Staphylococcus aureus Epidemiology in Wildlife: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterial colonizer of humans and a variety of animal species. Many strains have zoonotic potential, moving between humans and animals, including livestock, pets, and wildlife. We examined publications reporting on S. aureus presence in a variety of wildlife species in order to more cohesively review distribution of strains and antibiotic resistance in wildlife. Fifty-one studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis. The most common types documented included ST398, ST425, ST1, ST133, ST130, and ST15. A mix of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible strains were noted. A number of molecular types were identified that were likely to be found in wildlife species, including those that are commonly found in humans or other animal species (including livestock). Additional research should include follow-up in geographic areas that are under-sampled in this study, which is dominated by European studies.

Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Resistant S. aureus in Nepalese Primates: Resistance to Antimicrobials, Virulence, and Genetic Lineages

“…Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous pathogen and colonizer in humans and in a variety of wild and domestic animals [ 1 , 2 ]. However, there are only a few studies on its presence, and molecular epidemiology, in monkeys and apes.…”

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

“…The emergence of CA-, LA-MRSA, and the increasing number of S. aureus findings in wild animals has important implications for dealing with S. aureus [ 22 , 23 ]. Since serious S. aureus /MRSA infections are not only limited to the hospital setting and immunocompromised patients but also affect healthy individuals in the general population, and since S. aureus is not only a human commensal and pathogen but also a zoonotic, widespread agent with many animal reservoirs in husbandry and the environment, a more comprehensive approach is needed to disrupt S. aureus infection chains and to find proper treatment strategies.…”

“…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 ].…”