1
|
Huang J, Xiao J, Wang X, Xue X, Ma Y, Zhang Z, Zheng L, Zafir M, Liu P, Zhao X, Larsen AR, Xue H. Unearthing New ccr Genes and Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Elements in Staphylococci Through Genome Mining. J Infect Dis 2024; 230:231-238. [PMID: 39052728 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing is crucial for investigating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), relying primarily on the combination of ccr and mec gene complexes. To date, 19 ccr genes and 10 ccr gene complexes have been identified, forming 15 SCCmec types. With the vast release of bacterial genome sequences, mining the database for novel ccr gene complexes and SCC/SCCmec elements could enhance MRSA epidemiological studies. In this study, we identified 12 novel ccr genes (6 ccrA, 3 ccrB, and 3 ccrC) through mining of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, forming 12 novel ccr gene complexes and 10 novel SCC elements. Overexpression of 5 groups of novel Ccr recombinases (CcrA9B3, CcrA10B1, CcrC3, CcrC4, and CcrC5) in a mutant MRSA strain lacking the ccr gene and extrachromosomal circular intermediate (ciSCC) production significantly promoted ciSCC production, demonstrating their biological activity. This discovery provides an opportunity to advance MRSA epidemiological research and develop database-based bacterial typing methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhe Xiao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaokun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Xue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yadong Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangjun Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Zafir
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Pilong Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anders Rhod Larsen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites, and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Huping Xue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Malachowa N, Sturdevant DE, Porter AR, Martin G, Martens C, Nair V, Hansen B, Ricklefs S, Jenkins SG, Chen L, Kreiswirth BN, DeLeo FR. Insights into the molecular basis of reduced vancomycin susceptibility among three prominent Staphylococcus aureus clonal complexes. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0048624. [PMID: 38916317 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00486-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections globally. Vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA), those with high-level resistance [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16-32 µg/mL vancomycin], are uncommon, whereas vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA; MIC of 4-8 µg/mL), are isolated more frequently and develop during long-term and/or repeated use of the antibiotic. VISA can be difficult to eradicate and infections may persist. Our knowledge of mechanisms that underlie the development of VISA is incomplete. We used a genomics approach to investigate the VISA phenotype in three prominent S. aureus lineages. All VISA clinical isolates tested had increased cell wall thickness compared with vancomycin-susceptible S. aureus strains. Growth rates of clonal complex (CC) 5, CC8, and CC45 clinical isolates were reduced in 2 µg/mL vancomycin compared to media alone. Culture in 2 and 4 µg/mL vancomycin sequentially for two weeks reduced susceptibility to daptomycin, televancin, tigecycline, and vancomycin in a majority of CC5, CC8, and CC45 isolates tested. We identified alleles reported previously to contribute to the VISA phenotype, but unexpectedly, these alleles were unique to each CC. A subtherapeutic concentration of vancomycin elicited changes in the VISA transcriptome-common and unique-among the three CCs tested. Multiple genes, including those encoding a glycerate kinase, an M50 family metallopeptidase, and an uncharacterized membrane protein, were upregulated among all three lineages and not reported previously as associated with VISA. Although there are lineage-specific changes in DNA sequence, our findings suggest changes in the VISA transcriptome constitute a general response to stress that confers reduced susceptibility to multiple antibiotics. IMPORTANCE Our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the development of vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) is incomplete. To provide a more comprehensive view of this process, we compared genome sequences of clonal complex (CC) 5, CC8, and CC45 VISA clinical isolates and measured changes in the transcriptomes of these isolates during culture with a subtherapeutic concentration of vancomycin. Notably, we identified differentially expressed genes that were lineage-specific or common to the lineages tested, including genes that have not been previously reported to contribute to a VISA phenotype. Changes in gene expression were accompanied by reduced growth rate, increased cell wall thickness, and reduced susceptibility to daptomycin, televancin, tigecycline, and vancomycin. Our results provide support to the idea that changes in gene expression contribute to the development of VISA among three CCs that are a prominent cause of human infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Malachowa
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Daniel E Sturdevant
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Adeline R Porter
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Grant Martin
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Craig Martens
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Vinod Nair
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Bryan Hansen
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Stacy Ricklefs
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Stephen G Jenkins
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Liang Chen
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Barry N Kreiswirth
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Frank R DeLeo
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Beck C, Krusche J, Notaro A, Walter A, Kränkel L, Vollert A, Stemmler R, Wittmann J, Schaller M, Slavetinsky C, Mayer C, De Castro C, Peschel A. Wall teichoic acid substitution with glucose governs phage susceptibility of Staphylococcus epidermidis. mBio 2024; 15:e0199023. [PMID: 38470054 PMCID: PMC11005348 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01990-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The species- and clone-specific susceptibility of Staphylococcus cells for bacteriophages is governed by the structures and glycosylation patterns of wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycopolymers. The glycosylation-dependent phage-WTA interactions in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis and in other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have remained unknown. We report a new S. epidermidis WTA glycosyltransferase TagE whose deletion confers resistance to siphoviruses such as ΦE72 but enables binding of otherwise unbound podoviruses. S. epidermidis glycerolphosphate WTA was found to be modified with glucose in a tagE-dependent manner. TagE is encoded together with the enzymes PgcA and GtaB providing uridine diphosphate-activated glucose. ΦE72 transduced several other CoNS species encoding TagE homologs, suggesting that WTA glycosylation via TagE is a frequent trait among CoNS that permits interspecies horizontal gene transfer. Our study unravels a crucial mechanism of phage-Staphylococcus interaction and horizontal gene transfer, and it will help in the design of anti-staphylococcal phage therapies.IMPORTANCEPhages are highly specific for certain bacterial hosts, and some can transduce DNA even across species boundaries. How phages recognize cognate host cells remains incompletely understood. Phages infecting members of the genus Staphylococcus bind to wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycopolymers with highly variable structures and glycosylation patterns. How WTA is glycosylated in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis and in other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) species has remained unknown. We describe that S. epidermidis glycosylates its WTA backbone with glucose, and we identify a cluster of three genes responsible for glucose activation and transfer to WTA. Their inactivation strongly alters phage susceptibility patterns, yielding resistance to siphoviruses but susceptibility to podoviruses. Many different CoNS species with related glycosylation genes can exchange DNA via siphovirus ΦE72, suggesting that glucose-modified WTA is crucial for interspecies horizontal gene transfer. Our finding will help to develop antibacterial phage therapies and unravel routes of genetic exchange.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anna Notaro
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Axel Walter
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lara Kränkel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anneli Vollert
- Electron-Microscopy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Regine Stemmler
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Wittmann
- Leibniz Institute, DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Martin Schaller
- Electron-Microscopy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Slavetinsky
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yousuf B, Flint A, Weedmark K, Pagotto F, Ramirez-Arcos S. Comparative virulome analysis of four Staphylococcus epidermidis strains from human skin and platelet concentrates using whole genome sequencing. Access Microbiol 2024; 6:000780.v3. [PMID: 38737800 PMCID: PMC11083402 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000780.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the predominant bacterial contaminants in platelet concentrates (PCs), a blood component used to treat bleeding disorders. PCs are a unique niche that triggers biofilm formation, the main pathomechanism of S. epidermidis infections. We performed whole genome sequencing of four S. epidermidis strains isolated from skin of healthy human volunteers (AZ22 and AZ39) and contaminated PCs (ST10002 and ST11003) to unravel phylogenetic relationships and decipher virulence mechanisms compared to 24 complete S. epidermidis genomes in GenBank. AZ39 and ST11003 formed a separate unique lineage with strains 14.1 .R1 and SE95, while AZ22 formed a cluster with 1457 and ST10002 closely grouped with FDAAGOS_161. The four isolates were assigned to sequence types ST1175, ST1174, ST73 and ST16, respectively. All four genomes exhibited biofilm-associated genes ebh, ebp, sdrG, sdrH and atl. Additionally, AZ22 had sdrF and aap, whereas ST10002 had aap and icaABCDR. Notably, AZ39 possesses truncated ebh and sdrG and harbours a toxin-encoding gene. All isolates carry multiple antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance to fosfomycin (fosB), β-lactams (blaZ) and fluoroquinolones (norA). This study reveales a unique lineage for S. epidermidis and provides insight into the genetic basis of virulence and antibiotic resistance in transfusion-associated S. epidermidis strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basit Yousuf
- Medical Affairs and Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Annika Flint
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Kelly Weedmark
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Franco Pagotto
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sandra Ramirez-Arcos
- Medical Affairs and Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Røken M, Iakhno S, Haaland AH, Bjelland AM, Wasteson Y. The Home Environment Is a Reservoir for Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci and Mammaliicocci. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:279. [PMID: 38534714 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13030279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and mammaliicocci are opportunistic human and animal pathogens, often resistant to multiple antimicrobials, including methicillin. Methicillin-resistant CoNS (MRCoNS) have traditionally been linked to hospitals and healthcare facilities, where they are significant contributors to nosocomial infections. However, screenings of non-hospital environments have linked MRCoNS and methicillin-resistant mammaliicocci (MRM) to other ecological niches. The aim of this study was to explore the home environment as a reservoir for MRCoNS and MRM. A total of 33 households, including households with a dog with a methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infection, households with healthy dogs or cats and households without pets, were screened for MRCoNS and MRM by sampling one human, one pet (if present) and the environment. Samples were analyzed by a selective culture-based method, and bacterial species were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and tested for antibiotic susceptibility by the agar disk diffusion method. Following whole-genome sequencing, a large diversity of SCCmec elements and sequence types was revealed, which did not indicate any clonal dissemination of specific strains. Virulome and mobilome analyses indicated a high degree of species specificity. Altogether, this study documents that the home environment is a reservoir for a variety of MRCoNS and MRM regardless of the type of household.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mari Røken
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
- Institute of Microbiology, Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, 2027 Kjeller, Norway
| | | | - Anita Haug Haaland
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
- Regulations and Control Department, Animal Health, 0304 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ane Mohn Bjelland
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
- Department of Bacteriology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Yngvild Wasteson
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Amer MA, Darwish MM, Soliman NS, Amin HM. Resistome, mobilome, and virulome explored in clinical isolates derived from acne patients in Egypt: unveiling unique traits of an emerging coagulase-negative Staphylococcus pathogen. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1328390. [PMID: 38371297 PMCID: PMC10869526 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1328390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a group of gram-positive staphylococcal species that naturally inhabit the healthy human skin and mucosa. The clinical impact of CoNS-associated infections has recently been regarded as a challenge for diagnosis and therapeutic options. CoNS-associated infections are primarily caused by bacterial resistance to antibiotics and biofilm formation. As antibiotics are still the most used treatment, this problem will likely persist in the future. The present study aimed to investigate the resistance and virulence of CoNS recovered from various acne lesions and explore their genetic basis. Skin swab samples were collected from participants with acne and healthy skin. All samples underwent conventional culture for the isolation of CoNS, MALDI-TOF confirmation, antibiotic susceptibility, and biofilm formation testing. A total of 85 CoNS isolates were recovered from the samples and preliminarily identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. Isolates from the acne group (n = 60) showed the highest rates of resistance to penicillin (73%), cefoxitin (63%), clindamycin (53.3%), and erythromycin (48%), followed by levofloxacin (36.7%) and gentamycin (31.7%). The lowest rates of resistance were observed against tetracycline (28.3%), doxycycline (11.7%), and minocycline (8.3%). CoNS isolated from mild, moderate acne and healthy isolates did not show strong biofilm formation, whereas the isolates from the severe cases of the acne group showed strong biofilm formation (76.6%). Four extensively drug-resistant and strong biofilm-forming staphylococcal isolates recovered from patients with severe acne were selected for whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and their genomes were investigated using bioinformatics tools. Three of the sequenced genomes were identified as S. epidermidis; however, isolate 29AM was identified as Staphylococcus warneri, which is a newly emerging pathogen that is not commonly associated with acne and was not detected by MALDI-TOF. All the sequenced strains were multidrug-resistant and carried multiple resistance genes, including blaZ, mecA, tet(K), erm(C), lnuA, vgaA, dfrC, fusB, fosBx1, norA, and vanT, which were found to be located on plasmids and chromosomes. Virulence features were detected in all genomes in the presence of genes involved in adherence and biofilm formation (icaA, icaB, icaC, sdrG, sdrH, atl, ebh, and ebp). Only the S. warneri isolate 29AM contained immune evasion genes (capB, capC, acpXL, and manA), an anti-phagocytosis gene (cdsA), and other unique features. As a result of their potential pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance, CoNS must be monitored as an emerging pathogen associated with acne infections. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to isolate, identify, and correlate S. warneri with severe acne infections among Egyptian patients using WGS and bioinformatic analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mai A. Amer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, Giza, Egypt
| | - Manal M. Darwish
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, Giza, Egypt
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha S. Soliman
