scholarly journals Airborne Spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus From a Swine Farm

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Angen ◽  
Martin Weiss Nielsen ◽  
Per Løfstrøm ◽  
Anders Rhod Larsen ◽  
Niels Bohse Hendriksen
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Swine Farm ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Airborne Dust ◽  
Bacteriological Investigation ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Working Day ◽  
The One

Spread of livestock-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) to farmworkers has been recognized as a risk when working in LA-MRSA positive stables, due to LA-MRSA being present on airborne dust particles. Based on this, airborne spread of LA-MRSA through stable vents is a concern that is addressed in this study. The aim of the investigation was to quantify the airborne spread of LA-MRSA from a MRSA positive swine farm. In order to achieve this, a method for sampling large volumes of air was applied. The results were compared to meteorological data and bacteriological investigation of samples from the air inside the swine barn, soil outside the farm, and nasal samples from the individuals participating in the sampling process. MRSA was detected up to 300 m (the maximal measuring distance) from the swine farm in the air but only at low levels at distances above 50 meters (0.085 CFU/m3 at a distance of 50 m in the wind plume). MRSA was detected in sock samples obtained at the soil surfaces up to 400 m (the maximal measuring distance) from the farm building. The proportion of MRSA positive soil samples decreased from ~80 to 30% with increasing distance from the farm. A total of 25 human nasal samples were sampled after the farm visits after the participants had stayed in the surroundings of the farm for an average of 10.5 h. When leaving the farm, only two of the samples (8%) were LA-MRSA-positive both obtained from one individual who was the one who had sampled the ventilation shafts. In conclusion, airborne spread of MRSA from swine farms does not seem to be an important route for human contamination for individuals staying a whole working day outside a swine farm.

scholarly journals Unidirectional animal-to-human transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in pig farming; evidence from a surveillance study in southern Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Pirolo ◽  
Daniela Visaggio ◽  
Angela Gioffrè ◽  
Irene Artuso ◽  
Monica Gherardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Farm Workers ◽  
Swine Farm ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Enterotoxin Genes ◽  
Animal Contact ◽  
Animal Exposure

Abstract Background Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) belonging to clonal complex 398 is recognized as an occupational hazard for workers employed in intensive animal husbandry, especially in the swine-breeding chain. In this study, we compared the prevalence and epidemiological type of MRSA isolates from swine and farm workers in a large area of southern Italy. Methods Between January and March 2018, 88 workers from 32 farms where we had previously performed a survey for MRSA colonization of farmed pigs, were sampled by nasal swabbing. A follow-up investigation was conducted on seven workers 1 year after primary screening. MRSA isolates were characterized by MLST, spa and SCCmec typing, and tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials. Epidemiological correlations between human and swine MRSA isolates were supported by Rep-MP3 and RAPD PCR fingerprinting, and whole-genome sequencing. Results The overall colonization rate of MRSA in swine farm workers was 21.6%, being significantly higher in intensive farms and in workers with direct animal contact. All human MRSA isolates were multi-drug resistant, belonged to the ST398 livestock clade, and did not carry Panton-Valentine leukocidin and enterotoxin genes. Notably, 94.1% of human MRSA isolates belonged to the same epidemiological type as swine MRSA isolates from the corresponding farm. Persistent MRSA carriage was documented in some workers 1 year after primary sampling. Conclusions We report a high prevalence of MRSA among swine farm workers, with higher colonization rates associated with intensive breeding and animal exposure. Our findings suggest unidirectional animal-to-human transmission of LA-MRSA and denote the high zoonotic transmissibility of the ST398 livestock clade.

scholarly journals Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Human Volunteers Visiting a Swine Farm

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Angen ◽  
Louise Feld ◽  
Jesper Larsen ◽  
Klaus Rostgaard ◽  
Robert Skov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Swine Farm ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Farm Work ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Human Volunteers

