Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Transmitted between Patients with Buruli Ulcer: e0004049

Background Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. The wounds of most BU patients are colonized with different microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus. Methodology This study investigated possible patient-to-patient transmission events of S. aureus during woun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLoS neglected tropical diseases 2015-09, Vol.9 (9)
Main Authors: Amissah, Nana Ama, Chlebowicz, Monika A, Ablordey, Anthony, Sabat, Artur J, Tetteh, Caitlin S, Prah, Isaac, Werf, S vander, Friedrich, Alex W, Dijl, Jan Maartenvan, Rossen, John W, Stienstra, Ymkje
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibiotic resistance
Bacteriology
Genes
Microorganisms
Mortality
Staphylococcus infections
Tropical diseases
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Background Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. The wounds of most BU patients are colonized with different microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus. Methodology This study investigated possible patient-to-patient transmission events of S. aureus during wound care in a health care center. S. aureus isolates from different BU patients with overlapping visits to the clinic were whole-genome sequenced and analyzed by a gene-by-gene approach using SeqSphere+ software. In addition, sequence data were screened for the presence of genes that conferred antibiotic resistance. Principal Findings SeqSphere+ analysis of whole-genome sequence data confirmed transmission of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin susceptible S. aureus among patients that took place during wound care. Interestingly, our sequence data show that the investigated MRSA isolates carry a novel allele of the fexB gene conferring chloramphenicol resistance, which had thus far not been observed in S. aureus.
ISSN:1935-2727
1935-2735
DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004049