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Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

The genetic relationship between human and pet isolates: a core genome multilocus sequence analysis of

Antonia Genath^1,2, Carolin Hackmann^3,4, Luisa Denkel³

¹Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany. antonia.genath@outlook.de.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

|September 20, 2024

Abstract

Introduction:

The global increase of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is one of the most urgent public health threats affecting both humans and animals. The One Health concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health and highlights the need for integrated approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Although the sharing of environments and antimicrobial agents between companion animals and humans poses a risk for MDRO transmission, companion animals have been studied to a lesser extent than livestock animals. This study therefore used core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) to investigate the genetic relationships and putative transmission of MDROs between humans and pets.

Methods:

This descriptive integrated typing study included 252 human isolates, 53 dog isolates and 10 cat isolates collected from 2019 to 2022 at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany. CgMLST was performed to characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The genetic diversity of the MDROs of the different host populations was determined and compared based on sequence type and core genome complex type.

Results:

Within this study the majority of samples from pets and humans was genetically distinct. However, for some isolates, the number of allelic differences identified by cgMLST was low. Two cases of putative household transmission or shared source of VR E. faecium and MDR E. coli between humans and pets were documented.

Conclusions:

The interaction between humans and their pets appears to play a minor role in the spread of the MDROs studied. However, further research is needed. This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive molecular surveillance and a multidisciplinary One Health approach to understand and contain the spread of MDROs in human and animal populations.

Trial Registration:

The study is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00030009).

Insights

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) spread between humans and pets is minimal, with only a few transmission cases identified. Comprehensive surveillance and a One Health approach are crucial for controlling MDROs.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Public Health
Genomics

Background:

The rise of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is a global health crisis.
The One Health concept highlights the need for integrated strategies against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Companion animals are understudied reservoirs for MDROs compared to livestock.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate genetic relationships and potential transmission of MDROs between humans and pets.
To compare the genetic diversity of MDROs in different host populations.

Main Methods:

Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) was used.
252 human, 53 dog, and 10 cat isolates from 2019-2022 were analyzed.
Characterized methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria.

Main Results:

Most human and pet MDRO isolates were genetically distinct.
Low allelic differences were observed in some isolates, suggesting potential transmission.
Two instances of possible household transmission of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and multidrug-resistant E. coli were identified.

Conclusions:

Human-pet interactions appear to play a limited role in MDRO spread.
Further research is essential to fully understand transmission dynamics.
Molecular surveillance and a One Health approach are vital for controlling MDROs.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

Molecular typing Multidrug-resistance One Health cgMLST

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