Speaker
Description
Data regarding the occurrence of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus in wild living animals is rare. The aim of this study was to provide insights into the occurrence and characteristics of S. aureus in ungulates from Brandenburg, Germany.
Nasal swabs of wild boars, roe, fallow and red deer were collected in hunting season 2021/2022 and analyzed for S. aureus by selective enrichment. Species were determined using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Whole-genome sequencing was conducted for genotyping and analysis of phylogenetic relationships.
S. aureus were recovered from approximately 7% of nasal swabs. S. aureus isolates were associated with several sequence types (ST). ST1 isolates clustered closely together in the phylogenetic tree. Genes encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) or SE-like (SEl) were found in 14/17 isolates. In particular, a seh gene was present in 12/17 isolates. Moreover, two isolates harbored a multiplicity of SE or SEl genes. In addition, the toxic shock syndrome toxin encoding tsst-1 gene was detected in an isolate.
Wild animals may carry potentially virulent S. aureus. The close phylogenetic relationship of S. aureus isolates indicates a possible spread between animals from the same territory. Handling of animals or their carcasses might contribute to staphylococcal infections in humans. Moreover, food poisoning due to SE producing strains may occur, if recommended hygiene practices are not applied during processing of game meat.
Keywords
Staphylococcus aureus, Wild Ungulates, Virulence, Toxins
| Registration-ID code | ZOO23-449 |
|---|---|
| Professional Status of the Speaker | Senior Scientist |
| Junior Scientist Status | No, I am not a Junior Scientist. |
Primary author
Co-authors
External references
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