Buruli Ulcer-Associated Staphylococcus aureus in Burkina Faso

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans.
• Superinfection by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in BU lesions is common, but its specific characteristics remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize S. aureus isolates from Buruli ulcer lesions in Burkina Faso.
• To investigate potential genotypic or phenotypic specificities of S. aureus associated with BU.

Main Methods:

• Phenotypic analysis including antibiotic susceptibility testing.
• Genomic analysis: whole genome sequencing, average nucleotide identity, resistome, virulome, multilocus sequence typing, pangenome, and multiple correspondence analysis.

Main Results:

• All 11 S. aureus isolates were identified as S. aureus subsp. aureus.
• Isolates showed in vitro susceptibility to most antibiotics, with resistance noted for penicillin G, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin.
• Genomic analyses did not identify any specific S. aureus genotype associated with BU lesions.

Conclusions:

• No evidence suggests specific S. aureus strains are associated with Buruli ulcer.
• S. aureus likely acts as an opportunistic pathogen in BU lesions, rather than a specific etiological agent.