Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Brazilian Dairy Farms and Identification of Novel Sequence Types

The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic diversity and anti‐microbial resistance among staphylococci of dairy herds that originated from Paraiba State, north‐eastern Brazil, a region where such studies are rare. Milk samples (n = 552) were collected from 15 dairy farms. Isolates were evaluated for anti‐microbial susceptibility by Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Confirmation of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was performed using multiplex PCR targeting mecA and nuc genes in addition to phenotypic assay based on PBP‐2a latex agglutination. Clonal relatedness of isolates was determined by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) genotyping. Staphylococci were detected in 269 (49%) of the samples. Among these, 65 (24%) were S. aureus. The remaining 204 isolates were either coagulase‐negative staphylococci (n = 188; 70%) or coagulase positive other than S. aureus (n = 16; 6%). Staphylococci were cultured in seven (35%) of the 20 hand swab samples, from which five isolates were S. aureus. The isolates were most commonly resistant against penicillin (43%), ampicillin (38%) and oxacillin (27%). The gene mecA was detected in 21 S. aureus from milk and in one isolate from a milker's hand. None of the isolates were resistant to vancomycin. PFGE findings showed high clonal diversity among the isolates. Based on MLST, we identified a total of 11 different sequence types (STs 1, 5, 6, 83, 97, 126, 1583, 1622, 1623, 1624 and 1625) with four novel STs (ST1622‐ST1625). The findings show that MRSA is prevalent in milk from semi‐extensive dairy cows in north‐eastern Brazil, and further investigation on its extent in various types of milk production systems and the farm‐to‐table continuum is warranted.     

Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Bovine Milk

The aim of this study was to identify methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains gathered from 2002 to 2006 from milk samples in Aydin region in Turkey. Among 93 S. aureus strains isolated from bovine milk with mastitis, 16 were resistant to methicillin. Methicillin‐resistant S. aureus strains were studied further for their staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types, pulsotypes, spa and MLST types, antimicrobial susceptibilities, mechanisms of resistance and presence of Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin gene. The MRSA strains were multi‐drug resistant. The susceptibility rates to antimicrobials tested were 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 6.25%, 16.25% and 56.25% for erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracyclin, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin, respectively. All tetracycline and gentamicin resistant strains carried tet(M) and aac(6)‐aph(2) gene, respectively. Among macrolide‐resistant isolates, nine had erm(A), and seven had both erm(A) and erm(B) genes. The molecular characterization by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis showed presence of three pulsotypes with their variants. The pulsotype B strains were type IV with SCCmec typing, and representative of pulsotype B was t190 by spa typing and ST8 by MLST typing. The strains with pulsotype A and C were SCCmec III, and representative of these pulsotypes was t030 by spa typing. The MLST type of pulsotype A was ST239 and pulsotype C was one allele variant of ST239. None of the isolates harboured the PVL gene. Presence of hospital‐related MRSA strains may indicate transmission of these strains between human and animals. In case of clonal spread beside the infected animals’ treatment of MRSA carrier, farm workers should also be considered. Hygienic measures and rational antibiotic use may avoid resistance selection, clonal dissemination of resistant strains and decrease losses because of mastitis in dairy herds.     

Longitudinal Investigation of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Piglets

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as an important public health concern and pigs have been implicated in human infections. Cross‐sectional studies have demonstrated that MRSA can be commonly found in pigs internationally, but little is known about age‐related changes in MRSA colonization. This study evaluated MRSA colonization in piglets in a longitudinal manner. Serial nasal swabs were collected from piglets born to 10 healthy sows. The prevalence of MRSA colonization on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 was 1% (1/100), 6.2% (3/97), 8.5% (8/94), 4.4% (4/91) and 20% (18/91) respectively, with an overall pre‐weaning prevalence of 34.5%. The prevalence on days 28, 42, 56 and 70 was 34% (31/91), 65% (57/88), 50% (44/88) and 42% (36/87) respectively, with an overall post‐weaning prevalence of 85%. Eighty‐four percent of piglets from negative sows and 100% of piglets from positive sows that survived at least until the time of weaning were colonized with MRSA at one or more times during the study. There was a significant association between sow and piglet colonization. The age of the piglet was significantly associated with the probability of colonization. No piglets or sows received antimicrobials during the study period. These results indicate that age must be considered when designing surveillance programmes and interpreting results of different studies on MRSA.     

