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Current Microbiology Jan 2021Macrococcus spp. are Gram-positive cocci that belong to the Staphylococcaceae family; they are closely related to staphylococci, but, unlike staphylococci, they are not... (Review)
Review
Macrococcus spp. are Gram-positive cocci that belong to the Staphylococcaceae family; they are closely related to staphylococci, but, unlike staphylococci, they are not considered as human pathogens. Macrococcus spp. are recognized as relevant veterinary pathogens, and their presence has been reported in food products of animal origin. Macrococcus caseolyticus, the most studied species of the Macrococcus genus, is associated with the development of aroma and flavor in fermented foods and is, thus, used as starter cultures in fermentations. However, certain important issues regarding food safety must be taken into account when employing these microorganisms in fermentations. Recent studies have reported the presence of genes associated with resistance to methicillin and other antibiotics in M. caseolyticus. This can be harmful to human health as these genes can be transferred to other bacteria present in the food, mainly staphylococcal species. This work, therefore, aims to highlight the importance of a more critical view on the presence of macrococci in foods and the possible indirect risks to human health.
Topics: Animals; Food Safety; Humans; Phylogeny; Staphylococcaceae; Staphylococcus
PubMed: 33165661
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-020-02281-z -
The Journal of Antimicrobial... Jun 2022β-Lactamases (Bla) and low-affinity penicillin-binding proteins (PBP2A) are responsible for β-lactam resistance in the genera Macrococcus, Mammaliicoccus and... (Review)
Review
β-Lactamases (Bla) and low-affinity penicillin-binding proteins (PBP2A) are responsible for β-lactam resistance in the genera Macrococcus, Mammaliicoccus and Staphylococcus. These resistance mechanisms are in most species acquired through mobile genetic elements that carry a blaZ-like β-lactamase gene for penicillin resistance and/or a mec gene (mecA, mecB, mecC,mecD) encoding a PBP2A for resistance to virtually all classes of β-lactams. The mecA and mecC genes can be acquired through staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) elements in Staphylococcus and Mammaliicoccus. The mecB and mecD genes are found in Macrococcus on SCCmec elements, as well as on unrelated mecD-carrying Macrococcus resistance islands (McRImecD) and large mecB-carrying plasmids. This review provides a phylogenetic overview of Macrococcus, Mammaliicoccus and Staphylococcus species and an in-depth analysis of the genetic structures carrying bla and mec genes in these genera. Native bla genes were detected in species belonging to the novobiocin-resistant Staphylococcus saprophyticus group and Mammaliicoccus. The evolutionary relatedness between Macrococcus and Mammaliicoccus is illustrated on the basis of a similar set of intrinsic PBPs, especially, the presence of a second class A PBP. The review further focuses on macrococcal elements carrying mecB and mecD, and compares them with structures present in Staphylococcus and Mammaliicoccus. It also discusses the different recombinases (ccr of SCCmec) and integrases (int of McRI) that contribute to the mobility of methicillin resistance genes, revealing Macrococcus as an important source for mobilization of antibiotic resistance genes within the family of Staphylococcaceae.
Topics: Bacterial Proteins; Methicillin Resistance; Phylogeny; Staphylococcaceae; Staphylococcus; beta-Lactam Resistance; beta-Lactamases
PubMed: 35445249
DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac107 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2020A methicillin-resistant isolate from canine otitis, H889678/16/1, was whole-genome sequenced using HiSeq technology to identify the species, antimicrobial resistance...
A methicillin-resistant isolate from canine otitis, H889678/16/1, was whole-genome sequenced using HiSeq technology to identify the species, antimicrobial resistance determinates and their genomic context. H889678/16/1 belonged to the newly described species . It encoded within a novel SCC element most similar to that of KM45013. This SCC element also encoded and , but no other resistance determinates were found in the H889678/16/1 genome. The and recombinase genes within SCC were distinct from those previously described in staphylococci and macrococci and therefore designated here as and . Our study represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first description of being encoded by . and of methicillin resistance in this species. Furthermore, the SCC described here is highly dissimilar to other such elements and encodes novel genes. Our report demonstrates a wider distribution of among species and expands the genomic context in which may be found. The potential for dissemination of genes from to related but more pathogenic species highlights the need to understand the epidemiology of these genes in macrococci.
