Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in swine farm personnel, Belgium

Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Jul;15(7):1098-101. doi: 10.3201/eid1507.080652.

Abstract

We assessed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in persons on 49 swine farms in Belgium. Surveys showed that 48 (37.8%) persons carried MRSA ST398 and 1 (0.8%) had concurrent skin infection. Risk factors for carriage were MRSA carriage by pigs, regular contact with pigs and companion animals, and use of protective clothing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / statistics & numerical data*
  • Animals
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Clothing / standards
  • Humans
  • Methicillin Resistance*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / epidemiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Swine / microbiology*