Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a serious public health concern and an economic burden for the national health care system. Even though livestock associated MRSA is not very pathogenic to humans, contact with pigs has been shown to be a risk factor for human carriage of ST398. A new study worked out by the ZOBA (Vetsuisse Faculty in Berne) showed that ST398 is easily transmitted through the pig production chain and that most of the pigs are colonized transiently. There are many scientific reports about prevalence, transmission and risk factors of MRSA colonization, but only few reports deal with the reduction of the colonization pressure or the eradication of MRSA in colonized pigs. In human medicine the implementation of hygiene measures or the use of enzymes or bacteriophages is successful in MRSA eradication. However, the range of available measures in veterinary medicine is restricted. In this field study the effect of the use of bacteriophages on the MRSA colonization of the mucous membranes will be investigated under real field condition in a farm with high MRSA prevalence.
