Cluster Of Mrsa In Cats And Staff Of A Veterinary Clinic: Follow-Up And Possible Implications For Control

Background: At approximately 1% the prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Netherlands is among the lowest in Europe. Voluntary notification of a veterinarian of 4 successive but unrelated cats with postoperative wound infections with an identical, human MRSA strain prompted this investigation. The prevalence rate of human MRSA carriage in all veterinary staffmembers was measured, and subsequently we wanted to prevent MRSA infections in cats and MRSA carriage in this clinic. Methods: After informed consent all 44 veterinary staffmembers were questioned for MRSA risk factors. Cat case histories were reviewed (Result A). Hygienic procedures were updated (Result B). Staffmembers were screened for MRSA, and positives were treated. Posttreatment cultures were all sampled every 2 weeks during 8 weeks (Result C). A selective broth was used for 24 hours, after which the IDI test was performed. Each positive sample was subcultured on blood agar and an antibiogram was made using the Vitek-2 system (BioMerieux, Lyon, France) or E tests when appropriate. Each detected strain was sent to the national reference laboratory (RIVM) for pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing. MRSA carriage was treated using local and systemic antibiotics. Results: Result A: Professionals worked in individual (operation) rooms and had no catlle contact. No one had MRSA risk factors or MRSA infections. One positive professional had controlled skin eczema. The owner of the first cat and his family were MRSA negative. Result B: the updated hygienic protocol included improved hand hygiene, surface cleansing and more extensive use of gloves and masks. Result C: 7 persons (16%) were MRSA positive (nose, throat) with MRSA PGFE type 113 (national typing). Two of 7 professionals spontaneously turned negative. Four were treated successfully, but the last one surprisingly had a positive culture in the second round.She stayed negative thereafter. On 5 cultures additional spa and MLST typing of the strain was performed, matching the results of the four cats (spa type 739, ST 45 with clonal cluster 45). Conclusion: A specific human MRSA cluster in humans and cats was found and successfully treated in humans. This may decrease future new infections in cats. Veterinary clinics should implement guidelines for dealing with MRSA, and be aware of increased risks for contracting MRSA. Abstracts for SupplementInternational Journal of Infectious DiseasesVol. 14Preview Full-Text PDF Open Archive