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Published on: January 17, 2025
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CC398 Staphylococcus aureus subpopulations in Belgian patients.
M Angeles Argudín1, A Deplano2, S Vandendriessche3
1National Reference Centre-Staphylococcus aureus, Department of Microbiology, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070, Brussels, Belgium. maria.argudin@erasme.ulb.ac.be.
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex 398 (CC398) in Belgian patients comprises human-adapted (HC) and animal-associated (AC) clades. Genetic markers reveal distinct gene profiles, indicating CC398
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Clonal complex (CC) 398 Staphylococcus aureus exists as two subpopulations: human-adapted clade (HC) and animal-associated clade (AC).
- Understanding the genetic makeup and distribution of these CC398 subpopulations is crucial for clinical and epidemiological surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and genetic characteristics of CC398 subpopulations in human isolates from Belgium.
- To identify genetic markers for discriminating between human-adapted and animal-associated CC398 clades.
- To analyze the distribution of virulence factors and resistance genes within these CC398 subpopulations.
Main Methods:
- Spa-typing and 16S-mecA-nuc PCR were used for initial isolate characterization.
- Canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) PCR classified CC398 isolates into HC or AC.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility, toxin genes, immune evasion cluster (IEC), and resistance genes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Of 124 CC398 isolates from Belgian patients, 58 were classified as HC and 66 as AC.
- HC-CC398 isolates predominantly carried erm(T), pvl, chp, and scn genes.
- AC-CC398 isolates more frequently harbored mecA, erm(C), tet(K), tet(M), and tet(L) genes, with some isolates showing mixed characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Belgian CC398 isolates represent diverse subpopulations, including typical HC and AC, as well as emerging groups.
- The acquisition of resistance and virulence genes by CC398 highlights its adaptability in the clinical setting.
- Further research is necessary to monitor the clinical emergence of these CC398 subpopulations.
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