Staphylococcus schweitzeri-An Emerging One Health Pathogen?

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Zoonotic Diseases
• One Health

Background:

• The Staphylococcus aureus-related complex includes S. aureus, S. schweitzeri, S. argenteus, S. roterodami, and S. singaporensis.
• S. schweitzeri is primarily found in African wildlife and rarely detected in humans, potentially due to misidentification with S. aureus in routine diagnostics.
• Its animal adaptation characteristics suggest limited human pathogenicity, yet in vitro studies indicate virulence comparable to S. aureus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current scientific understanding of Staphylococcus schweitzeri.
• To identify knowledge gaps regarding its potential impact on human and animal health.
• To evaluate Staphylococcus schweitzeri within the global One Health framework.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on Staphylococcus schweitzeri.
• Analysis of in vitro assay data concerning virulence factors.
• Assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance gene data.

Main Results:

• S. schweitzeri is predominantly found in African wildlife and is likely under-reported in humans.
• In vitro studies suggest S. schweitzeri may possess virulence comparable to S. aureus.
• All tested S. schweitzeri isolates were susceptible to antibiotics, with no reported resistance genes like mecA/mecC.

Conclusions:

• Contact with S. schweitzeri-colonized animals may pose a zoonotic infection risk.
• Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding S. schweitzeri's threat to human and animal health.
• Further research is crucial to assess S. schweitzeri's global One Health implications.