October 14,2019
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to affirm that my research studies have documented the release of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from swine confinement operations, and thus demonstrate these facilities have the potential to harm individuals in areas proximal to these operations. Specifically, we have studied the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, including antibiotic-resistant versions such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which can be found on pig farms. This organism can cause minor infections including skin and soft tissue infections, but can also cause serious invasive infections including pneumonia and bacteremia.
Several publications I have contributed to the peer-reviewed literature on this topic are referenced below. Paper 1 examines airborne Staphylococcus aureus originating from swine buildings; papers 2-3 the risk of carriage of Staphylococcus aureus due to living in proximity to these operations or being in contact with swine; and paper 4 demonstrates a recurrent symptomatic infection in one farmer.
Sincerely,
Tara C. Smith, PhD
Professor of Epidemiology
College of Public Health, Kent State University
750 Hilltop Drive, Lowry Hall
Kent, OH 44242
1. Ferguson DD*, Smith TC, Hanson BM*, Wardyn SE, Donham K. Detection of airborne methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus inside and downwind of a swine building, and in animal feed: Potential occupational, animal health, and environmental implications. Journal of Agromedicine, 21(2):149-153, 2016.
2. Carrel M, Schweizer ML, Sarazin MV, Smith TC, Perencevich EN. Residential Proximity to Large Numbers of Swine in Feeding Operations Is Associated with Increased Risk of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization at Time of Hospital Admission in Rural Iowa Veterans. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 35(2), 2014.
3. Wardyn SE, Forshey BM*, Farina S*, Kates AE*, Nair R*, Quick M, Wu J*, Hanson BM*, O’Malley S*, Shows H*, Heywood E, Beane-Freeman LE, Lynch CF, Carrel M, Smith TC. Swine farming is a risk factor for infection with and high prevalence of multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 61(1):59-66, 2015.
4. Wardyn SE, Stegger M, Price LB, Smith TC. Whole genome analysis of recurrent Staphylococcus aureust571/ST398 infection in an Iowa Farmer. Emerging Infectious Diseases, in press, 2017.
College of Public Health
P. O. Box 5190 ● Kent, Ohio 44242-0001
330-672-6500 ● Fax: 330-672-6505 ● [email protected] ● www.kent.edu/Academics/publichealth