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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sequence type 8 in pigs, production environment, and human
Marianne Sunde1, Hanne Tharaldsen, Lillian Marstein
1National Veterinary Institute, Section of Bacteriology, PO Box 750 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway. marianne.sunde@vetinst.no
Abstract:
Two follow-up studies of a positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) finding in the 2008 European Union baseline survey on MRSA in pig herds were performed to gain more knowledge about the epidemiology of the particular MRSA type, a known human type (ST8/t008), among pigs. Two persons on a Norwegian farm in the study were found to be MRSA carriers, and human-to-animal transmission was suspected. In the first follow-up study, all pigs (n = 346) were sampled by taking nasal swabs. A pooled sample from 5 individual pigs housed together in a single pen, and a dust sample from the equipment in the same room, were positive. Dust samples from a building housing MRSA-negative animals were negative. The MRSA was not detected in the second follow-up, after removing positive animals from the farm and cleaning and disinfecting. A low MRSA occurrence among the animals was found, suggesting that MRSA ST8/t008 may be less able to colonize and persist in pig holdings compared with more host-adapted S. aureus strains.
Insights
Human-to-animal transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was investigated in pigs. The study suggests this specific MRSA strain may struggle to persist in pig herds, unlike more adapted strains.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- A 2008 survey detected methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in European pig herds.
- A specific MRSA type (ST8/t008), common in humans, was identified.
- Human carriage of MRSA on a Norwegian farm raised concerns about potential animal transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of MRSA ST8/t008 in pigs.
- To determine the likelihood of human-to-animal transmission of this MRSA strain.
- To assess the persistence of MRSA ST8/t008 in pig herds.
Main Methods:
- Two follow-up studies were conducted on a Norwegian pig farm.
- Nasal swabs from 346 pigs were collected.
- Pooled samples from pigs and dust samples from pens were analyzed.
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols were implemented.
Main Results:
- MRSA ST8/t008 was detected in pooled pig samples and environmental dust.
- MRSA was not found in subsequent testing after animal removal and disinfection.
- The study indicated a low occurrence of this MRSA strain in the investigated animals.
Conclusions:
- Human-to-animal transmission of MRSA ST8/t008 is possible.
- MRSA ST8/t008 appears less capable of colonizing and persisting in pig herds compared to host-adapted strains.
- Effective farm biosecurity measures can control MRSA spread.
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