Prevalence of livestock-associated MRSA in broiler flocks and risk factors for slaughterhouse personnel in the Netherlands

Abstract

To determine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in poultry and slaughterhouse personnel, 40 Dutch broiler flocks, in six slaughterhouses and 466 personnel were sampled. Of the employees, 26 were positive (56%), indicating a higher risk of exposure when compared to the general Dutch population (01%). This risk was significantly higher for personnel having contact with live animals (52%) - especially hanging broilers on the slaughterline (200%) - than for all other personnel (19%). Conventional electric stunning conferred a significantly higher risk of MRSA carriage for employees than CO2 stunning (97% vs. 20%). A total of 405 broilers were sampled upon their arrival at the slaughterhouse, of which 69% were positive. These broilers originated from 40 Dutch slaughter flocks of which 350% were positive. MRSA contamination in the different compartments of slaughterhouses increased during the production day, from 8% to 35%. Of the 119 MRSA isolates, predominantly livestock-associated MRSA ST398 was found, although 277% belonged to ST9 (spa type t1430). There is an increased risk of MRSA carriage in personnel working at broiler slaughterhouses, particularly those having contact with live animals. © Cambridge University Press 2010.