ABSTRACT Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from animals to humans is of great concern due to the implications for human health and the health care system. The objective was to investigate the frequency and duration of MRSA carriage in human volunteers after a short-term exposure in a swine farm. The experimental study included 34 human volunteers staying 1 h in a MRSA-positive swine farm in four trials. In two of the trials, the influence of farm work involving pig contact was studied using a crossover design. The quantities of MRSA in nasal swabs, throat swabs, and air samples were measured at different time points and analyzed in relation to relevant covariates. This investigation showed that, overall, 94% of the volunteers acquired MRSA during the farm visit. Two hours after the volunteers left the stable, the nasal MRSA count had declined to unquantifiable levels in 95% of the samples. After 48 h, 94% of the volunteers were MRSA-negative. Nasal MRSA carriage was positively correlated to personal exposure to airborne MRSA and farm work involving pig contact and negatively correlated to smoking. No association was observed between MRSA carriage and face touching behavior, nasal methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) carriage, age, or gender. The increase in human MRSA carriage among the volunteers with pig contact seems to be dependent on the increased concentration of airborne MRSA of the surrounding air and not directly on physical contact with pigs. MRSA was not detected in any of the throat samples. IMPORTANCE The experimental approach made it possible to elucidate the contributions of airborne MRSA levels and farm work to nasal MRSA carriage in a swine farm. Short-term exposure to airborne MRSA poses a substantial risk for farm visitors to become nasal carriers, but the carriage is typically cleared within hours to a few days. The risk for short-term visitors to cause secondary transmissions of MRSA is most likely negligible due to the observed decline to unquantifiable levels in 95% of the nasal samples after only 2 h. The MRSA load in the nose was highly correlated to the amount of MRSA in the air and interventions to reduce the level of airborne MRSA or the use of face masks might consequently reduce nasal contamination.

scholarly journals Low Levels of β-Lactam Antibiotics Induce Extracellular DNA Release and Biofilm Formation in Staphylococcus aureus

mBio ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey B. Kaplan ◽  
Era A. Izano ◽  
Prerna Gopal ◽  
Michael T. Karwacki ◽  
Sangho Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Human Pathogen ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Dna Release ◽  
Low Levels

ABSTRACTSubminimal inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics have been shown to induce bacterial biofilm formation. Few studies have investigated antibiotic-induced biofilm formation inStaphylococcus aureus, an important human pathogen. Our goal was to measureS. aureusbiofilm formation in the presence of low levels of β-lactam antibiotics. Fifteen phylogenetically diverse methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and methicillin-sensitiveS. aureus(MSSA) strains were employed. Methicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, and cloxacillin were added to cultures at concentrations ranging from 0× to 1× MIC. Biofilm formation was measured in 96-well microtiter plates using a crystal violet binding assay. Autoaggregation was measured using a visual test tube settling assay. Extracellular DNA was quantitated using agarose gel electrophoresis. All four antibiotics induced biofilm formation in some strains. The amount of biofilm induction was as high as 10-fold and was inversely proportional to the amount of biofilm produced by the strain in the absence of antibiotics. MRSA strains of lineages USA300, USA400, and USA500 exhibited the highest levels of methicillin-induced biofilm induction. Biofilm formation induced by low-level methicillin was inhibited by DNase. Low-level methicillin also induced DNase-sensitive autoaggregation and extracellular DNA release. The biofilm induction phenotype was absent in a strain deficient in autolysin (atl). Our findings demonstrate that subminimal inhibitory concentrations of β-lactam antibiotics significantly induce autolysin-dependent extracellular DNA release and biofilm formation in some strains ofS. aureus.IMPORTANCEThe widespread use of antibiotics as growth promoters in agriculture may expose bacteria to low levels of the drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low levels of antibiotics on bacterial autoaggregation and biofilm formation, two processes that have been shown to foster genetic exchange and antibiotic resistance. We found that low levels of β-lactam antibiotics, a class commonly used in both clinical and agricultural settings, caused significant autoaggregation and biofilm formation by the important human pathogenStaphylococcus aureus. Both processes were dependent on cell lysis and release of DNA into the environment. The effect was most pronounced among multidrug-resistant strains known as methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA). These results may shed light on the recalcitrance of some bacterial infections to antibiotic treatment in clinical settings and the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in agricultural settings.

scholarly journals A Shared Population of Epidemic Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus 15 Circulates in Humans and Companion Animals

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewan M. Harrison ◽  
Lucy A. Weinert ◽  
Matthew T. G. Holden ◽  
John J. Welch ◽  
Katherine Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
One Health ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
The One ◽  
Veterinary Hospital

ABSTRACTMethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a global human health problem causing infections in both hospitals and the community. Companion animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses, are also frequently colonized by MRSA and can become infected. We sequenced the genomes of 46 multilocus sequence type (ST) 22 MRSA isolates from cats and dogs in the United Kingdom and compared these to an extensive population framework of human isolates from the same lineage. Phylogenomic analyses showed that all companion animal isolates were interspersed throughout the epidemic MRSA-15 (EMRSA-15) pandemic clade and clustered with human isolates from the United Kingdom, with human isolates basal to those from companion animals, suggesting a human source for isolates infecting companion animals. A number of isolates from the same veterinary hospital clustered together, suggesting that as in human hospitals, EMRSA-15 isolates are readily transmitted in the veterinary hospital setting. Genome-wide association analysis did not identify any host-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or virulence factors. However, isolates from companion animals were significantly less likely to harbor a plasmid encoding erythromycin resistance. When this plasmid was present in animal-associated isolates, it was more likely to contain mutations mediating resistance to clindamycin. This finding is consistent with the low levels of erythromycin and high levels of clindamycin used in veterinary medicine in the United Kingdom. This study furthers the “one health” view of infectious diseases that the pathogen pool of human and animal populations are intrinsically linked and provides evidence that antibiotic usage in animal medicine is shaping the population of a major human pathogen.IMPORTANCEMethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is major problem in human medicine. Companion animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses, can also become colonized and infected by MRSA. Here, we demonstrate that a shared population of an important and globally disseminated lineage of MRSA can infect both humans and companion animals without undergoing host adaptation. This suggests that companion animals might act as a reservoir for human infections. We also show that the isolates from companion animals have differences in the presence of certain antibiotic resistance genes. This study furthers the “one health” view of infectious diseases by demonstrating that the pool of MRSA isolates in the human and animal populations are shared and highlights how different antibiotic usage patterns between human and veterinary medicine can shape the population of bacterial pathogens.

scholarly journals Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophage Against Wastewater Isolates of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akanksha Rai ◽  
Krishna Khairnar
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Wastewater Samples ◽  
The One

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) not only is a notorious pathogen in clinical settings but also is an environmental issue that its presence in environmental wastewater is highlighted by several reports. Due to the negative impacts of antibiotics, alternatives like bacteriophages, as biocontrol, are considered safe. However, not all bacteriophages are safe. Thus, the characterization of bacteriophages is necessary. Objectives: This study aimed to, firstly isolate MRSA from wastewater and, secondly to perform bacteriophage isolation from the water samples to investigate its physical and genomic characteristics. Methods: Water samples were collected from seven locations across Nagpur city, India, bacteria were isolated on the S. aureus specific agar. For detecting MRSA, we followed the disc diffusion method. Isolation of bacteriophage against MRSA was performed by a modified enrichment method. We investigated its physical characteristics by the one-step growth rate, adsorption rate, host range, survivability, electron microscopy, and genomic sequencing for bioinformatics analysis. Results: Four MRSA were isolated from wastewater samples. We got a bacteriophage against an MRSA from the river Ganga. The bacteriophage belongs to the Podoviridae family, subfamily Autographivirinae. It was stable till 40°C and could survive at a highly alkaline pH. It is specific to its host. The bacteriophage DNA encodes 52 ORF, and all predicted genes are on the same strand; it also encodes a phage RNA polymerase. Conclusions: It is the first report of an S. aureus bacteriophage that belongs to the sub-family Autographivirinae. Our study and literature survey conclude that S. aureus bacteriophages of the Podoviridae family are safe for various downstream applications.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Rural Area of India: Is MRSA Replacing Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in the Community?

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo Alvarez-Uria ◽  
Raghuprakash Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
District Hospital ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and nosocomial infections. In developed countries there is a major concern about the rise of community-associated methicillin-resistant SA (CA-MRSA), but data from developing countries are scarce. In this study we describe the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of CA-MRSA and healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) in a district hospital from rural India. We identified 119 CA-SA infections and 82 HA-SA infections. The majority of infections were SSTI, and the proportion of MRSA in CA-SA and HA-SA infections was 64.7% and 70.7%, respectively. The proportion of CA-MRSA in children <5 years was 73.7%. We did not observe any linezolid or vancomycin resistance. CA-SA had high levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin and low levels of resistance to chloramphenicol, doxycycline, rifampicin, and clindamycin. CA-MRSA had higher proportion of resistance to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, and cotrimoxazole than CA methicillin-susceptible SA (CA-MSSA). HA-MRSA had higher proportion of resistance to clindamycin and doxycycline than CA-MRSA. The results of this study indicate that MRSA is replacing MSSA in CA-SA infections. If these findings are confirmed by other studies, the spread of CA-MRSA can be a major public health problem in India.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a one-way airflow system in an animal room based on counts of airborne dust particles and bacteria and measurements of ammonia levels

1989 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Yamauchi ◽  
T. Obara ◽  
N. Fukuyama ◽  
T. Ueda
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Flow ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Air Distribution ◽  
Airborne Dust ◽  
Work Space ◽  
Turbulent Airflow ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
The One

