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Genomic comparison of mecC-carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from hedgehogs and humans in the

Cindy Dierikx1, Paul Hengeveld1, Sandra Witteveen1

  • 1National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|March 30, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MecC-MRSA found in hedgehogs and humans in the Netherlands share common genetic backgrounds. However, genomic analysis did not reveal direct evidence of recent zoonotic transmission from hedgehogs to humans.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

  • Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carrying the mecC gene (mecC-MRSA) are increasingly detected in both human and animal populations globally.
  • Hedgehogs have shown a notably high prevalence of mecC-MRSA carriage in various international studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a genomic comparison of mecC-MRSA isolates from hedgehogs and humans in the Netherlands.
  • To investigate the potential for zoonotic transmission of mecC-MRSA between hedgehogs and humans.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic sequencing of mecC-MRSA isolates from 105 hedgehog nasal swabs using Illumina NGS platforms.
  • Comparison of hedgehog mecC-MRSA genomic data with 62 human mecC-MRSA isolates from Dutch national surveillance.

Main Results:

  • Of 105 hedgehogs, 50 were MRSA positive, with 48 carrying mecC.
  • Most hedgehog (59/60) and human isolates belonged to clonal complexes CC130 and CC1943, suggesting a shared origin.
  • No distinct genetic clusters linking hedgehog and human isolates were identified, and differences in virulence genes were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Hedgehog and human mecC-MRSA isolates in the Netherlands primarily belong to the same two clonal complexes, indicating a common source.
  • The study found no definitive evidence of recent zoonotic transmission from hedgehogs to humans.
  • Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the role of hedgehogs in the epidemiology of mecC-MRSA in human populations.

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