An MRSA prevalence study was recently performed at the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) conference in San Diego, CA. As per the study protocols, results are being made available through  the Worms&Germs website. Click here to download the results file. This file contains code numbers for all positive results. If your number is not there, we did not isolate MRSA from your swab.

If MRSA was isolated from your swab, please do not panic! MRSA can normally be found in a small percentage of healthy individuals. Rates of MRSA carriage are higher in some groups, such as veterinarians. Most people that are carrying MRSA do not have any problems. In most situations, people in the general population that are carrying MRSA are not treated to eliminate colonization. However, if you are concerned about your result, we recommend that you contact your physician.

We appreciate your participation in this study. Analysis of the results is ongoing to look for factors associated with MRSA colonization. Further testing of MRSA isolates to characterize them is also ongoing.  If there are any problems or questions, please contact Scott Weese at jsweese@uoguelph.ca.