Veterinary nurses on the front line in the battle against superbugs

Multidrug resistant bacteria, such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are an increasing public health concern and there is a growing body of evidence about how animals may, or may not, be contributing to the spread of these organisms. A few weeks ago I came across a journal article, published in January of this year, which reported on a survey of companion animal wound cultures showing an alarming number of positive cases of MRSA infection (Vincze et al, 2014a). A similar study by some of the same authors, and published only a few weeks ago, looked at risk factors related to MRSA infection in companion animals and it mentions how nosocomial infections are a distinct route of infection (Vincze et al, 2014b). Other past studies report how veterinary staff have a higher incidence of being MRSA carriers than the general population (Jordan et al, 2011).