title: Risk factors for MRSA in fattening pig herds - a meta-analysis using pooled data.
abstract: The importance of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) as an infectious agent for humans has increased in recent years in Germany. Although it is well known that the prevalence of MRSA in pig farms is high, risk factors for the presence of MRSA in herds of fattening pigs are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate available data from previous studies on MRSA in fattening pigs in a meta-analysis to answer the question: What are the factors associated with the occurrence of MRSA in fattening pig herds? The studies on MRSA in pigs that were identified by literature research were heterogeneous with respect to the risk factors investigated and the type of herds focused on. Therefore we decided to carry out a pooling analysis on herd level rather than a typical meta-analysis. Eligible herd data were identified based on the published literature and communication with the authors. The final data set covered 400 fattening pig herds from 10 different studies and 12 risk factors. The prevalence of MRSA in the 400 fattening pig herds was 53.5%. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). The resulting multivariate model confirmed previously identified risk factors for MRSA in pig herds (herd size and herd type). It also identified further risk factors: group treatment of fattening pigs with antimicrobial drugs (OR=1.79) and housing fattening pig herds on at least partially slatted floors (OR=2.39) compared to plain floor. In contrast, according to the model, fattening pig herds on farms keeping other livestock along with pigs were less likely to harbor MRSA (OR=0.54). The results underline the benefits from a pooling analysis and cooperative re-evaluation of published data.
authors.affiliation: Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Unit Epidemiology and Zoonoses, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, D-12277 Berlin, Germany; University of Potsdam, Faculty of Science, Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, D-14558 Nuthetal, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fromm
authors.affiliation: Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Unit Epidemiology and Zoonoses, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, D-12277 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beißwanger
authors.affiliation: Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Unit Epidemiology and Zoonoses, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, D-12277 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Käsbohrer
authors.affiliation: Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Unit Epidemiology and Zoonoses, Diedersdorfer Weg 1, D-12277 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: Bernd-Alois.Tenhagen@bfr.bund.de.
authors.forename: Bernd-Alois
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Tenhagen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Antimicrobial drugs; Fattening pigs; Herd size; Herd type; MRSA; Meta-analysis; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Other livestock; Pooling analysis; Risk factor; Slatted floor; Swine; Zoonoses