Environmental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in pig herds in relation to the productive phase and application of cleaning and disinfection

Merialdi, G.; Galletti, Elena; Guazzetti, Stefano; Rosignoli, C.; Alborali, G. L.; Battisti, Antonio; Franco, Alessia; Bonilauri, Paolo; Rugna, Gianluca; Martelli, Paolo

doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.10.020

Cited by 11 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…It has been demonstrated that MRSA isolates with a benzalkonium chloride MIC of Ն4.5 g/ml, as exhibited by 17.5% of isolates in the current study, are able to survive exposure to commercial QAC-based disinfectants in the presence of organic matter (23). Hence, the finding that QAC resistance genes are common among MRSA of porcine origin is concerning and may provide explanations for the observed association between frequent disinfection and MRSA in the present study and the reported ineffectiveness of QAC-based disinfectants for elimination of MRSA from swine holdings (28). Additionally, genes conferring resistance to QACs, particularly qacG and smr, also have been identified in MRSA ST9, originating from pig carcasses in Hong Kong (29).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Commercial Swine Herds Is Associated with Disinfectant and Zinc Usage

Slifierz

Friendship

Weese

2015

Appl Environ Microbiol

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bMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) originating from swine is concerning for public health, but an understanding of the emergence and persistence of MRSA in nursery herds is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine whether MRSA in nursery pigs is associated with particular herd-level parameters, including the use of antimicrobials, disinfectants, and heavy metals, which may be driving the selection and persistence of antimicrobial resistance. Nasal cultures for MRSA were completed for 390 pigs from 26 farms at the end of the suckling phase and again at 3 weeks postweaning. Herd-level information was collected, and a random subset of MRSA isolates was screened for resistance to zinc and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Multivariate analysis revealed that in-feed concentrations of zinc (P < 0.001) and frequent disinfection of nursery pens (P < 0.001) are associated with MRSA shedding in nursery pigs. Furthermore, 62.5% (25/40) of MRSA isolates carried the zinc resistance gene czrC and demonstrated decreased susceptibility to zinc. All MRSA isolates carried at least 1 QAC resistance gene. The most common genotype was qacG qacH smr, which occurred in 32.5% (13/40) of isolates. Seven isolates (17.5%) demonstrated a significant tolerance to benzalkonium chloride, indicating a potential to survive commercial QAC exposure in the presence of organic matter. Overall, these findings indicate that high levels of in-feed zinc and QAC-based disinfectants are important drivers in the selection and persistence of MRSA in commercial swine herds, and these agents may be coselecting for other antimicrobial resistance genes. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of opportunistic infections in humans. Those strains with multiresistant phenotypes, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are of concern due to the risk of treatment failure, increased hospitalization, and increased use of medical resources (1). Hence, it is understandable that since the first report of MRSA in pigs and the implication of pigs as a source of human infections (2), there has been escalating concern about the use of antimicrobials in livestock production systems and the potential public health risk of MRSA originating from animals.However, previous investigations of the association between antimicrobial usage and the presence of MRSA in swine production systems have yielded conflicting results. Several studies have documented the commonness and long-term persistence of MRSA in pigs raised without exposure to antimicrobials (3-5) and in organic husbandry (6, 7). Furthermore, a Dutch study of 202 pig herds and a German study of 291 pig herds were unable to find an association between MRSA and antimicrobial usage (8, 9), and a recent meta-analysis of risk factors for MRSA in grower-finisher herds determined no difference between organic and conventional herds but did report group treatment with antimicrobials as a risk factor (10). Regional differences in MRSA carriage by pigs also are paradoxic...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Commercial Swine Herds Is Associated with Disinfectant and Zinc Usage

Slifierz

Friendship

Weese

2015

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Moreover, a greater preventive effect of cleaning and disinfection was seen in the farrowing unit than in the other production phases (Merialdi et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…As the MRSA prevalence in sows and preweaned piglets appears to be related (Pletinckx et al 2013), decontamination practices of sows might reduce MRSA prevalence in sows, their offspring and the barn environment. Moreover, a greater preventive effect of cleaning and disinfection was seen in the farrowing unit than in the other production phases (Merialdi et al 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Only one recent publication studied the extent of the MRSA environmental contamination in relation to different pig production phases and the application of cleaning and disinfection practices in six Italian pig herds (Merialdi et al . ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Little is known about the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection against LA-MRSA in real practical farm conditions. Only one recent publication studied the extent of the MRSA environmental contamination in relation to different pig production phases and the application of cleaning and disinfection practices in six Italian pig herds (Merialdi et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of a disinfection strategy on the methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusCC398 prevalence of sows, their piglets and the barn environment

et al. 2013

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Aims: To assess, in a cleaned and disinfected barn environment, the efficacy of an animal disinfection strategy to reduce the livestock-associated methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) prevalence in sows, their offspring and the barn environment. Methods and Results: On each farm, six sow rounds were sampled; sows were divided into either a test or control group. Per round, 20 sows and 40 of their piglets were sampled at different time points together with the barn environment. The disinfection strategy of the test groups consisted of washing the sows with a shampoo followed by disinfection of the skin with a solution containing chlorhexidine digluconate and isopropanol. On the first day of disinfection and 6 days after stopping the disinfection, a significant decrease (P < 0Á01) of on average 68 and 66% in sow MRSA prevalence was observed on both farms, whereas no decrease was seen in the control groups. Just before weaning, 21-28 days after the end of the disinfection strategy, the difference in MRSA prevalence between both groups was reduced to 4% and no longer significant (P = 0Á20). The MRSA prevalence of the piglets in the test groups was significantly lower (26%; P < 0Á01) 6 days after the end of disinfection. Just before weaning, this difference was reduced to 5% but still significant (P < 0Á01). In the swine nursery unit, no significant difference (P = 0Á99) was seen between both groups. Based on semi-quantitative counts, a relationship (r 2 > 0Á6; P < 0Á01) was seen between MRSA contamination in the barn environment and the MRSA prevalence in pigs. Conclusion: Results show that the tested disinfection strategy reduces temporarily the sow and piglet MRSA status, but does not result in a final reduction in MRSA at weaning or in the nursery unit. Significance and Impact of the Study: First report on the efficacy of an animal disinfection strategy to reduce LA-MRSA prevalence in sows, their offspring and the barn environment.

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Diseases of the Skin, Eye, Conjunctiva, and External Ear

2017

Veterinary Medicine

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Environmental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in pig herds in relation to the productive phase and application of cleaning and disinfection

Cited by 11 publications

References 20 publications

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Commercial Swine Herds Is Associated with Disinfectant and Zinc Usage

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Commercial Swine Herds Is Associated with Disinfectant and Zinc Usage

Effect of a disinfection strategy on the methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusCC398 prevalence of sows, their piglets and the barn environment

Diseases of the Skin, Eye, Conjunctiva, and External Ear

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