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heba M. Amin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, Giza, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Khairullah AR, Kurniawan SC, Sudjarwo SA, Effendi MH, Widodo A, Moses IB, Hasib A, Zahra RLA, Gelolodo MA, Kurniawati DA, Riwu KHP, Silaen OSM, Afnani DA, Ramandinianto SC. Kinship analysis of mecA gene of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk and risk factors from the farmers in Blitar, Indonesia. Vet World 2024; 17:216-225. [PMID: 38406357 PMCID: PMC10884576 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.216-225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim There are numerous reports of subclinical mastitis cases in Blitar, which is consistent with the region's high milk production and dairy cattle population. Staphylococcus aureus, which is often the cause of mastitis cases, is widely known because of its multidrug-resistant properties and resistance to β-lactam antibiotic class, especially the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains. This study aimed to molecular detection and sequence analysis of the mecA gene in milk and farmer's hand swabs to show that dairy cattle are reservoirs of MRSA strains. Materials and Methods A total of 113 milk samples and 39 farmers' hand swab samples were collected from a dairy farm for the isolation of S. aureus using Mannitol salt agar. The recovered isolates were further characterized using standard microbiological techniques. Isolates confirmed as S. aureus were tested for sensitivity to antibiotics. Oxacillin Resistance Screening Agar Base testing was used to confirm the presence of MRSA, whereas the mecA gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Results A total of 101 samples were confirmed to be S. aureus. There were 2 S. aureus isolates that were multidrug-resistant and 14 S. aureus isolates that were MRSA. The mecA gene was detected in 4/14 (28.6%) phenotypically identified MRSA isolates. Kinship analysis showed identical results between mecA from milk and farmers' hand swabs. No visible nucleotide variation was observed in the two mecA sequences of isolates from Blitar, East Java. Conclusion The spread of MRSA is a serious problem because the risk of zoonotic transmission can occur not only to people who are close to livestock in the workplace, such as dairy farm workers but also to the wider community through the food chain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aswin Rafif Khairullah
- Division of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Shendy Canadya Kurniawan
- Master Program of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Specialisation in Molecule, Cell and Organ Functioning, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, Netherlands
| | - Sri Agus Sudjarwo
- Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Mustofa Helmi Effendi
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Agus Widodo
- Department of Health, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Dharmawangsa Dalam Selatan No. 28-30, Kampus B Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Ikechukwu Benjamin Moses
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki 480211, Nigeria
| | - Abdullah Hasib
- School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Queensland, Australia
| | - Reichan Lisa Az Zahra
- Profession Program of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Maria Aega Gelolodo
- Department of Animal Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Nusa Cendana, Jl. Adisucipto Penfui, Kupang 85001, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
| | - Dyah Ayu Kurniawati
- Indonesia Research Center for Veterinary Science, Jl. RE Martadinata No. 30, Bogor 16114, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Katty Hendriana Priscilia Riwu
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Jl. Pemuda No. 59A, Dasan Agung Baru, Mataram 83125, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
| | - Otto Sahat Martua Silaen
- Doctoral Program of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6 Senen, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Daniah Ashri Afnani
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Jl. Pemuda No. 59A, Dasan Agung Baru, Mataram 83125, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abdullahi IN, Latorre-Fernández J, Reuben RC, Trabelsi I, González-Azcona C, Arfaoui A, Usman Y, Lozano C, Zarazaga M, Torres C. Beyond the Wild MRSA: Genetic Features and Phylogenomic Review of mecC-Mediated Methicillin Resistance in Non- aureus Staphylococci and Mammaliicocci. Microorganisms 2023; 12:66. [PMID: 38257893 PMCID: PMC10818522 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Methicillin resistance, mediated by the mecA gene in staphylococci and mammaliicocci, has caused tremendous setbacks in the use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine due to its high potential of presenting the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. Three other mec analogs exist, of which the mecC has evolutionary been associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in wild animals, thus loosely referred to as the wild MRSA. In this study, we present an epidemiological review and genomic analysis of non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci that carry the mecC-mediated methicillin resistance trait and determine whether this trait has any relevant link with the One Health niches. All previous studies (2007 till 2023) that described the mecC gene in non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci were obtained from bibliometric databases, reviewed, and systematically analyzed to obtain the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence determinants, mobilome, and other genetic contents. Moreover, core genome single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis was used to assess the relatedness of these strains. Of the 533 articles analyzed, only 16 studies (on livestock, environmental samples, milk bulk tanks, and wild animals) were eligible for inclusion, of which 17 genomes from 6 studies were used for various in silico genetic analyses. Findings from this systematic review show that all mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci were resistant to only beta-lactam antibiotics and associated with the classical SCCmec XI of S. aureusLGA251. Similarly, two studies on wild animals reported mecC-carrying Mammaliicoccus stepanovicii associated with SCCmec XI. Nevertheless, most of the mecC-carrying Mammaliicoccus species presented an MDR phenotype (including linezolid) and carried the SCCmec-mecC hybrid associated with mecA. The phylogenetic analysis of the 17 genomes revealed close relatedness (<20 SNPs) and potential transmission of M. sciuri and M. lentus strains in livestock farms in Algeria, Tunisia, and Brazil. Furthermore, closely related M. sciuri strains from Austria, Brazil, and Tunisia (<40 SNPs) were identified. This systematic review enhances our comprehension of the epidemiology and genetic organization of mecC within the non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci. It could be hypothesized that the mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci are evolutionarily related to the wild MRSA-mecC. The potential implications of clonal development of a lineage of mecA/mecC carrying strains across multiple dairy farms in a vast geographical region with the dissemination of MDR phenotype is envisaged. It was observed that most mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci were reported in mastitis cases. Therefore, veterinarians and veterinary microbiology laboratories must remain vigilant regarding the potential existence of mecA/mecC strains originating from mastitis as a potential niche for this resistance trait.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Idris Nasir Abdullahi
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain; (I.N.A.); (J.L.-F.); (R.C.R.); (C.G.-A.); (C.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Javier Latorre-Fernández
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain; (I.N.A.); (J.L.-F.); (R.C.R.); (C.G.-A.); (C.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Rine Christopher Reuben
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain; (I.N.A.); (J.L.-F.); (R.C.R.); (C.G.-A.); (C.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Islem Trabelsi
- Bioresources, Environment and Biotechnology Laboratory, Higher Institute of Applied Biological Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1006, Tunisia;
| | - Carmen González-Azcona
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain; (I.N.A.); (J.L.-F.); (R.C.R.); (C.G.-A.); (C.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Ameni Arfaoui
- Laboratory of Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia;
| | - Yahaya Usman
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria;
| | - Carmen Lozano
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain; (I.N.A.); (J.L.-F.); (R.C.R.); (C.G.-A.); (C.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Myriam Zarazaga
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain; (I.N.A.); (J.L.-F.); (R.C.R.); (C.G.-A.); (C.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Carmen Torres
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain; (I.N.A.); (J.L.-F.); (R.C.R.); (C.G.-A.); (C.L.); (M.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jiang JH, Cameron DR, Nethercott C, Aires-de-Sousa M, Peleg AY. Virulence attributes of successful methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lineages. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0014822. [PMID: 37982596 PMCID: PMC10732075 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00148-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of severe and often fatal infections. MRSA epidemics have occurred in waves, whereby a previously successful lineage has been replaced by a more fit and better adapted lineage. Selection pressures in both hospital and community settings are not uniform across the globe, which has resulted in geographically distinct epidemiology. This review focuses on the mechanisms that trigger the establishment and maintenance of current, dominant MRSA lineages across the globe. While the important role of antibiotic resistance will be mentioned throughout, factors which influence the capacity of S. aureus to colonize and cause disease within a host will be the primary focus of this review. We show that while MRSA possesses a diverse arsenal of toxins including alpha-toxin, the success of a lineage involves more than just producing toxins that damage the host. Success is often attributed to the acquisition or loss of genetic elements involved in colonization and niche adaptation such as the arginine catabolic mobile element, as well as the activity of regulatory systems, and shift metabolism accordingly (e.g., the accessory genome regulator, agr). Understanding exactly how specific MRSA clones cause prolonged epidemics may reveal targets for therapies, whereby both core (e.g., the alpha toxin) and acquired virulence factors (e.g., the Panton-Valentine leukocidin) may be nullified using anti-virulence strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jhih-Hang Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David R. Cameron
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cara Nethercott
- Department of Microbiology, Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marta Aires-de-Sousa
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institutode Tecnologia Químicae Biológica António Xavier (ITQB-NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- Escola Superior de Saúde da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa-Lisboa (ESSCVP-Lisboa), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anton Y. Peleg
- Department of Microbiology, Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kovařovic V, Finstrlová A, Sedláček I, Petráš P, Švec P, Mašlaňová I, Neumann-Schaal M, Šedo O, Botka T, Staňková E, Doškař J, Pantůček R. Staphylococcus brunensis sp. nov. isolated from human clinical specimens with a staphylococcal cassette chromosome-related genomic island outside of the rlmH gene bearing the ccrDE recombinase gene complex. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0134223. [PMID: 37712674 PMCID: PMC10581047 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01342-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel species of coagulase-negative staphylococci, which could serve as reservoirs of virulence and antimicrobial resistance factors for opportunistic pathogens from the genus Staphylococcus, are recognized in human and animal specimens due to advances in diagnostic techniques. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing, extensive biotyping, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and chemotaxonomy to characterize five coagulase-negative strains from the Staphylococcus haemolyticus phylogenetic clade obtained from human ear swabs, wounds, and bile. Based on the results of polyphasic taxonomy, we propose the species Staphylococcus brunensis sp. nov. (type strain NRL/St 16/872T = CCM 9024T = LMG 31872T = DSM 111349T). The genomic analysis revealed numerous variable genomic elements, including staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC), prophages, plasmids, and a unique 18.8 kb-long genomic island SbCIccrDE integrated into the ribosomal protein L7 serine acetyltransferase gene rimL. SbCIccrDE has a cassette chromosome recombinase (ccr) gene complex with a typical structure found in SCCs. Based on nucleotide and amino acid identity to other known ccr genes and the distinct integration site that differs from the canonical methyltransferase gene rlmH exploited by SCCs, we classified the ccr genes as novel variants, ccrDE. The comparative genomic analysis of SbCIccrDE with related islands shows that they can accumulate virulence and antimicrobial resistance factors creating novel resistance elements, which reflects the evolution of SCC. The spread of these resistance islands into established pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus would pose a great threat to the healthcare system. IMPORTANCE The coagulase-negative staphylococci are important opportunistic human pathogens, which cause bloodstream and foreign body infections, mainly in immunocompromised patients. The mobile elements, primarily the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec, which confers resistance to methicillin, are the key to the successful dissemination of staphylococci into healthcare and community settings. Here, we present a novel species of the Staphylococcus genus isolated from human clinical material. The detailed analysis of its genome revealed a previously undescribed genomic island, which is closely related to the staphylococcal cassette chromosome and has the potential to accumulate and spread virulence and resistance determinants. The island harbors a set of conserved genes required for its mobilization, which we recognized as novel cassette chromosome recombinase genes ccrDE. Similar islands were revealed not only in the genomes of coagulase-negative staphylococci but also in S. aureus. The comparative genomic study contributes substantially to the understanding of the evolution and pathogenesis of staphylococci.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Kovařovic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adéla Finstrlová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Sedláček
- Department of Experimental Biology, Czech Collection of Microorganisms, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Petráš
- Reference Laboratory for Staphylococci, National Institute of Public Health, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Švec
- Department of Experimental Biology, Czech Collection of Microorganisms, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Mašlaňová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Meina Neumann-Schaal
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ondrej Šedo
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tibor Botka
- Department of Experimental Biology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Staňková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Czech Collection of Microorganisms, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Doškař
- Department of Experimental Biology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Pantůček
- Department of Experimental Biology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shikov AE, Savina IA, Nizhnikov AA, Antonets KS. Recombination in Bacterial Genomes: Evolutionary Trends. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:568. [PMID: 37755994 PMCID: PMC10534446 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial organisms have undergone homologous recombination (HR) and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) multiple times during their history. These processes could increase fitness to new environments, cause specialization, the emergence of new species, and changes in virulence. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of the impact and intensity of genetic exchanges and the location of recombination hotspots on the genome is necessary for understanding the dynamics of adaptation to various conditions. To this end, we aimed to characterize the functional impact and genomic context of computationally detected recombination events by analyzing genomic studies of any bacterial species, for which events have been detected in the last 30 years. Genomic loci where the transfer of DNA was detected pertained to mobile genetic elements (MGEs) housing genes that code for proteins engaged in distinct cellular processes, such as secretion systems, toxins, infection effectors, biosynthesis enzymes, etc. We found that all inferences fall into three main lifestyle categories, namely, ecological diversification, pathogenesis, and symbiosis. The latter primarily exhibits ancestral events, thus, possibly indicating that adaptation appears to be governed by similar recombination-dependent mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anton E. Shikov
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (I.A.S.); (A.A.N.)
