METHICILLIN - RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN PIG PRODUCTION CHAIN

Abstract

The aims of this study were (i) to estimate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S.a) in pig farm environments; (ii) to evaluate the presence of S.a in pork processing environments (iii) to detect the presence of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) among isolated strains. Samples of pig stool, farm environment and pork processing environment were collected. These samples were submitted to detection of S.a following the international method: UNI EN ISO 6888-2 and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) tests were performed by using the automated VITEK 2 system. In addition, a PCR for the detection of the mecA gene was applied. Overall, S. aureus were more frequently detected from pig farms than from pork processing environments. Among the n.51 isolated strains, n. 49 (96%) were methicillin resistant (MRSA) and only n.2 strains were methicillin sensitive (MSSA). The results of the present study highlighted that further studies are needed to elucidate transmission routes of MRSA in pig production chain