Staphylococcus argenteus transmission among healthy Royal Marines: A molecular epidemiology case-study. Issue 5 (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jauneikaite, Elita; Pichon, Bruno; Mosavie, Mia; Fallowfield, Joanne L.; Davey, Trish; Thorpe, Neil; Nelstrop, Andrew; Sriskandan, Shiranee; Lamb, Lucy E
• Is Part Of: Journal of infection. Volume 83:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 550
• Page End: 553
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Staphylococcus argenteus, carriage -- Whole genome sequencing -- ST2250; Infection -- Periodicals; Bacterial Infections -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.08.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-4453

Abstract

Highlights: S. argenteus strains (t5078, ST2250) had no mec, tsst or LukPV genes present. SNPs analysis support S. argenteus transmission between recruits training together. Potential of high number of mutations present in carriage S. argenteus isolates. Summary: Objectives During a prospective study of S. aureus carriage in Royal Marines recruits, six S. argenteus strains were identified in four recruits. As S. argenteus sepsis leads to mortality similar to S. aureus, we determined the potential for within same troop transmission, to evaluate future outbreak risk. Methods We used whole-genome sequencing to characterise S. argenteus and investigate phylogenetic relationships between isolates. Results S. argenteus strains (t5078, ST2250) were detected in 4/40 recruits in the same troop (training cohort) in weeks 1, 6 or 15 of training. No mec, tsst or LukPV genes were detected. We identified differences of 1–17 core SNPs between S. argenteus from different recruits. In two recruits, two S. argenteus strains were isolated; these could be distinguished by 2 and 15 core SNPs. Conclusions The identification of S. argenteus within a single troop from the total recruit population suggests a common source for transmission, though high number of SNPs were identified, both within-host and within-cluster. The high number of SNPs between some isolates may indicate a common source of diverse isolates or a high level of S. argenteus mutation in carriage. S. argenteus is newly recognized species; and understanding of the frequency of genetic changes during transmission and transition from asymptomatic carriage to disease is required.