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU), 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Iuliia A. Savina
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (I.A.S.); (A.A.N.)
| | - Anton A. Nizhnikov
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (I.A.S.); (A.A.N.)
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU), 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kirill S. Antonets
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (I.A.S.); (A.A.N.)
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU), 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Park JH, Lee GY, Lim JH, Kim GB, Park KT, Yang SJ. Species Profiles and Antimicrobial Resistance of Non- aureus Staphylococci Isolated from Healthy Broilers, Farm Environments, and Farm Workers. Food Sci Anim Resour 2023; 43:792-804. [PMID: 37701746 PMCID: PMC10493561 DOI: 10.5851/kosfa.2023.e36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS), particularly antimicrobial-resistant NAS, have a substantial impact on human and animal health. In the current study, we investigated (1) the species profiles of NAS isolates collected from healthy broilers, farm environments, and farm workers in Korea, (2) the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant NAS isolates, especially methicillin resistance, and (3) the genetic factors involved in the methicillin and fluoroquinolone resistance. In total, 216 NAS isolates of 16 different species were collected from healthy broilers (n=178), broiler farm environments (n=18), and farm workers (n=20) of 20 different broiler farms. The two most dominant broiler-associated NAS species were Staphylococcus agnetis (23.6%) and Staphylococcus xylosus (22.9%). Six NAS isolates were mecA-positive carrying staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) II (n=1), SCCmec IV (n=1), SCCmec V (n=2), or non-typeable SCCmec element (n=2). While two mecA-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from farm workers had SCCmec II and IV, a mecA-positive S. epidermidis isolate from broiler and a Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolate farm environment carried SCCmec V. The occurrence of multidrug resistance was observed in 48.1% (104/216 isolates) of NAS isolates with high resistance rates to β-lactams (>40%) and fusidic acid (59.7%). Fluoroquinolone resistance was confirmed in 59 NAS isolates (27.3%), and diverse mutations in the quinolone resistance determining regions of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE were identified. These findings suggest that NAS in broiler farms may have a potential role in the acquisition, amplification, and transmission of antimicrobial resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Heon Park
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology,
College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary
Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Gi Yong Lee
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology,
College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary
Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Lim
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology,
College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary
Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Geun-Bae Kim
- Department of Animal Science and
Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| | - Kun Taek Park
- Department of Biotechnology, Inje
University, Gimhae 50834, Korea
| | - Soo-Jin Yang
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology,
College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary
Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hou Z, Liu L, Wei J, Xu B. Progress in the Prevalence, Classification and Drug Resistance Mechanisms of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:3271-3292. [PMID: 37255882 PMCID: PMC10226514 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s412308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common human pathogen with a variety of virulence factors, which can cause multiple infectious diseases. In recent decades, due to the constant evolution and the abuse of antibiotics, Staphylococcus aureus was becoming more resistant, the infection rate of MRSA remained high, and clinical treatment of MRSA became more difficult. The genetic diversity of MRSA was mainly represented by the continuous emergence of epidemic strains, resulting in the constant changes of epidemic clones. Different classes of MRSA resulted in different epidemics and resistance characteristics, which could affect the clinical symptoms and treatments. MRSA had also spread from traditional hospitals to community and livestock environments, and the new clones established a relationship between animals and humans, promoting further evolution of MRSA. Since the resistance mechanism of MRSA is very complex, it is important to clarify these resistance mechanisms at the molecular level for the treatment of infectious diseases. We firstly described the diversity of SCCmec elements, and discussed the types of SCCmec, its drug resistance mechanisms and expression regulations. Then, we described how the vanA operon makes Staphylococcus aureus resistant to vancomycin and its expression regulation. Finally, a brief introduction was given to the drug resistance mechanisms of biofilms and efflux pump systems. Analyzing the resistance mechanism of MRSA can help study new anti-infective drugs and alleviate the evolution of MRSA. At the end of the review, we summarized the treatment strategies for MRSA infection, including antibiotics, anti-biofilm agents and efflux pump inhibitors. To sum up, here we reviewed the epidemic characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus, summarized its classifications, drug resistance mechanisms of MRSA (SCCmec element, vanA operon, biofilm and active efflux pump system) and novel therapy strategies, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of MRSA infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuru Hou
- Department of Basic Medicine, Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical University, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Lvliang for Clinical Molecular Diagnostics, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Lvliang for Clinical Molecular Diagnostics, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical University, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fenyang Hospital of Shanxi Province, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianhong Wei
- Department of Basic Medicine, Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical University, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Benjin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Lvliang for Clinical Molecular Diagnostics, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical University, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fenyang Hospital of Shanxi Province, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Soundararajan M, Marincola G, Liong O, Marciniak T, Wencker FDR, Hofmann F, Schollenbruch H, Kobusch I, Linnemann S, Wolf SA, Helal M, Semmler T, Walther B, Schoen C, Nyasinga J, Revathi G, Boelhauve M, Ziebuhr W. Farming Practice Influences Antimicrobial Resistance Burden of Non-Aureus Staphylococci in Pig Husbandries. Microorganisms 2022; 11:microorganisms11010031. [PMID: 36677324 PMCID: PMC9865537 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) are ubiquitous bacteria in livestock-associated environments where they may act as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes for pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we tested whether housing conditions in pig farms could influence the overall AMR-NAS burden. Two hundred and forty porcine commensal and environmental NAS isolates from three different farm types (conventional, alternative, and organic) were tested for phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility and subjected to whole genome sequencing. Genomic data were analysed regarding species identity and AMR gene carriage. Seventeen different NAS species were identified across all farm types. In contrast to conventional farms, no AMR genes were detectable towards methicillin, aminoglycosides, and phenicols in organic farms. Additionally, AMR genes to macrolides and tetracycline were rare among NAS in organic farms, while such genes were common in conventional husbandries. No differences in AMR detection existed between farm types regarding fosfomycin, lincosamides, fusidic acid, and heavy metal resistance gene presence. The combined data show that husbandry conditions influence the occurrence of resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria in livestock, suggesting that changing husbandry practices may be an appropriate means of limiting the spread of AMR bacteria on farms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriella Marincola
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Olivia Liong
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Marciniak
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Freya D. R. Wencker
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Franka Hofmann
- Department of Agriculture; South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany
| | - Hannah Schollenbruch
- Department of Agriculture; South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany
| | - Iris Kobusch
- Department of Agriculture; South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany
| | - Sabrina Linnemann
- Department of Agriculture; South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany
| | - Silver A. Wolf
- Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mustafa Helal
- Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Torsten Semmler
- Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Walther
- Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy (ZBS4), Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Schoen
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Justin Nyasinga
- Department of Pathology, Aga-Khan-University Hospital Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, The Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gunturu Revathi
- Department of Pathology, Aga-Khan-University Hospital Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marc Boelhauve
- Department of Agriculture; South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany
| | - Wilma Ziebuhr
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)931-31-2578
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Dhaouadi S, Bouchami O, Soufi L, Dhaouadi F, Chaari S, Bouglita W, Cherif A, de Lencastre H, Elandoulsi RB, Miragaia M. Frequent dissemination and carriage of an SCCmec-mecC hybrid in methicillin-resistant Mammaliicoccus sciuri in farm animals from Tunisia. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2022; 31:228-235. [PMID: 36202202 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to assess the extent of dissemination of methicillin-resistant Mammaliicoccus sciuri in animal farms in Tunisia and evaluate the distribution of virulence and methicillin resistance genes in the M. sciuri population. METHODS Staphylococci and mammaliicocci isolated from unhealthy animals and healthy humans from adjacent farms in Tunisia were characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm formation, agglutination, and hemolysis abilities. Mammaliicoccus sciuri relatedness and content in antibiotic resistance and virulence genes were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). RESULTS Mammaliicoccus sciuri was the most prevalent species (46.2%), showing the highest resistance rates to fusidic acid (94.6%), oxacillin (73%), penicillin (40.5%), clindamycin (37%), ciprofloxacin (27%), and cefoxitin (24.3%). Some isolates carried genes encoding resistance to nine different antibiotic classes. mecA was found in 35% of M. sciuri and mecC in 16.2%. All isolates carrying mecC were of S. sciuri subspecies carnaticus and carried the hybrid element SCCmec-mecC. Mammaliicoccus sciuri were able to produce strong biofilm (27%) and have clumping ability (16%). Additionally, they carried genes for capsule production (cap8, 100%), iron-regulated surface determinants (isdE, 24%; isdG, 3%), and virulence regulation (clpC and clpP, 100%). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis showed that 17 M. sciuri cross-transmission events probably occurred between different animal species and farms. Moreover, SCCmec was estimated to have been acquired five times by S. sciuri subsp. carnaticus. CONCLUSION Multidrug resistant and pathogenic M. sciuri were frequently disseminated between different animal species within the farm environment. mecA and mecC can be disseminated by both frequent acquisition of the SCCmec element and clonal dissemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sana Dhaouadi
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, BVBGR-LR11ES31, University of Manouba, BiotechPôlet Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia; University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ons Bouchami
- Laboratory of Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal; Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Leila Soufi
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, BVBGR-LR11ES31, University of Manouba, BiotechPôlet Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Fadoua Dhaouadi
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, BVBGR-LR11ES31, University of Manouba, BiotechPôlet Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | | | - Wafa Bouglita
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, BVBGR-LR11ES31, University of Manouba, BiotechPôlet Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Ameur Cherif
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, BVBGR-LR11ES31, University of Manouba, BiotechPôlet Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Hermínia de Lencastre
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal; Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA
| | - Ramzi Boubaker Elandoulsi
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, BVBGR-LR11ES31, University of Manouba, BiotechPôlet Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Maria Miragaia
- Laboratory of Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Genome Sequencing of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible
Mammaliicoccus sciuri
from Diseased Animals. Microbiol Resour Announc 2022; 11:e0071422. [PMID: 36125295 PMCID: PMC9583799 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00714-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammaliicoccus sciuri
(previously
Staphylococcus sciuri
) is a frequent colonizer of mammals. We report the draft genomes of a methicillin-resistant strain (2254A) isolated from an armadillo and a methicillin-susceptible strain (6942A) from a cow. Genomes were sequenced using long-read Nanopore sequencing.
