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Study Finds MRSA in U.S. Swine and Farm Workers

Researchers led by an investigator from the University of Iowa College of Public Health have reported finding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs and farm workers in the U.S.

The investigators examined nasal swabs collected from swine (299) and farm workers (20) from 2 production systems in Iowa and Illinois. Reportedly, results of the study found the prevalence of MRSA ST398 was 70% in swine and 64% in farm workers in one production system but all swine and workers tested negative in the other system.

The investigators recommended that future studies assess the risk of MRSA disease among swine workers and their contacts, survey retail meat products for MRSA contamination, study larger populations of swine and humans to define the epidemiology of MRSA within swine operations, and assess MRSA carriage rates in other livestock.

[Editor's note: These findings are very similar to those previously reported in Canada and Europe. It should be noted that MRSA is common in a number of livestock and companion animal species and it should come as no surprise that it would be found in pigs and people working closely with pigs.]

Source: University of Iowa