Occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in raw shellfish at retail markets in Malaysia and antibacterial efficacies of black seed (Nigella sativa) oil against MRSA

Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Seafood-Borne Pathogens in Retail Seafood Sold in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The objective of this study was to examine the frequency and extent of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in seafood sold in Malaysia, using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach to analyze primary research studies. Four bibliographic databases were systematically searched for primary studies on occurrence. Meta-analysis using a random-effect model was used to understand the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in retail seafood sold in Malaysia. A total of 1938 primary studies were initially identified, among which 13 met the inclusion criteria. In the included primary studies, a total of 2281 seafoods were analyzed for the presence of antibiotic-resistant seafood-borne pathogens. It was observed that 51% (1168/2281) of the seafood was contaminated with pathogens. Overall, the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant seafood-borne pathogens in retail seafood was 55.7% (95% CI: 0.46-0.65). Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella species had an overall prevalence of 59.9% (95% CI: 0.32-0.82) in fish, Vibrio species had an overall prevalence of 67.2% (95% CI: 0.22-0.94) in cephalopods, and MRSA had an overall prevalence of 70.9% (95% CI: 0.36-0.92) in mollusks. It could be concluded that there is a high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant seafood-borne pathogens in the retail seafood sold in Malaysia, which could be of public health importance. Therefore, there is a need for proactive steps to be taken by all stakeholders to reduce the widespread transmission of antibiotic-resistant pathogens from seafood to humans.

Bacterial Foodborne Illness in Malaysia: Terminalia spp. as a Potential Resource for Treating Infections and Countering Antibiotic Resistance

Acute diarrhoea is becoming a major public health problem in Malaysia, with more than 13.5 million cases reported annually. Foodborne bacterial pathogens are a predominant cause of diarrhoea, with infections causing prolonged illness durations and higher patient mortality rates, placing a tremendous burden on the Malaysian economy. Due to increasing incidences of diarrhoea in Malaysia caused by foodborne pathogens and the increasing levels of resistance towards antibiotics from many different classes, new drugs and/or therapies are urgently required. The evidence for plants as new sources of antibiotics has increased dramatically in recent years and there has been a substantial increase in interest in traditional and herbal medicines. Several Terminalia spp. are native to Malaysia, with previous research demonstrating that Terminalia spp. are rich in therapeutic phytochemicals and possess antibacterial properties. However, limited research has been conducted on the native Malaysian Terminalia spp. for their potential as new antibacterial therapies. The current review discusses the types of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, that cause food poisoning in Malaysia, and reports the phytochemical content and antibacterial properties of eight of these useful plant species. Future directions pertaining to drug discovery pathways are also suggested.

Lactic acid bacteria and their bacteriocins: new potential weapons in the fight against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Alternative solutions are eminently needed to combat the escalating number of infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria are promising candidates for next-generation antibiotics. Studies have found that these stable and nontoxic ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides exhibit significant potency against other bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Here the authors review previous studies on bacteriocins that have been effectively employed to manage MRSA infections. The authors' review focuses on the beneficial traits of bacteriocins for further application as templates for the design of novel drugs. Treatments that combine bacteriocins with other antimicrobials to combat pervasive MRSA infections are also highlighted. In short, future studies should focus on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of bacteriocins-antimicrobials to understand their interactions, as this aspect would likely determine their efficacy in MRSA inhibition.

Molecular Diversity of Methicillin-Resistant and -Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Detected in Animals: A Focus on Aquatic Animals

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are one of the best-known opportunistic pathogens capable of causing different types of infections in animals. Furthermore, it has the ability to acquire resistance to various antibiotics very easily. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are currently of great concern as they are the leading cause of infections in humans and animals, with a major impact on health and the economy. Several studies already demonstrate that the spread of MRSA is constantly increasing due to its ability to form reservoirs in humans, animals and the environment. In fact, several works have already identified the presence of these bacteria in animals, including domestic animals, farm animals and even wild animals. Furthermore, the incidence of various S. aureus strains in aquatic animals has also been reported by different authors, although it is still a rarely discussed topic. Some of these strains have previously been associated with humans and other animals. Strain 398 is the strain that manages to infect a wider spectrum of hosts, having been identified in several different species. Aside from this strain, many others have yet to be identified. In addition, many of these strains have virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes that worsen the situation. The present work is a review of studies that intend to investigate the epidemiology of this agent in samples of aquatic animals from different origins, in order to better understand its distribution, prevalence and the molecular lineages associated with these species.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Seafood: Prevalence, Laboratory Detection, Clonal Nature, and Control in Seafood Chain

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a versatile pathogen bearing multiple virulence determinants, is increasingly being detected in various food-producing animals, including fish. In addition, it is a potential food poisoning agent. MRSA is not an inherent microbiota of fish; its presence is attributed to pre- or postharvest contamination through fish handlers, water, ice, and processing equipment. Several reviews have been written on MRSA in clinical as well as the food animal-producing sector, but information specific to MRSA in seafood is scant. This review puts forth insights on MRSA detection in seafood, antibiotic resistance, diversity of clones in seafood, and possible control measures in seafood production chain. Emphasis has been given on assessing the variations in the protocols employed for isolation and identification in different food matrices and lay the foundation for researchers to develop optimized procedure.