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Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in three populations

S Kottler1, J R Middleton, J Perry

  • 1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|December 17, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Healthcare workers do not show higher rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in their households. Pets and people in these homes were equally likely to carry MRSA, with rare instances of shared strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Healthcare workers (HCWs) have a higher reported prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization than non-HCWs.
  • This study investigated MRSA colonization in households with and without HCWs, including both human and pet occupants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if MRSA colonization prevalence differs between people and pets in households with HCWs compared to those without.
  • To compare the prevalence of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and MRSA in human and pet populations across different household types.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cross-sectional study involving 586 households (non-HCW, veterinary HCW, human HCW).
  • Samples were collected from individuals and their companion animals (dogs or cats) and cultured.
  • Staphylococcus aureus identification (MSSA/MRSA) was performed using mecA PCR; strain relatedness was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and spa-typing.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in MSSA or MRSA prevalence were observed between household types for either humans or pets.
  • The prevalence of MRSA in humans was 5.63% and in pets was 3.41%.
  • The proportion of MRSA among S. aureus isolates was 20.8% in humans and 30.3% in pets; co-colonization with the same MRSA strain in a person and their pet occurred in less than 1% of households.

Conclusions:

  • The study found no difference in MSSA or MRSA prevalence in households with or without HCWs.
  • Humans and pets were equally likely to be colonized with MRSA when colonized with S. aureus.
  • Co-colonization of a person and their pet with the same MRSA strain is uncommon.

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