scholarly journals Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec elements from Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) isolates from dogs in a center for veterinary diagnostics in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Ruiz ◽  
Valcilaine Teixeira Barbosa ◽  
Teresa de Lisieux Guedes Ferreira Lôbo ◽  
Rafael Aleixo dos Santos Silva ◽  
Rodrigo José Nunes Calumby ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: Methicillin resistance in the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) has emerged in small animal practice. Methicillin-resistant SIG (MRSIG) members have been implicated as causes of infections in both companion animals and humans. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) elements carry the mecA/C genes, which encode for the transpeptidase PBP2a (PBP2’) responsible for β-lactam antibiotic resistance in staphylococci. This study examined the SCCmec types of MRSIG isolates from different clinical specimens of dogs that exhibited methicillin MIC ≥ 0.5 μg/mL by an automated identification and susceptibility system in a Center for Veterinary Diagnostics in São Paulo, Brazil. Susceptibility to methicillin was determined by broth microdilution testing, and Oxoid® M.I.C.Evaluator® strips. PBP2a production was detected using a latex agglutination assay. SCCmec typing was performed according to the International Working Group on the Classification of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Elements (IWG-SCC) guidelines. SCCmec type II (2A), SCCmec type III (3A), composite SCC structures consisting of a class A mec gene complex in addition to multiple ccr gene complexes, and non-typable SCCmec elements were reported in these MRSIG isolates. SCCmec type variants differing from those so far acknowledged by IWG-SCC were found, indicating new rearrangements in the genetic context of mecA in these canine MRSIG isolates.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Yuttana Chanayat ◽  
Areerath Akatvipat ◽  
Jeff B. Bender ◽  
Veerasak Punyapornwithaya ◽  
Tongkorn Meeyam ◽  
...  

This study characterizes clinical methicillin-resistant staphylococcal (MRS) isolates obtained from superficial pyoderma infections in dogs. Our interest was to determine the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type and the antimicrobial susceptibility among MRS isolates from clinical cases. Skin swabs were collected and cultured. Staphylococcus species were identified and characterized with biochemical tests and MALDI-TOF-MS and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion. mecA detection and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing were achieved by PCR. Of the 65 clinical samples, 56 (86.2%) staphylococcal infections were identified. Twelve (21%) of 56 isolates were MRS infections. All MRS isolates were multidrug resistant. The ccrC and class-C2 mec, which were SCCmec type V, were the most prevalent (66.7%) among the 12 MRS isolates. The predominant SCCmec type V was found in S. aureus, S. intermedius group, S. lentus, S. xylosus, and S. arlettae. Treatment failure is a concern with the emergence of highly resistant MRS in dogs associated with superficial pyoderma. The detection of type V SCCmec MRS has previously been reported among veterinarians and dog owners but not in Northern Thailand. These infections serve as a reminder to improve infection prevention and control measures including reducing environmental contamination and potential zoonotic exposures to MRS. In addition, educational awareness of these risks in small animal hospitals needs to be increased among veterinary hospital staff, clients, and patients.


2006 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 2782-2788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Noto ◽  
Gordon L. Archer

ABSTRACT The gene encoding resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in the staphylococci is found on the chromosome in a genomic island designated staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec, or SCCmec. In addition to the resistance gene mecA, SCCmec also contains site-specific recombinase genes that are capable of catalyzing the chromosomal excision and reintegration of SCCmec. SCCmec is found in five major isotypes partially defined by the recombinase genes present, either ccrAB or ccrC. Of these, SCCmec type IV is presumed to be mobile in the environment, and this mobility may be partially responsible for the rise in community-associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections. In this study, we investigate the presumptive first step in type IV SCCmec mobility: chromosomal excision of the element. CcrAB from a panel of six Staphylococcus aureus and four Staphylococcus epidermidis strains were able to catalyze chromosomal excision of SCCmec types I and II, indicating that these proteins maintain recombinase activity despite varying by up to 3.7% at the amino acid level. Excision of type IV SCCmec was not universally seen, as a subset of S. aureus strains with type IV SCCmec did not excise their element. These strains are all highly related and represent a lineage of successful community-associated pathogens. In addition, the inability to excise SCCmec in these strains is associated with the insertion of a presumptive mobile element containing the gene for staphylococcal enterotoxin H (seh) immediately downstream of SCCmec on the chromosome. Acquisition of this mobile element, containing a known virulence gene, appears to have stabilized the chromosomal integration of the methicillin resistance gene in these strains.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 599
Author(s):  
Jana Avberšek ◽  
Bojan Papić ◽  
Darja Kušar ◽  
Vladimira Erjavec ◽  
Katja Seme ◽  
...  

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of nosocomial infections in humans, but its importance in small animal practice is increasing. Here, we present a case of feline otitis externa (OE) caused by MRSA; both hemolytic and nonhemolytic variants with a stable phenotype were recovered from the external auditory canal after infection was detected by routine otoscopy. One isolate per variant underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) by broth microdilution method, conventional spa typing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The results showed that both variants were genetically related and were of sequence type (ST) 1327, SCCmec type IV and spa type t005. AST and WGS showed that both isolates were resistant to β-lactams and sensitive to all tested non-β-lactam antibiotics. Both isolates were pvl-negative, but encoded several other virulence genes (aur, hlgABC, sak, scn, seg, sei, sem, sen, seo and seu). Genetic background of the mixed hemolytic phenotype was not identified; no differences in the agr locus or other regulatory regions were detected. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified but could not be associated with hemolysis. This well-documented case of MRSA infection in companion animals adds to the reports of MRSA infections with a mixed hemolytic phenotype.