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Resident Animals of a Long‐term Care Facility

Animals provide benefits to elderly and chronically ill people by decreasing loneliness, increasing social interactions, and improving mental health. As a result, many hospitals and long‐term care facilities allow family pets to visit ill or convalescing patients or support animal‐assisted therapy programs. These include programs that have resident animals in long‐term care facilities. Despite the benefits, there are concerns about disease transmission between pets and patients. Antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are a recognized problem in healthcare settings leading to refractory infections and potentially life‐threatening illnesses. MRSA has been isolated from numerous animal species, yet few studies are available on the carriage of this pathogen in animals residing in long‐term care facilities. Our objective was to characterize MRSA carriage among resident animals in a long‐term care facility. Methods: To document MRSA colonization, nasal swabs from 12 resident animals (one dogs and 11 cats) of a long‐term care facility were collected weekly for 8 weeks. Staphylococcus isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility and MRSA isolates were further characterized by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PFGE isolate patterns were compared with an existing database of MRSA isolate patterns at the Minnesota Department of Health. Results: Two of 11 cats were colonized with MRSA. MRSA was recovered from five of eight weekly samples in one cat and two of eight weekly samples in the other cat. All isolates were classified as USA100 (healthcare‐associated strains). Discussion: Long‐term care resident animals may acquire MRSA. Clonally related strains were identified over the 8‐week sampling period. It is unclear if pets serve as an on‐going source of infection to their human companions in long‐term care facilities.     

上海地区奶牛的乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌耐药性

为调查上海地区奶牛乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药性,采集上海地区乳房炎患病乳样60 份,进行金黄色葡萄球菌的分离鉴定及药敏实验。结果表明：经分离鉴定,共检出8 株金黄色葡萄球菌,分离率为13.33%;药敏实验结果表明,分离得到的金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素G和氨苄西林的耐药率最高,均为100.00%,对磺胺甲恶唑的耐药率次之,为50.00%,对头孢克洛、头孢唑肟、洛美沙星、诺氟沙星、四环素、庆大霉素、红霉素、克林霉素和氯霉素的耐药率均为37.50%,对环丙沙星和氧氟沙星的耐药率均为25.00%,对头孢噻肟、头孢他啶     

Characterization of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Pig Carcasses in Hong Kong

This study describes the isolation and characterization of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from slaughtered pigs sampled from local markets in Hong Kong. The nares of 400 slaughtered pigs were cultured and MRSA isolates characterized for the presence of antibiotic‐resistance determinants, toxins and SCCmec and spa types using PCR. Clonality was investigated using PFGE and MLST. The prevalence of MRSA colonization of slaughter pigs was 39.3%, the majority (92%) harbouring SCCmec type IVb. Of the 157 samples yielding MRSA, 13 had two distinct MRSA strains present. Spa type t899 was predominant, with only 5/170 isolates displaying closely related types (t4474, t1939, t2922 and t5390). PFGE with sma1 and MLST confirmed the strains as ST9. Most isolates were multidrug resistant. Tetracycline resistance (97%) was mainly attributable to tet(K) with only 3% of isolates additionally harbouring tet(M). Resistance to erythromycin (89%) and chloramphenicol (71%) was associated with the presence of erm(C), and fex( A), respectively. No strains carried cfr and there was no resistance to linezolid, although minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) were close to the resistance break point. Resistance to clindamycin (99%), ciprofloxacin(78%), quinopristin–dalfopristin (44%) and cotrimoxazole (32%) was common, but remained low for fusidic acid (4%) and rifampicin (2%). All strains were negative for PVL, exfoliative, and enterotoxins. This survey confirmed the uniformity of MRSA isolates in pigs from several regions of China, in contrast to more diversified characteristics reported in European studies. Colonization rates were higher than previously reported. Isolates were resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, but resistance was not detected to linezolid, nitrofurantoin, vancomycin or tigecycline. Although the clinical importance of ST9 in humans is uncertain, continued surveillance, in particular of those occupationally‐exposed, is recommended.     

宁夏地区奶牛乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌耐药性分析

为了解宁夏地区奶牛乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药情况,采用药敏纸片扩散法,测定了50株奶牛乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌对常用的17种抗茵药物的耐药性.同时采用产色头孢菌素法进行β-内酰胺酶的检测,并采用苯唑西林纸片法进行耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)的检测.结果表明,所有菌株除了对利福平、万古霉素100％敏感以外,对其他15...     

Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST398 in Pig Farms and Multispecies Farms

During the last few years, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST398 has been isolated frequently from livestock, especially from pigs and to a lesser extent from cattle and poultry. To gain insight into the distribution of this bacterium in pig farms versus multispecies farms, 30 Belgian farms (10 pig, 10 pig/poultry and 10 pig/cattle farms) were screened for the presence of MRSA. On each farm, 10 nasal swabs were taken from pigs. When present, cattle (n = 10) were sampled in the nares and poultry (n = 10) in the nares, earlobes and cloaca. A selection of the obtained isolates were further characterized using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), spa typing, SCCmec typing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multiple‐locus variable‐number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. On 26 of 30 farms, MRSA was isolated from pigs. Furthermore, MRSA was also isolated from poultry and cattle on one pig/poultry and five pig/cattle farms, respectively. All tested MRSA isolates belonged to ST398. Eight spa types (t011, t034, t567, t571, t1451, t2974, t3423 and t5943) were detected, among which t011 predominated. SCCmec cassettes type IVa and V were present in 20% and 72% of the isolates, respectively. When combining the results of the two remaining typing methods, PFGE and MLVA, eighteen genotypes were obtained of which one genotype predominated (56% of the positive farms). All MRSA isolates were resistant to tetracycline. Resistance to trimethoprim, aminoglycosides, macrolides, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones and chloramphenicol was also observed. In conclusion, there was no effect of the farm type on the MRSA status of the pigs. A statistically significant difference was observed when comparing the pig/poultry or the pig/cattle MRSA status on the multispecies farms. Additionally, a wide variety of MRSA ST398 strains was found within certain farms when combining different typing methods.     

Zinc Oxide Therapy Increases Prevalence and Persistence of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Pigs: A Randomized Controlled Trial

There is concern that therapeutic use of zinc oxide (ZnO) in swine production may select for methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) due to co‐location of the zinc resistance gene (czrC) and methicillin resistance gene (mecA) within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). The objective of this investigation was to determine whether MRSA carriage in pigs is influenced by exposure to therapeutic doses of in‐feed ZnO (3000 mg/kg) when compared to the recommended dietary levels (100 mg/kg). A randomized controlled trial was completed using 110 pigs that were naturally colonized with czrC‐positive MRSA. The pigs were followed from birth to weaning (21 d), at which point they were randomized into 8 pens and exposed to either a control feed (100 mg ZnO/kg feed; n = 49 pigs) or a treatment feed (3000 mg ZnO/kg feed; n = 50 pigs); neither feed contained additional antimicrobials. MRSA carriage was monitored weekly in each group for 4 weeks post‐weaning. The prevalence of MRSA was significantly higher in the treatment group at 1‐week (OR = 18.1; P < 0.01) and 2 weeks (OR = 3.01; P = 0.01) post‐weaning when compared to the control group, but there was no difference later in the nursery phase. Persistent MRSA carriage (testing positive ≥2 times post‐weaning) was observed in 2% (1/49) of control pigs and 22% (11/50) of treated pigs (P < 0.01). All MRSA isolates (spa types t034 and t3075) carried czrC and showed uniform resistance to zinc. These findings demonstrate that the prevalence and persistence of MRSA in nursery pigs can be affected by high levels of in‐feed ZnO in the absence of antibiotics.     

金黄色葡萄球耐药性的研究及其防制策略

金黄色葡萄球菌是临床上最常见的致病菌之一,可引起鼻腔、口腔黏膜及皮肤和上皮组织的感染,严重的可导致肺炎、败血症甚至死亡。现今金黄色葡萄球菌已经对大部分常用抗生素有耐药性,作者综述了金黄葡萄球菌对抗生素的耐药发展史、耐药机制及对其使用的治疗策略。     

新疆、内蒙古部分地区乳房炎奶样中金黄色葡萄球菌的流行性与耐药性分析

为确定患乳房炎奶牛乳中金黄色葡萄球菌的流行性和耐药性状况,试验自2018年4月至2018年5月采集了新疆地区70例和内蒙古地区50例患乳房炎奶牛生鲜乳样。通过对奶样中金黄色葡萄球菌进行增菌培养、分离纯化,KB纸片扩散法药敏试验及PCR耐药基因检测发现,新疆和内蒙古地区奶样中金黄色葡萄球菌分离率分别为28.6%和54.0%;新疆地区分离的金黄色葡萄球菌菌株对青霉素G的耐药性最高(75.0%),其次是磺胺异噁唑(60.0%)、林可霉素(55.0%);内蒙古地区的金黄色葡萄球菌菌株同样对青霉素G高度耐受,耐药率为70.4%,其次为林可霉素(63.0%)、克林霉素(51.9%);两地区所分离菌株中,88.9%以上携带多种耐药基因,呈现多重耐药性;两地区所检出的高频耐药基因分别是新疆地区的ermA(30.0%)、dfrS1(30.0%)基因和内蒙古地区的lnuA(46.2%)基因。     

