Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence study in Dutch dairy cow population at slaughter: Prevalence, typing and resistance determination of MRSA.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Dutch dairy cows.

CONCLUSIONS IN SUMMARY The prevalence of MRSA found in dairy cows in the Netherlands in 2012 is lower than expected, compared to results of previous studies. Sampling between the hind leg and the udder is a good approach to sample for MRSA. To monitor prevalence of MRSA continuous research is needed, including more slaughter houses as well as dairy farms. The novel mecA homologue ‘mecALGA25’ was not found. Fortunately Panton-Valentine Leukocidin was not identified in the samples. All SPA and MLVA types that were identified were familiar to LA-MRSA