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Simon SJ, Sater M, Herriott I, Huntley M, Briars E, Hollenbeck BL. Staphylococcus epidermidis joint isolates: Whole-genome sequencing demonstrates evidence of hospital transmission and common antimicrobial resistance. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2024; 45:150-156. [PMID: 38099465 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2023.253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated genetic, epidemiologic, and environmental factors contributing to positive Staphylococcus epidermidis joint cultures. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study with whole-genome sequencing (WGS). PATIENTS We identified S. epidermidis isolates from hip or knee cultures in patients with 1 or more prior corresponding intra-articular procedure at our hospital. METHODS WGS and single-nucleotide polymorphism-based clonality analyses were performed, including species identification, in silico multilocus sequence typing (MLST), phylogenomic analysis, and genotypic assessment of the prevalence of specific antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. Epidemiologic review was performed to compare cluster and noncluster cases. RESULTS In total, 60 phenotypically distinct S. epidermidis isolates were identified. After removal of duplicates and impure samples, 48 isolates were used for the phylogenomic analysis, and 45 (93.7%) isolates were included in the clonality analysis. Notably, 5 S. epidermidis strains (10.4%) showed phenotypic susceptibility to oxacillin yet harbored mecA, and 3 (6.2%) strains showed phenotypic resistance despite not having mecA. Smr was found in all isolates, and mupA positivity was not observed. We also identified 6 clonal clusters from the clonality analysis, which accounted for 14 (31.1%) of the 45 S. epidermidis isolates. Our epidemiologic investigation revealed ties to common aspirations or operative procedures, although no specific common source was identified. CONCLUSIONS Most S. epidermidis isolates from clinical joint samples are diverse in origin, but we identified an important subset of 31.1% that belonged to subclinical healthcare-associated clusters. Clusters appeared to resolve spontaneously over time, suggesting the benefit of routine hospital infection control and disinfection practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Simon
- Research Department, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | - Brian L Hollenbeck
- Research Department, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Infectious Diseases, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Look Who's Talking: Host and Pathogen Drivers of Staphylococcus epidermidis Virulence in Neonatal Sepsis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020860. [PMID: 35055041 PMCID: PMC8775791 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm infants are at increased risk for invasive neonatal bacterial infections. S. epidermidis, a ubiquitous skin commensal, is a major cause of late-onset neonatal sepsis, particularly in high-resource settings. The vulnerability of preterm infants to serious bacterial infections is commonly attributed to their distinct and developing immune system. While developmentally immature immune defences play a large role in facilitating bacterial invasion, this fails to explain why only a subset of infants develop infections with low-virulence organisms when exposed to similar risk factors in the neonatal ICU. Experimental research has explored potential virulence mechanisms contributing to the pathogenic shift of commensal S. epidermidis strains. Furthermore, comparative genomics studies have yielded insights into the emergence and spread of nosocomial S. epidermidis strains, and their genetic and functional characteristics implicated in invasive disease in neonates. These studies have highlighted the multifactorial nature of S. epidermidis traits relating to pathogenicity and commensalism. In this review, we discuss the known host and pathogen drivers of S. epidermidis virulence in neonatal sepsis and provide future perspectives to close the gap in our understanding of S. epidermidis as a cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
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Araujo-Alves AV, Kraychete GB, Gilmore MS, Barros EM, Giambiagi-deMarval M. shsA: A novel orthologous of sasX/sesI virulence genes is detected in Staphylococcus haemolyticus Brazilian strains. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 97:105189. [PMID: 34920103 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The surface protein SasX, has a key role in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and pathogenesis, and has been associated with the epidemic success of some MRSA clones. To date, only one SasX homologous protein, named SesI, has been described in Staphylococcus epidermidis. In this work, we analyze the occurrence of the sasX gene and its genetic environment in Staphylococcus haemolyticus S. haemolyticus clinical strains (n = 62) were screened for the presence of the sasX gene and its carrier, the prophage Φ SPβ-like. A deep characterization was done in one strain (MD43), through which we determined the complete nucleotide sequence for the S. haemolitycus sasX-like gene. Whole genome sequencing of strain MD43 was performed, and the gene, termed here because of its unique attributes, shsA, was mapped to the Φ SPβ-like prophage sequence. The shsA gene was detected in 33 out of 62 strains showing an average identity of 92 and 96% with the sasX and sesI genes and at the amino acid level, 88% identity with SasX and 92% identity with SesI. The ~124Kb Φ SPβ-like prophage sequence showed a largely intact prophage compared to its counterpart in S. epidermidis strain RP62A, including the sesI insertion site. In conclusion, we identified a new sasX ortholog in S. haemolyticus (shsA). Its horizontal spread from this reservoir could represent an emergent threat in healthcare facilities since so far, no S. aureus sasX+ strains have been reported in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda V Araujo-Alves
- Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriela B Kraychete
- Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Michael S Gilmore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elaine M Barros
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Marcia Giambiagi-deMarval
- Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil..