PubMed: 32927653
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9090590 -
International Journal of Systematic and... Feb 2022Gram-positive coccoid bacteria were isolated from the nasal cavities of pigs and calves as well as from axillar and inguinal skin regions of pigs. Phylogenetic analysis...
Gram-positive coccoid bacteria were isolated from the nasal cavities of pigs and calves as well as from axillar and inguinal skin regions of pigs. Phylogenetic analysis of seven strains based on complete genome, 16S rRNA, , , and gene sequences and MALDI-TOF MS profiles revealed that they belonged to the genus with the closest relatedness to , subsp. and subsp. . DNA relatedness of the type strain JEK37 with the type strains of , subsp. and subsp. was 23.4, 23.1 and 23.0 % by digital DNA-DNA hybridization and 80.39, 80.45 and 80.87 % by average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculations, confirming that they do not belong to the same species. The DNA G+C content of JEK37 was 35.65 mol%. The novel strains can be differentiated from KM 45013 by the ability to fermentate d-ribose and by the absence of DNAase production and haemolysis, from subsp. CCUG 15606 by the ability to fermentate sucrose and from both species by the inability to grow in 9 and 12% NaCl. They differ from subsp. by the presence of α-glucosidase. The most common fatty acids of JEK37 were C, C ω9 and C. Known polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, aminoglycolipid, aminophospholipid, glycolipid and phospholipid. Cell-wall peptidoglycan of JEK37 was of type A3α l-Lys-Gly-L-Ser-Gly (similar to A11.3) and the respiratory quinolone was menaquinone 6. Based on their genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, these strains represent a novel species of the genus , for which we propose the name sp. nov. The type strain is JEK37 (=DSM 112712=CCOS 1982).
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Base Composition; Cattle; DNA, Bacterial; Fatty Acids; Genes, Bacterial; Nasal Cavity; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Phospholipids; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Skin; Staphylococcaceae; Swine; Vitamin K 2
PubMed: 35156917
DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005245 -
Infection, Genetics and Evolution :... Dec 2021A hemolytic Macrococcus canis strain (LI021) was isolated for the first time from a human skin infection. The complete genome of LI021 consisting of a 2,216,765-bp...
A hemolytic Macrococcus canis strain (LI021) was isolated for the first time from a human skin infection. The complete genome of LI021 consisting of a 2,216,765-bp circular chromosome was obtained by de novo hybrid assembly of Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technology reads. Strain LI021 belonged to the new sequence type ST75 and was resistant to β-lactam antibiotics due to the presence of a methicillin resistance gene mecB. The mecB gene as well as putative hemolysin genes hlgB and hlgC were located on a novel composite pseudo (Ψ) SCCmec island. These findings show that a methicillin-resistant M. canis may be associated with human infection and indicate that this bacterium should be considered by human diagnostic laboratories.
Topics: Female; Genome, Bacterial; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Humans; Methicillin Resistance; Middle Aged; Skin Diseases, Bacterial; Staphylococcaceae; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 34715385
DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105125 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023species have been isolated from a range of mammals and mammal-derived food products. While they are largely considered to be animal commensals, spp. can be...
INTRODUCTION
species have been isolated from a range of mammals and mammal-derived food products. While they are largely considered to be animal commensals, spp. can be opportunistic pathogens in both veterinary and human clinical settings. This study aimed to provide insight into the evolution, population structure, and functional potential of the genus, with an emphasis on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence potential.
METHODS
All high-quality, publicly available genomes ( = 104, accessed 27 August 2022), plus six South African genomes sequenced here (two strains from bovine clinical mastitis cases and four strains from beef products), underwent taxonomic assignment (using four different approaches), AMR determinant detection (via AMRFinderPlus), and virulence factor detection (using DIAMOND and the core Virulence Factor Database).
