This study was conducted to characterize specific bacteria known as methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolated from pigs and farm workers. The antimicrobial susceptibilities of the isolates were determined using the broth dilution method and the relatedness of isolates using a DNA finger printing method called pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and staphylococcal protein A (spa) typing methods. The MSSA isolates besides showing resistance to β-lactam antimicrobials such as to ampicillin, gentamicin and penicillin, resistance to tetracycline (82.5%) and erythromycin (11.8%) was detected. Among the MSSA isolated and tested for antimicrobial resistance, 93% exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) pattern (resistance to three or more antimicrobials). All MSSA isolates tested were susceptible to the antimicrobial effects of ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, daptomycin, streptomycin, sulphamethoxazole and vancomycin. Amongst the MSSA isolates tested for spa types, t0337 (36.6%), t539 (29%), t02 (10.6%) and t036 (4.8%) spa types were the predominant ones. Some of the spa types including t02, t021, t034, t036 and t337 detected among MSSA isolates have been previously reported in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureaus (MRSA) elsewhere. Results of the present study indicate that multidrug resistant MSSA isolates with various spa types were commonly detected among pigs and farm workers in the study sites suggesting the need for further studies on the significance and association with MRSA in commercial swine production units.
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