Genomic adaptations of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in healthcare environments

Q3 Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Ecological Genetics and Genomics Pub Date : 2025-01-13 DOI:10.1016/j.egg.2025.100331

Vishnu Priya Panneerselvam, Leela Kagithakara Vajravelu, Jayaprakash Thulukanam, Rahul Harikumar Lathakumari, Poornima Baskar Vimala, Dakshina M. Nair

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Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exemplifies genomic adaptation to selective pressures in high-stress environments, such as healthcare facilities. This study investigates the genomic divergence and adaptive mechanisms of MRSA strains isolated over three years (2021–2023) in a leading healthcare facility in southern India. A total of 36,127 patient samples were analyzed, yielding 1825 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, of which 364 (19.94 %) were identified as MRSA through phenotypic testing for oxacillin and cefoxitin resistance.

Molecular characterization using polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of mecA in 98 % of MRSA isolates and icaA and icaD in 87 %, indicating their critical role in methicillin resistance and biofilm formation. MRSA prevalence increased significantly over the study period, peaking at 27.08 % in 2023. Exudate samples accounted for 77.47 % of MRSA isolates, highlighting the role of biofilm-mediated persistence in wound infections. The Surgery department reported the highest burden, with 29.9 % of MRSA infections.

Antibiotic resistance was highest for cefoxitin (99.05 %), penicillin (96.27 %), and levofloxacin (87.47 %), while vancomycin and linezolid remained effective, with sensitivity rates of 99.33 %. These findings illustrate MRSA's genomic adaptations, showcasing its evolutionary resilience under anthropogenic pressures. By integrating molecular insights, this study provides critical insights into resistance evolution, biofilm-mediated persistence, and species diversification in high-stress ecosystems. Such findings highlight the importance of linking ecological genomics to strategies for mitigating antimicrobial resistance, addressing an urgent global health challenge.

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耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌在医疗环境中的基因组适应性

耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）例证了基因组适应高压力环境中的选择压力，如医疗保健设施。本研究调查了在印度南部一家领先的医疗机构中分离的MRSA菌株的基因组分化和适应机制，时间超过三年（2021-2023）。共分析36127例患者样本，分离金黄色葡萄球菌1825株，其中364株（19.94%）经耐氧西林和头孢西丁表型检测鉴定为MRSA。聚合酶链反应分子鉴定证实98%的MRSA分离株中存在mecA， 87%的MRSA分离株中存在icaA和icaD，表明它们在甲氧西林耐药性和生物膜形成中起关键作用。MRSA患病率在研究期间显著增加，2023年达到27.08%的峰值。分泌物标本占MRSA分离物的77.47%，突出了生物膜介导的持续性在伤口感染中的作用。外科报告的负担最高，有29.9%的MRSA感染。头孢西丁（99.05%）、青霉素（96.27%）和左氧氟沙星（87.47%）的耐药率最高，万古霉素和利奈唑胺仍有效，敏感性为99.33%。这些发现说明了MRSA的基因组适应性，展示了其在人为压力下的进化弹性。通过整合分子的见解，本研究为高应激生态系统中的抗性进化、生物膜介导的持久性和物种多样化提供了重要的见解。这些发现突出了将生态基因组学与减轻抗菌素耐药性的战略联系起来的重要性，从而解决了紧迫的全球卫生挑战。

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来源期刊

Ecological Genetics and Genomics Agricultural and Biological Sciences-Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

CiteScore

1.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Ecological Genetics and Genomics publishes ecological studies of broad interest that provide significant insight into ecological interactions or/ and species diversification. New data in these areas are published as research papers, or methods and resource reports that provide novel information on technologies or tools that will be of interest to a broad readership. Complete data sets are shared where appropriate. The journal also provides Reviews, and Perspectives articles, which present commentary on the latest advances published both here and elsewhere, placing such progress in its broader biological context. Topics include: -metagenomics -population genetics/genomics -evolutionary ecology -conservation and molecular adaptation -speciation genetics -environmental and marine genomics -ecological simulation -genomic divergence of organisms