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Published on: December 3, 2011
Identification and molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus and multi-drug resistant MRSA from monkey
Yang Li1,2,3, Yuanyue Tang1,2,3, Jingwei Ren1,2,3
1Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agri-Food Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal bacterium and an important opportunistic pathogen in humans and animals. The increase in multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of S. aureus is a growing concern due to their impact on animal health and potential for zoonotic transmission. Increasing evidence has shown that MRSA could be transmitted by faeces. The present study determined the prevalence, antibiotic resistance profile and genotypic characteristics of S. aureus isolated from monkey faecal samples in China. Thirty-eight out of 145 (26.21%) macaque faecal samples were S. aureus positive, which eight (5.5%) isolates were identified as MRSA. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that most of the S. aureus isolates were resistant to tetracycline (TE, 44.74%), followed by penicillin (P, 21.05%), cefoxitin (FOX, 21.05%) and ciprofloxacin (CIP, 18.42%). The predominant spa types were t13638 (44.74%) and t189 (13.16%), which are reported to be closely associated with human infections in China. All MRSA isolates belonged to the SCCmecV type, which six of MRSA isolates were ST3268, while the other two isolates belonged to ST4981. This study for the first time describes the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA in monkey faeces in China, indicating that faeces could be a potential factor of transmitting S. aureus between humans and monkeys.
Insights
Monkey feces in China harbor Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA). This highlights a potential route for transmitting these antibiotic-resistant bacteria between monkeys and humans.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium and opportunistic pathogen in humans and animals.
- Multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pose a significant threat due to animal health impacts and zoonotic transmission potential.
- Faecal transmission of MRSA is increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence, antibiotic resistance patterns, and genetic features of Staphylococcus aureus in monkey faecal samples in China.
- To assess the role of monkey faeces as a potential reservoir and transmission source for S. aureus and MRSA.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus from macaque faecal samples.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to determine resistance profiles.
- Genotyping, including spa typing and SCCmec typing, for MRSA isolates.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 26.21% of 145 faecal samples.
- Eight isolates (5.5%) were identified as MRSA.
- High resistance rates were observed for tetracycline (44.74%), penicillin (21.05%), cefoxitin (21.05%), and ciprofloxacin (18.42%).
- Predominant spa types were t13638 and t189, associated with human infections.
- All MRSA isolates carried SCCmecV type, with sequence types ST3268 and ST4981.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to report the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA in monkey faeces in China.
- Monkey faeces represent a potential vehicle for the transmission of S. aureus and MRSA between non-human primates and humans.
- Findings underscore the importance of monitoring animal reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to prevent zoonotic spread.
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