Transmissibility of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Emerg Infect Dis. 2013 Nov;19(11):1797-1802. doi: 10.3201/eid1911.121085.

Abstract

Previous findings have suggested that the nosocomial transmission capacity of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is lower than that of other MRSA genotypes. We therefore performed a 6-month (June 1-November 30, 2011) nationwide study to quantify the single-admission reproduction number, RA, for LA-MRSA in 62 hospitals in the Netherlands and to compare this transmission capacity to previous estimates. We used spa typing for genotyping. Quantification of RA was based on a mathematical model incorporating outbreak sizes, detection rates, and length of hospital stay. There were 141 index cases, 40 (28%) of which were LA-MRSA. Contact screening of 2,101 patients and 7,260 health care workers identified 18 outbreaks (2 LA-MRSA) and 47 secondary cases (3 LA-MRSA). RA values indicated that transmissibility of LA-MRSA is 4.4 times lower than that of other MRSA (not associated with livestock).

Keywords: MRSA; bacteria; community; livestock; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; transmission.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Livestock / microbiology*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / classification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / transmission*