Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus Lineages in Wild Animals in Europe: A Review

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunist pathogen that is responsible for numerous types of infections. S. aureus is known for its ability to easily acquire antibiotic resistance determinants. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of infections both in humans and animals and is usually associated with a multidrug-resistant profile. MRSA dissemination is increasing due to its capability of establishing new reservoirs and has been found in humans, animals and the environment. Despite the fact that the information on the incidence of MRSA in the environment and, in particular, in wild animals, is scarce, some studies have reported the presence of these strains among wildlife with no direct contact with antibiotics. This shows a possible transmission between species and, consequently, a public health concern. The aim of this review is to better understand the distribution, prevalence and molecular lineages of MRSA in European free-living animals.

Antibiotics and Environment

“…A few epidemiological studies have traced the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wildlife. Two reviews of this Issue focused on the molecular epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus lineages in wild animals worldwide [6] and in Europe [7], showing the distribution of molecular types, including those that are commonly found in humans or other animal species and represent a public health concern. S. aureus is a common bacterial colonizer of humans and a variety of animal species, and it is responsible for numerous types of infections.…”

Staphylococcus aureus Host Tropism and Its Implications for Murine Infection Models

“…S. aureus is a notorious multi-host pathogen. Apart from humans, it has been successfully isolated all over the world from a variety of companion, farm, and wild animals, which has recently been reviewed thoroughly [ 22 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Even laboratory animals, such as mice and rats, are sometimes “naturally” colonized or infected with S. aureus in their breeding facilities [ 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Encounter filters, such as living in distinct geographic regions or behavior that excludes interaction, prevent contact between host and bacterium, while compatibility filters are barriers that originate from physiological and biochemical incompatibilities as well as the host’s immune system once contact has been made [ 39 , 40 ]. If one considers the ubiquitous distribution of S. aureus , the colonization/infection of numerous species, many of which can serve as vectors as well, and the manifold ways of transmission, may it be human–human, human–animal, animal–animal, insect-borne, via animal products, or environmental routes such as water, soil, air, or manure, it becomes clear that the encounter filter has basically collapsed and only the compatibility filter remains [ 22 , 26 , 41 , 42 ]. Moreover, most ecosystems have a high permeability for animals such as mice or birds that also serve as bridge hosts, connecting species living in distinct ecosystems, thereby enhancing the spread of S. aureus [ 43 ].…”

Virulent characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus, isolated from pneumonia in captive monkeys

“…Тем не менее эти бактерии -условно-патогенные микроорганизмы, способные проникать в кровоток и внутренние ткани, становясь основной причиной различных инфекций как у людей, так и у животных (абсцесс, сепсис, фурункулез, патологическое отделяемое из поверхностных и хирургических ран, некротическая пневмония, инфекции мягких тканей и кожи и др.) [1][2][3][4][5]. S. aureus, инфицируя молочные железы у крупного и мелкого рогатого скота, приводит к маститу [6][7][8].…”

“…S. aureus также продуцирует раз-личные гемолизины, особенно hla (α-гемолизин), который считается одним из основных факторов патогенности этого микроорганизма и представляет собой порообразующий цитотоксин, необходимый для патогенеза пневмонии [1]. Лейкоцидин Пантон-В а л е н т а й н а (lukS/F-PVL) вызывает разрушение лейкоцитов, некроз тканей и часто связан с развитием некротизирующей пневмонии [4,9]. Первоначальное прикрепление S. aureus к эпителиальным клеткам зависит от взаимодействия поверхностных белков бактерий семейства адгезинов, которые называются микробными поверхностными компонентами, распознающими молекулы адгезивного матрикса (MSCRAMM) с белками фибриногена и фибронектина.…”