveland et al 2011;Crombé et al, 2012).…”

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. isolated from curd cheese “requeijão” and “especialidade láctea type requeijão” sold in Brazil

“…are increasing (MARTINS & CUNHA, 2007), even in animals (CUNY et al, 2010), being considered an emergent problem in veterinary medicine and public health (HUBER et al, 2011). Animals usually are infected and colonized during contact with humans and vice-versa (GRAVELAND et al, 2010). Consequently, prophylactic measures to avoid methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp.…”