Collapse
|
17
|
Sacramento AG, Fuga B, Monte DFM, Cardoso B, Esposito F, Dolabella SS, Barbosa AAT, Zanella RC, Cortopassi SRG, da Silva LCBA, Lincopan N, Sellera FP. Genomic features of mecA-positive methicillin-resistant Mammaliicoccus sciuri causing fatal infections in pets admitted to a veterinary intensive care unit. Microb Pathog 2022; 171:105733. [PMID: 36002114 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant staphylococci have become leading cause of infectious diseases in humans and animals, being categorized as high priority pathogens by the World Health Organization. Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus sciuri (recently moved to Mammaliicoccus sciuri) has been widely reported in companion animals, there is scarce information regarding their clinical impact and genomic features. Herein, we reported the occurrence and genomic characteristics of methicillin-resistant M. sciuri recovered from fatal infections in pets admitted to an intensive care unit of a veterinary hospital, in Brazil. Two M. sciuri strains were isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage samples collected from dog (strain SS01) and cat (strain SS02) presenting with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Both isolates displayed a multidrug-resistant profile, whereas whole-genome sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of the mecA gene, along to genetic determinant conferring resistance to macrolides, streptogramins, aminoglycosides, and trimethoprim. For both strains, the mec and crr gene complex shared high identity (≥97%) with analogue sequences from a M. sciuri isolated from a human wound infection, in the Czech Republic. Strains were assigned to the sequence type ST52 and the novel ST74. Phylogenomic analysis revealed a broad host range association of these strains with several hosts and sources, including humans, animals, food, and the environment through different years and geographic locations. Our findings demonstrate that infections caused by mecA-positive M. sciuri strains can be a serious threat for veterinary intensive care patients and the medical staff, with additional implications for One Health approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrey G Sacramento
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil.
| | - Bruna Fuga
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel F M Monte
- Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Avian Pathology, Department of Pathology, Theriogenology, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Brenda Cardoso
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Esposito
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvio S Dolabella
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
| | - Ana A T Barbosa
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
| | | | - Silvia R G Cortopassi
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciano C B A da Silva
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Veterinary Medicine, Metropolitan University of Santos, Santos, Brazil
| | - Nilton Lincopan
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio P Sellera
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Metropolitan University of Santos, Santos, Brazil; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Klempt M, Franz CMAP, Hammer P. Characterization of coagulase-negative staphylococci and macrococci isolated from cheese in Germany. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:7951-7958. [PMID: 35965117 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cheese, especially ripened varieties, harbor a very complex and heterogeneous microbiota. In addition to the desired microorganisms (starter cultures) added during cheese production, potentially harmful bacteria may also enter the production chain. Regarding the latter, the focus of this study was on coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) and Macrococcus caseolyticus. Both are known to harbor a variety of genes coding for antibiotic resistance, including mecA, mecB, mecC, and mecD. Coagulase-negative staphylococci or macrococci carrying such genes or other virulence factors should not be present in cheese. Cheese samples (101 in total) were collected from retail sources. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and M. caseolyticus were isolated utilizing selective agars, and species were identified by phenotypical tests and partial sequencing of the sodA gene. The results allowed identification of 53 CNS strains and 19 M. caseolyticus strains. Among the CNS, 11 isolates of Staphylococcus saprophyticus and one Staphylococcus epidermidis isolate were obtained. Both species are potential human pathogens and may thus adversely affect the safety of these food products. Screening for antimicrobial resistance was performed by application of disc diffusion tests, a gradient strip-test, and 14 different PCR tests. Evidence for methicillin resistance (by either positive disc diffusion assay for cefoxitin or by mec PCR) was found in CNS isolates and M. caseolyticus (9 isolates each). Regarding other virulence factors, no genetic determinants for coagulase or the most common staphylococcal enterotoxins sea, seb, sec, sed, and see were detected in any of the CNS or M. caseolyticus isolates by PCR testing. In conclusion, the presence of facultatively pathogenic CNS and carriers of genes for antibiotic resistance in both groups of microorganisms, especially mec genes, and the respective food safety issues need further evaluation and surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Klempt
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institute, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, 24103 Kiel, Germany
| | - C M A P Franz
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institute, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, 24103 Kiel, Germany
| | - P Hammer
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institute, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, 24103 Kiel, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mohamadou M, Essama SR, Ngonde Essome MC, Akwah L, Nadeem N, Gonsu Kamga H, Sattar S, Javed S. High prevalence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive, multidrug resistant, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains circulating among clinical setups in Adamawa and Far North regions of Cameroon. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265118. [PMID: 35802616 PMCID: PMC9269376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the earliest pathogens involved in human infections, responsible for a large variety of pathologies. Methicillin was the first antibiotic used to treat infections due to S. aureus but infections due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) originated from hospital settings. Later, severe infections due to MRSA without any contact with the hospital environment or health care workers arose. Prevalence of MRSA has shown an alarming increase worldover including Cameroon. This Cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of MRSA infections in five different, most frequented Hospitals in northern Cameroon. Socio demographic data was recorded through questionnaire and different clinical specimens were collected for bacterial isolation. Identification of S. aureus was confirmed via 16s rRNA amplification using S. aureus specific primers. Molecular characterisation was performed through mecA gene, Luk PV gene screening and SCCmec typing. A total of 380 S. aureus clinical isolates were obtained of which 202 (53.2%) were nonduplicate multidrug resistant isolates containing, 45.5% MRSA. Higher number of MRSA was isolated from pus (30.4%) followed by blood culture (18.5%), and urine (17.4%). Patients aged 15 to 30 years presented high prevalence of MRSA (30.4%). Majority isolates (97.8%) carried the mecA gene, PVL toxin screening indicated 53.3% isolates carried the lukPV gene. Based on PVL detection and clinical history, CA-MRSA represented 53.3% of isolates. SCCmec typing showed that the Type IV was most prevalent (29.3%), followed by type I (23.9%). Amongst MRSA isolates high resistance to penicillin (91.1%), cotrimoxazole (86.7%), tetracycline (72.2%), and ofloxacin (70.0%) was detected. Meanwhile, rifampicin, fusidic acid, lincomycin and minocycline presented high efficacy in bacterial control. This study revealed a high prevalence of MRSA among infections due to S. aureus in Northern Cameroon. All MRSA recorded were multidrug resistant and the prevalence of CA MRSA are subsequently increasing, among population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Mohamadou
- Biosciences Department, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Sarah Riwom Essama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Marie Chantal Ngonde Essome
- Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Lillian Akwah
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Nudrat Nadeem
- Biosciences Department, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hortense Gonsu Kamga
- Department of Microbiology, Haematology and Infectious diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of University of Yaounde 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Sadia Sattar
- Biosciences Department, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sundus Javed
- Biosciences Department, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Shoaib M, Aqib AI, Ali MM, Ijaz M, Sattar H, Ghaffar A, Sajid Hasni M, Bhutta ZA, Ashfaq K, Kulyar MFEA, Pu W. Tracking Infection and Genetic Divergence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Pets, Pet Owners, and Environment Interface. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:900480. [PMID: 35720840 PMCID: PMC9201917 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.900480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) has become a leading animal and public health pathogen that keeps on transferring from one host to other, giving rise to newer strains by genetic shifts. The current study was designed to investigate the epidemiology and genetic relatedness of mecA gene in S. aureus isolated from pets, immediate individuals in contact with pets, and veterinary clinic environments. A total of n = 300 samples were collected from different veterinary hospitals in Pakistan using convenience sampling. The collected samples were subjected to microbiological and biochemical examination for the isolation of S. aureus. Methicillin resistance was investigated by both phenotypically using oxacillin disk diffusion assay and by genotypically targeting mecA gene by PCR. PCR amplicons were subjected for sequencing by Sanger method of sequencing, which were subsequently submitted to NCBI GenBank under the accession numbers MT874770, MT874771, and MT874772. Sequence evolutionary analysis and mecA gene characterization was done using various bioinformatics tools. Overall, 33.66% mecA genes harboring S. aureus strains were isolated from all sources (33.33% from pets, 46.0% from surrounding, and 28.0% from immediate contact individuals). The bioinformatics analysis noted that one SNP was identified at position c.253C>A (Transvertion). The phylogenetic tree (two clades) of S. aureus mecA revealed a possibility of inter-transmission of disease between the environment and pets. Frequency of adenine and thymine nucleotide in motifs were found to be the same (0.334). Cytosine and guanine frequency were also the same (0.166). Threonine was replaced by asparagine (p.T84D) in each sample of cat, environment, and human. On the other hand, protein structures ofcat-1 and cat-2 proteins were found identical while cat-3, environmental, and human proteins shared identical structures. The study thus concludes rising circulation of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains in animal-human-environment interfaces, forecasting the development of novel strains withmodified range of resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shoaib
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou, China
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Islam Aqib
- Department of Medicine, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Muddassir Ali
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ijaz
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Huma Sattar
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Awais Ghaffar
- Department of Clinical Sciences, KBCMA, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Narowal, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sajid Hasni
- Directorate General Farms and Feed Resources, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Zeeshan Ahmad Bhutta
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Khurram Ashfaq
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Wanxia Pu
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
|
22
|
Bai H, He LY, Wu DL, Gao FZ, Zhang M, Zou HY, Yao MS, Ying GG. Spread of airborne antibiotic resistance from animal farms to the environment: Dispersal pattern and exposure risk. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106927. [PMID: 34673316 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Animal farms have been considered as the critical reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). Spread of antibiotic resistance from animal farms to the surrounding environments via aerosols has become a growing concern. Here we investigated the dispersal pattern and exposure risk of airborne ARGs (especially in zoonotic pathogens) in the environment of chicken and dairy farms. Aerosol, dust and animal feces samples were collected from the livestock houses and surrounding environments (upwind and downwind areas) for assessing ARG profiles. Antibiotic resistance phenotype and genotype of airborne Staphylococcus spp. was especially analyzed to reveal the exposure risk of airborne ARGs. Results showed that airborne ARGs were detected from upwind (50 m/100 m) and downwind (50 m/100 m/150 m) air environment, wherein at least 30% of bacterial taxa dispersed from the animal houses. Moreover, atmospheric dispersion modeling showed that airborne ARGs can disperse from the animal houses to a distance of 10 km along the wind direction. Clinically important pathogens were identified in airborne culturable bacteria. Genus of Staphylococcus, Sphingomonas and Acinetobacter were potential bacterial host of airborne ARGs. Airborne Staphylococcus spp. were isolated from the environment of chicken farm (n = 148) and dairy farm (n = 87). It is notable that all isolates from chicken-related environment were multidrug-resistance (>3 clinical-relevant antibiotics), with more than 80% of them carrying methicillin resistance gene (mecA) and associated ARGs and MGEs. Presence of numerous ARGs and diverse pathogens in dust from animal houses and the downwind residential areas indicated the accumulation of animal feces origin ARGs in bioaerosols. Employees and local residents in the chick farming environment are exposed to chicken originated ARGs and multidrug resistant Staphylococcus spp. via inhalation. This study highlights the potential exposure risks of airborne ARGs and antibiotic resistant pathogens to human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Bai
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liang-Ying He
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Dai-Ling Wu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Fang-Zhou Gao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Min Zhang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hai-Yan Zou
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mao-Sheng Yao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Aouati H, Hadjadj L, Aouati F, Agabou A, Ben Khedher M, Bousseboua H, Bentchouala C, Rolain JM, Diene SM. Emergence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST239/241 SCCmec-III Mercury in Eastern Algeria. Pathogens 2021; 10:1503. [PMID: 34832658 PMCID: PMC8621676 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the epidemiology of infections-associated Staphylococcusaureus (S. aureus) from the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at University Hospital Center of Constantine (UHCC) in Algeria, with a special emphasis on methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) revealed by cefoxitin disks (30 μg), then confirmed by penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a) agglutination and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting mecA and mecC genes. Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec type), staphylococcal protein A (spa-type), multilocus sequence type (MLST), Panton-Valentine Leucocidin (PVL), and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) were further investigated in all isolates, and whole genome sequencing was performed for a selected subset of three hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) isolates. A measurement of 80% out of the 50 S. aureus isolates were identified as HA-MRSA harbouring the mecA gene, and 72.5% of them were multidrug resistant (MDR). Twelve STs, four different SCCmec cassettes, fourteen spa types, ten isolates Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL)-positive, and three isolates TSST-1 were identified. Interestingly, there was a high prevalence (n = 29; 72.5%) of a worrisome emerging clone: the HA-MRSA ST239/241 SCCmec-III mercury with PVL negative, resistant to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, quinolones, and tetracyclines. Other clones of HA-MRSA isolates were also identified, including PVL-positive ST80 SCCmec-IV/SCCmec-unknown (22.5%), ST34 SCCmec-V with TSST-1 positive (2.5%), and PVL-negative ST72 SCCmec-II (2.5%). Genome analysis enables us to describe the first detection of both PVL-negative HA-MRSA ST239/241 SCCmec-III mercury carrying ccrC, as well as SCCmec-V cassette, which dramatically changes the epidemiology of S. aureus infections in one of the hospitals in eastern Algeria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Aouati
- Département de Microbiologie, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université des Frères Mentouri Constantine 1, Constantine 25017, Algeria;
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (M.B.K.); (J.-M.R.)
