Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Complex Isolated from Free-Ranging Long-Tailed Macaques at Kosumpee Forest Park, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

Abstract

The Staphylococcus (S.) aureus complex, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), and S. argenteus are bacterial pathogens that are responsible for both human and animal infection. However, insights into the molecular characteristics of MRSA, MSSA, and S. argenteus carriages in wildlife, especially in long-tailed macaques, rarely have been reported in Thailand. The objective of this study was to assess molecular characterization of MRSA, MSSA, and S. argenteus strains isolated from free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at Kosumpee Forest Park, Maha Sarakham, Thailand. A total of 21 secondary bacterial isolates (including 14 MRSA, 5 MSSA, and 2 S. argenteus) obtained from the buccal mucosa of 17 macaques were analysed by a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify several virulence genes, including pvl, tst, hla, hlb clfA, spa (x-region), spa (IgG biding region), and coa. The most prevalent virulence genes were clfA, coa, and the spa IgG biding region which presented in all isolates. These data indicated that MRSA, MSSA, and S. argenteus isolates from the wild macaques at Kosumpee Forest Park possess a unique molecular profile, harbouring high numbers of virulence genes. These findings suggest that wild macaques may potentially serve as carriers for distribution of virulent staphylococcal bacteria in the study area.

Prevalence, Virulence Determinants and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from Retail Market Fish and Their Handlers in Egypt

“…Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen posing a zoonotic risk since it can spread among environments, humans and various animals, such as pets, livestock, fish and wildlife (Soliman et al, 2019). A number of studies have reported that S. aureus isolated from non-human primates had close similarity with human isolates, leading to the concern of amphixenoses or zoonotic diseases (Pumipuntu et al, 2023). Therefore, asymptomatic workers and food handlers may constitute a reservoir of virulent strains of S. aureus and may be vectors of their transmission to food via manual contact or through respiratory secretions, thus becoming the source of staphylococcal food poisoning (Hassanain et al, 2013; Elfadaly et al, 2018).…”