Abstract
The diffusion of Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL)–positive methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a health problem in Algeria. The objectives of the study were to investigate the global distribution of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA isolates in different ecological niches in this country. In total, 2246 samples were collected from humans, livestock, wild animals, pets, food products and the aquatic environment, from 12 Algerian provinces. A total of 312 S. aureus were detected from 2446 samples (12.7%) in the screened niches. We observed the emergence of toxinogenic S. aureus representing 41% of the isolates. Among them, we noted the diffusion of ST80-IV CA-MRSA PVL + strains isolated in human, animals, and food and genetic diversity of MSSA PVL + isolates. This study suggests an alarming dissemination of MRSA-ST80 PVL + in both human and extra-human sources in Algeria. Moreover, MSSA may become a permanent reservoir of the PVL genes necessary for human infections.
Highlights
Staphylococcus aureus constitutes a serious public health concern due to its ability to colonize and/or infect humans and animals [1,2,3]
The aims of this study were to: (i) estimate obtained from different ecological niches distributed among 12 Algerian provinces, (ii) describe the the prevalence of S. aureus strains recovered in a large collection of samples obtained from different different clones diffusing in these niches and (iii) characterize the genetic contexts of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)-Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) +
Our results show the dynamic capacity of adaptation of the ST80-IV community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) isolates, and highlight that farm animals, companion animals, wildlife, food, etc. may become a permanent reservoir for human infections
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus constitutes a serious public health concern due to its ability to colonize and/or infect humans and animals [1,2,3]. S. aureus is the most frequently occurring pathogen in hospitals and the second most common pathogen in outpatient settings [4]. Following the introduction of anti-staphylococcal penicillins, the emergence and diffusion of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) rapidly appeared in hospitals [1,2]. A series of predominant clonal strains was characterized. The most important recent clones found in the world are the health-care associated. In parts of western Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East, the European ST80 CA-MRSA represents one of the main diffusing clones [1,2]
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