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Ben Badis, Service de Microbiologie, BP 125, Constantine 25000, Algeria;
| | - Linda Hadjadj
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (M.B.K.); (J.-M.R.)
| | - Farida Aouati
- Département d’Anesthésie-Réanimation Chirurgicale, Université Paris Nord, APHP, Hôpital Beaujon, 92110 Clichy, France;
| | - Amir Agabou
- Institut Vétérinaire, Université des frères Mentouri Constantine 1, Laboratoire de Recherche PADESCA, Constantine 25071, Algeria;
| | - Mariem Ben Khedher
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (M.B.K.); (J.-M.R.)
| | - Hacène Bousseboua
- Ecole de Biotechnologie, Université Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Laboratoire de Génie Microbiologique, BP E66, Constantine 25000, Algeria;
| | - Chafia Bentchouala
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Ben Badis, Service de Microbiologie, BP 125, Constantine 25000, Algeria;
| | - Jean-Marc Rolain
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (M.B.K.); (J.-M.R.)
| | - Seydina M. Diene
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France; (L.H.); (M.B.K.); (J.-M.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Smith JT, Andam CP. Extensive Horizontal Gene Transfer within and between Species of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evab206. [PMID: 34498042 PMCID: PMC8462280 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the gram-positive bacterial genus Staphylococcus have historically been classified into coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (CoPS) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) based on the diagnostic presentation of the coagulase protein. Previous studies have noted the importance of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and recombination in the more well-known CoPS species Staphylococcus aureus, yet little is known of the contributions of these processes in CoNS evolution. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships, genomic characteristics, and frequencies of HGT in CoNS, which are now being recognized as major opportunistic pathogens of humans. We compiled a data set of 1,876 publicly available named CoNS genomes. These can be delineated into 55 species based on allele differences in 462 core genes and variation in accessory gene content. CoNS species are a reservoir of transferrable genes associated with resistance to diverse classes of antimicrobials. We also identified nine types of the mobile genetic element SCCmec, which carries the methicillin resistance determinant mecA. Other frequently transferred genes included those associated with resistance to heavy metals, surface-associated proteins related to virulence and biofilm formation, type VII secretion system, iron capture, recombination, and metabolic enzymes. The highest frequencies of receipt and donation of recombined DNA fragments were observed in Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus caprae, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and members of the Saprophyticus species group. The variable rates of recombination and biases in transfer partners imply that certain CoNS species function as hubs of gene flow and major reservoir of genetic diversity for the entire genus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua T Smith
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Cheryl P Andam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Asante J, Hetsa BA, Amoako DG, Abia ALK, Bester LA, Essack SY. Genomic Analysis of Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolates From Clinical Sources in the Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:656306. [PMID: 34421833 PMCID: PMC8374169 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.656306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis has become an important nosocomial pathogen. Multidrug resistance makes S. epidermidis infections difficult to treat. The study aims to describe the genomic characteristics of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) isolated from clinical sources, to comprehend the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance, virulence, and potential pathogenicity. Sixteen MRSE underwent whole-genome sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses were carried out to ascertain their resistome, virulome, mobilome, clonality, and phylogenomic relationships. In all, 75% of isolates displayed multidrug resistance and were associated with the carriage of multiple resistance genes including mecA, blaZ, tet(K), erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), dfrG, aac(6')-aph(2''), and cat(pC221) conferring resistance to β-lactams, tetracyclines, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B, aminoglycosides, and phenicols, which were located on both plasmids and chromosomes. Their virulence profiles were evidenced by the presence of genes involved in adherence/biofilm formation (icaA, icaB, icaC, atl, ebh, and ebp), immune evasion (adsA, capC, and manA), and antiphagocytosis (rmlC, cdsA, and A). The community-acquired SCCmec type IV was the most common SCCmec type. The CoNS belonged to seven multilocus sequence types (MLSTs) and carried a diversity of mobile genetic elements such as phages, insertion sequences, and plasmids. The bacterial anti-phage defense systems clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated (CRISPR-Cas) immunity phage system and restriction-modification system (R-M system) and the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) involved in immune evasion and transport of virulence genes were also found. The insertion sequence, IS256, linked with virulence, was found in 56.3% of isolates. Generally, the isolates clustered according to STs, with some similarity but also considerable variability within isolates. Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis provide insights into the likely pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance of S. epidermidis, necessitating surveillance of this emerging pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Asante
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Bakoena A Hetsa
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Daniel G Amoako
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Akebe L K Abia
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Linda A Bester
- Biomedical Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sabiha Y Essack
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
The Resistome and Mobilome of Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus sciuri C2865 Unveil a Transferable Trimethoprim Resistance Gene, Designated dfrE, Spread Unnoticed. mSystems 2021; 6:e0051121. [PMID: 34374564 PMCID: PMC8407400 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00511-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus sciuri (MRSS) strain C2865 from a stranded dog in Nigeria was trimethoprim (TMP) resistant but lacked formerly described staphylococcal TMP-resistant dihydrofolate reductase genes (dfr). Whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and pan-genome analyses were pursued to unveil the molecular bases for TMP resistance via resistome and mobilome profiling. MRSS C2865 comprised a species subcluster and positioned just above the intraspecies boundary. Lack of species host tropism was observed. S. sciuri exhibited an open pan-genome, while MRSS C2865 harbored the highest number of unique genes (75% associated with mobilome). Within this fraction, we discovered a transferable TMP resistance gene, named dfrE, which confers high-level TMP resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. dfrE was located in a novel multidrug resistance mosaic plasmid (pUR2865-34) encompassing adaptive, mobilization, and segregational stability traits. dfrE was formerly denoted as dfr_like in Exiguobacterium spp. from fish farm sediment in China but escaped identification in one macrococcal and diverse staphylococcal genomes in different Asian countries. dfrE shares the highest identity with dfr of soil-related Paenibacillus anaericanus (68%). Data analysis discloses that dfrE has emerged from a single ancestor and places S. sciuri as a plausible donor. C2865 unique fraction additionally enclosed novel chromosomal mobile islands, including a multidrug-resistant pseudo-SCCmec cassette, three apparently functional prophages (Siphoviridae), and an SaPI4-related staphylococcal pathogenicity island. Since dfrE seems not yet common in staphylococcal clinical specimens, our data promote early surveillance and enable molecular diagnosis. We evidence the genome plasticity of S. sciuri and highlight its role as a resourceful reservoir for adaptive traits. IMPORTANCE The discovery and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRG) and their mobilization platforms are critical to understand the evolution of bacterial resistance and to restrain further expansion. Limited genomic data are available on Staphylococcus sciuri; regardless, it is considered a reservoir for critical AMRG and mobile elements. We uncover a transferable staphylococcal TMP resistance gene, named dfrE, in a novel mosaic plasmid harboring additional resistance, adaptive, and self-stabilization features. dfrE is present but evaded detection in diverse species from varied sources geographically distant. Our analyses evidence that the dfrE-carrying element has emerged from a single ancestor and position S. sciuri as the donor species for dfrE spread. We also identify novel mobilizable chromosomal islands encompassing AMRG and three unrelated prophages. We prove high intraspecies heterogenicity and genome plasticity for S. sciuri. This work highlights the importance of genome-wide ecological studies to facilitate identification, characterization, and evolution routes of bacteria adaptive features.
Collapse
|
27
|
Wang W, Baker M, Hu Y, Xu J, Yang D, Maciel-Guerra A, Xue N, Li H, Yan S, Li M, Bai Y, Dong Y, Peng Z, Ma J, Li F, Dottorini T. Whole-Genome Sequencing and Machine Learning Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus from Multiple Heterogeneous Sources in China Reveals Common Genetic Traits of Antimicrobial Resistance. mSystems 2021; 6:e0118520. [PMID: 34100643 PMCID: PMC8579812 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01185-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a worldwide leading cause of numerous diseases ranging from food-poisoning to lethal infections. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has been found capable of acquiring resistance to most antimicrobials. MRSA is ubiquitous and diverse even in terms of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, posing a challenge for treatment. Here, we present a comprehensive study of S. aureus in China, addressing epidemiology, phylogenetic reconstruction, genomic characterization, and identification of AMR profiles. The study analyzes 673 S. aureus isolates from food as well as from hospitalized and healthy individuals. The isolates have been collected over a 9-year period, between 2010 and 2018, from 27 provinces across China. By whole-genome sequencing, Bayesian divergence analysis, and supervised machine learning, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the isolates and compared them to references from other countries. We identified 72 sequence types (STs), of which, 29 were novel. We found 81 MRSA lineages by multilocus sequence type (MLST), spa, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element (SCCmec), and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) typing. In addition, novel variants of SCCmec type IV hosting extra metal and antimicrobial resistance genes, as well as a new SCCmec type, were found. New Bayesian dating of the split times of major clades showed that ST9, ST59, and ST239 in China and European countries fell in different branches, whereas this pattern was not observed for the ST398 clone. On the contrary, the clonal transmission of ST398 was more intermixed in regard to geographic origin. Finally, we identified genetic determinants of resistance to 10 antimicrobials, discriminating drug-resistant bacteria from susceptible strains in the cohort. Our results reveal the emergence of Chinese MRSA lineages enriched of AMR determinants that share similar genetic traits of antimicrobial resistance across human and food, hinting at a complex scenario of evolving transmission routes. IMPORTANCE Little information is available on the epidemiology and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus in China. The role of food is a cause of major concern: staphylococcal foodborne diseases affect thousands every year, and the presence of resistant Staphylococcus strains on raw retail meat products is well documented. We studied a large heterogeneous data set of S. aureus isolates from many provinces of China, isolated from food as well as from individuals. Our large whole-genome collection represents a unique catalogue that can be easily meta-analyzed and integrated with further studies and adds to the library of S. aureus sequences in the public domain in a currently underrepresented geographical region. The new Bayesian dating of the split times of major drug-resistant enriched clones is relevant in showing that Chinese and European methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) have evolved differently. Our machine learning approach, across a large number of antibiotics, shows novel determinants underlying resistance and reveals frequent resistant traits in specific clonal complexes, highlighting the importance of particular clonal complexes in China. Our findings substantially expand what is known of the evolution and genetic determinants of resistance in food-associated S. aureus in China and add crucial information for whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based surveillance of S. aureus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Michelle Baker
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Yue Hu
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Jin Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Dajin Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | | | - Ning Xue
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Hui Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Shaofei Yan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Menghan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Bai
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Yinping Dong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Zixin Peng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Jinjing Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, Anhui, China
| | - Fengqin Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Tania Dottorini
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Marincola G, Liong O, Schoen C, Abouelfetouh A, Hamdy A, Wencker FDR, Marciniak T, Becker K, Köck R, Ziebuhr W. Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci in Community-Based Healthy Individuals in Germany. Front Public Health 2021; 9:684456. [PMID: 34222184 PMCID: PMC8247762 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.684456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are common opportunistic pathogens, but also ubiquitous human and animal commensals. Infection-associated CoNS from healthcare environments are typically characterized by pronounced antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including both methicillin- and multidrug-resistant isolates. Less is known about AMR patterns of CoNS colonizing the general population. Here we report on AMR in commensal CoNS recovered from 117 non-hospitalized volunteers in a region of Germany with a high livestock density. Among the 69 individuals colonized with CoNS, 29 had reported contacts to either companion or farm animals. CoNS were selectively cultivated from nasal swabs, followed by species definition by 16S rDNA sequencing and routine antibiotic susceptibility testing. Isolates displaying phenotypic AMR were further tested by PCR for presence of selected AMR genes. A total of 127 CoNS were isolated and Staphylococcus epidermidis (75%) was the most common CoNS species identified. Nine isolates (7%) were methicillin-resistant (MR) and carried the mecA gene, with seven individuals (10%) being colonized with at least one MR-CoNS isolate. While resistance against gentamicin, phenicols and spectinomycin was rare, high resistance rates were found against tetracycline (39%), erythromycin (33%) and fusidic acid (24%). In the majority of isolates, phenotypic resistance could be associated with corresponding AMR gene detection. Multidrug-resistance (MDR) was observed in 23% (29/127) of the isolates, with 33% (23/69) of the individuals being colonized with MDR-CoNS. The combined data suggest that MR- and MDR-CoNS are present in the community, with previous animal contact not significantly influencing the risk of becoming colonized with such isolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Marincola
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Olivia Liong
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Schoen
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alaa Abouelfetouh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, AlAlamein International University, AlAlamein, Egypt
| | - Aisha Hamdy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Freya D R Wencker
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Marciniak
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Becker
- Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Robin Köck
- Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK) Kliniken Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Hygiene, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Wilma Ziebuhr
