ABSTRACT

The detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in poultry, fish and pig farm droppings were studied. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 3 sources including; fish pond, poultry droppings and pig dropping  in 3 weekly tranches which made a total of 15 samples. 3 Staphylococcus species were identified by biochemical methods; which include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus with gross occurance of 96.3%, 66.7% and 40.7% respectively. Test for the isolates resistant to methicillin shows that Staphylococcus aureus proved the highest number of resistant strains and had the highest percentage of 42.31%,  Staphylococcus epidermidis had 22.22% while Staphylococcus epidermidis had 22.22% while Staphylococcus saprophyticus had 27.27%. It was observed that the incidence of MRSA was high on the whole and thus has potentials of health risks. The need for improvement of personal and environmental hygiene in the poultry, piggery and fish farms is recommended.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgment iv

Table of Contents v

List of tables vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.2 Background of the Study 3

1.2 Aim of the study 3

1.3 Objectives of the Study 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review 4

2.1 Historical Background of Methicilin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 4

2.2 Epidemiology of MRSA 5

2.3 Livestock Associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) 6

2.4 History of MRSA infection in animals 7

2.5 Prevalence of MRSA in the animal kingdom 8

2.6 MRSA infection in companion animals 10

2.6.1 MRSA infection in horses 11

2.6.2 MRSA infection in cattle 12

2.6.3 MRSA infection in pigs 12

2.6.4 MRSA contamination of meat products 12

2.7 PVL-producing MRSA strains in animals 13

2.8 Transmission of MRSA between livestock and owners/attendants 14

2.9 MRSA carriage by veterinary and medical personnel 15

2.10 MRSA carriage among agricultural personnel 16

2.11 Pitfalls in detection of MRSA in animals 16

2.12  Management of MRSA in animals 18

2.13 Treatment of MRSA infection in animals 19

2.14 MRSA decolonization of animals and owners 19

2.15 Decolonization of companion animals 21

2.16 Decolonization of large animals 22

2.7 Biology and pathogenecity of  S.aureus 23

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods 24

3.1 Collection of samples 24

3.2 Preparation of samples 24

3.3 Media preparation 24

3.4 Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus 24

3.5 Subcuturing of the isolates 25

3.6 Identification of S.aureus 25

3.7 Gram staining 25

3.8 Biochemical test 26

3.9 Catalase test 26

3.10 Coagulase test 26

3.11 Antibiotic susceptibility testing 27

CHAPTER FOUR 

RESULTS 28

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion 32

5.2 Conclusion, 33

5.3 Recommendation 33

References 35

Appendices 38