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4
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VanAken SM, Newton D, VanEpps JS. Improved diagnostic prediction of the pathogenicity of bloodstream isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0241457. [PMID: 33770084 PMCID: PMC7997010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
With an estimated 440,000 active cases occurring each year, medical device associated infections pose a significant burden on the US healthcare system, costing about $9.8 billion in 2013. Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common cause of these device-associated infections, which typically involve isolates that are multi-drug resistant and possess multiple virulence factors. S. epidermidis is also frequently a benign contaminant of otherwise sterile blood cultures. Therefore, tests that distinguish pathogenic from non-pathogenic isolates would improve the accuracy of diagnosis and prevent overuse/misuse of antibiotics. Attempts to use multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) with machine learning for this purpose had poor accuracy (~73%). In this study we sought to improve the diagnostic accuracy of predicting pathogenicity by focusing on phenotypic markers (i.e., antibiotic resistance, growth fitness in human plasma, and biofilm forming capacity) and the presence of specific virulence genes (i.e., mecA, ses1, and sdrF). Commensal isolates from healthy individuals (n = 23), blood culture contaminants (n = 21), and pathogenic isolates considered true bacteremia (n = 54) were used. Multiple machine learning approaches were applied to characterize strains as pathogenic vs non-pathogenic. The combination of phenotypic markers and virulence genes improved the diagnostic accuracy to 82.4% (sensitivity: 84.9% and specificity: 80.9%). Oxacillin resistance was the most important variable followed by growth rate in plasma. This work shows promise for the addition of phenotypic testing in clinical diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. VanAken
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Duane Newton
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - J. Scott VanEpps
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- Michigan Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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5
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França A, Gaio V, Lopes N, Melo LDR. Virulence Factors in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci. Pathogens 2021; 10:170. [PMID: 33557202 PMCID: PMC7913919 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have emerged as major pathogens in healthcare-associated facilities, being S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus and, more recently, S. lugdunensis, the most clinically relevant species. Despite being less virulent than the well-studied pathogen S. aureus, the number of CoNS strains sequenced is constantly increasing and, with that, the number of virulence factors identified in those strains. In this regard, biofilm formation is considered the most important. Besides virulence factors, the presence of several antibiotic-resistance genes identified in CoNS is worrisome and makes treatment very challenging. In this review, we analyzed the different aspects involved in CoNS virulence and their impact on health and food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela França
- Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (V.G.); (N.L.)
| | | | | | - Luís D. R. Melo
- Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (V.G.); (N.L.)
