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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Enhanced adherence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius sequence type 71 to canine and human
Francesca Latronico, Arshnee Moodley1, Søren Saxmose Nielsen
1Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. asm@sund.ku.dk.
Abstract:
The recent worldwide spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) in dogs is a reason for concern due to the typical multidrug resistance patterns displayed by some MRSP lineages such as sequence type (ST) 71. The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro adherence properties between MRSP and methicillin-susceptible (MSSP) strains. Four MRSP, including a human and a canine strain belonging to ST71 and two canine non-ST71 strains, and three genetically unrelated MSSP were tested on corneocytes collected from five dogs and six humans. All strains were fully characterized with respect to genetic background and cell wall-anchored protein (CWAP) gene content. Seventy-seven strain-corneocyte combinations were tested using both exponential- and stationary-phase cultures. Negative binomial regression analysis of counts of bacterial cells adhering to corneocytes revealed that adherence was significantly influenced by host and strain genotype regardless of bacterial growth phase. The two MRSP ST71 strains showed greater adherence than MRSP non-ST71 (p < 0.0001) and MSSP (p < 0.0001). This phenotypic trait was not associated to any specific CWAP gene. In general, S. pseudintermedius adherence to canine corneocytes was significantly higher compared to human corneocytes (p < 0.0001), but the MRSP ST71 strain of human origin adhered equally well to canine and human corneocytes, suggesting that MRSP ST71 may be able to adapt to human skin. The genetic basis of the enhanced in vitro adherence of ST71 needs to be elucidated as this phenotypic trait may be associated to the epidemiological success and zoonotic potential of this epidemic MRSP clone.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) ST71 strains show enhanced adherence to skin cells compared to other MRSP and susceptible strains. This increased adherence may contribute to the spread and zoonotic potential of MRSP ST71.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is a growing concern in veterinary medicine, particularly multidrug-resistant lineages like sequence type (ST) 71.
- Understanding bacterial adherence is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms behind MRSP's epidemiological success and potential zoonotic transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the in vitro adherence properties of MRSP, including ST71 strains, and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MSSP) strains.
- To investigate the influence of host origin (canine vs. human) on bacterial adherence.
- To explore potential associations between adherence and cell wall-anchored protein (CWAP) gene content.
Main Methods:
- In vitro adherence assays using MRSP and MSSP strains tested on corneocytes from dogs and humans.
- Comprehensive genetic characterization of bacterial strains, including CWAP gene content.
- Statistical analysis using negative binomial regression to evaluate adherence factors.
Main Results:
- MRSP ST71 strains exhibited significantly greater adherence to corneocytes than non-ST71 MRSP and MSSP strains.
- Bacterial adherence was significantly influenced by host origin, with higher adherence to canine corneocytes generally observed.
- A human-origin MRSP ST71 strain demonstrated equal adherence to both canine and human corneocytes, suggesting potential adaptation to human hosts.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced in vitro adherence is a key characteristic of MRSP ST71 strains, potentially contributing to their epidemic spread.
- MRSP ST71's ability to adhere to human skin cells warrants further investigation into its zoonotic potential.
- The genetic basis for the enhanced adherence of MRSP ST71 requires further elucidation.
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