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Updated: Oct 23, 2025
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Molecular detection of vancomycin and methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from food processing
Ahosanul H Shahid1, K H M Nazmul Hussain Nazir1, Mohamed E El Zowalaty2
1Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known foodborne pathogen. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of S. aureus isolated from serving utensils in food processing environments in Mymensingh city, Bangladesh and to determine their antibiogram and resistance determinants. A total of 120 environmental samples were collected from different food settings. Isolation and identification were conducted using conventional biochemical tests. Molecular identification of isolates and detection of methicillin and vancomycin resistance were done using primer-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting Tuf, nuc, mecA, and mecC genes. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed, and resistance genes were also detected by amplifying bla , vanA, vanB, and vanC genes. Among the 120 samples, 81 (67.5%) were positive for Staphylococcus spp. and 41 (50.62%) were positive for the nuc-gene. Among the 41 isolates, 5 (12.20%) were positive for mecA, but none were positive for the mecC gene. A total of 12.2% of the isolates were vanC-positive, of which 4 isolates (9.76%) were also positive for the mecA gene. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that all S. aureus isolates (100%) from hotel samples were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol, 90.32% were sensitive to doxycycline, and 80.65% were sensitive to streptomycin. Conversely, all isolates (100%) were resistant to ampicillin, and 29.03% were resistant to vancomycin. All S. aureus isolates obtained from non-hotel samples were susceptible to chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, meropenem, and vancomycin; however, 40% of isolates were resistant to novobiocin. Among the hotel isolates, 29 (93.55%) of the ampicillin-resistant isolates harbored the blaTEM gene while 5 (55.55%) of the vancomycin-resistant isolates harbored the vanC gene. Four of the five vanC positive isolates were also positive for the mecA gene. The presence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) which is also vancomycin-resistant in food processing environments is a threat to public health. This is the first report on the molecular detection of methicillin and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus isolated from food processing environments in Bangladesh.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus were found on serving utensils in Bangladesh food environments. This highlights a significant public health risk from these resistant bacteria in food processing areas.
Area of Science:
- Food Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant foodborne pathogen.
- Food processing environments can harbor resistant bacterial strains.
- Understanding resistance patterns is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect Staphylococcus aureus on serving utensils in food processing environments in Mymensingh city, Bangladesh.
- To determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles (antibiogram) of isolated S. aureus.
- To identify specific resistance genes, including those for methicillin and vancomycin resistance.
Main Methods:
- Collected 120 environmental samples from various food settings.
- Used conventional biochemical tests for isolation and identification.
- Employed primer-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for molecular identification (Tuf, nuc genes) and detection of resistance genes (mecA, mecC, blaTEM, vanA, vanB, vanC).
- Performed antibiotic sensitivity testing.
Main Results:
- 81% of samples were positive for Staphylococcus spp., with 50.62% confirmed as S. aureus (nuc-gene positive).
- 12.20% of isolates carried the mecA gene (methicillin resistance), and none carried mecC.
- 12.2% of isolates were vanC-positive, with 9.76% co-harboring the mecA gene.
- All hotel isolates were resistant to ampicillin; 29.03% were resistant to vancomycin.
- Non-hotel isolates showed 40% resistance to novobiocin but were susceptible to vancomycin.
- blaTEM gene was found in 93.55% of ampicillin-resistant hotel isolates; vanC gene in 55.55% of vancomycin-resistant isolates.
Conclusions:
- The study identified methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus on serving utensils in food processing environments.
- The presence of these multidrug-resistant strains poses a substantial threat to public health.
- This is the first report of molecular detection of methicillin and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus in food processing environments in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for surveillance and control measures.
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