Cattle as MRSA reservoir? Can MRSA get transmitted in Milk?

Penicillin binding protein 2a is encoded by the gene mecA. It imparts the resistance to the bacteria against antibiotics. The resistance of the staphylococci is due to the acquisition of one of the several SCCmec elements carrying the gene mecA. PCR test can detect the mecA gene. PBP2a is detected by the agglutination assay.

A novel mecA homologue, mecALGA251, associated with resistance to β-lactam antibiotics was present in clinical MRSA isolates from the UK and Denmark, and bovine milk samples from the UK. This is giving raise to an alarm that the cattle can be a reservoir for the MRSA which can get transferred to the humans. In the recent past there was lot discussion about the NDM1 betalactamase producing MRSA infections and their spread across the continents. Now we are hearing that the milk and probably milk products also associated with risk of carrying the MRSA infections. It is alarming to note the ability of staphylococcus to spread with the capabilities of antibiotic resistance across the continents and species too.

Ref: The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Early Online Publication, 3 June 2011