Emergence of livestock-associated Mammaliicoccus sciuri ST71 co-harbouring mecA and mecC genes in Brazil

• Published in: Veterinary microbiology 2023-08, Vol.283, p.109792-109792, Article 109792
• Main Authors: de Moura, Guilherme S., de Carvalho, Eneas, Ramos Sanchez, Eduardo M., Sellera, Fábio P., Marques, Michele F.S., Heinemann, Marcos B., De Vliegher, Sarne, Souza, Fernando N., Mota, Rinaldo A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial resistance; Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Brazil - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Livestock; Mammaliicocus sciuri; Methicillin resistance; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests - veterinary; Non-aureus staphylococci; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Staphylococcal Infections - epidemiology; Staphylococcal Infections - microbiology; Staphylococcal Infections - veterinary; Staphylococcus aureus - genetics; Whole-genome sequencing
• ISSN: 0378-1135; 1873-2542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109792

The discovery and tracking of antimicrobial resistance genes are essential for understanding the evolution of bacterial resistance and restraining its dispersion. Mammaliicoccus sciuri (formerly Staphylococcus sciuri) is the most probable evolutionary repository of the mecA gene, that later disseminated to S. aureus. In this study, we describe the first double mecA/mecC homologue-positive non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci (NASM) from the American continent, also representing the first report of mecC-positive NASM in Brazil. Two clonally related methicillin-resistant M. sciuri strains co-carrying mecA and mecC genes were isolated from the teat skin swab and milk sample collected from an ewe’s left udder half. Both M. sciuri strains belonged to the sequence type (ST) 71. Besides mecA and mecC genes, the M. sciuri strains carried broad resistomes for clinically important antimicrobial agents, including β-lactams, tetracyclines, lincosamide, streptogramin, streptomycin, and aminoglycosides. Virulome analysis showed the presence of the clumping factor B (clfB), ATP-dependent protease ClpP (ClpP) and serine-aspartate repeat proteins (sdrC and sdrE) virulence-associated genes. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that these M. sciuri strains are part of a globally disseminated branch, associated with farm and companion animals and even with food. Our findings suggest that M. sciuri is likely to emerge as a pathogen of global interest, carrying a broad repertoire of antimicrobial resistance genes with a remarkable co-presence of mecA and mecC genes. Finally, we strongly encourage to monitor M. sciuri under the One Health umbrella since this bacterial species is spreading at the human-animal-environment interface. •Genomic study of Mammaliicoccus sciuri strains co-harboring mecA and mecC genes.•The presence of broad resistomes and virulence-associated genes was confirmed.•Phylogenomic analysis showed clonal relatedness with strains from Asia and Europe.•Clonal similarity with strains from domestic animals and food is demonstrated.•Human-animal-environment interface spread of M. sciuri mec-type genes is discussed.