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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
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Virulent methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in street vended foods

M Sivakumar1, Zunjar B Dubal1, Ashok Kumar1

  • 11Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP 243 122 India.

Journal of Food Science and Technology
|April 9, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Street foods can transmit dangerous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study found MRSA in street foods, highlighting the need for improved food safety practices among vendors and consumers.

Area of Science:

  • Food safety
  • Microbiology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Street foods are a significant source of foodborne illnesses.
  • Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), is a key pathogen transmitted via food.
  • MRSA poses a considerable public health risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate street-vended foods of animal origin as a potential reservoir for MRSA.
  • To characterize isolated S. aureus strains for antibiotic resistance and virulence factors.
  • To assess the genetic diversity of MRSA isolates from street food environments.

Main Methods:

  • Processed 430 street-vended food samples (meat, milk, eggs, and products) and environmental samples.
  • Isolated and identified Staphylococcus aureus using standard microbiological techniques.
  • Performed disc diffusion tests for antibiotic susceptibility, genotypic screening (mecA, blaZ), virulence gene profiling (nuc, coa, clfA, spA, FnbA, sea), and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR for genetic diversity.

Main Results:

  • Isolated 52 (12.1%) S. aureus strains.
  • Observed high resistance to penicillin G (82.7%), moderate resistance to oxacillin (36.5%) and cefoxitin (25%).
  • Detected mecA in 17.3% of isolates, confirming MRSA. Virulence genes (nuc, coa, clfA, spA, FnbA, sea) were prevalent, with nuc and coa found in nearly all isolates. Significant genetic diversity was noted.

Conclusions:

  • Street-vended foods are a potential source of virulent MRSA, posing a public health concern.
  • The presence of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in MRSA from street foods underscores the risk of foodborne infections.
  • Educational initiatives for consumers and vendors on food quality and safety are crucial to mitigate risks.
Keywords:
Food safetyIndiaMRSAStreet vended foods

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