ABSTRACT
As methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been found in pigs, we sought to determine if MRSA is present in pork production shower facilities. In two production systems tested, 3% and 26% of shower samples were positive for MRSA. spa types identified included t034, t189, t753, and t1746.
Subject(s)
Carrier State/microbiology , Environmental Microbiology , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Swine/microbiology , Agriculture/methods , Animals , Bacterial Typing Techniques , Genotype , Molecular Typing , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Pork producers selected from the National Pork Board`s producer database were surveyed. Five (3.7%) reported being diagnosed with a MRSA infection. Risk factors related to swine farm biosecurity were examined. None were statistically significant predictors of MRSA infection.
Subject(s)
Meat/microbiology , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcal Infections/veterinary , Swine/microbiology , Animals , Data Collection , Humans , Logistic Models , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a leading cause of infectious disease morbidity and mortality in the United States. The epidemiology of the organism has changed, with novel strains emerging in the community among individuals lacking any healthcare contact. Although direct human-to-human transmission via skin contact is one way for this organism to spread, transmission via environmental contamination of fomites or through air are other potential ways that the organism can be acquired. As such, an improved understanding of MRSA transmission is needed to implement maximally effective control and prevention interventions. We review the research documenting the role of the environment in MRSA spread.
Subject(s)
Environment , Infection Control/methods , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcal Infections/transmission , Agriculture , Fomites , Hospital Administration , Housing , Humans , Schools , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiologyABSTRACT
Researchers, veterinary and health care practitioners, and agricultural producers gathered in Johnston, Iowa, to attend the eighth annual Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Forum (MRASH), November 2009. Among several focus areas, four plenary talks were given on the current research being conducted examining methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on swine farms in the United States. These focused on prevalence of MRSA on farms, both in swine and in human workers; the presence of MRSA in air samples and in swine barn shower facilities; and the presence of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus in retail meats. These findings begin to elucidate the overall picture of livestock-associated MRSA in the Midwestern United States.
