Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a major concern for public health, and broiler farms are a potential source of MRSA isolates. In this study, a total of 56 MRSA isolates from 15 broiler farms from 4 different counties in Germany were characterised phenotypically and genotypically. Spa types, dru types, SCCmec types, and virulence genes as well as resistance genes were determined by using a DNA microarray or specific PCR assays. In addition, PFGE profiles of isolates were used for analysis of their epidemiological relatedness. While half of the isolates belonged to spa type t011, the other half was of spa types t1430 and t034. On 3 farms, more than 1 spa type was found. The most common dru type was dt10a (n = 19), followed by dt11a (n = 17). Susceptibility testing of all isolates by broth microdilution revealed 21 different resistance phenotypes and a wide range of resistance genes was present among the isolates. Up to 10 different resistance phenotypes were found on individual farms. Resistance to tetracyclines (n = 53), MLSB antibiotics (n = 49), trimethoprim (n = 38), and elevated MICs of tiamulin (n = 29) were most commonly observed. Microarray analysis detected genes for leucocidin (lukF/S), haemolysin gamma (hlgA), and other haemolysines in all isolates. In all t1430 isolates, the egc cluster comprising of genes encoding enterotoxin G, I, M, N, O, U, and/or Y was found. The splitstree analysis based on microarray and PCR gene profiles revealed that all CC9/SCCmec IV/t1430/dt10a isolates clustered apart from the other isolates. These findings confirm that genotypic patterns were specific for clonal lineages rather than for the origin of isolates from individual farms.

中文翻译：

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来自德国肉鸡场的耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的特征是谱系而非来源特异性。

耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌 (MRSA) 是公共卫生的主要问题，肉鸡养殖场是 MRSA 分离株的潜在来源。在这项研究中，来自德国 4 个不同县的 15 个肉鸡养殖场的总共 56 个 MRSA 分离株进行了表型和基因型表征。Spa 类型、dru 类型、SCCmec 类型和毒力基因以及抗性基因通过使用 DNA 微阵列或特定 PCR 测定来确定。此外，分离株的 PFGE 谱用于分析它们的流行病学相关性。一半的分离株属于水疗类型 t011，另一半属于水疗类型 t1430 和 t034。在 3 个农场中，发现了 1 种以上的水疗类型。最常见的 dru 类型是 dt10a (n = 19)，其次是 dt11a (n = 17)。通过肉汤微量稀释法对所有分离株进行的药敏试验揭示了 21 种不同的耐药表型，并且分离株中存在广泛的耐药基因。在各个农场中发现了多达 10 种不同的抗性表型。最常观察到对四环素 (n = 53)、MLSB 抗生素 (n = 49)、甲氧苄啶 (n = 38) 和泰妙菌素 MIC 升高 (n = 29) 的耐药性。微阵列分析检测了所有分离株中的白杀青素 (lukF/S)、溶血素 γ (hlgA) 和其他溶血素的基因。在所有 t1430 分离物中，发现了由编码肠毒素 G、I、M、N、O、U 和/或 Y 的基因组成的 egc 簇。基于微阵列和 PCR 基因谱的 splitstree 分析显示，所有 CC9/SCCmec IV/t1430/dt10a 分离株与其他分离株聚集在一起。