Genomic differences between nasal Staphylococcus aureus from hog slaughterhouse workers and their communities

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The livestock-human interface is a critical pathway for emerging infectious diseases.
• Occupational exposure to livestock increases the risk of pathogen transmission to humans and communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in nasal Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization between hog slaughterhouse workers and their community members using whole genome sequencing.
• To analyze lineage distribution, genomic features related to pathogenicity, and mobile genetic elements in S. aureus isolates.

Main Methods:

• Whole genome sequencing of nasal S. aureus isolates from hog workers and community residents in a livestock-dense region.
• Bioinformatic analysis of sequence data for lineage distribution, pathogenicity genes, mobile genetic elements, and antibiotic resistance genes.
• Phylogenetic analysis of the abundant ST5 lineage.

Main Results:

• Nasal S. aureus from hog workers exhibited greater lineage diversity compared to community residents.
• Hog worker isolates were less likely to carry the φSa3 prophage and human-specific immune evasion cluster genes.
• Hog worker isolates showed lower prevalence and diversity of enterotoxins but harbored more diverse antibiotic resistance genes and higher carriage of multiple resistance genes.

Conclusions:

• Occupational contact with livestock significantly impacts nasal S. aureus colonization patterns.
• Distinct genomic features and resistance profiles observed between hog worker and community isolates highlight the complex epidemiology at the livestock-human interface.
• Further research is needed to understand S. aureus dynamics at the livestock-human interface.