Air cleanliness in the working area of an animal room equipped with a conventional turbulent flow air distribution systems was compared with that in a similar room fitted with a one-way-flow air distribution system; in this, the supply air flowed from the working area through the racks of cages and was removed from the exhaust side. Before the introduction of animals, the air in the working and exhaust areas of both rooms was ascertained to be Class 100. With animals in situ, however, whereas in the turbulent airflow room both the workspace and exhaust air reached about Class 10 000 (with particle counts, bacterial counts and ammonia levels being almost the same) in the one-way-flow room, the air in the work space only went up to about Class 1000. With the addition of sliding doors or curtains in front of the rack in the one-way-flow room the work space air was maintained at Class 100 with almost no dust particles over 1 μm in size, airborne bacteria or ammonia being detectable. A comparison of all factors measured showed that whereas in the turbulent flow room the contamination of the work space air was 91% of that of the exhaust air, in the one-way-flow room it was only 47%, with curtains added this was reduced to 7% and with sliding doors to only 2%. In the latter case, contamination levels increased markedly on both sides during and immediately after cage changing, but recovered to the pre-cage changing levels within 30 min in the personnel working area and within 60 min on the exhaust side.

scholarly journals The Porcine Nasal Microbiota with Particular Attention to Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Germany—A Culturomic Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Schlattmann ◽  
Knut von Lützau ◽  
Ursula Kaspar ◽  
Karsten Becker
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Methicillin Resistance ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase ◽  
Health Concept ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The One ◽  
Mrsa Colonization ◽  
Spa Types

Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) remains a serious public health threat. Porcine nasal cavities are predominant habitats of LA-MRSA. Hence, components of their microbiota might be of interest as putative antagonistically acting competitors. Here, an extensive culturomics approach has been applied including 27 healthy pigs from seven different farms; five were treated with antibiotics prior to sampling. Overall, 314 different species with standing in nomenclature and 51 isolates representing novel bacterial taxa were detected. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from pigs on all seven farms sampled, comprising ten different spa types with t899 (n = 15, 29.4%) and t337 (n = 10, 19.6%) being most frequently isolated. Twenty-six MRSA (mostly t899) were detected on five out of the seven farms. Positive correlations between MRSA colonization and age and colonization with Streptococcus hyovaginalis, and a negative correlation between colonization with MRSA and Citrobacter spp. were found (p < 0.05). Of 209 non-S. aureus members of the Staphylococcaceae family, 25 isolates (12.0%) from three out of the seven farms exhibited methicillin resistance, including two Macrococcus goetzii isolates carrying the mecB gene. Among 125 Enterobacterales, none tested positive for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase production. The high frequency of methicillin-resistant staphylococci supports the need for enhanced efforts within the “One Health” concept to manage the antibiotic resistance crisis in the human and veterinary medicine sector.

scholarly journals Agricultural Dust Exposures and Health and Safety Practices among Western Australian Wheatbelt Farmers during Harvest

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 5009
Author(s):  
Krassi Rumchev ◽  
Suzanne Gilbey ◽  
Ryan Mead-Hunter ◽  
Linda Selvey ◽  
Kevin Netto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Airborne Dust ◽  
Vehicle Cabin ◽  
Farm Safety ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Working Day ◽  
And Shifts

Background: Agricultural farmworkers are routinely exposed to high levels of airborne dust particles that have been linked to adverse health outcomes. Methods: This study measured personal and environmental exposures to dust particulates by farmworkers during harvesting activities. Farmers completed a workplace survey with regards to their health and safety awareness and practices and researchers observed general farm safety practices on selected farms using a checklist. Results: In this study, farmers were noted to commonly work extended hours and shifts during harvest due to rigid timing deadlines. Results showed that 40% of farmers were exposed to concentrations of inhalable particles greater than SafeWork Australia’s workplace exposure standards for grain dusts, assuming a 16 h working day over 5 shifts. Twenty-two percent were exposed to concentrations that were above the adjusted standard for 12 h shifts. Survey results showed that three-quarters of farm owners provided new workers with some type of induction related to farm safety, however this was mostly undertaken in an arbitrary manner. Despite noting that farming was a dusty occupation and reporting to use protective measures to reduce harmful dust exposures, no workers were observed to wear respiratory protection when working outside of the protection of a vehicle cabin. Conclusion: This study identified substantial gaps in health and safety knowledge among farm managers and workers, and improved education and training are highly recommended.

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