Staphylococcus aureus Epidemiology in Wildlife: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• * *Staphylococcus aureus* is a prevalent bacterial colonizer in humans and animals, possessing significant zoonotic potential.
• * Zoonotic strains of *S. aureus* can transfer between humans, livestock, pets, and wildlife.
• * Understanding *S. aureus* distribution and antibiotic resistance in wildlife is crucial for public and animal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To comprehensively review the presence and distribution of *Staphylococcus aureus* strains in various wildlife species.
• * To synthesize information on antibiotic resistance patterns associated with *S. aureus* in wildlife populations.
• * To identify knowledge gaps and guide future research directions.

Main Methods:

• * A qualitative synthesis of 51 published studies reporting *S. aureus* in wildlife.
• * Analysis of identified sequence types (STs) and antimicrobial resistance profiles.
• * Assessment of geographic distribution and study sampling biases.

Main Results:

• * Common *S. aureus* sequence types found in wildlife include ST398, ST425, ST1, ST133, ST130, and ST15.
• * Both methicillin-resistant (*S. aureus*) and methicillin-susceptible (*S. aureus*) strains were identified.
• * Molecular types commonly found in humans and livestock were also detected in wildlife.

Conclusions:

• * Wildlife harbors diverse *S. aureus* strains, including those with zoonotic and livestock-associated origins.
• * Current research is heavily biased towards European studies, necessitating broader geographic sampling.
• * Further investigation into under-sampled regions is essential for a complete understanding of *S. aureus* epidemiology in wildlife.