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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
08:51
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)
Published on: November 4, 2016
Staphylococcus aureus host specificity: comparative genomics of human versus animal isolates by multi-strain
Julia M-L Sung1, David H Lloyd2, Jodi A Lindsay1
1Centre for Infection, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
Microbiology (Reading, England)
|July 5, 2008
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus host specificity is determined by a few genes, not extensive genetic differences, between human and animal strains. Limited mobile genetic element exchange occurs, with animal lineages closely related to human ones.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile bacterium, acting as both a commensal and pathogen in humans and animals.
- Understanding the genetic basis of host specificity is crucial for controlling S. aureus infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify S. aureus genes linked to host specificity.
- To assess the genetic relatedness of human and animal S. aureus isolates.
- To investigate the exchange of mobile genetic elements encoding virulence and resistance genes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic analysis using a seven-strain S. aureus microarray.
- Analysis of 56 UK animal (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, camel) and 161 UK human S. aureus isolates.
- Whole-genome approach to identify variable genes and mobile genetic elements.
Main Results:
- Animal S. aureus clustered into ten lineages, with four unique to animals (ST151, ST771, ST130, ST873).
- Bovine mastitis was primarily caused by animal-specific lineages (ST151, ST771, ST97), while horse isolates often belonged to human lineages.
- Key genes like fnbA, fnbB, and coa showed variability or absence in animal lineages; mobile genetic elements like chp, scn, sak, and bap were less common in animal isolates.
Conclusions:
- Host specificity in S. aureus appears to be governed by a limited set of genes or gene combinations.
- Animal and human S. aureus lineages are closely related, suggesting potential for host adaptation.
- While some mobile genetic element exchange is possible, evidence for widespread antibiotic resistance gene transfer between animal and human isolates is limited.
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