Molecular Detection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Poultry in Bangladesh: Having Public Health Significance

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has a major public health concern. It can be identified throughout the chain of production for poultry, which raises questions regarding potential transmission from farm to consumer. MRSA has zoonotic significance and can be transmitted to humans and poultry. Several studies have been carried out on MRSA on poultry, but this study was conducted to find out the whole scenario of MRSA at the farm level. A total of 100 samples were collected randomly from different poultry farms and retail shops in Khulna city to investigate this study. MRSA was isolated and identified by culturing antibiotic susceptibility testing, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the 100 samples, 57% were positive for S. aureusand 80.70% of the isolated S. aureus showed hemolysis on blood agar. Among the 57 isolates, 78.94% were MRSA (oxacillin) and 19.29% were vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) phenotypically. Surprisingly, 59.64% of S. aureus results showed a positive mecA gene. It is also concerning that 60% of broiler meat and 53.84% of farm personnel were infected with MRSA. The present study revealed that MRSA could be transmitted from poultry to humans.