Extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pig production: possible zoonotic implications. Espectro de β-lactamases produzindo Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina em suinocultura: possíveis implicações zoonóticas

β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are increasing clinical and economical problem in human medicine [14,16]. ESBLs are normally encoded by plasmidborne genes and confer resistance to penicillins, cephalosporins, and aztreonam [4]. They are often multi-drug resistant due to concurrent presence of other classes of antibiotics, and they have been associated with hospital outbreaks [14]. MRSA are resistant to most antibiotics available for treatment of staphylococcal infections and are associated with prolonged hospitalization [16]. Human infections with this bacterium are notifiable in some EU Member States such as Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom (bacteraemia). ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae can be isolated from food-producing animals [13], suggesting that food animals and food of animal origin may be a factor in the spread of such bacteria. Similarly, reports have documented cases of MRSA colonization or infection in animals [10]. In relation to pig production, MRSA clone ST398 is of particular concern, since it seems to be wide spread in animal populations [7]. This clone may cause severe infection in humans, including osteomyelitis, endocarditis and sepsis [6]. This presentation presents results from investigation of the presence of ESBL and MRSA clone ST398 in pig production and the carrier status of persons in close contact with positive animals.