Abstract
ABSTRACTMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global human health problem causing infections in both hospitals and the community. Companion animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses, are also frequently colonized by MRSA and can become infected. We sequenced the genomes of 46 multilocus sequence type (ST) 22 MRSA isolates from cats and dogs in the United Kingdom and compared these to an extensive population framework of human isolates from the same lineage. Phylogenomic analyses showed that all companion animal isolates were interspersed throughout the epidemic MRSA-15 (EMRSA-15) pandemic clade and clustered with human isolates from the United Kingdom, with human isolates basal to those from companion animals, suggesting a human source for isolates infecting companion animals. A number of isolates from the same veterinary hospital clustered together, suggesting that as in human hospitals, EMRSA-15 isolates are readily transmitted in the veterinary hospital setting. Genome-wide association analysis did not identify any host-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or virulence factors. However, isolates from companion animals were significantly less likely to harbor a plasmid encoding erythromycin resistance. When this plasmid was present in animal-associated isolates, it was more likely to contain mutations mediating resistance to clindamycin. This finding is consistent with the low levels of erythromycin and high levels of clindamycin used in veterinary medicine in the United Kingdom. This study furthers the “one health” view of infectious diseases that the pathogen pool of human and animal populations are intrinsically linked and provides evidence that antibiotic usage in animal medicine is shaping the population of a major human pathogen.
Highlights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global human health problem causing infections in both hospitals and the community
To investigate the relationship between ST22 isolates from companion animals and humans, we sequenced the genomes of 46 ST22 isolates from companion animals (42 canine and 4 feline) isolated between August 2003 and August 2007
The companion animal isolates were from infections similar to those associated with ST22 in humans, with the majority of isolates coming from wound infections [21] or skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) [7]
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global human health problem causing infections in both hospitals and the community Companion animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses, are frequently colonized by MRSA and can become infected. IMPORTANCE Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is major problem in human medicine Companion animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses, can become colonized and infected by MRSA. We sequenced the genomes of 46 isolates from companion animals (4 feline and 42 canine) from a collection of ST22 MRSA isolates from the United Kingdom isolated between 2003 and 2007 We compared these isolates to the recently published ST22 phylogeny [32] in order to understand the phylogenetic relationship between isolates infecting humans and companion animals. This study confirms the extended host spectrum of ST22 isolates, which is potentially a key factor contributing to the success of this lineage
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