Comparison of different samples for the detection of MRSA in pigs

Sampling herds and animals for pathogens is vital for the control of these pathogens. It was the objective of this study to analyse published data on the sensitivity of different types of samples for the detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in individual animals and groups of animals in livestock species in the absence of a gold standard

Antimicrobial resistance of commensal E. coli from the pork food chain in Germany

In the framework of the National Zoonoses Monitoring in Germany, E. coli from pigs and pork as well as from wild boar meat have been tested for their resistance to a panel of 14 antimicrobials using the broth microdilution method according to CLSI. The determined minimum inhibitory concentrations were evaluated based on the epidemiological cut-off values as provided by EUCAST

Salmonella in pork – Lessons to be learned from salmonella control in poultry

Based on Reg. (EC) No. 2160/2003, programs to control Salmonella in primary production in poultry have been decided and implemented in Europe. This paper addresses the question of the efficacy of these programs to reduce the incidence of salmonellosis in humans in Germany

Infection kinetics and host specificity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs

In this study, we investigated the colonisation kinetics and host specificity of three different clonal lines of MRSA (ST8, ST9 and ST398). MRSA prevalence on skin, nasal mucosa, conjunctiva, feacal shedding and distribution patterns of MRSA in internal organs in weaning piglets are studied

Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in the pork food chain in Germany

This paper gives an overview on studies carried out in Germany on the prevalence of MRSA on different stages of the pork food chain. Prevalence studies were carried out on herd level for breeding (201 herds) and fattening pits (290 herds), at abattoirs (n=1026 pigs), in a pork processing facility and in pig meat at retail. MRSA were characterized using spa-typing SCCmec-typing and testing for antimicrobial resistance

Occurrence of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Turkey and Broiler Barns and Contamination of Air and Soil Surfaces in Their Vicinity

The emission of microorganisms, especially resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), from poultry farms is of public interest, and its occurrence and relevance are controversially discussed. So far, there are limited data on this issue. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of livestock-associated (LA)-MRSA inside and outside previously tested MRSA-positive poultry barns in Germany. In total, five turkey and two broiler fattening farms were investigated four and three times, respectively. In a longitudinal study during one fattening period, samples were collected from animals, the animals' environment inside the barn, including the air, and the barns' surroundings, such as ambient air and boot swabs of ground surfaces at different distances from the barn. Moreover, a cross-sectional study was carried out once inside the barns on five turkey and four broiler farms during the last third of the fatting period. In the cross- sectional study, LA-MRSA was detected in the air of most barns (7 of 9, 77.8%), as well as in many samples originating from animals, with detections levels of 50 to 54% in broiler and 62 to 77% in turkey farms. In the longitudinal study, LA-MRSA was found in the ambient air outside two turkey barns and on the ground surface on the downwind side of many (44.4%) turkey and broiler farms. The same spa types of isolates were observed inside and outside the barns. Transmission of MRSA within poultry farms, as well as emission via the airborne route, seems to be possible

Co-occurrence of the bla(VIM-1) and bla(SHV-12) genes on an IncHI2 plasmid of an Escherichia coli isolate recovered from German livestock

The dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is an important public health issue. The number of human CPE isolates has been steadily increasing during recent years, worldwide. Despite the fact that carbapenems are not licensed for use in veterinary medicine, increasing numbers of CPE from the veterinary sector have been reported. The transmission of CPE between pets/livestock and exposed humans as well as via food has been demonstrated. In this study, a detailed characterization of a carbapenem-resistant porcine Escherichia coli co-harbouring blaVIM-1, blaSHV-12 and blaACC-1 genes, along with other resistance genes, is provided

MRSA in herds of fattening pigs in Germany- Associated risk factors

We investigated the association of putative risk factors with the prevalence of MRSA in herds of fattening pigs. Dust samples of 282 herds in Germany were collected in 2008. lnfonnation regarding herd characteristics and management practices was collected in a standardized questionnaire. Dust samples were pooled per farm and cultured using selective enrichment and chromogenic media. Presumptive MRSA-isolates were confirmed by multiplex-PCR for the detection of 16S rDNA, nuc and mecA genes. The association of management factors with prevalence was detennined using univariate logistic regression. Multivariate models were not used on account of substantial multicollinearity between the variables

Association of Salmonella spp. in slaughter pigs with farm management factors

The objective of the study was to investigate the assoctatwn of farm management factors with the detection of Salmonella in lymph nodes of pigs at slaughter. Samples were collected in German abattoirs in the course of the EU baseline study on Salmonella in slaughter pigs from October 2006 to September 2007. A minimum of 5 lymph nodes (\u3e15 g sample weight) were collected from pigs at slaughter and examined for Salmonella according to IS06579:2003, Annex D. Data were collected using a standardized data capture form to be filled in by the veterinary officials. Additional information was available in a subsample (85112569) of the pigs included in that study. The association of factors was tested using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Separate analyses were run for a: Salmonella spp., b: specifically for S. Typhimurium, the most prevalent Salmonella serovar in the study population and c: for all other serovars grouped together