RESUMEN
There is limited knowledge about the effect of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) carriage on health-related quality of life (QoL). With this study, we explored whether LA-MRSA causes infections or affects health-related QoL in pig farmers. This prospective cohort study surveyed persons working on 49 farrowing pig farms in The Netherlands for 1 year (2010-2011). On six sampling moments, nasal swabs, environmental samples and questionnaires on activities and infections were collected. At the end of the study year, persons were asked about their QoL using the validated SF-36 and EQ-5D questionnaires. Of 120 persons, 44 (37%) were persistent MRSA carriers. MRSA carriage was not associated with infections, use of antimicrobials, healthcare contact and health-related QoL items in univariate or multivariate analysis, most likely due to the 'healthy worker effect'. Despite high carriage rates, the impact of LA-MRSA carriage in this population of relatively healthy pig farmers on health and health-related QoL appears limited; more research is needed for confirmation.
Asunto(s)
Portador Sano/epidemiología , Portador Sano/microbiología , Agricultores , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina/aislamiento & purificación , Calidad de Vida , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/epidemiología , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/microbiología , Adulto , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Animales , Microbiología Ambiental , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mucosa Nasal/microbiología , Países Bajos/epidemiología , Estudios Prospectivos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , PorcinosRESUMEN
Our purpose was to determine the dynamics of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) carriage and its determinants in persons working at pig farms, in order to identify targets for interventions. This prospective cohort study surveyed 49 pig farms in the Netherlands on six sampling dates in 1 year (2010-11). Nasal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected, as well as environmental surface samples from stables and house. Of 110 pig farmers, 38% were persistent MRSA nasal carriers. The average cross-sectional MRSA prevalence was 63%. Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) nasal carriage was associated with fewer MRSA acquisitions (prevalence rate (PR) = 0.47, p 0.02). In multivariate analysis, an age of 40-49 years (PR = 2.13, p 0.01), a working week of ≥40 h (PR=1.89, p 0.01), giving birth assistance to sows (PR=2.26, p 0.03), removing manure of finisher pigs (PR=0.48, p 0.02), and wearing a facemask (PR = 0.13, p 0.02) were significantly related with persistent MRSA nasal carriage. A higher MRSA exposure in stables was associated with MRSA in pig farmers (p <0.0001). This study describes a very high prevalence of LA-MRSA carriage in pig farmers, reflecting extensive exposure during work. We identified the possible protective effects of MSSA carriage and of continuously wearing a facemask during work.
Asunto(s)
Portador Sano/microbiología , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/epidemiología , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/transmisión , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Animales , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Ganado/microbiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Boca/microbiología , Países Bajos , Nariz/microbiología , Estudios Prospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/microbiología , Sus scrofa , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The in vitro activity of tigecycline was determined using a well-defined collection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates (n = 202), including 33 livestock-associated strains. Susceptibility testing was performed using the Etest system. Among the 202 MRSA strains, three (1.5%) had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value for tigecycline greater than 0.5 mg/l, which are considered to be resistant. When these strains were tested using Iso-Sensitest medium, the MICs were substantially lower and no resistance was found. This discrepancy warrants further investigations into the preferred test conditions for tigecycline. In conclusion, tigecycline showed good activity against MRSA strains in vitro.