Evaluation of virulence potential of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from a German refugee cohort. Issue 45 (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Creutz, Ines; Busche, Tobias; Layer, Franziska; Bednarz, Hanna; Kalinowski, Jörn; Niehaus, Karsten
• Is Part Of: Travel medicine and infectious disease. Issue 45(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Community-acquired -- MRSA -- MSSA -- Asylum seeker -- Whole genome sequencing -- Asymptomatic carriage; Travel -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-8939

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) seem to be highly transmissible, often infect otherwise healthy humans and frequently occur in hospital outbreaks. Methods: Refugees, living in accommodations in Germany were screened for nasal carriage of S. aureus . The isolates were investigated regarding resistance and virulence, phenotypically and by whole genome data analysis. Results: 5.6% (9/161) of the refugees are carriers of S. aureus . 2.5% (4/161) are MRSA carriers. Among the refugees, spa -types t021, t084, t304, t991 and t4983 were detected, as well as the new spa -types t18794 and t18795. t304 and t991 are assumed to be local spa -types from the middle east. The isolates are less resistant and marginal biofilm formers. Each isolate has a remarkable set of virulence genes, although genes, encoding for proteins strongly associated with invasive S. aureus infections, like Panton-Valentine leucocidin, were not detected. Conclusion: The detection of strains from the middle east, supports the assumption that strains co-travel with the refugees and persist despite a transition of the host's living conditions. Whole genome data analysis does not permit to finally evaluate a germ's virulence. Nevertheless, an impression of the virulence potential of the strains, regarding skills in colonization, resistance, immune evasion, and host cell damaging can be pictured. Highlights: Methicillin-resistant and -sensitive S. aureus strains co-travel with refugees. Among refugees, spa -types are found which do not occur in the destination country. Using Whole Genome Sequencing to evaluate S. aureus virulence in healthy carriers.