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Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)

Published on: November 4, 2016

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA and PVL-positive isolates, in

Toka A Allam¹, Fatma Abdel-Kader¹, Mona Kadry²

¹Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, PO Box 12211, Giza, Egypt.

BMC Veterinary Research

|June 5, 2026

Abstract

Background:

Bats are widely distributed mammals capable of harboring diverse pathogens, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), poses a significant public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance profile, and presence of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) virulence gene of S. aureus in Egyptian fruit bats.

Methods:

Fifty Egyptian fruit bats were captured using mist nets at both foraging and roosting sites and morphologically identified. A total of 150 samples (intestinal contents, oral swabs, and skin swabs) were collected for bacteriological examination. S. aureus isolates were confirmed by Gram staining, catalase test, and coagulase test. Genomic DNA was extracted for molecular identification using PCR targeting the 16S rRNA and nuc genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the disk diffusion method. PCR was additionally used to screen for methicillin resistance genes (mecA and mecC) and the pvl virulence gene.

Results:

At the sample level, 67 of 150 samples (44.7%) were confirmed as S. aureus, while 42 of 50 bats (84.0%) tested positive at the bat level. The highest prevalence was observed in skin swabs (56.0%), followed by intestinal contents (40.0%) and oral swabs (38.0%). Eighteen isolates (26.9%) were classified as MRSA, and five isolates (7.5%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR), all of which were also MRSA. PCR analysis detected the mecA gene in 7 of the 18 (38.9%) MRSA isolates, while the mecC gene was not detected in any sample (0.0%). The pvl gene was identified in 6 of 67 isolates (9.0%). MRSA isolates exhibited diverse antimicrobial resistance patterns, with 61.1% demonstrating a multiple antimicrobial resistance index (MARI) value ≥ 0.2.

Conclusion:

This study provides evidence of S. aureus carriage in Egyptian fruit bats, including MRSA and PVL-positive isolates, some of which were multidrug-resistant. These findings suggest that bats may serve as ecological carriers of antimicrobial-resistant and virulent bacteria, highlighting the importance of wildlife surveillance within a One Health framework.

Insights

Egyptian fruit bats carry Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) and the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) gene. These findings highlight bats as potential reservoirs for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, emphasizing wildlife surveillance.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Veterinary Science
Public Health

Background:

Bats are reservoirs for diverse pathogens, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is a significant public health concern.
Egyptian fruit bats were studied for S. aureus carriage, resistance, and virulence genes.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the occurrence of S. aureus in Egyptian fruit bats.
To determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of S. aureus isolates.
To detect the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) virulence gene in S. aureus.

Main Methods:

Fifty Egyptian fruit bats were sampled (intestinal, oral, skin swabs).
Bacteriological and molecular methods (PCR) were used for S. aureus identification and gene detection (mecA, mecC, pvl).
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion.

Main Results:

S. aureus was detected in 84% of bats (44.7% of samples).
Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was found in 26.9% of isolates, with 7.5% being multidrug-resistant (MDR).
The Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) gene was present in 9.0% of S. aureus isolates.

Conclusions:

Egyptian fruit bats harbor S. aureus, including MRSA and pvl-positive strains.
Bats may act as ecological carriers of antimicrobial-resistant and virulent bacteria.
Wildlife surveillance is crucial for monitoring zoonotic pathogens within a One Health approach.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

Staphylococcus aureus Bats Egypt MDR MRSA PVL

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