University of Kentucky

Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Food, Animals, and Environment: A One Health Approach

Grade Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Biololgy

Minor

Microbiology

Institution 24-25

University of Kentucky

KY House District #

77

KY Senate District #

17

Department

Department of Veterinary Science

Abstract

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen affecting both human and animal health, recognized for its capacity to develop resistance to various antibiotics. In humans, it can cause diverse diseases, such as skin infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and foodborne illness. However, in animals, it can lead to disease conditions such as mastitis in dairy cattle, skin infections, and systemic infections. Understanding MRSA's prevalence and resistance patterns is crucial for the public health and agricultural sectors, which is vital to Kentucky and the US economy.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of MRSA in various animal, food, and environmental samples and evaluate the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence of isolates.

Methods: Samples were collected from different sources, enriched overnight in nutrient broth, and cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) plates, followed by overnight incubation. S. aureus was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction. The confirmed isolates underwent antibiotic susceptibility testing using broth microdilution against 11 antibiotics from 8 different classes, a biofilm formation assay, and a hemolysis assay.

Results: The prevalence of S. aureus in the tested samples was 19.1% in dogs, 7.7% in water, 33.3% in horses, 11.1% in beef, and 54.6% in chicken. The prevalence of MRSA was 94%. All the isolates were 100% resistant to azithromycin, with 93.8% showing resistance to chloramphenicol, clindamycin, gentamycin, and tetracycline. Additionally, 93.8% of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance to more than three antibiotic classes. All the isolates produced beta hemolysis and biofilm. These findings highlight Kentucky's urgent need for effective antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures.

Conclusion: Understanding the prevalence and AMR of S. aureus in various environments is crucial for public health, veterinary medicine, and the broader One Health approach. This holistic perspective enables more effective treatment strategies and efforts to control the spread of AMR across all sectors.

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Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Food, Animals, and Environment: A One Health Approach

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen affecting both human and animal health, recognized for its capacity to develop resistance to various antibiotics. In humans, it can cause diverse diseases, such as skin infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and foodborne illness. However, in animals, it can lead to disease conditions such as mastitis in dairy cattle, skin infections, and systemic infections. Understanding MRSA's prevalence and resistance patterns is crucial for the public health and agricultural sectors, which is vital to Kentucky and the US economy.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of MRSA in various animal, food, and environmental samples and evaluate the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence of isolates.

Methods: Samples were collected from different sources, enriched overnight in nutrient broth, and cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) plates, followed by overnight incubation. S. aureus was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction. The confirmed isolates underwent antibiotic susceptibility testing using broth microdilution against 11 antibiotics from 8 different classes, a biofilm formation assay, and a hemolysis assay.

Results: The prevalence of S. aureus in the tested samples was 19.1% in dogs, 7.7% in water, 33.3% in horses, 11.1% in beef, and 54.6% in chicken. The prevalence of MRSA was 94%. All the isolates were 100% resistant to azithromycin, with 93.8% showing resistance to chloramphenicol, clindamycin, gentamycin, and tetracycline. Additionally, 93.8% of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance to more than three antibiotic classes. All the isolates produced beta hemolysis and biofilm. These findings highlight Kentucky's urgent need for effective antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures.

Conclusion: Understanding the prevalence and AMR of S. aureus in various environments is crucial for public health, veterinary medicine, and the broader One Health approach. This holistic perspective enables more effective treatment strategies and efforts to control the spread of AMR across all sectors.