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Lawal OU, Barata M, Fraqueza MJ, Worning P, Bartels MD, Goncalves L, Paixão P, Goncalves E, Toscano C, Empel J, Urbaś M, Domiìnguez MA, Westh H, de Lencastre H, Miragaia M. Staphylococcus saprophyticus From Clinical and Environmental Origins Have Distinct Biofilm Composition. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:663768. [PMID: 34163443 PMCID: PMC8216562 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.663768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation has been shown to be critical to the success of uropathogens. Although Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a common cause of urinary tract infections, its biofilm production capacity, composition, genetic basis, and origin are poorly understood. We investigated biofilm formation in a large and diverse collection of S. saprophyticus (n = 422). Biofilm matrix composition was assessed in representative strains (n = 63) belonging to two main S. saprophyticus lineages (G and S) recovered from human infection, colonization, and food-related environment using biofilm detachment approach. To identify factors that could be associated with biofilm formation and structure variation, we used a pangenome-wide association study approach. Almost all the isolates (91%; n = 384/422) produced biofilm. Among the 63 representative strains, we identified eight biofilm matrix phenotypes, but the most common were composed of protein or protein-extracellular DNA (eDNA)-polysaccharides (38%, 24/63 each). Biofilms containing protein-eDNA-polysaccharides were linked to lineage G and environmental isolates, whereas protein-based biofilms were produced by lineage S and infection isolates (p < 0.05). Putative biofilm-associated genes, namely, aas, atl, ebpS, uafA, sasF, sasD, sdrH, splE, sdrE, sdrC, sraP, and ica genes, were found with different frequencies (3-100%), but there was no correlation between their presence and biofilm production or matrix types. Notably, icaC_1 was ubiquitous in the collection, while icaR was lineage G-associated, and only four strains carried a complete ica gene cluster (icaADBCR) except one that was without icaR. We provided evidence, using a comparative genomic approach, that the complete icaADBCR cluster was acquired multiple times by S. saprophyticus and originated from other coagulase-negative staphylococci. Overall, the composition of S. saprophyticus biofilms was distinct in environmental and clinical isolates, suggesting that modulation of biofilm structure could be a key step in the pathogenicity of these bacteria. Moreover, biofilm production in S. saprophyticus is ica-independent, and the complete icaADBCR was acquired from other staphylococci.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Opeyemi U. Lawal
- Laboratory of Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Marta Barata
- Laboratory of Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Maria J. Fraqueza
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Peder Worning
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Mette D. Bartels
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Joanna Empel
- Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Microbiology, Narodowy Instytut Leków, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Urbaś
- Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Microbiology, Narodowy Instytut Leków, Warszawa, Poland
| | | | - Henrik Westh
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hermínia de Lencastre
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- The Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maria Miragaia
- Laboratory of Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mat Rani NNI, Mustafa Hussein Z, Mustapa F, Azhari H, Sekar M, Chen XY, Mohd Amin MCI. Exploring the possible targeting strategies of liposomes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2021; 165:84-105. [PMID: 33974973 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Multi antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are on the rise due to the overuse of antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the pathogens listed under the category of serious threats where vancomycin remains the mainstay treatment despite the availability of various antibacterial agents. Recently, decreased susceptibility to vancomycin from clinical isolates of MRSA has been reported and has drawn worldwide attention as it is often difficult to overcome and leads to increased medical costs, mortality, and longer hospital stays. Development of antibiotic delivery systems is often necessary to improve bioavailability and biodistribution, in order to reduce antibiotic resistance and increase the lifespan of antibiotics. Liposome entrapment has been used as a method to allow higher drug dosing apart from reducing toxicity associated with drugs. The surface of the liposomes can also be designed and enhanced with drug-release properties, active targeting, and stealth effects to prevent recognition by the mononuclear phagocyte system, thus enhancing its circulation time. The present review aimed to highlight the possible targeting strategies of liposomes against MRSA bacteremia systemically while investigating the magnitude of this effect on the minimum inhibitory concentration level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani
- Centre for Drug Delivery Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Zahraa Mustafa Hussein
- Centre for Drug Delivery Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fahimi Mustapa
- Hospital Batu Gajah Jalan Changkat, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Hanisah Azhari
- Centre for Drug Delivery Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mahendran Sekar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Xiang Yi Chen
- Centre for Drug Delivery Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Cairul Iqbal Mohd Amin
- Centre for Drug Delivery Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ashwath P, Sannejal AD. A quest to the therapeutic arsenal: Novel strategies to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 22:79-88. [PMID: 33874870 DOI: 10.2174/1566523221666210419084836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The increasing resistance of the disease-causing pathogens to antimicrobial drugs is a public health concern and a socio-economic burden. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains has made it harder to treat and combat infectious diseases with available conventional antibiotics. There are currently few effective therapeutic regimens for the successful prevention of infections caused by drug-resistant microbes. The various alternative strategies used in the recent past to decrease and limit antibiotic resistance in pathogens include bacteriophages, vaccines, anti-biofilm peptides, and antimicrobial peptides. However, in this review, we focus on the novel and robust molecular approach of antisense RNA (asRNA) technology and the clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based antibiotic therapy, which can be exploited to selectively eradicate the drug-resistant bacterial strain in a sequence-specific fashion establishing opportunities in the treatment of multi-drug resistant related infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Ashwath
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research (NUCSER), Mangaluru. India
| | - Akhila Dharnappa Sannejal
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research (NUCSER), Mangaluru. India
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lee GY, Yang SJ. Profiles of coagulase-positive and -negative staphylococci in retail pork: prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, enterotoxigenicity, and virulence factors. Anim Biosci 2021; 34:734-742. [PMID: 33705626 PMCID: PMC7961290 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.20.0660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and species of coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) in retail pork meat samples collected during nationwide monitoring. The staphylococcal isolates were characterized for antimicrobial and zinc chloride resistance and enterotoxigenic potential. Methods A total of 260 pre-packaged pork meat samples were collected from 35 retail markets in 8 provinces in Korea for isolation of staphylococci. Antimicrobial and zinc chloride resistance phenotypes, and genes associated with the resistance phenotypes were determined on the isolates. Furthermore, the presence and distribution of 19 staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes and enterotoxin-like genes among the pork-associated staphylococci were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based assays using the specific primer sets. Results A total of 29 staphylococcal strains (29/260, 11.1%) were isolated from samples of retail pork meat, 24 (83%) of which were CoNS. The four CoNS species identified were S. saprophyticus (n = 16, 55%), S. sciuri (n = 3, 10%), S. warneri (n = 3, 10%), and S. epidermidis (n = 2, 7%). Among the 29 isolates, four methicillin-resistant CoNS (MR-CoNS; three S. sciuri and one S. epidermidis) and one methicillin-resistant CoPS (MR-CoPS; one S. aureus) were identified. In addition, a relatively high level of tetracycline (TET) resistance (52%) was confirmed in CoNS, along with a predominant distribution of tet(K). The most prevalent SEs were sep (45%), and sen (28%), which were carried by 81% of S. saprophyticus. Conclusion These findings suggest that CoNS, especially S. saprophyticus strains, in raw pork meat could be a potential risk factor for staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP), and therefore, requires further investigation to elucidate the role of SEls in SFP and virulence of the pathogen. Our results also suggest that CoNS from raw pork meat may act as a source for transmission of antimicrobial resistance genes such as staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec and tet(K).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gi Yong Lee
- School of Bioresources and Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| | - Soo-Jin Yang
- School of Bioresources and Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Cole K, Atkins B, Llewelyn M, Paul J. Genomic investigation of clinically significant coagulase-negative staphylococci. J Med Microbiol 2021; 70. [PMID: 33704043 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Coagulase-negative staphylococci have been recognized both as emerging pathogens and contaminants of clinical samples. High-resolution genomic investigation may provide insights into their clinical significance.Aims. To review the literature regarding coagulase-negative staphylococcal infection and the utility of genomic methods to aid diagnosis and management, and to identify promising areas for future research.Methodology. We searched Google Scholar with the terms (Staphylococcus) AND (sequencing OR (infection)). We prioritized papers that addressed coagulase-negative staphylococci, genomic analysis, or infection.Results. A number of studies have investigated specimen-related, phenotypic and genetic factors associated with colonization, infection and virulence, but diagnosis remains problematic.Conclusion. Genomic investigation provides insights into the genetic diversity and natural history of colonization and infection. Such information allows the development of new methodologies to identify and compare relatedness and predict antimicrobial resistance. Future clinical studies that employ suitable sampling frames coupled with the application of high-resolution whole-genome sequencing may aid the development of more discriminatory diagnostic approaches to coagulase-staphylococcal infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Cole
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK.,Public Health England Collaborating Centre, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Martin Llewelyn
- Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK.,Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - John Paul
- Public Health England Collaborating Centre, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK.,Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ngassam Tchamba C, Duprez JN, Lucas P, Blanchard Y, Boyen F, Haesebrouck F, Argudín MA, Mainil J, Thiry D. Comparison of the Staphylococcal Chromosome Cassette (SCC) mec in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Non- aureus Staphylococci (MRNAS) from Animals and Humans. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10030256. [PMID: 33806351 PMCID: PMC7998684 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10030256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and non-aureus staphylococci (MRNAS) cause different infections in animals, including mastitis, in livestock and humans. This study aimed to identify and compare the staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec (SCCmec) types of MRSA or MRNAS isolated from several animal species and humans in different countries. Of 1462 S. aureus and non-aureus staphylococci, 68 grew on Chrom MRSA ID® agar, were phenotypically resistant to cefoxitin and tested positive with the PCR for the mecA gene. These 60 MRSA and 8 MRNAS were isolated in Belgium mainly from cows (livestock-associated (LA) MRS) and humans (community-acquired (CA) MRS) and in Japan from dogs and cats. The SCCmec cassettes were identified by multiplex PCR in 52 MRSA and 7 MRNAS and by whole genome sequencing (WGS) in 8 additional MRSA. The SCCmec types IV and V were the most frequent in Belgian LA-MRS and CA-MRS, while the SCCmec type II was identified in four of the five Japanese MRSA. The remaining isolate was a bovine S. haemolyticus in which no SCCmec was identified. These results confirm the high prevalence of the SCCmec types IV and V in LA-MRS and CA-MRS in Belgium, emphasizing the possible public health hazard of the former, and the absence of SCCmec in some MRNAS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Ngassam Tchamba
- Bacteriology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Institute for Fundamental and Applied Research in Animals and Health (FARAH), University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 6, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.N.T.); (J.-N.D.); (D.T.)
| | - Jean-Noël Duprez
- Bacteriology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Institute for Fundamental and Applied Research in Animals and Health (FARAH), University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 6, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.N.T.); (J.-N.D.); (D.T.)
| | - Pierrick Lucas
- Viral Genetics and Bio-Security Unit, ANSES, Ploufragan-Plouzané Laboratory, Rue des Fusillés, 22440 Ploufragan, France; (P.L.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yannick Blanchard
- Viral Genetics and Bio-Security Unit, ANSES, Ploufragan-Plouzané Laboratory, Rue des Fusillés, 22440 Ploufragan, France; (P.L.); (Y.B.)
| | - Filip Boyen
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (F.B.); (F.H.)
| | - Freddy Haesebrouck
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (F.B.); (F.H.)
| | - Maria A. Argudín
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Catholic University of Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jacques Mainil
- Bacteriology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Institute for Fundamental and Applied Research in Animals and Health (FARAH), University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 6, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.N.T.); (J.-N.D.); (D.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Damien Thiry
- Bacteriology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Institute for Fundamental and Applied Research in Animals and Health (FARAH), University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 6, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.N.T.); (J.-N.D.); (D.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Evidence for the Dissemination to Humans of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 through the Pork Production Chain: A Study in a Portuguese Slaughterhouse. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8121892. [PMID: 33260448 PMCID: PMC7759831 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) ST398 was recovered from infections in humans exposed to animals, raising public health concerns. However, contact with food producing chain as a means of transmission of LA-MRSA to humans remains poorly understood. We aimed to assess if pork production chain is a source of MRSA ST398 for human colonization and infection. MRSA from live pigs, meat, the environment, and slaughterhouse workers were analyzed by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), spa, MLST typing, SNPs and for antibiotic resistance and virulence gene profiles. We compared core and accessory genomes of MRSA ST398 isolated from slaughterhouse and hospital. We detected MRSA ST398 (t011, t108, t1451) along the entire pork production chain (live pigs: 60%; equipment: 38%; meat: 23%) and in workers (40%). All MRSA ST398 were multidrug resistant, and the majority carried genes encoding biocide resistance and enterotoxins. We found 23 cross-transmission events between live pigs, meat, and workers (6–55 SNPs). MRSA ST398 from infection and slaughterhouse environment belonged to the same clonal type (ST398, t011, SCCmec V), but differed in 321–378 SNPs. Pork production chain can be a source of MRSA ST398 for colonization of human slaughterhouse workers, which can represent a risk of subsequent meat contamination and human infection.
