MRSA CC398 recovered from wild boar harboring new SCCmec type IV J3 variant

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Genomics
• Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance

Background:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant public health concern.
• Wildlife can act as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
• Previous studies have identified MRSA CC398 in livestock, but less is known about its prevalence in wild animals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first recovery of MRSA CC398 from a wild boar in Portugal.
• To characterize the genetic features of the isolated MRSA strain using whole genome sequencing.
• To emphasize the importance of wildlife surveillance in understanding antimicrobial resistance dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Bacterial isolation and identification from a wild boar sample.
• Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the MRSA isolate.
• Analysis of WGS data to characterize the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type and other genetic elements.

Main Results:

• A MRSA CC398 strain was successfully isolated from a wild female boar.
• The WGS analysis revealed a novel variant of SCCmec type IV.
• This variant possessed an uncommon J3 region, distinguishing it from previously described SCCmec types.

Conclusions:

• Wild boar can harbor and potentially disseminate MRSA CC398.
• Whole genome sequencing provides valuable insights into the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes.
• A One Health approach integrating wildlife, livestock, and human surveillance is crucial for effective antimicrobial resistance control.