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.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 920
Author(s):  
Joaquín Rey Pérez ◽  
Laura Zálama Rosa ◽  
Alfredo García Sánchez ◽  
Javier Hermoso de Mendoza Salcedo ◽  
Juan Manuel Alonso Rodríguez ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) strains in non-managed wild ungulates present in a typical Mediterranean forest in Spain. For this purpose, nasal swabs were obtained from 139 animals: 90 wild boar (Sus scrofa), 42 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 7 fallow deer (Dama dama), which were subsequently pre-enriched in BHI+ NaCl (6.5%) (24 h/37 °C), and then seeded in Columbia blood agar (24 h/37 °C)). The presence of the mecA gene was investigated by PCR, first from the confluent and then from individual colonies. A total of 10 mecA+ colonies were obtained of which only seven showed phenotypic resistance to oxacillin/cefoxitin (methicillin resistance). All MRS strains belonged to the Staphylococcus sciuri group. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was not detected. In addition, a significant number of MRS strains showed resistance to other antimicrobials, mainly β-lactam (7/7), gentamicin (7/7), fusidic acid (6/7) and quinupristin–dalfopristin (6/7), showing an irregular correlation with their coding genes. The genetic profiles grouped the seven strains obtained according to the bacterial species but not in relation to the animal source or the geographical place of origin. The presence of SCCmec type III, common to animals and humans, has been detected in three of the strains obtained. In conclusion, the study reveals that the wild ungulates investigated play a role as potential reservoirs of multi-resistant strains of MRS. Such strains, due to their characteristics, can be easily transferred to other wild or domestic animal species and ultimately to humans through their products.


Antibiotics ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Yuki Uehara

Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing was established in the 2000s and has been employed as a tool for the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, as well as the evolution investigation of Staphylococcus species. Molecular cloning and the conventional sequencing of SCCmec have been adopted to verify the presence and structure of a novel SCCmec type, while convenient PCR-based SCCmec identification methods have been used in practical settings for many years. In addition, whole-genome sequencing has been widely used, and various SCCmec and similar structures have been recently identified in various species. The current status of the SCCmec types, SCCmec subtypes, rules for nomenclature, and multiple methods for identifying SCCmec types and subtypes were summarized in this review, according to the perspective of the International Working Group on the Classification of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Elements.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (07) ◽  
pp. 1363-1370
Author(s):  
Aneela Khawaja ◽  
Iffat Javed ◽  
Sohaila Mushtaq ◽  
Saeed Anwar ◽  
Faiqa Arshad ◽  
...  

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a devastating question that is threatening the health globally. The extensive and indiscriminative use of antibiotics has evolved a notorious resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.  This resistance developed through possession of mecA gene, which codes for modified penicillin binding protein (PBP2a) and the emergent strain being labeled “methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus”. Conventional phenotypic techniques for detection of MRSA rely on standardization of cultural characteristics. The drawbacks of diagnostic error to report MRSA include: poor prognosis, expensive treatment, dissemination of multi-drug resistant strains and even treatment failure. Latex agglutination method can be adopted as a more accurate and quick strategy for rapid detection of methicillin resistance. Objectives: To compare detection of mecA gene in methicillin resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus by latex agglutination and PCR; by assessing the sensitivity and specificity of both methods. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional study. Setting: Pathology Department, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. Period: From January 2015 to December 2015; according to standard operating procedures at Microbiology laboratory. Material & Methods: A total 713 consecutive, non-duplicate isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were processed. Methicillin resistance was determined using cefoxitin (30mg) by Kirby-Bauer method using CLSI guideline (2016), latex agglutination method; and PCR for mecA gene. Results: The results showed that out of 713 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 92 (12.90%) isolates were resistant to cefoxitin and were labelled as MRSA. majority MRSA isolates recovered from pus (44.57%) and wound swab (20.65%), followed by blood (13.04%), fluid (8.70%), CSF (4.35%), CVP (3.26%), HVS (3.26%) and tracheal secretion (2.17%). By latex agglutination method, 87 (94.50%) were positive for PBP2a; while on PCR mecA gene was detected only in 82 (89.10%) MRSA isolates. When assessed with PCR (gold standard) the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of latex agglutination was 100% and 94.57%, respectively. Conclusion: Latex agglutination test can be employed as rapid and reliable diagnostic technique in MRSA isolates for mecA gene detection, where resources for molecular methods are inadequate. This can effectually lessen the misdiagnosis of resistant strains, and over/ ill-use of antibiotics.


2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (6) ◽  
pp. 1705-1713 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gardete ◽  
A. M. Ludovice ◽  
R. G. Sobral ◽  
S. R. Filipe ◽  
H. de Lencastre ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT It was shown earlier that Tn551 inserted into the C-terminal region of murE of parental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain COL causes a drastic reduction in methicillin resistance, accompanied by accumulation of UDP-MurNAc dipeptide in the cell wall precursor pool and incorporation of these abnormal muropeptides into the peptidoglycan of the mutant. Methicillin resistance was recovered in a suppressor mutant. The murE gene of the same strain was then put under the control of the isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible promoter P spac . Bacteria grown in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of IPTG accumulated UDP-MurNAc dipeptide in the cell wall precursor pool. Both growth rates and methicillin resistance levels (but not resistance to other antibiotics) were a function of the IPTG concentration. Northern analysis showed a gradual increase in the transcription of murE and also in the transcription of pbpB and mecA, parallel with the increasing concentrations of IPTG in the medium. A similar increase in the transcription of pbpB and mecA, the structural genes of penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) and PBP2A, was also detected in the suppressor mutant. The expression of these two proteins, which are known to play critical roles in the mechanism of staphylococcal methicillin resistance, appears to be—directly or indirectly—under the control of the murE gene. Our data suggest that the drastic reduction of the methicillin MIC seen in the murE mutant may be caused by the insufficient cellular amounts of these two PBPs.


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