scholarly journals Dynamics of the human nasal microbiota and Staphylococcus aureus CC398 carriage in pig truck drivers across one workweek

Author(s):  
Anna Cäcilia Ingham ◽  
Tinna Ravnholt Urth ◽  
Raphael Niklaus Sieber ◽  
Marc Stegger ◽  
Sofie Marie Edslev ◽  
...  

Drivers of pig trucks constitute a potential route of human transmission of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) CC398. In this study we determined MRSA prevalence in pig truck drivers (n=47) and monitored the nasal microbiota of nine drivers three times daily throughout one workweek (n=113 samples) and compared it to their spouses (n=25 samples from six spouses) and 89 non-exposed subjects. S. aureus isolates (n=232) derived from a subset of nasal and truck samples were whole-genome sequenced. Nasal alpha diversity of drivers in the beginning of the workday was lower compared to non-exposed subjects. During the workday, it increased significantly. Similarly, the drivers’ nasal composition shifted during the workday, becoming increasingly different from spouses and non-exposed individuals. Clustering into community state types (CSTs) revealed frequent switches from either S. aureus - or Corynebacterium -dominated CSTs in the mornings to a Psychrobacter- dominated CST during the workday. Six intermittent MRSA carriers were mostly MRSA-negative in the mornings and their nasal microbiota resembled that of non-exposed subjects. When acquiring MRSA during the workday, they switched to the Psychrobacter- dominated CST. In contrast, the nasal microbiota of two persistent MRSA carriers was dominated by staphylococci. In conclusion, we show that the nasal microbiota of pig truck drivers is very dynamic, undergoes drastic changes during workdays, and differs from non-exposed subjects even before pig-contact. MRSA-carrying drivers may eventually introduce MRSA into the community and health care facilities. Carriage dynamics, however, showed that for most drivers CC398 MRSA is rapidly lost and only rarely causes transmission to spouses. Importance In Denmark, the number of human MRSA cases has increased dramatically since the early 2000s, starting from imported cases and spread in the community. However, today approximately one third of all new cases are attributed to livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) CC398. This mirrors the increase in pig farms of which 95% are now positive for LA-MRSA, mainly caused by three dominant lineages enriched for a number of key antimicrobial resistance genes. Whereas most human LA-MRSA CC398 infections in Denmark are linked to livestock contact, still up to one third is not. Pig truck drivers constitute a hitherto understudied occupation group which may transmit LA-MRSA CC398 to household members, the community, and hospitals. In this study, we demonstrate dramatic work-related changes in the nasal microbiota of pig truck drivers, as well as in their carriage of LA-MRSA CC398. However, they likely do not constitute an important reservoir for LA-MRSA CC398 dissemination.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 707
Author(s):  
J. Christopher Noone ◽  
Fabienne Antunes Ferreira ◽  
Hege Vangstein Aamot

Our culture-independent nanopore shotgun metagenomic sequencing protocol on biopsies has the potential for same-day diagnostics of orthopaedic implant-associated infections (OIAI). As OIAI are frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus, we included S. aureus genotyping and virulence gene detection to exploit the protocol to its fullest. The aim was to evaluate S. aureus genotyping, virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes detection using the shotgun metagenomic sequencing protocol. This proof of concept study included six patients with S. aureus-associated OIAI at Akershus University Hospital, Norway. Five tissue biopsies from each patient were divided in two: (1) conventional microbiological diagnostics and genotyping, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) of S. aureus isolates; (2) shotgun metagenomic sequencing of DNA from the biopsies. Consensus sequences were analysed using spaTyper, MLST, VirulenceFinder, and ResFinder from the Center for Genomic Epidemiology (CGE). MLST was also compared using krocus. All spa-types, one CGE and four krocus MLST results matched Sanger sequencing results. Virulence gene detection matched between WGS and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. ResFinder results corresponded to resistance phenotype. S. aureus spa-typing, and identification of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes are possible using our shotgun metagenomics protocol. MLST requires further optimization. The protocol has potential application to other species and infection types.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Crespo-Piazuelo ◽  
Peadar G. Lawlor

AbstractSince the 1940s, Staphylococcus aureus has adapted to the use of different antimicrobials to treat infections. Although S. aureus can act as a commensal bacterium, some strains are facultative pathogens and acquiring them can be fatal. In particular, treating infections caused by S. aureus with acquired antimicrobial resistance is problematic, as their treatment is more difficult. Some of these S. aureus variants are methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with prevalence across the globe in health-care facilities, community settings and on livestock farms. Apart from humans, MRSA can colonise other animal species, and because of this, resistance to new antimicrobials can appear and jump between species. Livestock and companion animals are particularly important in this regard considering the relatively high usage of antimicrobials in these species. There is a risk to humans who come into direct contact with animals acquiring MRSA but there is also the risk of animals acquiring MRSA from colonised humans. In this review, we summarise studies conducted worldwide to characterise the prevalence of MRSA in veterinarians, farmers and other personnel who come into close contact with animals. Finally, alternative treatment, preventive measures and on-farm strategies to reduce MRSA introduction to a farm and carriage within a herd are discussed.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 430
Author(s):  
Wichai Santimaleeworagun ◽  
Praewdow Preechachuawong ◽  
Wandee Samret ◽  
Tossawan Jitwasinkul

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is mostly found in Thailand in the hospital as a nosocomial pathogen. This study aimed to report the genetic characterization of a clinical community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) isolate collected from hospitalized patients in Thailand. Among 26 MRSA isolates, S. aureus no. S17 preliminarily displayed the presence of a staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV pattern. The bacterial genomic DNA was subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) production, virulence toxins, and antibiotic resistance genes were identified, and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and spa typing were performed. The strain was matched by sequence to MLST type 2885 and spa type t13880. This strain carried type IV SCCmec with no PVL production. Five acquired antimicrobial resistance genes, namely blaZ, mecA, Inu(A), tet(K), and dfrG conferring resistance to β-lactams, lincosamides, tetracycline, and trimethoprim, were identified. The detected toxins were exfoliative toxin A, gamma-hemolysin, leukocidin D, and leukocidin E. Moreover, there were differences in seven regions in CR-MRSA no. S17 compared to CA-MRSA type 300. In summary, we have reported the ST2885-SCCmec IV CA-MRSA clinical strain in Thailand for the first time, highlighting the problem of methicillin resistance in community settings and the consideration in choosing appropriate antibiotic therapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-258
Author(s):  
Almas Hamid ◽  
Alizae Salaam Ahmad ◽  
Sarah Dar ◽  
Sana Sohail ◽  
Faiza Akram ◽  
...  

The present study is conducted to determine occupational health and safety hazards with special focus on ergonomic hazards among healthcare facility (HCF) workers. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 200 workers in five HCFs of Lahore, Pakistan. Among the reported ergonomic hazards, muscle aches/ sprains (76.5%), elbow/ wrist/ neck pain (56.0%), body posture issues (56.0%), excessive stretching of muscles (67.5%) and bending/ twisting at work (55.5%) were commonly encountered. Biological hazards included incidences of cuts/wounds/ lacerations (69.0%), contact with specimens (56.0%), exposure of airborne diseases (64.0%) and other infections (72.0%) inspite of the fact that majority (90.0%) were aware of procedures where needle stick injuries are most likely to occur and knowledgeable on occupational infections. Physical hazards included slips/trips/falls (65.0%), high noise levels (64.0%) and chemical spills (54.0%). A significant percentage of workers experienced psychosocial hazards including work related stress (77.0%) and some form of psychosocial or physical abuse (68.5%). Despite workers awareness about occupational health hazards and implementation of control measures by HCF to mitigate hazards (especially biological) prevalence of hazards was reported. Hence, there is a need to improve working standards and conditions to reduce the occurrence of ergonomic and psychosocial hazards.


