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Review
. 2020 Mar 14;9(3):122.
doi: 10.3390/antibiotics9030122.

Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus Lineages in Wild Animals in Europe: A Review

Vanessa Silva  1   2   3   4 , José L Capelo  5   6 , Gilberto Igrejas  2   3   4 , Patrícia Poeta  1   4
Affiliations
Review

Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus Lineages in Wild Animals in Europe: A Review

Vanessa Silva et al. Antibiotics (Basel). .

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunist pathogen that is responsible for numerous types of infections. S. aureus is known for its ability to easily acquire antibiotic resistance determinants. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of infections both in humans and animals and is usually associated with a multidrug-resistant profile. MRSA dissemination is increasing due to its capability of establishing new reservoirs and has been found in humans, animals and the environment. Despite the fact that the information on the incidence of MRSA in the environment and, in particular, in wild animals, is scarce, some studies have reported the presence of these strains among wildlife with no direct contact with antibiotics. This shows a possible transmission between species and, consequently, a public health concern. The aim of this review is to better understand the distribution, prevalence and molecular lineages of MRSA in European free-living animals.

Keywords: MRSA; Staphylococcus aures; epidemiology; mecC; wild animals; wildlife.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Regulation of virulence determinants in S. aureus.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of antibiotic targets and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in S. aureus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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