Collapse
|
36
|
Lee SI, Kim SD, Park JH, Yang SJ. Species Distribution, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Enterotoxigenicity of Non- aureus Staphylococci in Retail Chicken Meat. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9110809. [PMID: 33203011 PMCID: PMC7697432 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9110809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS), including coagulase-negative staphylococci, have emerged as important causes of opportunistic infections in humans and animals and a potential cause of staphylococcal food poisoning. In this study, we investigated (i) the staphylococcal species profiles of NAS in in retail chicken meat, (ii) the phenotypic and genotypic factors associated with antimicrobial resistance in the NAS isolates, and (iii) the prevalence of classical and newer staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes. A total of 58 NAS of nine different species were isolated from retail raw chicken meat samples. The occurrence of multidrug resistance in the NAS, particularly S. agnetis and S. chromogenes, with high resistance rates against tetracycline or fluoroquinolones were confirmed. The tetracycline resistance was associated with the presence of tet(L) in S. chromogenes and S. hyicus or tet(K) in S. saprophyticus. The occurrence of fluoroquinolone resistance in S. agnetis and S. chromogenes was usually associated with mutations in the quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDR) of gyrA and parC. In addition, the frequent presence of SE genes, especially seh, sej, and sep, was detected in S. agnetis and S. chromogenes. Our findings suggest that NAS in raw chicken meat can have potential roles as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance and enterotoxin genes.
Collapse
|
37
|
Fodor A, Abate BA, Deák P, Fodor L, Gyenge E, Klein MG, Koncz Z, Muvevi J, Ötvös L, Székely G, Vozik D, Makrai L. Multidrug Resistance (MDR) and Collateral Sensitivity in Bacteria, with Special Attention to Genetic and Evolutionary Aspects and to the Perspectives of Antimicrobial Peptides-A Review. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9070522. [PMID: 32610480 PMCID: PMC7399985 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic poly-resistance (multidrug-, extreme-, and pan-drug resistance) is controlled by adaptive evolution. Darwinian and Lamarckian interpretations of resistance evolution are discussed. Arguments for, and against, pessimistic forecasts on a fatal “post-antibiotic era” are evaluated. In commensal niches, the appearance of a new antibiotic resistance often reduces fitness, but compensatory mutations may counteract this tendency. The appearance of new antibiotic resistance is frequently accompanied by a collateral sensitivity to other resistances. Organisms with an expanding open pan-genome, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, can withstand an increased number of resistances by exploiting their evolutionary plasticity and disseminating clonally or poly-clonally. Multidrug-resistant pathogen clones can become predominant under antibiotic stress conditions but, under the influence of negative frequency-dependent selection, are prevented from rising to dominance in a population in a commensal niche. Antimicrobial peptides have a great potential to combat multidrug resistance, since antibiotic-resistant bacteria have shown a high frequency of collateral sensitivity to antimicrobial peptides. In addition, the mobility patterns of antibiotic resistance, and antimicrobial peptide resistance, genes are completely different. The integron trade in commensal niches is fortunately limited by the species-specificity of resistance genes. Hence, we theorize that the suggested post-antibiotic era has not yet come, and indeed might never come.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- András Fodor
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Correspondence: or (A.F.); (L.M.); Tel.: +36-(30)-490-9294 (A.F.); +36-(30)-271-2513 (L.M.)
| | - Birhan Addisie Abate
- Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology Directorate, Addis Ababa 5954, Ethiopia;
| | - Péter Deák
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Fodor
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 22, H-1581 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Ervin Gyenge
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.G.); (G.S.)
- Institute for Research-Development-Innovation in Applied Natural Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele St., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Michael G. Klein
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691, USA;
| | - Zsuzsanna Koncz
- Max-Planck Institut für Pflanzenzüchtungsforschung, Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10, D-50829 Köln, Germany;
| | | | - László Ötvös
- OLPE, LLC, Audubon, PA 19403-1965, USA;
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
- Arrevus, Inc., Raleigh, NC 27612, USA
| | - Gyöngyi Székely
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.G.); (G.S.)
- Institute for Research-Development-Innovation in Applied Natural Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele St., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dávid Vozik
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Veszprem, H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary; or or
| | - László Makrai
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 22, H-1581 Budapest, Hungary;
- Correspondence: or (A.F.); (L.M.); Tel.: +36-(30)-490-9294 (A.F.); +36-(30)-271-2513 (L.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Meroni G, Cardin E, Rendina C, Herrera Millar VR, Soares Filipe JF, Martino PA. In Vitro Efficacy of Essential Oils from Melaleuca Alternifolia and Rosmarinus Officinalis, Manuka Honey-based Gel, and Propolis as Antibacterial Agents Against Canine Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius Strains. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9060344. [PMID: 32575376 PMCID: PMC7345844 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9060344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) and honeybee products (e.g., honey and propolis) are natural mixtures of different volatile compounds that are frequently used in traditional medicine and for pathogen eradication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) EO (TTEO), Rosmarinus officinalis EO (ROEO), manuka-based gel, and propolis against 23 strains of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) isolated from canine pyoderma. Antimicrobial resistance screening was assessed using a panel of nine antimicrobial agents coupled with a PCR approach. An aromatogram was done for both EOs, using the disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for all the compounds. Among the 23 SP strains, 14 (60.9%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR), 11 strains (47.8%) were methicillin-resistant (MRSP), and 9 (39.1%) were non-MDR. The mean diameter of the inhibition zone for Melaleuca and Rosmarinus were 24.5 ± 8.8 mm and 15.2 ± 8.9 mm, respectively, resulting as statistically different (p = 0.0006). MIC values of TTEO and ROEO were similar (7.6 ± 3.2% and 8.9 ± 2.1%, respectively) and no statistical significances were found. Honeybee products showed lower MIC compared to those of EOs, 0.22 ± 0.1% for Manuka and 0.8 ± 0.5% for propolis. These findings reveal a significant antibacterial effect for all the tested products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Meroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, Milan 20133, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-50315326
| | - Elena Cardin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy; (E.C.); (C.R.); (V.R.H.M.); (J.F.S.F.); (P.A.M.)
| | - Charlotte Rendina
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy; (E.C.); (C.R.); (V.R.H.M.); (J.F.S.F.); (P.A.M.)
| | - Valentina Rafaela Herrera Millar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy; (E.C.); (C.R.); (V.R.H.M.); (J.F.S.F.); (P.A.M.)
| | - Joel Fernando Soares Filipe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy; (E.C.); (C.R.); (V.R.H.M.); (J.F.S.F.); (P.A.M.)
| | - Piera Anna Martino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy; (E.C.); (C.R.); (V.R.H.M.); (J.F.S.F.); (P.A.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Smith JT, Amador S, McGonagle CJ, Needle D, Gibson R, Andam CP. Population genomics of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in companion animals in the United States. Commun Biol 2020; 3:282. [PMID: 32503984 PMCID: PMC7275049 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-1009-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a commensal bacterium and a major opportunistic pathogen of dogs. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) is also becoming a serious concern. We carried out a population genomics study of 130 clinical S. pseudintermedius isolates from dogs and cats in the New England region of the United States. Results revealed the co-circulation of phylogenetically diverse lineages that have access to a large pool of accessory genes. Many MRSP and multidrug-resistant clones have emerged through multiple independent, horizontal acquisition of resistance determinants and frequent genetic exchange that disseminate DNA to the broader population. When compared to a Texas population, we found evidence of clonal expansion of MRSP lineages that have disseminated over large distances. These findings provide unprecedented insight into the diversification of a common cutaneous colonizer of man's oldest companion animal and the widespread circulation of multiple high-risk resistant clones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua T Smith
- University of New Hampshire, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Sharlene Amador
- University of New Hampshire, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Colin J McGonagle
- University of New Hampshire, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - David Needle
- New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Robert Gibson
- New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Cheryl P Andam
- University of New Hampshire, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Durham, NH, 03824, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
John J, George S, Nori SRC, Nelson-Sathi S. Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals the Evolutionary Route of Resistant Genes in Staphylococcus aureus. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 11:2917-2926. [PMID: 31589296 PMCID: PMC6808081 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evz213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a leading concern worldwide. Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci are claimed to be the reservoir and source of important resistant elements in S. aureus. However, the origin and evolutionary route of resistant genes in S. aureus are still remaining unknown. Here, we performed a detailed phylogenomic analysis of 152 completely sequenced S. aureus strains in comparison with 7,529 non-Staphylococcus aureus reference bacterial genomes. Our results reveal that S. aureus has a large open pan-genome where 97 (55%) of its known resistant-related genes belonging to its accessory genome. Among these genes, 47 (27%) were located within the Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec), a transposable element responsible for resistance against major classes of antibiotics including beta-lactams, macrolides, and aminoglycosides. However, the physically linked mec-box genes (MecA–MecR–MecI) that are responsible for the maintenance of SCCmec elements is not unique to S. aureus, instead it is widely distributed within Staphylococcaceae family. The phyletic patterns of SCCmec-encoded resistant genes in Staphylococcus species are significantly different from that of its core genes indicating frequent exchange of these genes between Staphylococcus species. Our in-depth analysis of SCCmec-resistant gene phylogenies reveals that genes such as blaZ, ble, kmA, and tetK that are responsible for beta-lactam, bleomycin, kanamycin, and tetracycline resistance in S. aureus were laterally transferred from non-Staphylococcus sources. In addition, at least 11 non-SCCmec-encoded resistant genes in S. aureus, were laterally acquired from distantly related species. Our study evidently shows that gene transfers played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of antibiotic resistance in S. aureus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiffy John
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Sinumol George
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Sai Ravi Chandra Nori
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Shijulal Nelson-Sathi
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Becker K, Both A, Weißelberg S, Heilmann C, Rohde H. Emergence of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:349-366. [DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1730813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Becker
- Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Anna Both
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samira Weißelberg
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Heilmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Holger Rohde
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Rossi CC, Pereira MF, Giambiagi-deMarval M. Underrated Staphylococcus species and their role in antimicrobial resistance spreading. Genet Mol Biol 2020; 43:e20190065. [PMID: 32052827 PMCID: PMC7198029 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2019-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance has shed light on the interconnection between humans, animals, the environment, and their roles in the exchange and spreading of resistance genes. In this review, we present evidences that show that Staphylococcus species, usually referred to as harmless or opportunistic pathogens, represent a threat to human and animal health for acting as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes. The capacity of genetic exchange between isolates of different sources and species of the Staphylococcus genus is discussed with emphasis on mobile genetic elements, the contribution of biofilm formation, and evidences obtained either experimentally or through genome analyses. We also discuss the involvement of CRISPR-Cas systems in the limitation of horizontal gene transfer and its suitability as a molecular clock to describe the history of genetic exchange between staphylococci.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ciro César Rossi
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Marcia Giambiagi-deMarval
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Giulieri SG, Tong SYC, Williamson DA. Using genomics to understand meticillin- and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. Microb Genom 2020; 6:e000324. [PMID: 31913111 PMCID: PMC7067033 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to meticillin and vancomycin in Staphylococcus aureus significantly complicates the management of severe infections like bacteraemia, endocarditis or osteomyelitis. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms and genomic epidemiology of resistance to these agents, with a focus on how genomics has provided insights into the emergence and evolution of major meticillin-resistant S. aureus clones. We also provide insights on the use of bacterial whole-genome sequencing to inform management of S. aureus infections and for control of transmission at the hospital and in the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano G. Giulieri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Infectious Disease Department, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Steven Y. C. Tong
- Victorian Infectious Disease Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Doherty Department University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
