Occupational Exposure to Methicillin -Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA - a Cross-sectional Study of Veterinarians an

1. Occupational Exposure to Methicillin -Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) - a Cross-sectional Study of Veterinarians and Swine Workers in Romania Alexandru Coman MD Daniel Narcis Maftei DVM Razvan Mircea Chereches MD, PhD Catalin Baba DVM, PhD Emanuela Sirlincan BA Claudiu Dragnea DVM Bria Paul DVM

2. MRSA Content Providers(s):CDC/ Janice Carr; Jeff Hageman Photo Credit:Janice Carr

3. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA - bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams (including methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin) In the community: skin infections. In healthcare settings: bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, or pneumonia In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. They often first look like spider bites or bumps that are red, swollen, and painful. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men). In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. They often first look like spider bites or bumps that are red, swollen, and painful. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men).

4. MRSA in the community Approx. 2% carriers. Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin (cuts or abrasions), contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, poor hygiene.

5. Our work Our goal: improve the knowledge about MRSA transmission in a workplace settings and thus protecting the workers and their families against the severe adverse health effects cross-sectional pilot study of veterinarians and swine workers in Romania in relation with MRSA occupational exposure. Settings: swine farms in Tulcea County

6. Specific aims (1) Aim 1: to evaluate the prevalence of MRSA carrier status of veterinary personnel and swine farm workers in relation with the MRSA carrier status of the swine they are exposed to. We collected nasal swabs from both the exposed volunteers and swine in attempt to isolate the MRSA. �

7. Specific aims (2) Aim 2: to evaluate the clinical infection with MRSA of veterinary personnel and swine farm workers. Clinical interviews and clinical examination were used to evaluate the health status of the participants. Laboratory tests were performed to establish the MRSA etiology of the skin lesions.

8. Specific aims (3) Aim 3: to evaluate the occupational risk factors for colonization and infection in veterinary personnel and swine farm workers. We collected demographic information, medical history, occupational and animal exposure from the participants.

12. Study participants

13. Questionnaires Swabs

15. MRSA positive by disc diffusion Volunteers: 25% (25 positives / 100) Swine: 22.5% (18 positives / 80)

17. Gel 1

18. Gel 2

19. MRSA +

20. Study limitations Small sample size Lack of funding for lab tests

21. Conclusions MRSA presence in swine commercial farms!!! Veterinarians � highest risk Family � could be at risk

22. The project described was supported by Award Number D43TW000621 from the Fogarty International Center. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Fogarty International Center or the National Institutes of Health.