Preliminary evaluation of good sampling locations on a pig carcass for livestock-associated MRSA isolation

Background: The presence of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) in livestock animals, especially in pigs, gave rise to concerns of pork being a possible MRSA source to the human population. Monitoring the flow-through of LA-MRSA throughout the meat production chain could be useful. Here, the optimal sampling location for LA-MRSA isolation on pig carcasses was determined. Findings: In one slaughterhouse, 40 cooled carcass halves from one LA-MRSA-positive...