Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is distributed all over the world and can easily colonize food animals, which can be transmitted through the food chain, posing a threat to food safety and public health. This study aimed to elucidate the global prevalence of MRSA contamin...

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Main Authors: Lili Xing, Mao Cheng, Shulei Wang, Jide Jiang, Ting Li, Xinyu Zhang, Jian Yang, Yunlong Tian, Wenjuan Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1636622/full
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author Lili Xing
Mao Cheng
Shulei Wang
Jide Jiang
Ting Li
Xinyu Zhang
Jian Yang
Yunlong Tian
Wenjuan Liu
author_facet Lili Xing
Mao Cheng
Shulei Wang
Jide Jiang
Ting Li
Xinyu Zhang
Jian Yang
Yunlong Tian
Wenjuan Liu
author_sort Lili Xing
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is distributed all over the world and can easily colonize food animals, which can be transmitted through the food chain, posing a threat to food safety and public health. This study aimed to elucidate the global prevalence of MRSA contamination in meat and meat products via systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsA comprehensive retrieval was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies published up to December 10, 2024. Epidemiological data and study characteristics were extracted. Meta-analysis was made using a random-effects model in R software. Subgroup analyses were carried out by meat type, geographical region, and study period. Sensitivity analyses were launched to test the robustness of results, and the trim-and-fill method was applied to assess the potential impact of publication bias.ResultsThe pooled prevalence of MRSA contamination in meat and meat products was 3.72% (95% CI: 2.75–5.02%). The prevalence was 4.46% (95%CI: 2.82–6.98%) in raw poulty meat, 3.86% (95% CI: 2.58–5.74%) in raw livestock meat, and 2.84% (95%CI: 0.55–13.32%) in processed meat products. The Eastern Mediterranean region had the highest MRSA prevalence (9.13%; 95% CI: 4.28–18.44%), while North America reported the lowest (1.89%; 95% CI: 1.30–2.74%). Since 2015, the global prevalence of MRSA was 8.33% (95% CI: 5.29–12.86%). The adjusted pooled prevalence increased to 14.04% (95% CI: 10.38–18.73%) after applying the trim-and-fill method.ConclusionThe presence of MRSA in meat and meat products represents a public health concern. Enhanced surveillance efforts should prioritize raw livestock and poultry meat, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, to mitigate MRSA contamination in the food supply.Systematic review registrationCRD420251009933, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251009933.
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spelling doaj-art-9a1afd141d4344a3b647e32ae734d6e52025-08-20T02:39:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-07-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.16366221636622Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products: a systematic review and meta-analysisLili Xing0Mao Cheng1Shulei Wang2Jide Jiang3Ting Li4Xinyu Zhang5Jian Yang6Yunlong Tian7Wenjuan Liu8Bacteriological Disease Laboratory, Yantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaFood Inspection and Testing Technology Teaching and Research Office, Yantai Engineering and Technology College, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Scientific Research and Education, Yantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Biology, Gaoling Town Junior High School of Muping District, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaPediatrics, Maternal and Child Health Center of Yantai Economic and Technological Development Zone, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaBacteriological Disease Laboratory, Yantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaBacteriological Disease Laboratory, Yantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaBacteriological Disease Laboratory, Yantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaBacteriological Disease Laboratory, Yantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaBackgroundMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is distributed all over the world and can easily colonize food animals, which can be transmitted through the food chain, posing a threat to food safety and public health. This study aimed to elucidate the global prevalence of MRSA contamination in meat and meat products via systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsA comprehensive retrieval was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies published up to December 10, 2024. Epidemiological data and study characteristics were extracted. Meta-analysis was made using a random-effects model in R software. Subgroup analyses were carried out by meat type, geographical region, and study period. Sensitivity analyses were launched to test the robustness of results, and the trim-and-fill method was applied to assess the potential impact of publication bias.ResultsThe pooled prevalence of MRSA contamination in meat and meat products was 3.72% (95% CI: 2.75–5.02%). The prevalence was 4.46% (95%CI: 2.82–6.98%) in raw poulty meat, 3.86% (95% CI: 2.58–5.74%) in raw livestock meat, and 2.84% (95%CI: 0.55–13.32%) in processed meat products. The Eastern Mediterranean region had the highest MRSA prevalence (9.13%; 95% CI: 4.28–18.44%), while North America reported the lowest (1.89%; 95% CI: 1.30–2.74%). Since 2015, the global prevalence of MRSA was 8.33% (95% CI: 5.29–12.86%). The adjusted pooled prevalence increased to 14.04% (95% CI: 10.38–18.73%) after applying the trim-and-fill method.ConclusionThe presence of MRSA in meat and meat products represents a public health concern. Enhanced surveillance efforts should prioritize raw livestock and poultry meat, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, to mitigate MRSA contamination in the food supply.Systematic review registrationCRD420251009933, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251009933.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1636622/fullmeat and meat productsmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)prevalencesystematic reviewmeta-analysis
spellingShingle Lili Xing
Mao Cheng
Shulei Wang
Jide Jiang
Ting Li
Xinyu Zhang
Jian Yang
Yunlong Tian
Wenjuan Liu
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Microbiology
meat and meat products
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
prevalence
systematic review
meta-analysis
title Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus contamination in meat and meat products a systematic review and meta analysis
topic meat and meat products
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
prevalence
systematic review
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1636622/full
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