Prevalence and Molecular Characteristics of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Organic Pig Herds in The Netherlands

The prevalence of the methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among conventional pig herds in the Netherlands is high (around 71%). Nevertheless, information about the prevalence of MRSA among organic pig herds is lacking. Here, we report a study on 24 of the 49 organic pig herds in the Netherlands. The prevalence of MRSA positive herds showed to be 21%. The genetic characteristics of the MRSA isolates were similar to MRSA CC398 described in conventional pigs except one exceptional HA‐MRSA CC30 found in one herd, which was presumably caused by human to animal transmission. This resulted in a prevalence of MRSA CC398 in the organic herds of 16.7%.     

Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Dairy Animals in Ireland

Enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus frequently contaminate milk and milk products causing food poisoning. Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from bovine, ovine and caprine milk and milk filters from 78 dairy production holdings supplying the farmhouse cheese sector in Ireland, using standard culture methods. Molecular methods were applied to study the distribution of genes encoding staphylococcal enterotoxins and toxic shock syndrome toxin in the collection. Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis was used to subtype the collection. One hundred and two Staphylococcus aureus (54 milk filters and 48 bulk milk) were recovered from apparently healthy animals; half of the isolates were toxigenic. Our findings are discussed in light of the risks posed to public health.     

Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in backyard pigs and their owners, Michigan, USA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been reported in commercially raised pigs and their human handlers, raising concerns of zoonotic transmission. To determine whether MRSA in backyard-raised pigs is commonly transmitted to their human owners, a matched study of this type of pigs and their owners was conducted in selected counties in Michigan. Nasal swabs from matched owner-pig pairs (n = 50 pairs) with a few unmatched pig (n = 3) and human (n = 4) samples were collected and processed using standard isolation and identification protocols. No matched owner-pig pair was found; however, MRSA was isolated from 1/54 (1.9%) human samples and 2/53(3.8%) of the pigs. The single human isolate was not strain type USA100-1100 by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), was sequence type (ST) 8 by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), possessed SCCmec type IVb and agr I and was negative for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin gene. The two pig isolates were indistinguishable by PFGE (not USA100-1100), and both isolates were ST5 by MLST, possessed SCCmec type III and agr II and were negative for the PVL gene. Persons raising backyard swine from the selected Michigan counties had MRSA carriage rates similar to that of the general US population, suggesting that their avocational pig exposure did not increase their risk of MRSA.     

奶牛乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌的分离鉴定及药敏试验

[目的] 了解泰州市某奶牛场乳房炎中金黄色葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus aureus）感染情况及其对常用药物的敏感性。[方法] 试验选用Baird-Parker培养基分离、生化鉴定、PCR检测等方法,对采集的9份奶牛乳房炎奶样进行分离鉴定和药敏试验。[结果] 共分离到6株葡萄球菌,进一步通过凝固酶试验和16S rDNA测序等方法鉴定其中3株为金黄色葡萄球菌。药敏试验结果显示,3株金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素G均耐药,2株对四环素耐药,2株对红霉素和苯唑西林表现为中介。[结论] 该次分离的金黄色葡萄球菌主要对青霉素G和四环素耐药,对其他常用抗生素表现为敏感。     

