Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in humans and animals is concerning. In 2012, our evaluation of a captive chimpanzee colony in Texas revealed MRSA prevalence of 69%. Animal care staff should be aware of possible zoonotic MRSA transmission resulting from high prevalence among captive chimpanzees.
Highlights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in humans and animals is concerning
On the basis of this information, we prospectively evaluated MRSA prevalence among chimpanzees in this facility, which is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care
On the basis of the presence of MRSA in clinical specimens, along with the close contact between animals in the facility, we hypothesized that the prevalence of nasal carriage of MRSA in the chimpanzee colony would be similar to that in high-risk human populations, such as hospitalized patients in long-term care facilities (58%–67%) (11)
Summary
Methicillin resistance was confirmed by presence of penicillin-binding protein 2a antigen detected by use of a latex-agglutination test (Oxoid Ltd., Basingstoke, UK). During a 1-month period, samples were collected from 125 chimpanzees and MRSA was isolated from 86 (69%; 95% CI 61%–77%). Three chimpanzees were sampled twice, and results were positive on both occasions, for a total of 89 positive samples. A total of 57 of the 86 MRSA isolates (66%; 95% CI 58%–74%) were positive for Panton-Valentine leucocidin t008, consistent with the ST8 USA300 clone. Of the 3 chimpanzees that were sampled twice, the same strains (t008, t818) were identified in both cultures for 2, and 2 different, but related, strains (t024, t818) were identified in each culture for 1
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