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Månsson E, Bech Johannesen T, Nilsdotter-Augustinsson Å, Söderquist B, Stegger M. Comparative genomics of Staphylococcus epidermidis from prosthetic-joint infections and nares highlights genetic traits associated with antimicrobial resistance, not virulence. Microb Genom 2021; 7:000504. [PMID: 33439116 PMCID: PMC8208700 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increased awareness of the worldwide spread of specific epidemic multidrug-resistant (MDR) lineages of the human commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis. Here, using bioinformatic analyses accounting for population structure, we determined genomic traits (genes, SNPs and k-mers) that distinguish S. epidermidis causing prosthetic-joint infections (PJIs) from commensal isolates from nares, by analysing whole-genome sequencing data from S. epidermidis from PJIs prospectively collected over 10 years in Sweden, and contemporary S. epidermidis from the nares of patients scheduled for arthroplasty surgery. Previously suggested virulence determinants and the presence of genes and mutations linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) were also investigated. Publicly available S. epidermidis sequences were used for international extrapolation and validation of findings. Our data show that S. epidermidis causing PJIs differed from nasal isolates not by virulence but by traits associated with resistance to compounds used in prevention of PJIs: β-lactams, aminoglycosides and chlorhexidine. Almost a quarter of the PJI isolates did not belong to any of the previously described major nosocomial lineages, but the AMR-related traits were also over-represented in these isolates, as well as in international S. epidermidis isolates originating from PJIs. Genes previously associated with virulence in S. epidermidis were over-represented in individual lineages, but failed to reach statistical significance when adjusted for population structure. Our findings suggest that the current strategies for prevention of PJIs select for nosocomial MDR S. epidermidis lineages that have arisen from horizontal gene transfer of AMR-related traits into multiple genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeli Månsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Centre for Clinical Research, Hospital of Västmanland, Region Västmanland – Uppsala University, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Thor Bech Johannesen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Åsa Nilsdotter-Augustinsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Bo Söderquist
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Marc Stegger
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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7
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Golińska E, Strus M, Tomusiak-Plebanek A, Więcek G, Kozień Ł, Lauterbach R, Pawlik D, Rzepecka-Węglarz B, Kędzierska J, Dorycka M, Heczko PB. Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Contained in Gut Microbiota as a Primary Source of Sepsis in Low- and Very Low Birth Weight Neonates. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9082517. [PMID: 32759861 PMCID: PMC7464628 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9082517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There are only a few reports in the literature about translocation of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) as a primary cause of sepsis in neonates, although CoNS are among a short list of “translocating” bacteria when present in abundance. Methods: 468 blood samples, 119 stool samples, and 8 catheter tips, from 311 neonates, were tested for presence of microorganisms. CoNS strains isolated from the blood and stool or from blood and catheter tip of the same newborn at approximately the same time were paired and typed with PFGE (Pulse-Field Gel Electrophoresis) method. The strains were then tested for the presence of adherence genes and biofilm formation. Results: The strains with identical PFGE profiles in comparison to those with non-identical profiles differed in terms of the pattern of the virulence genes and showed a lack of the genes related to adherence, but more often presence of IS256, which is related to virulence. They also were phenotypically unable to adhere to intestinal Caco2 cells. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of CoNS strains isolated from bloodstream of VLBW/LWB neonates was identical to the strains isolated from faeces of the same neonates at the same time. These observations may offer indirect evidence indicating that at least some CoNS can translocate from the gastrointestinal tract of the premature neonates into the bloodstream and thus cause generalized infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Golińska
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Cracow, Poland; (E.G.); (A.T.-P.); (G.W.); (Ł.K.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Magdalena Strus
- Department of Neonatology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, 31-501 Cracow, Poland; (R.L.); (D.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Tomusiak-Plebanek
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Cracow, Poland; (E.G.); (A.T.-P.); (G.W.); (Ł.K.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Grażyna Więcek
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Cracow, Poland; (E.G.); (A.T.-P.); (G.W.); (Ł.K.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Łucja Kozień
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Cracow, Poland; (E.G.); (A.T.-P.); (G.W.); (Ł.K.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Ryszard Lauterbach
- Department of Neonatology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, 31-501 Cracow, Poland; (R.L.); (D.P.)
| | - Dorota Pawlik
- Department of Neonatology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, 31-501 Cracow, Poland; (R.L.); (D.P.)
| | | | | | - Małgorzata Dorycka
- Microbiological Laboratory, Diagnostics Inc. Krakow Branch, 31-864 Cracow, Poland;
| | - Piotr B. Heczko
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Cracow, Poland; (E.G.); (A.T.-P.); (G.W.); (Ł.K.); (P.B.H.)