奶牛乳腺炎源金黄色葡萄球菌噬菌体P82的分离及特性研究

【目的】 为开发噬菌体"鸡尾酒"制剂防治奶牛乳腺炎提供生物学材料。【方法】 以实验室分离的奶牛乳腺炎源金黄色葡萄球菌82为宿主菌,通过点滴法和双层平板法在奶牛场的污水、弃奶和粪便混合物中分离并纯化其噬菌体,通过噬菌斑及透射电子显微镜对该株噬菌体的形态特征进行观察。利用核酸酶处理分析该噬菌体核酸类型,并对其裂解谱、最佳感染复数、一步生长曲线、热稳定性、pH稳定性进行研究。【结果】 分离筛选出金黄色葡萄球菌82的裂解性噬菌体P82,电镜下观察其头部为二十面体,大小约为120 nm×83 nm,有一条带可伸缩尾鞘的长尾,长约126 nm,属于有尾噬菌体目,肌尾噬菌体科。通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳鉴定其核酸类型为双链DNA （dsDNA）。噬菌体P82的最佳感染复数为0.001,对奶牛乳腺炎源金黄色葡萄球菌裂解率为36.51%（23/63）,宿主谱较广;其生长潜伏期约为25 min,爆发期约为45 min,裂解量约为74 PFU/cell;在pH 4.0~12.0时活性稳定,在pH 2.0和13.0时则完全失去活性。噬菌体P82热稳定性较高,在70 ℃作用60 min后仍有裂解能力,在80 ℃作用40 min时则失去裂解能力。【结论】 本研究分离的噬菌体P82效价较高、裂解能力强、增殖速度快、噬菌谱广,对不同温度和pH均有较好的耐受度,能作为专一性裂解奶牛乳腺炎源金黄色葡萄球菌的噬菌体候选株,可与其他噬菌体混合制成噬菌体"鸡尾酒"制剂用于防治奶牛乳腺炎,为奶牛乳腺炎的噬菌体疗法提供材料。     

北京地区奶牛隐性乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌的分离鉴定及药敏试验

为了解北京地区奶牛隐性乳房炎中金黄色葡萄球菌的感染情况及对常用药物的敏感性,用科玛嘉显色培养基和16SrRNA PCR检测方法对5个奶牛场的100份隐性乳房炎奶样进行金黄色葡萄球菌的分离鉴定,采用K-B纸片扩增法进行药敏试验。结果表明,显色培养基分离到24株疑似金黄色葡萄球菌,经16SrRNA PCR鉴定,15株为金黄色葡萄球菌;药敏试验结果显示,15株金黄色葡萄球菌均对β-内酰胺类中的氨苄西林产生普遍耐药性,对克林霉素和环丙沙星的耐药率较高,分别为53.33%和40%;对氧氟沙星、庆大霉素、头孢噻肟和头孢曲松的耐药性较低,耐药率为6.67%。说明15株金黄色葡萄球菌分离株对7类9种抗菌药物都有不同程度的耐药性。     

奶牛乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌荚膜多糖研究概况

金黄色葡萄球菌是引起奶牛乳房炎的一种主要致病菌,其中94%～100%的金黄色葡萄球菌都含有荚膜多糖.荚膜多糖共分11个血清型(CP1～CP11),而5型和8型占临床分离株的70%～80%,为优势血清型;由于荚膜多糖的抗吞噬作用和黏附作用,决定了金黄色葡萄球菌的致病性和免疫原性.因此,基于荚膜多糖的疫苗可能是更有效的抗奶...     

金黄色葡萄球菌表面蛋白A对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的黏附作用

本试验拟探究金黄色葡萄球菌(金葡菌)表面蛋白A(Staphylococcus aureus surface protein A,SasA)编码基因在奶牛乳源金葡菌中是否具有普遍性及同源性,并结合蛋白结构组成研究SasA对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的黏附作用.试验前期从中国北方5个荷斯坦牛场无菌条件下分离纯化了73株奶牛乳源金黄色...     

A bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide (BMAP‐28) kills methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus but promotes adherence of the bacteria

The cathelicidin family is one of the several families of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). A bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide (BMAP‐28) belongs to this family. Recently, the emergence of drug‐resistant bacteria such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a big problem. AMPs are expected to be leading compounds of new antibiotics against drug‐resistant bacteria. In this study, we focused on the activity of BMAP‐28 against bacterial cell surfaces. First, we observed morphological change of MRSA caused by BMAP‐28 using a scanning probe microscope. We also studied activities of BMAP‐28 against adherence of S. aureus to fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type IV. We confirmed whether BMAP‐28 can bind to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of S. aureus. BMAP‐28 was indicated as damaging the cell surface of MRSA. In a particular range of concentrations, BMAP‐28 promoted adherence of S. aureus against fibronectin and collagens. It was revealed that BMAP‐28 and LTA of S. aureus bound with each other. Our study showed the potential of BMAP‐28 which can damage MRSA and interact with LTA of S. aureus but promote its adherence in some concentrations. This study provides new points of which to take notice when we use AMPs as medicines.