Human Staphylococcus aureus lineages among Zoological Park residents in Greece

Staphylococcus aureus is a part of the microbiota flora in many animal species. The clonal spread of S. aureus among animals and personnel in a Zoological Park was investigated. Samples were collected from colonized and infected sites among 32 mammals, 11 birds and eight humans. The genes mecA, mecC...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: E. Drougka, A. Foka, D. Posantzis, N. Giormezis, E.D. Anastassiou, E. Petinaki, I. Spiliopoulou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tripoli University 2015-10-01
Series:Open Veterinary Journal
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Online Access:http://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/2015/Volume%205%20%282%29/OVJ-081-06-15%20E.%20Drougka%20et%20al.pdf
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Summary:Staphylococcus aureus is a part of the microbiota flora in many animal species. The clonal spread of S. aureus among animals and personnel in a Zoological Park was investigated. Samples were collected from colonized and infected sites among 32 mammals, 11 birds and eight humans. The genes mecA, mecC, lukF/lukS-PV (encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin, PVL) and tst (toxic shock syndrome toxin-1) were investigated by PCR. Clones were defined by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST), spa type and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Seven S. aureus isolates were recovered from four animals and one from an employee. All were mecA, mecC and tst–negative, whereas, one carried the PVL genes and was isolated from an infected Squirrel monkey. Clonal analysis revealed the occurrence of seven STs, eight PFGE and five spa types including ones of human origin. Even though a variety of genotypes were identified among S. aureus strains colonizing zoo park residents, our results indicate that colonization with human lineages has indeed occurred.
ISSN:2218-6050
2218-6050