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Foster TJ. Surface Proteins of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1829. [PMID: 32849430 PMCID: PMC7403478 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a ubiquitous commensal of human skin. The widespread use of indwelling medical devices in modern medicine provides an opportunity for it to cause infections. Disease causing isolates can come from many different genetic backgrounds. Multiply antibiotic resistant strains have spread globally. S. epidermidis has a smaller repertoire of cell wall anchored (CWA) surface proteins than Staphylococcus aureus. Nevertheless, these CWA proteins promote adhesion to components of the extracellular matrix including collagen, fibrinogen, and fibronectin and contribute to the formation of biofilm. The A domain of the accumulation associated protein Aap can promote adhesion to unconditioned biomaterial but must be removed proteolytically to allow accumulation to proceed by homophilic Zn2+-dependent interactions. Mature biofilm contains amyloid structures formed by Aap and the small basic protein (Sbp). The latter contributes to the integrity of both protein and polysaccharide biofilm matrices. Several other CWA proteins can also promote S. epidermidis biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Foster
- Department of Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Overview of Staphylococcus epidermidis cell wall-anchored proteins: potential targets to inhibit biofilm formation. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 47:771-784. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05139-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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10
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Ortega-Peña S, Vargas-Mendoza CF, Franco-Cendejas R, Aquino-Andrade A, Vazquez-Rosas GJ, Betanzos-Cabrera G, Guerrero-Barajas C, Jan-Roblero J, Rodríguez-Martínez S, Cancino-Diaz ME, Cancino Diaz JC. sesA, sesB, sesC, sesD, sesE, sesG, sesH,andembpgenes are genetic markers that differentiate commensal isolates ofStaphylococcus epidermidisfrom isolates that cause prosthetic joint infection. Infect Dis (Lond) 2019; 51:435-445. [DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2019.1597276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Silvestre Ortega-Peña
- Laboratory of Infectology, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación “Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra”, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departments of Microbiology, Zoology and Immunology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos F. Vargas-Mendoza
- Departments of Microbiology, Zoology and Immunology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Franco-Cendejas
- Laboratory of Infectology, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación “Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Gabriel Betanzos-Cabrera
- Área Académica de Nutrición and Toxicología Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Claudia Guerrero-Barajas
- Deparment of Bioprocesses, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Janet Jan-Roblero
- Departments of Microbiology, Zoology and Immunology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sandra Rodríguez-Martínez
- Departments of Microbiology, Zoology and Immunology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mario E. Cancino-Diaz
- Departments of Microbiology, Zoology and Immunology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan C. Cancino Diaz
- Departments of Microbiology, Zoology and Immunology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
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Bakthavatchalam YD, Arumugam A, Veeraraghavan B. An invasive marker Staphylococcus epidermidis surface protein I (SesI) harboured by a ST239 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2019; 18:122-125. [PMID: 30797090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recently, the virulence factor sasX was described on the mobile genetic element φSPβ prophage in a ST239-SCCmecIII methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clone. The aim of this study was to identify sesI, an sasX homologue, in an MRSA ST239 strain. METHODS MRSA strain VB1490 was isolated from a patient with MRSA bacteraemia in India. Staphylococcal cassette chromosomemec (SCCmec) typing and whole-genome shotgun sequencing were performed. Phylogenetic analysis of VB1490 and ST239 reference genomes from the NCBI database was performed. Amplification and sequencing of the sasX gene was performed to establish allele homology. RESULTS The sasX gene identified in isolate VB1490 was more similar to the sesI gene of Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A than the sasX gene of ST239 MRSA strain. Whole-genome analysis revealed the presence of the sasX gene on a φSPβ-like prophage that exhibited high sequence identity to that of S. epidermidis strain RP62A. CONCLUSION These finding suggests the dissemination of the invasion-determining virulence factorsesI from S. epidermidis to a ST239 MRSA strain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amala Arumugam
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Balaji Veeraraghavan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, Tamil Nadu, India.
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