Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in veal calf farming: human MRSA carriage related with animal antimicrobial usage and farm hygiene.

Haitske Graveland,Dick Heederik,Engeline Van Duijkeren,Jaap A Wagenaar,Hans Heesterbeek,Dik Mevius,Michael Otto

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010990

Haitske Graveland, Dick Heederik + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0010990

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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.

Highlights

A specific Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sequence type, sequence type 398 (ST398), emerged in food production animals and farmers
More recently MRSA emerged in the community [5] and since 2003 a specific sequence type of MRSA emerged, which was observed in food producing animals and farmers and is referred to as livestock associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) [6,7,8,9,10,11]
All non-typable MRSA (NT-MRSA) belong to one clonal complex, in particular multilocus sequence type 398 (ST398) [5]

Summary

Introduction

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. Infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria have been associated with frequent treatment failure and increased severity of disease [1],[2],[3] Both human and non-human antimicrobial usage may result in increased occurrence of bacterial resistance [4]. More recently MRSA emerged in the community [5] and since 2003 a specific sequence type of MRSA emerged, which was observed in food producing animals and farmers and is referred to as livestock associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) [6,7,8,9,10,11].

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