Methicillin Resistant Staphylococci Isolated from Goats and Their Farm Environments in Saudi Arabia Genotypically Linked to Known Human Clinical Isolates: a Pilot Study.

We conducted a pilot whole genome sequencing (WGS) study to characterize the genotypes of nine methicillin resistant staphylococci (MRS) isolates recovered from goats and their farm environments in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, between November 2019 to August 2020. Seven out of nine isolates were methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and two were methicillin resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). All MRSA isolates possessed genotypes previously identified to infect humans, including isolates harboring ST6-SCCmec IV-t304 (n = 4), ST5-SCCmec VI- t688 (n = 2) and ST5-SCCmec V-t311 (n = 1). 2 MRSA isolates possessed plasmids that were genetically similar to those identified in S. aureus isolates recovered from humans and poultry. In contrast, plasmids found in three MRSA isolates and one MRSE isolate were genetically similar to those recovered from humans. All MRSA isolates harbored the host innate modulate genes sak and scn previously associated with human infections. The genotypes of MRSE isolates were determined as ST35, a well-known zoonotic sequence type and ST153, which has been associated with humans. However, the MRSE isolates were untypeable due to extra ccr complexes identified in their SCCmec elements. Moreover, we identified in ST153 isolate SCCmec element also harbored the Arginine Catabolic Mobile Element (ACME) IV. All MRS isolates were phenotypically resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic for the decolonization of MRS. Three isolates carried antibiotic resistance genes in their SCCmec elements that were not previously described, including those encoding fusidic acid resistance (fusC) and trimethoprim resistance (dfrC) incorporated in the MRSA SCCmec VI. IMPORTANCE Our findings demonstrate a possible cross-transmission of methicillin resistant staphylococci between goats and their local environments and between goats and humans. Due to ever increasing resistance to multiple antibiotics, the burden of MRS has a significant impact on livestock farming, public health, and the economy worldwide. This study highlights that implementing a holistic approach to whole genome sequencing surveillance in livestock and farm environments would aid our understanding of the transmission of methicillin resistant staphylococci and, most importantly, allow us to implement appropriate infection control and hygiene practices.

Whole genome sequencing revealed new molecular characteristics in multidrug resistant staphylococci recovered from high frequency touched surfaces in London.

The rise of antibiotic resistance (AMR) is one of the most important public health threats worldwide.Today, increasing attention is being paid to multidrug resistant staphylococci isolated from healthcare and non-healthcare environments as the treatment of these bacteria has become increasingly difficult. In this study, we compared staphylococci isolates recovered from high frequency touched surfaces from public areas in the community and hospitals in East and West London. 281 out of 600 (46.83%) staphylococci isolates recovered were multidrug resistant, of which 49 (8.17%) were mecA positive. There was significantly higher proportion of multidrug resistant staphylococci (P = 0.0002) in East London (56.7%) compared to West London (49.96%). The most common species identified as multidrug resistant were S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus and S. hominis, whereas penicillin, fusidic acid and erythromycin were the most frequent antibiotics the isolates were resistant to. Whole genome sequenced of mecA positive isolates revealed that S. sciuri isolates carried the mecA1 gene, which has only 84.43% homology with mecA. In addition, other frequently identified resistance genes included blaZ, qacA/B and dfrC. We have also identified a diverse range of SCCmec types, many of which were untypable due to carrying a novel combination of ccr genes or multiple ccr complexes.