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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations
Published on: December 7, 2021
Accessory Genome Dynamics of Local and Global Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Populations
Spencer A Bruce1, Joshua T Smith2,3, Jennifer L Mydosh2
1Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a major bacterial colonizer and opportunistic pathogen in dogs. Methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) continues to emerge as a significant challenge to maintaining canine health. We sought to determine the phylogenetic relationships of S. pseudintermedius across five states in the New England region of the United States and place them in a global context. The New England dataset consisted of 125 previously published S. pseudintermedius genomes supplemented with 45 newly sequenced isolates. The core genome phylogenetic tree revealed many deep branching lineages consisting of 142 multi-locus sequence types (STs). In silico detection of the mecA gene revealed 40 MRSP and 130 methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) isolates. MRSP were derived from five structural types of SCCmec, the mobile genetic element that carries the mecA gene conferring methicillin resistance. Although many genomes were MSSP, they nevertheless harbored genes conferring resistance to many other antibiotic classes, including aminoglycosides, macrolides, tetracyclines and penams. We compared the New England genomes to 297 previously published genomes sampled from five other states in the United States and 13 other countries. Despite the prevalence of the clonally expanding ST71 found worldwide and in other parts of the United States, we did not detect it in New England. We next sought to interrogate the combined New England and global datasets for the presence of coincident gene pairs linked to antibiotic resistance. Analysis revealed a large co-circulating accessory gene cluster, which included mecA as well as eight other resistance genes [aac (6')-Ie-aph (2″)-Ia, aad (6), aph (3')-IIIa, sat4, ermB, cat, blaZ, and tetM]. Furthermore, MRSP isolates carried significantly more accessory genes than their MSSP counterparts. Our results provide important insights to the evolution and geographic spread of high-risk clones that can threaten the health of our canine companions.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) poses a threat to dogs. This study reveals MRSP
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Genomics
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a common bacteria in dogs, causing infections and carrying resistance genes.
- Methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) is an emerging pathogen, posing a significant challenge to canine health.
- Understanding the genetic diversity and spread of MRSP is crucial for effective treatment and control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phylogenetic relationships of S. pseudintermedius in the New England region and compare them globally.
- To identify the prevalence of methicillin resistance and associated resistance genes in S. pseudintermedius isolates.
- To analyze the co-occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes within S. pseudintermedius populations.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of 45 new S. pseudintermedius isolates, combined with 125 published genomes from New England.
- Core genome phylogenetic analysis to determine evolutionary relationships and identify multi-locus sequence types (STs).
- In silico analysis for the detection of the mecA gene and other antibiotic resistance genes, including SCCmec types.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed diverse lineages with 142 multi-locus sequence types (STs).
- 40 MRSP and 130 methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) isolates were identified; MRSP strains harbored five SCCmec types.
- A significant accessory gene cluster containing mecA and eight other resistance genes was identified; MRSP isolates had more accessory genes than MSSP.
Conclusions:
- The study provides insights into the evolution and geographic distribution of S. pseudintermedius clones, including MRSP.
- The absence of the globally prevalent ST71 clone in New England suggests unique evolutionary dynamics in the region.
- The co-circulation of multiple resistance genes highlights the complex challenge of antimicrobial resistance in canine pathogens.
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