Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been linked to livestock production (referred to as Livestock Associated or LA-MRSA). The bacterium has been found in some swine herds as well as in some of the livestock handlers associated with swine. MRSA has also been found in retail meats. The purpose of this study was to determine if MRSA could be transferred from pork to common consumer surfaces (knives, cutting boards) and to human skin. A pork skin model was used as a model system for human skin. MRSA was found to transfer between surfaces, and the amount of transfer was not affected by the initial population. MRSA was also found to transfer from surfaces to the pork skin model.
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