MRSA Infections- Impact on the Feed Industries:

With the media coverage on MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections in US schools, awareness of this so-called superbug, 'super staph', is increasing. Perhaps people are getting scared thinking that it will become an epidemic. In reality, MRSA has been in existence for a very long time and it can still be treated with antibiotics like Vancomycin.

MRSA connection with animals especially pigs:

A major concern is that the MRSA bacteria are already transferring from animals to humans. Farmers and their families, farm workers, vets and abattoir workers are at highest risk because of their direct contact with animals.

A recent study by Khanna et al 2007 published in Veterinary Microbiology, identified MRSA on 45% of 20 Ontario farms in nearly one in four pigs and one in five farmers.

In the Netherlands, contact with pigs is now recognized as a risk factor for MRSA carriage:

Despite a strict control program for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in human medicine in the Netherlands, MRSA was cultured from exudative epidermitis lesions of 4 piglets on a breeding farm, 20 pigs on a supplier farm, and 2 workers on these farms. The MRSA strains were indistinguishable, suggesting direct transmission.

Further details on this study can be found here.

Until recently, MRSA infections have remained rare both inside and outside the hospitals in Netherlands. However, this landscape is changing with a high proportion of cases of MRSA being detected. Now it is not just in Netherlands, Canada, Belgium but many countries have detected and reported MRSA infections in humans and pigs. Because of these latest findings that pig farms may be a source of MRSA, the FDA and other agencies may potentially start sampling the pig farms.

MRSA infections are not just limited to human beings or pigs and other livestock animals, but have also been spreading to companion animals. Fortunately enough some antibiotics still work against MRSA and it can be treated, but the daunting question is how long these antibiotics can remain effective. According to Dr. John Jernigan at CDC, "We can always expect antibiotic resistance to follow antibiotic use, as surely as night follows day," It is only a matter of time.

According to some estimates, 70% of antibiotics and related drugs produced in USA are used on livestock. To prevent and control common harmful bacteria and promote growth low doses of antibiotics are included in feed. This practice, over a period of time, may lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as MRSA. For this reason Europe has banned the use of antibiotics in the feeds for routine use. This has led to the emergence of 'probiotics' and as the pro name suggests these promote healthy bacteria in the gut unlike anti (against) biotics.

According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: 'Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host'.

Comments (2)
Vijai Pasupuleti,   November 9th, 2007