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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引用次数: 0

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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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