Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for life-threatening infections in humans. The classical human infections of MRSA are either hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA) or community-acquired (CA-MRSA). MRSA are now frequently isolated from farm animals or livestock (LA-MRSA). They transmit infection to humans through colonized animals. Studies have shown that the clonal complex ST398 is one of the most common strains of LA-MRSA. There are reports of isolation of CC398 from livestock animals, handlers, and family members of farm workers of the same farm. This indicates the transmission from animal to human. The isolation of CC398 from humans without any exposure to farm or farm animals is evidence of the human-to-human transfer. This can emerge as one of the major occupational hazards for farm workers. Preventive measures like screening of livestock as well as farm workers, followed by removal of MRSA-positive animals from the farm, can be useful in controlling LA-MRSA spread. Reduced use of antibiotics is important to avoid extended drug resistance in MRSA. Decolonization of humans and animals is crucial in breaking the chain of infection by monitoring transmission from carriers. Mupirocin and chlorhexidine are common agents used for decolonization in humans.
Shila Kumari Singh (Thu,) studied this question.