86 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains in Swiss Pigs and Their Relation to Isolates from Farmers and Veterinarians (Research paper; Kittl, 2020)

Significant Impact Group(s): Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Different for different species;
Outcome Parameter(s): MRSA prevalence in livestock at the slaughterhouse; MRSA prevalence in meat at retail outlets; Prevalence in veterinarians and farmers
Summary: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can lead to serious disease in humans, and since this bacteria is often found in livestock can have potentially large impact on public health. Farmers and veterinarians are especially at risk due to their close contact with animals. Our work demonstrates a dramatic increase in MRSA prevalence in Swiss pigs, from 2% in 2009 to 44% in 2017. Sequencing of the bacterial genes allowed us to show a close association between farmer and pig strains as well as veterinarian and horse strains, indicating that pigs and horses are a likely to be a source of human colonization. In this study it was also shown pig spa t011 strains are probably less likely to colonize humans than are pig spa t034 strains. This research may provide a basis for a more accurate risk assessment and preventive measures.
86 Research paper – Kittl – 2020 – Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains in Swiss Pigs and Their Relation to Isolates from Farmers and Veterinarians
Where to find the original material:
https://aem.asm.org/content/86/5/e01865-19.abstract; https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01865-19
Country: CH

86 Research paper – Kittl – 2020 – Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains in Swiss Pigs and Their Relation to Isolates from Farmers and Veterinarians