RESULTS
Overall, the 110 genomes were of animal commensal, veterinary clinical, food-associated (including food spoilage), and environmental origins; five genomes (4.5%) originated from human clinical cases. Notably, none of the taxonomic assignment methods produced identical results, highlighting the potential for species misidentifications. The most common predicted antimicrobial classes associated with AMR determinants identified across included macrolides, beta-lactams, and aminoglycosides ( = 81, 61, and 44 of 110 genomes; 73.6, 55.5, and 40.0%, respectively). Genes showing homology to exoenzyme aureolysin were detected across multiple species (using 90% coverage, = 40 and 77 genomes harboring aureolysin-like genes at 60 and 40% amino acid [AA] identity, respectively). Panton-Valentine leucocidin toxin-associated and homologs were identified in eight genomes (≥40% AA identity, >85% coverage). Using a method that delineates populations using recent gene flow (PopCOGenT), two species ( and ) were composed of multiple within-species populations. Notably, was partitioned into two populations, which differed in functional potential (e.g., one harbored beta-lactamase family, type II toxin-antitoxin system, and stress response proteins, while the other possessed a Type VII secretion system; PopCOGenT < 0.05).
DISCUSSION
Overall, this study leverages all publicly available genomes in addition to newly sequenced genomes from South Africa to identify genomic elements associated with AMR or virulence potential, which can be queried in future experiments.
PubMed: 37547688
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1181376 -
The Journal of Antimicrobial... Sep 2019To analyse the genetic context of mecB in two Macrococcus canis strains from dogs, compare the mecB-containing elements with those found in other Macrococcus and...
OBJECTIVES
To analyse the genetic context of mecB in two Macrococcus canis strains from dogs, compare the mecB-containing elements with those found in other Macrococcus and Staphylococcus species, and identify possible mobilizable mecB subunits.
METHODS
Whole genomes of the M. canis strains Epi0076A and KM0218 were sequenced using next-generation sequencing technologies. Multiple PCRs and restriction analysis confirmed structures of mecB-containing elements, circularization and recombination of mecB subunits.
RESULTS
Both M. canis strains contained novel composite pseudo (Ψ) staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) elements. Integration site sequences for SCC flanked and subdivided composite ΨSCCmecEpi0076A (69569 bp) into ΨSCC1Epi0076A-ΨSCCmecEpi0076A-ΨSCC2Epi0076A and composite ΨSCCmecKM0218 (24554 bp) into ΨSCCKM0218-ΨSCCmecKM0218. Putative γ-haemolysin genes (hlgB and hlgC) were found at the 3' end of both composite elements. ΨSCCmecKM0218 contained a complete mecB gene complex (mecIm-mecR1m-mecB-blaZm) downstream of a new IS21-family member (ISMaca1). ΨSCCmecEpi0076A carried a blaZm-deleted mecB gene complex similar to that reported in 'Macrococcus goetzii' CCM4927T. A second mecB gene was found on the 81325 bp MDR plasmid pKM0218 in KM0218. This plasmid contained a complete Tn6045-associated mecB gene complex distinct from that of ΨSCCmecKM0218. pKM0218 was almost identical to the mecB-containing plasmid recently reported in Staphylococcus aureus (overall 99.96% nucleotide identity). Mobilization of mecB within an unconventional circularizable structure was observed in Epi0076A as well as chromosomal plasmid insertion via recombination of mecB operons in KM0218.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings provide evidence of both the continuing evolution of mecB-containing elements in macrococci and M. canis as a potential source of the mecB-containing plasmid found in staphylococci.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Methicillin Resistance; Operon; Otitis Externa; Plasmids; Staphylococcaceae; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 31243455
DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz260 -
Veterinary Dermatology Dec 2017The discovery of a new Macrococcus canis species isolated from skin and infection sites of dogs led us to question if Macrococcus spp. are common in dogs and are...
