Staphylococcus aureus ST398, New York City and Dominican Republic

I see that study mentions live poultry markets as a possible link (everyone wants to pin it on the poor chickens of the DR). I wonder if this strain is like the one found in pigs and pig farmers in Canada, USA and Netherlands and in beef, veal, pork products on the shelves of stores. I wonder if food handlers (butchers etc) are more at risk for picking it up and then it's spread to the family. Pork is imported isn't? From where? What's in their feed, antibiotics? Could there be any dumping of contaminated pork involved? The study said the strain contrasted with the one in Canada, I wonder if it's similar to any strains in the USA outside of northern Manhattan. Interesting food for thought.

I think there are many different ways to transfer this infection, and aerial transmission is the most common.

However, the vehicle of transmission is not the important factor with this infection, it is the long-term over use of antibiotics that has created this public health risk.

Also a factor is the partial use of prescriptions, that is not finishing the full regimen prescribed. When a person takes only only 3 days, for example, of a 6 day day regimien the infection, which is not completely finished off, becomes immune to the antbiotic, and becomes much harder to kill once it is transferred to another person.

This is a serious issue, and one that goes far beyond the DR and even the US. It is a world-wide danger.

I discussed MRSA in some detail in another thread, having had a bout with it (subcutaneous, not systemic).

It is one nasty bug. But recent research has shown promise, and two antibiotics have shown to stop it. However, one is a caustic IV drug requiring a central line being inserted because peripheral veins can be permanently damaged, and the other, an oral antibiotic that even in the generic form is over $1200 for a 2-week/twice a day regimine (and $2400 in name brand form), and must be combined with a $300 tube of ointment swabbed in the nostrils and twice daily baths in Hibiclens.

catcherintherye said:

I think there are many different ways to transfer this infection, and aerial transmission is the most common.

Click to expand...

Aerial transmission is the most common? I thought it was dirrect contact. If it was aerial wouldn't we all be dropping like flies? Unless I have the wrong definition of "aerial transmission."

It's my understanding that it's most commonly transmitted from the nostrils of the colonized individual to their hands and then to dirrectly to other individuals and surfaces (medical lab coats, gloves, hands of healthcare workers with physicians being some of the most lax in following pre-cautions). And in the community with colonized family members or on the surfaces of clothing beds, skin-to-skin contact etc. And there's community-acquired MRSA (with athletes).

This is one mentioned in Hidalgo's post and the article is a new strain from animals, that is transmitted from animal to animal and farm worker and into the community and the food chain. That's my understanding. I suppose if you sneezed it would be distributed in tiny droplets. But wouldn't entire hospitals close if it was aerial transmission and we'd have a pandemic?

I agree with your other points about antibiotics and I'm certainly not an expert on any of this. I think antibiotics in the animal feed is a big factor. That being said, there's no solid evidence that you can get it by consuming contaminated meat... according to the Beef, Pork producers who export tons of the stuff.

I was trying to find the referrence I read regarding aerial transmission and couldn't, so you might be correct in that regard, Margaret.

If I find it I will post it, but until such time I think it is best to assume that Margaret is correct in saying that aerial transmission is not the most common.