First Report of a Methicillin-Resistant, High-Level Mupirocin-Resistant Staphylococcus argenteus

Shittu AO, Layer-Nicolaou F, Strommenger B, Nguyen MT, Bletz S, Mellmann A, Schaumburg F

Abstract

Abstract We describe the identification of a methicillin-resistant, high-level mupirocin-resistantStaphylococcus argenteus. The isolate (1801221) was characterized as t6675-ST2250-SCCmecIVc, and whole-genome sequencing revealed that the isolate possessed two plasmids. One plasmid (34,870 bp), designated p1_1801221 withrep23, harboured the mupirocin resistance (mupA) gene. The second plasmid (20,644 bp), assigned as p2_1801221 withrep5aandrep16, carried the resistance determinants for penicillin (blaZ) and cadmium (cadD). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate clustered with the European ST2250 lineage. The overall high similarity of both plasmids inS. argenteuswith published DNA sequences ofStaphylococcus aureusplasmids strongly suggests an interspecies transfer. The pathogenic potential, community and nosocomial spread, and acquisition of antibiotic resistance gene determinants, including themupAgene byS. argenteus, highlight its clinical significance and the need for its correct identification.