BACKGROUND
The discovery of a new Macrococcus canis species isolated from skin and infection sites of dogs led us to question if Macrococcus spp. are common in dogs and are resistant to antibiotics.
HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the occurrence of Macrococcus spp. in dogs, determine antibiotic resistance profiles and genetic relationships.
ANIMALS
One hundred and sixty two dogs (mainly West Highland white terriers and Newfoundland dogs) were screened for the presence of Macrococcus, including six dogs with Macrococcus infections.
METHODS
Samples were taken from skin, ear canal and oral mucosa using swabs. Macrococci were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, 16S rRNA sequencing and nuc-PCR. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of 19 antibiotics were determined using broth microdilution. Resistance mechanisms were identified by microarray and sequencing of the fluoroquinolone-determining region of gyrA and grlA. Sequence type (ST) was determined by multilocus sequence typing.
RESULTS
Out of the 162 dogs, six harboured M. caseolyticus (n = 6) and 13 harboured M. canis (n = 16). Six isolates of M. canis and one of M. caseolyticus were obtained from infection sites. The 22 M. canis strains belonged to 20 different STs and the seven M. caseolyticus strains to three STs. Resistance to antibiotics was mostly associated with the detection of known genes, with mecB-mediated meticillin resistance being the most frequent.
CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
This study gives some insights into the occurrence and genetic characteristics of antibiotic-resistant Macrococcus from dogs. Presence of M. canis in infection sites and resistance to antibiotics emphasized that more attention should be paid to this novel bacteria species.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Genes, Bacterial; Genetic Variation; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Newfoundland and Labrador; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Skin Diseases, Bacterial
PubMed: 28748533
DOI: 10.1111/vde.12474 -
Microbiology Resource Announcements May 2019Here, we present the draft genome sequences of 14 strains of 4 species of the genus These strains were isolated from bovine milk and tongue samples obtained during a...
Here, we present the draft genome sequences of 14 strains of 4 species of the genus These strains were isolated from bovine milk and tongue samples obtained during a screening program.
PubMed: 31072881
DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00343-19 -
The Genus Macrococcus: An Insight Into Its Biology, Evolution, and Relationship With Staphylococcus.Advances in Applied Microbiology 2018The Gram-positive genus Macrococcus is composed of eight species that are evolutionarily closely related to species of the Staphylococcus genus. In contrast to...
The Gram-positive genus Macrococcus is composed of eight species that are evolutionarily closely related to species of the Staphylococcus genus. In contrast to Staphylococcus species, species of Macrococcus are generally regarded to be avirulent in their animal hosts. Recent reports on Macrococcus have focused on the presence of novel methicillin resistance genes in Macrococcus caseolyticus and Macrococcus canis, with the discovery of the first plasmid-encoded methicillin resistance gene in clinical Staphylococcus aureus of probable macrococcal origin generating further interest in these organisms. Furthermore, M. caseolyticus has been associated with flavor development in certain fermented foods and its potential as a food bio-preservative has been documented. The potential application of these organisms in food seems at odds with the emerging information regarding antibiotic resistance and is prompting further examination of the potential safety issues associated with such strains, given the European Food Safety Authority framework for the safety evaluation of microorganisms in the food chain. A comprehensive understanding of the genus would also contribute to understanding the evolution of staphylococci in terms of its acquisition of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic potential. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on Macrococcus with regard to their phenotypic capabilities, genetic diversity, and evolutionary history with Staphylococcus. Comparative genomics of the sequenced Macrococcus species will be discussed, providing insight into their unique metabolic features and the genetic structures carrying methicillin resistance. An in-depth understanding of these antibiotic resistance determinants can open the possibilities for devising better preventative strategies for an unpredictable future.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Food Microbiology; Food Safety; Genes, Bacterial; Genetic Variation; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Methicillin Resistance; Staphylococcaceae
PubMed: 30342720
DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2018.05.002