Low Incidence of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteraemia in The Netherlands in 2009

Brigitte A.G.L. van Cleef, Birgit H.B. van Benthem, Anja P.J. Haenen, Thijs Bosch, Jos Monen, Jan A.J.W. Kluytmans

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12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a worldwide problem in both hospitals and communities all over the world. In 2003, a new MRSA clade emerged with a reservoir in pigs and veal calves: livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA). We wanted to estimate the incidence of bacteraemias due to LA-MRSA using national surveillance data from 2009 in the Netherlands. We found a low incidence of LA-MRSA and MRSA bacteraemia episodes, compared to bacteraemias caused by all S. aureus (0.04, 0.18 and 19.3 episodes of bacteraemia per 100,000 inhabitants per year, respectively). LA-MRSA and MRSA were uncommon compared to numbers from other countries as well. MRSA in general and LA-MRSA in specific does not appear to be a public health problem in the Netherlands now. The low incidence of LA-MRSA bacteraemia episodes may best be explained by differences in the populations affected by LA-MRSA versus other MRSA. However, reduced virulence of the strain involved, and the effectiveness of the search and destroy policy might play a role as well.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere73096
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume8
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Aug 2013
Externally publishedYes

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