| | - Deborah A. Williamson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Microbiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cabrera-Contreras R, Santamaría RI, Bustos P, Martínez-Flores I, Meléndez-Herrada E, Morelos-Ramírez R, Barbosa-Amezcua M, González-Covarrubias V, Silva-Herzog E, Soberón X, González V. Genomic diversity of prevalent Staphylococcus epidermidis multidrug-resistant strains isolated from a Children's Hospital in México City in an eight-years survey. PeerJ 2019; 7:e8068. [PMID: 31768302 PMCID: PMC6874853 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a human commensal and pathogen worldwide distributed. In this work, we surveyed for multi-resistant S. epidermidis strains in eight years at a children's health-care unit in México City. Multidrug-resistant S. epidermidis were present in all years of the study, including resistance to methicillin, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. To understand the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance and its association with virulence and gene exchange, we sequenced the genomes of 17 S. epidermidis isolates. Whole-genome nucleotide identities between all the pairs of S. epidermidis strains were about 97% to 99%. We inferred a clonal structure and eight Multilocus Sequence Types (MLSTs) in the S. epidermidis sequenced collection. The profile of virulence includes genes involved in biofilm formation and phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs). Half of the S. epidermidis analyzed lacked the ica operon for biofilm formation. Likely, they are commensal S. epidermidis strains but multi-antibiotic resistant. Uneven distribution of insertion sequences, phages, and CRISPR-Cas immunity phage systems suggest frequent horizontal gene transfer. Rates of recombination between S. epidermidis strains were more prevalent than the mutation rate and affected the whole genome. Therefore, the multidrug resistance, independently of the pathogenic traits, might explain the persistence of specific highly adapted S. epidermidis clonal lineages in nosocomial settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cabrera-Contreras
- Laboratorio de Patogenicidad Bacteriana, Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rosa I Santamaría
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Patricia Bustos
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Irma Martínez-Flores
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Enrique Meléndez-Herrada
- Laboratorio de Patogenicidad Bacteriana, Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rubén Morelos-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Patogenicidad Bacteriana, Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | | | | | - Xavier Soberón
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Víctor González
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Dhaouadi S, Soufi L, Campanile F, Dhaouadi F, Sociale M, Lazzaro L, Cherif A, Stefani S, Elandoulsi RB. Prevalence of meticillin-resistant and -susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci with the first detection of the mecC gene among cows, humans and manure in Tunisia. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2019; 55:105826. [PMID: 31634550 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In Europe, a novel mecA homologue - mecC (formerly mecALGA251) - has emerged recently in staphylococci from animals, humans and the environment. This paper reports the first occurrence of the mecC gene in Staphylococcus sciuri from cows and manure in Tunisia and Africa. Forty-nine coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were isolated from the milk of cows with mastitis (n=20), manure (n=20) and human nares (n=9), including 16 Staphylococcus equoruim (32.6%), 12 S. xylosus (24.5%), 12 S. sciuri (24.5%), two S. saprophyticus (4.1%), two S. haemolyticus (4.1%), two S. lentus (4.1%), two S. vitulinus (4.1%) and one S. cohnii (2%). CNS from the three origins carried various resistance genes [mecA, blaZ, tet(K), erm(A), erm(B), msr(A)], suggesting an ongoing genetic exchange among CNS from the three niches. The mecA gene was detected in CNS (n=11) recovered from cows, manure and humans, whereas the mecC gene (n=3) was only detected in CNS from cows and manure. Various staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) - SCCmec type I (n=1), II (n=3), IV (n=2), V/VII (n=2) and untypeable (n=3) - and diverse pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns were observed in mecA-positive CNS. Otherwise, similar SCCmec types and PFGE patterns were found in meticillin-resistant CNS within different farms and origins, showing the potential of SCCmec interspecies exchange and circulation of the same clones of meticillin-resistant CNS in the human-animal-environment interface. This study provides baseline data to support clonal dissemination of CNS between cows, humans and manure, and indicates the possible transmission of the mecC gene to humans in contact with cows and manure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sana Dhaouadi
- University of Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia; University of Tunis El Manar, Rommana City, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Leila Soufi
- University of Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Floriana Campanile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Fadoua Dhaouadi
- University of Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Mario Sociale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lazzaro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ameur Cherif
- University of Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Stefania Stefani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Jamrozy D, Misra R, Xu Z, Ter-Stepanyan MM, Kocharyan KS, Cave R, Hambardzumyan AD, Mkrtchyan HV. Novel Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC8 Clone Identified in a Hospital Setting in Armenia. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1592. [PMID: 31354680 PMCID: PMC6635598 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been sparse in low- and middle-income countries, therefore, its population structure is unknown for many regions. We conducted a pilot surveillance of MRSA in the maternity ward of a teaching hospital in Armenia, to characterize the genotypes of circulating MRSA clones. In total, 10 MRSA isolates from a hospital environment (n = 4) and patients (n = 6) were recovered between March and May 2015 and April and May 2016, respectively. WGS analysis showed that the isolates belonged to two clonal complexes (CCs): CC8 (n = 8) and CC30 (n = 2). MRSA CC30 isolates carried staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IVa, whereas MRSA CC8 revealed a type-VT-related SCCmec, which contained a CRISPR/Cas array and showed a high similarity to SCCmec found in coagulase-negative staphylococci. All but one MRSA CC8 isolates carried a plasmid identical to the pSK67 and four also carried a pathogenicity island similar to SaPI5. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the MRSA CC8 isolates formed a monophyletic cluster, which emerged around 1995 and was distinct from representatives of globally-distributed MRSA CC8 lineages. WGS characterization of MRSA in countries with no previous S. aureus genomic surveillance can therefore reveal an unrecognized diversity of MRSA lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Jamrozy
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Saffron Walden, United Kingdom
| | - Raju Misra
- Core Research Laboratories, Molecular Biology, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zhen Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Karine S. Kocharyan
- Department of Epidemiology, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Rory Cave
- School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hermine V. Mkrtchyan
- School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
Dating back to the 1960s, initial studies on the staphylococcal cell wall were driven by the need to clarify the mode of action of the first antibiotics and the resistance mechanisms developed by the bacteria. During the following decades, the elucidation of the biosynthetic path and primary composition of staphylococcal cell walls was propelled by advances in microbial cell biology, specifically, the introduction of high-resolution analytical techniques and molecular genetic approaches. The field of staphylococcal cell wall gradually gained its own significance as the complexity of its chemical structure and involvement in numerous cellular processes became evident, namely its versatile role in host interactions, coordination of cell division and environmental stress signaling.This chapter includes an updated description of the anatomy of staphylococcal cell walls, paying particular attention to information from the last decade, under four headings: high-resolution analysis of the Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan; variations in peptidoglycan composition; genetic determinants and enzymes in cell wall synthesis; and complex functions of cell walls. The latest contributions to a more precise picture of the staphylococcal cell envelope were possible due to recently developed state-of-the-art microscopy and spectroscopy techniques and to a wide combination of -omics approaches, that are allowing to obtain a more integrative view of this highly dynamic structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Sobral
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
The Continuing Threat of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2019; 8:antibiotics8020052. [PMID: 31052511 PMCID: PMC6627156 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics8020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus has been an exceptionally successful pathogen, which is still relevant in modern age-medicine due to its adaptability and tenacity. This bacterium may be a causative agent in a plethora of infections, owing to its abundance (in the environment and in the normal flora) and the variety of virulence factors that it possesses. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains—first described in 1961—are characterized by an altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a/c) and resistance to all penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems, which makes the β-lactam armamentarium clinically ineffective. The acquisition of additional resistance determinants further complicates their eradication; therefore, MRSA can be considered as the first representative of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Based on 230 references, the aim of this review is to recap the history, the emergence, and clinical features of various MRSA infections (hospital-, community-, and livestock-associated), and to summarize the current advances regarding MRSA screening, typing, and therapeutic options (including lipoglycopeptides, oxazolidinones, anti-MRSA cephalosporins, novel pleuromutilin-, tetracycline- and quinolone-derivatives, daptomycin, fusidic acid, in addition to drug candidates in the development phase), both for an audience of clinical microbiologists and infectious disease specialists.
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and to a lesser extent other staphylococcal species, are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. An important factor in the notoriety of these organisms stems from their frequent resistance to many antimicrobial agents used for chemotherapy. This review catalogues the variety of mobile genetic elements that have been identified in staphylococci, with a primary focus on those associated with the recruitment and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. These include plasmids, transposable elements such as insertion sequences and transposons, and integrative elements including ICE and SCC elements. In concert, these diverse entities facilitate the intra- and inter-cellular gene mobility that enables horizontal genetic exchange, and have also been found to play additional roles in modulating gene expression and genome rearrangement.
Collapse
|
50
|
Méric G, Mageiros L, Pensar J, Laabei M, Yahara K, Pascoe B, Kittiwan N, Tadee P, Post V, Lamble S, Bowden R, Bray JE, Morgenstern M, Jolley KA, Maiden MCJ, Feil EJ, Didelot X, Miragaia M, de Lencastre H, Moriarty TF, Rohde H, Massey R, Mack D, Corander J, Sheppard SK. Disease-associated genotypes of the commensal skin bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5034. [PMID: 30487573 PMCID: PMC6261936 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07368-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Some of the most common infectious diseases are caused by bacteria that naturally colonise humans asymptomatically. Combating these opportunistic pathogens requires an understanding of the traits that differentiate infecting strains from harmless relatives. Staphylococcus epidermidis is carried asymptomatically on the skin and mucous membranes of virtually all humans but is a major cause of nosocomial infection associated with invasive procedures. Here we address the underlying evolutionary mechanisms of opportunistic pathogenicity by combining pangenome-wide association studies and laboratory microbiology to compare S. epidermidis from bloodstream and wound infections and asymptomatic carriage. We identify 61 genes containing infection-associated genetic elements (k-mers) that correlate with in vitro variation in known pathogenicity traits (biofilm formation, cell toxicity, interleukin-8 production, methicillin resistance). Horizontal gene transfer spreads these elements, allowing divergent clones to cause infection. Finally, Random Forest model prediction of disease status (carriage vs. infection) identifies pathogenicity elements in 415 S. epidermidis isolates with 80% accuracy, demonstrating the potential for identifying risk genotypes pre-operatively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Méric
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Leonardos Mageiros
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Johan Pensar
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00100, Finland
| | - Maisem Laabei
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
- Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, 205 02, Sweden
| | - Koji Yahara
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Ben Pascoe
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
- MRC Cloud-based Infrastructure for Microbial Bioinformatics (CLIMB) Consortium, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Nattinee Kittiwan
- Integrative Research Centre for Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | | | - Virginia Post
- AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, 7270, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Lamble
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Rory Bowden
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - James E Bray
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Mario Morgenstern
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, 4031, Switzerland
| | - Keith A Jolley
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | | | - Edward J Feil
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Xavier Didelot
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Maria Miragaia
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2775-412, Portugal
| | - Herminia de Lencastre
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2775-412, Portugal
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, 10065, USA
| | | | - Holger Rohde
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Virologie & Hygiene, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Ruth Massey
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Dietrich Mack
- Bioscientia Labor Ingelheim, Institut für Medizinische Diagnostik GmbH, Ingelheim, 55218, Germany
| | - Jukka Corander
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00100, Finland
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0372, Norway
- Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Samuel K Sheppard
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
- MRC Cloud-based Infrastructure for Microbial Bioinformatics (CLIMB) Consortium, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|