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Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)2011; 11(6); 609-615; doi: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0181

Environmental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a veterinary teaching hospital during a nonoutbreak period.

Abstract: Concurrent to reports of zoonotic and nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in veterinary settings, recent evidence indicates that the environment in veterinary hospitals may be a potential source of MRSA. The present report is a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of MRSA on specific human and animal contact surfaces at a large veterinary hospital during a nonoutbreak period. A total of 156 samples were collected using Swiffers(®) or premoistened swabs from the small animal, equine, and food animal sections. MRSA was isolated and identified by pre-enrichment culture and standard microbiology procedures, including growth on Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with NaCl and oxacillin, and by detection of the mecA gene. Staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec (SCCmec) typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profile were also determined. MRSA was detected in 12% (19/157) of the hospital environments sampled. The prevalence of MRSA in the small animal, equine, and food animal areas were 16%, 4%, and 0%, respectively. Sixteen of the MRSA isolates from the small animal section were classified as USA100, SCCmec type II, two of which had pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern that does not conform to any known type. The one isolate obtained from the equine section was classified as USA500, SCCmec type IV. The molecular epidemiological analysis revealed a very diverse population of MRSA isolates circulating in the hospital; however, in some instances, multiple locations/surfaces, not directly associated, had the same MRSA clone. No significant difference was observed between animal and human contact surfaces in regard to prevalence and type of isolates. Surfaces touched by multiple people (doors) and patients (carts) were frequently contaminated with MRSA. The results from this study indicate that MRSA is present in the environment even during nonoutbreak periods. This study also identified specific surfaces in a veterinary environment that need to be targeted when designing and executing infection control programs.
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Publication Date: 2011-03-21 PubMed ID: 21417926PubMed Central: PMC3391706DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0181Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the existence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a large veterinary hospital during a period when there wasn’t a known outbreak of the bacteria. The study concluded that MRSA was present in the hospital environment even in non-outbreak periods, with the highest prevalence in the small animal section.

Research Design and Methodology

  • The study was a cross-sectional examination aimed at discovering the prevalence of MRSA on surfaces frequently touched by both animals and humans at a large veterinary hospital, during a time when no outbreak was reported.
  • A total of 156 samples were gathered using Swiffers or premoistened swabs from the small animal, equine, and food animal sections.
  • MRSA was identified and isolated using standard microbiology procedures and the presence of the mecA gene was employed for detection.
  • The type of MRSA isolates were determined by their Staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec (SCCmec) typing and their pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profile.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The study found MRSA in 12% (19 out of 157) of sampled hospital environments.
  • The presence of MRSA was most prevalent in the small animal section at 16%, followed by the equine section at 4%, and no MRSA was detected in the food animal section.
  • The analysis of the molecular epidemiology suggested a diverse population of MRSA isolates are circulating in the hospital. However, there were instances where the same MRSA clone was found on multiple unrelated locations/surfaces.
  • There was no significant difference observed between animal and human contact surfaces in terms of prevalence and type of isolates. Surfaces touched by multiple people (doors) and patients (carts) were frequently contaminated with MRSA.
  • The results indicate that MRSA is present in veterinary hospital environments even during periods when there are no reported outbreaks.

Implications and Recommendations

  • This study identifies specific surfaces in a veterinary environment that need to be targeted when designing and executing infection control programs.
  • The prevalence of MRSA on frequently touched surfaces, even during non-outbreak periods, raises important considerations for infection control practices in veterinary hospitals.
  • More comprehensive and periodic disinfection routines, especially for high-touch surfaces, could possibly reduce the risk of MRSA transmissions in veterinary settings.

Cite This Article

APA
Hoet AE, Johnson A, Nava-Hoet RC, Bateman S, Hillier A, Dyce J, Gebreyes WA, Wittum TE. (2011). Environmental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a veterinary teaching hospital during a nonoutbreak period. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 11(6), 609-615. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2010.0181

Publication

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7759
NlmUniqueID: 100965525
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
Pages: 609-615

Researcher Affiliations

Hoet, Armando E
  • Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. hoet.1@osu.edu
Johnson, Amanda
    Nava-Hoet, Rocio C
      Bateman, Shane
        Hillier, Andrew
          Dyce, John
            Gebreyes, Wondwossen A
              Wittum, Thomas E

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Cross-Sectional Studies
                • Environmental Microbiology
                • Fomites / microbiology
                • Hospitals, Animal
                • Humans
                • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
                • Students
                • Veterinarians

                Grant Funding

                • UL1 RR025755 / NCRR NIH HHS

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                Citations

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