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Published on: June 4, 2012
Low incidence of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in The Netherlands in
Brigitte A G L van Cleef1, Birgit H B van Benthem, Anja P J Haenen
1Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. brivancleef@gmail.com
Abstract:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a worldwide problem in both hospitals and communities all over the world. In 2003, a new MRSA clade emerged with a reservoir in pigs and veal calves: livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA). We wanted to estimate the incidence of bacteraemias due to LA-MRSA using national surveillance data from 2009 in the Netherlands. We found a low incidence of LA-MRSA and MRSA bacteraemia episodes, compared to bacteraemias caused by all S. aureus (0.04, 0.18 and 19.3 episodes of bacteraemia per 100,000 inhabitants per year, respectively). LA-MRSA and MRSA were uncommon compared to numbers from other countries as well. MRSA in general and LA-MRSA in specific does not appear to be a public health problem in the Netherlands now. The low incidence of LA-MRSA bacteraemia episodes may best be explained by differences in the populations affected by LA-MRSA versus other MRSA. However, reduced virulence of the strain involved, and the effectiveness of the search and destroy policy might play a role as well.
Insights
Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) and other MRSA infections are rare in the Netherlands. Surveillance data show low incidence rates, suggesting LA-MRSA is not currently a public health concern in the country.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a global health challenge.
- Livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA), originating from pigs and calves, emerged in 2003.
- Understanding the incidence of LA-MRSA is crucial for public health risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the incidence of bloodstream infections (bacteremias) caused by LA-MRSA in the Netherlands.
- To compare LA-MRSA bacteremia rates with general MRSA and all Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
- To assess the current public health impact of LA-MRSA in the Netherlands.
Main Methods:
- Utilized national surveillance data from the Netherlands for the year 2009.
- Calculated incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants for LA-MRSA, MRSA, and all S. aureus bacteremias.
- Compared findings with international data on MRSA prevalence.
Main Results:
- The incidence of LA-MRSA bacteremia was very low (0.04 episodes per 100,000 inhabitants).
- Overall MRSA bacteremia incidence was also low (0.18 per 100,000 inhabitants) compared to all S. aureus (19.3 per 100,000).
- LA-MRSA and MRSA were less common in the Netherlands than in many other countries.
Conclusions:
- LA-MRSA bacteremia is uncommon in the Netherlands and does not currently represent a significant public health problem.
- Low incidence may be attributed to distinct population exposures, potentially reduced strain virulence, or effective control policies.
- Further investigation into population differences and strain characteristics is warranted.
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