Clonal dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcaceae between Algerian sheep farms
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: • High prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcaceae (MRS) 85% (95% CI = 69.34%-100%) in sheep farms in Algeria. • Ten distinct MRS species were identified with Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Mammaliicoccus lentus , and Staphylococcus haemolyticus being the most common. • Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and SNP analysis revealed dissemination of S. haemolyticus, S. saprophyticus , and M. lentus clones between animals and geographically distant farms. • MRS strains exhibited a multidrug-resistance pattern. Sheep farming represents an important economic sector in Algeria, and the potential dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcaceae (MRS) is a critical veterinary and public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of MRS in ovine in Algeria and characterize them using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis. Two hundred sheep from 20 different Algerian farms across 3 regions were screened for nasal colonization with MRS. The isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution, and the presence of the mec gene was confirmed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mec -positive isolates were sequenced using Illumina technology to build species specific core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST)- and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-based phylogenies and perform an in silico screening for antimicrobial resistance genes. The prevalence of MRS-positive farms was 85% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 69.34%–100%) across the sampled farms. Ten distinct Staphylococcaceae species were identified, with Staphylococcus saprophyticus ( S. saprophyticus; n = 29), Mammaliicoccus lentus ( M. lentus; n = 24), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus ( S. haemolyticus; n = 19) being the predominant species. WGS-based phylogeny and SNP analysis (0 to 126 SNPs) revealed that isolates of these three species were highly related, indicating clonal dissemination within and between farms. MRS exhibited a multi-drug resistance pattern, with detection of resistance genes for β-lactams, tetracyclines, fusidic acid, trimethoprim, aminoglycosides, tiamulin, and macrolides. Specific clonal lineages of methicillin-resistant S. saprophyticus, S. haemolyticus , and M. lentus are widespread in Algerian sheep farms. Enhancing hygiene practices on farms is recommended to prevent further dissemination of these resistant strains to animals and humans. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
Institutions: University of Bern, City University of Hong Kong, Ghent University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,890
OpenAlex ID: W4405910709