Intervention strategies for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus control in pig farming: a comprehensive review

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious public health threat due to its zoonotic potential and resistance to several antibiotic classes. Pig farming is recognized as a key reservoir for livestock-associated MRSA, necessitating effective intervention strategies to mitigate its prevalence. The objective of this narrative review was to summarize the current knowledge on the approaches to control MRSA on pig farms. The review process involved a comprehensive search across three electronic databases focusing on studies from 2000 to 2024 in both English and German.The review covers intervention measures including reduced antimicrobial use, cleaning and disinfection, air filtration, and bacteriophage application. Key findings indicate that, while interventions such as cleaning and disinfection and air filtration, can effectively reduce environmental MRSA loads, these measures are often insufficient for long-term control due to frequent recontamination, especially restocking with MRSA-positive animals. Eradication was shown to be effective in low-prevalence regions such as Norway, however, logistical and ethical challenges limit its feasibility in areas with high MRSA prevalence. Additional interventions, such as reduced antimicrobial use and sow washing, provided inconsistent results.Overall, the findings highlight the need for a multifaceted approach, combining several interventions tailored to regional MRSA prevalence, farm management practices, and available resources. Such an integrated strategy is essential for sustainable MRSA control in pig farming, thereby supporting the global One Health initiative aimed at mitigating antimicrobial resistance.

Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung
Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment