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Sep 06 2011

New MRSA variant poses new concern for veterinarians, public health and medicine

A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases reports that animals can act as a reservoir to a novel strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The study, which was done in the United Kingdom and Denmark, reports on the discovery of a strain that was isolated from bulk milk samples. The study suggests that cattle can be a reservoir for human infection from tainted milk. Since pasteurization kills the MRSA variant, the risks to the food chain are small. However, there are associated risks for those who handle animals and byproducts, the study suggests.

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Stefano Fontana