2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred C. Tenover ◽  
Isabella A. Tickler ◽  
Victoria M. Le ◽  
Scott Dewell ◽  
Rodrigo E. Mendes ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Molecular diagnostic tests can be used to provide rapid identification of staphylococcal species in blood culture bottles to help improve antimicrobial stewardship. However, alterations in the target nucleic acid sequences of the microorganisms or their antimicrobial resistance genes can lead to false-negative results. We determined the whole-genome sequences of 4 blood culture isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 2 control organisms to understand the genetic basis of genotype-phenotype discrepancies when using the Xpert MRSA/SA BC test (in vitro diagnostic medical device [IVD]). Three methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates each had a different insertion of a genetic element in the staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCCmec)-orfX junction region that led to a misclassification as methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). One strain contained a deletion in spa, which produced a false S. aureus-negative result. A control strain of S. aureus that harbored an SCCmec element but no mecA (an empty cassette) was correctly called MSSA by the Xpert test. The second control contained an SCCM1 insertion. The updated Xpert MRSA/SA BC test successfully detected both spa and SCCmec variants of MRSA and correctly identified empty-cassette strains of S. aureus as MSSA. Among a sample of 252 MSSA isolates from the United States and Europe, 3.9% contained empty SCCmec cassettes, 1.6% carried SCCM1, <1% had spa deletions, and <1% contained SCCmec variants other than those with SCCM1. These data suggest that genetic variations that may interfere with Xpert MRSA/SA BC test results remain rare. Results for all the isolates were correct when tested with the updated assay.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina F Khamash ◽  
Emmanuel F Mongodin ◽  
James R White ◽  
Annie Voskertchian ◽  
Lauren Hittle ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (8) ◽  
pp. 2690-2695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mackenzie Jonathan Slifierz ◽  
Robert M. Friendship ◽  
J. Scott Weese

ABSTRACTMethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) originating from swine is concerning for public health, but an understanding of the emergence and persistence of MRSA in nursery herds is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine whether MRSA in nursery pigs is associated with particular herd-level parameters, including the use of antimicrobials, disinfectants, and heavy metals, which may be driving the selection and persistence of antimicrobial resistance. Nasal cultures for MRSA were completed for 390 pigs from 26 farms at the end of the suckling phase and again at 3 weeks postweaning. Herd-level information was collected, and a random subset of MRSA isolates was screened for resistance to zinc and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Multivariate analysis revealed that in-feed concentrations of zinc (P< 0.001) and frequent disinfection of nursery pens (P< 0.001) are associated with MRSA shedding in nursery pigs. Furthermore, 62.5% (25/40) of MRSA isolates carried the zinc resistance geneczrCand demonstrated decreased susceptibility to zinc. All MRSA isolates carried at least 1 QAC resistance gene. The most common genotype wasqacG qacH smr, which occurred in 32.5% (13/40) of isolates. Seven isolates (17.5%) demonstrated a significant tolerance to benzalkonium chloride, indicating a potential to survive commercial QAC exposure in the presence of organic matter. Overall, these findings indicate that high levels of in-feed zinc and QAC-based disinfectants are important drivers in the selection and persistence of MRSA in commercial swine herds, and these agents may be coselecting for other antimicrobial resistance genes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 711-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi J. Anderson ◽  
Caroline K. Smith ◽  
Jesse L. Byrd

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (01) ◽  
pp. 116-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Ruiz ◽  
Marcelo Mora ◽  
Camilo Zurita ◽  
Danny Larco ◽  
Yadira Toapanta ◽  
...  

Introduction: Colonization of health care workers with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been an important route of dispersion and infection of MRSA and has been implicated in epidemic outbreaks. The objective of the present study was to assess prevalence of MRSA colonization in the anterior nares of health care personnel at the intensive care unit (ICUs) of three hospital facilities in Quito, Ecuador. Methodology: The prevalence of MRSA in specimens from all ICU health care workers of three hospitals was measured by using a real-time PCR assay and CHROMagar MRSA. Results: The prevalence of MRSA among the three health care facilities was 2.4%. Conclusion: The prevalence of MRSA colonization was relatively low compared to other studies and showed no differences between hospital facilities.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document