A study we just published in the journal Veterinary Record Floras et al, 2010 described an MRSA outbreak in a dog breeding kennel. That's a little unusual in itself, but considering how MRSA is spreading amongst the dog population, it's not really astounding. What was unique about this outbreak was the strain that was involved, sequence type 398 ST398.ST398 MRSA is commonly referred to as livestock-associated MRSA, since this strain seems to have originated in pigs, and is commonly found in pigs and calves in some regions. It can also infect people, and high rates of carriage of this MRSA strain can be found in pig farmers, pig vets and other people with close contact with livestock. In some areas of Europe, this strain is a big problem, accounting for a large percentage of human infections. Interestingly, it seems to be a rare cause of illness in people in North America at least at the moment.
via Livestock-associated MRSA in dogs : Worms and Germs Blog.
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