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Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in different free-living wild animal species in Spain

M Concepción Porrero1, Gregorio Mentaberre, Sergio Sánchez

  • 1Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET), Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997)
|July 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was found in low prevalence in Spanish wild animals. These animals may act as reservoirs for MRSA, posing a potential public health risk.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Zoonotic Diseases
  • Wildlife Ecology

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant public health threat.
  • Understanding MRSA reservoirs in wildlife is crucial for disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of MRSA in free-living wild animals in Spain.
  • To characterize MRSA isolates from wildlife.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of samples from red deer, Iberian ibex, Eurasian Griffon vultures, and wild boar.
  • MRSA characterization using spa typing, MLST, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Main Results:

  • A low prevalence of MRSA (0.89%) was detected in 12 out of 1375 animals.
  • All MRSA isolates belonged to ST398 and ST1, with specific resistance patterns.
  • Findings suggest MRSA in wildlife may originate from livestock or human sources.

Conclusions:

  • This is the first report of MRSA in free-living wild animals in Europe.
  • While prevalence is currently low, wild animals could serve as MRSA reservoirs.
  • Further monitoring is needed to assess the potential risk to human health.
Keywords:
MLSTMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)Wildlifespa typing

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