Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in pigs and cattle from Kiambu county, Kenya: A possible source of infection to farm animal handlers

Abstract

Objective: To determine the potential zoonotic transmission of MRSA from farm animals to human beings.
Design: Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) was used to sample the subjects where nasal swabs were collected to culture S. aureus. Susceptibility testing was performed, and inhibition zones recorded.
Setting: Small scale farms in Landless Estate, Komu Location in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Subjects /Participants: Animal handlers, pigs and cattle selected at random from households that keep cattle and/or pigs.
Interventions: Mannitol salt, Staphaurex, DNAse agar and one molar HCL were used to identify S. aureus. Antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus isolates was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to test several antibiotics. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)was used to detect the mec-A gene.
Main Outcome Measures: The prevalence of MRSA in humans is higher compared to the study animals.
Results: MRSA was highest in animal handlers (18.6%) and lowest in pigs (9.6%). Tetracycline resistance was higher in Cattle (38.3%), compared to Pigs (35.3%) and least among animal handlers (27.3%). Ampicillin resistance was highest in animal handlers (72.7%) and lowest in pigs (29.4%). No resistance to Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol was recorded.
Conclusion: More stringent health and hygienic measures should be taken to help curb the possibility of zoonosis