title: Analysis of Transmission of MRSA and ESBL-E among Pigs and Farm Personnel.
abstract: Livestock-associated bacteria with resistance to two or more antibiotic drug classes have heightened our awareness for the consequences of antibiotic consumption and spread of resistant bacterial strains in the veterinary field. In this study we assessed the prevalence of concomitant colonization with livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) and enterobacteriaceae expressing extended-spectrum betalactamases (ESBL-E) in farms at the German-Dutch border region. Nasal colonization of pigs with MRSA (113/547 (20.7%)) was less frequent than rectal colonization with ESBL-E (163/540 (30.2%)). On the individual farm level MRSA correlated with ESBL-E recovery. The data further provide information on prevalence at different stages of pig production, including abattoirs, as well as in air samples and humans living and working on the farms. Notably, MRSA was detected in stable air samples of 34 out of 35 pig farms, highlighting air as an important MRSA transmission reservoir. The majority of MRSA isolates, including those from humans, displayed tetracycline resistance and spa types t011 and t034 characteristic for LA-MRSA, demonstrating transmission from pigs to humans. ESBL-E positive air samples were detected on 6 out of 35 farms but no pig-to-human transmission was found. Detection of ESBL-E, e.g. mostly Escherichia coli with CTX-M-type ESBL, was limited to these six farms. Molecular typing revealed transmission of ESBL-E within the pig compartments; however, related strains were also found on unrelated farms. Although our data suggest that acquisition of MRSA and ESBL-E might occur among pigs in the abattoirs, MRSA and ESBL-E were not detected on the carcasses. Altogether, our data define stable air (MRSA), pig compartments (ESBL-E) and abattoir waiting areas (MRSA and ESBL-E) as major hot spots for transmission of MRSA and/or ESBL-E along the pig production chain.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Institute of Animal Science, Preventive Health Management Group, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 7-9, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Ricarda Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Schmithausen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Science, Preventive Health Management Group, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 7-9, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Sophia Veronika
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Schulze-Geisthoevel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Science, Preventive Health Management Group, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 7-9, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stemmer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Jade
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reif
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hack
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meilaender
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montabauer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Computer Science, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fimmers
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Marijo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parcina
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Achim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoerauf
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Exner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Science, Preventive Health Management Group, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 7-9, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bierbaum
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Division of EU cooperation/ Microbiology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bekeredjian-Ding
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D004926:Escherichia coli; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D013552:Swine / Q000382:microbiology*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission*; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance