Methicillin-resistant <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it> containing <it>mecC</it> in Swedish dairy cows
2013
Unnerstad Helle Ericsson | Bengtsson Björn | af Rantzien Margareta Horn | Börjesson Stefan
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hitherto, methicillin-resistant <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it> (MRSA) has not been detected in Swedish cattle. However, due to the report of <it>mecC</it>, a novel homologue to the <it>mecA</it> gene, there was reason to re-evaluate susceptibility results from strain collections of <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it> and test suspected isolates for the presence of <it>mecC</it>.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Bovine isolates of <it>S. aureus</it> with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations of beta-lactams were retrospectively tested for presence of <it>mecC</it>. In four of the isolates <it>mecC</it> was detected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In Sweden, this is the first finding of MRSA in cattle and the first detection of MRSA harbouring <it>mecC</it> of domestic animal origin. MRSA in animal populations has implications as a potential reservoir with risk for spread to humans. Occurrence of MRSA among Swedish cattle appears still very limited.</p>
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