Pig MRSA (ST 398) : not only a threat to humans, also to dairy cows and horses

[Gert van der Hoek]

MRSA in animals is not new; however these articles refer to MRSA-ST398, aka "Pig MRSA". Until recently ST398 did not cause much human infections. This is starting to change however.

An other recent study:

Pig-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: family transmission and severe pneumonia in a newborn.

Now the pig MRSA also threatens cows, causing mastitis. Mastitis is the biggest health problem of dairy cows.

Also horses are found to be infected with MRSA-ST398.

So now we have more and more hosts - including humans - spreading ST398 and causing problems : infections that won't heal and even can result in death.

The emerging pig MRSA has important implications for patients, doctors and now also dairyfarmers, horse owners and veterinairians, and may be in the future for every pet owner.



Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 from cases of bovine mastitis.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST398 associated with clinical and subclinical mastitis in Belgian cows

Clusters of infections in horses with MRSA ST1, ST254, and ST398 in a veterinary hospital.

MRSA in livestock animals-an epidemic waiting to happen?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a new zoonotic agent?

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Pig MRSA (ST 398) : not only a threat to humans, also to dairy cows and horses

'Zo’n 400 melkveebedrijven met MRSA'

26 okt 2010

Op een kleine 400 melkveebedrijven in Nederland lopen melkkoeien rond met een MRSA-besmetting in de uier.


Research confirmed MRSA related mastitis at almost 400 dairy farms in the Netherlands.
This is not a human health problem, it is a problem for farmers and their cows.


http://www.agd.nl/10111285/Nieuws/Artikel/Zon-400-melkveebedrijven-met-MRSA.htm