TY - JOUR
T1 - Genomic analysis of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bacteremia reveals genetic features associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
AU - Sánchez-Osuna, Miquel
AU - Pedrosa, Marc
AU - Bierge, Paula
AU - Gómez-Sánchez, Inmaculada
AU - Alguacil Guillen, Marina
AU - Espasa, Mateu
AU - Erill, Ivan
AU - Gasch Blasi, Oriol
AU - Pich, Oscar Q.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s)
PY - 2024/8/16
Y1 - 2024/8/16
N2 - Genomic analyses of bacterial isolates are effective to compare the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence determinants in different contexts. This study provides a comprehensive genomic description of 339 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients with bacteremia (2014-2022). Nosocomial acquisition accounted for 56.6% of cases, with vascular catheters being the main infection source (31.8%). Fatality (27.4%), persistent bacteremia (19.5%), and septic emboli (24.2%) were documented. During the COVID-19 pandemic, S. aureus bacteremia episodes increased by 140%. Genetic features in pandemic isolates revealed higher prevalence of methicillin (mecA) and macrolide (msrA and mphC) resistance genes. Additionally, genes encoding clumping factors A and B, involved in fibrinogen binding, were more prevalent. This was linked to extensive macrolide use in COVID-19 accessory therapy and elevated fibrinogen levels in SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings highlight S. aureus adaptation to COVID-19 selective pressures and the value of whole-genome sequencing in molecular epidemiology studies.
AB - Genomic analyses of bacterial isolates are effective to compare the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence determinants in different contexts. This study provides a comprehensive genomic description of 339 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients with bacteremia (2014-2022). Nosocomial acquisition accounted for 56.6% of cases, with vascular catheters being the main infection source (31.8%). Fatality (27.4%), persistent bacteremia (19.5%), and septic emboli (24.2%) were documented. During the COVID-19 pandemic, S. aureus bacteremia episodes increased by 140%. Genetic features in pandemic isolates revealed higher prevalence of methicillin (mecA) and macrolide (msrA and mphC) resistance genes. Additionally, genes encoding clumping factors A and B, involved in fibrinogen binding, were more prevalent. This was linked to extensive macrolide use in COVID-19 accessory therapy and elevated fibrinogen levels in SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings highlight S. aureus adaptation to COVID-19 selective pressures and the value of whole-genome sequencing in molecular epidemiology studies.
KW - Evolutionary mechanisms
KW - Genomic analysis
KW - Microbial genomics
KW - Alignment
KW - Methicillin-resistant
KW - Mortality
KW - Blood-stream infections
KW - Search
KW - Epidemiology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85198115666&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/c7789948-4c4b-3708-b7b3-67af946ba3eb/
U2 - 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110402
DO - 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110402
M3 - Article
C2 - 39108736
SN - 2589-0042
VL - 27
JO - iScience
JF - iScience
IS - 8
M1 - 110402
ER -