Summary

Staphylococcus aureus is an extraordinarily adaptable gram-positive bacterium which causes disease ranging from minor skin infections to post-operative wound infections. The organism has a propensity to develop resistance to antibiotics. In particular, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is rapidly spreading among different populations worldwide. MRSA is mainly classified based on epidemiologic and genotypic characteristics as hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). In addition, the recently discovered livestock associated-MRSA (LA-MRSA) is also a potential human pathogen. Better understanding of epidemiology of the pathogen is necessary for planning effective treatment and control measures. At present, researchers have been using numerous diagnostic methods ranging from conventional cultures to modern molecular diagnostic to detect and describe the pathogen. In Sri Lanka, a very little research has been done looking at epidemiology at interface of animal and human health. The purpose of this study is to describe prevalence, transmission, and zoonotic threat of MRSA isolated from humans, animals and animal products in southern Sri Lanka and to investigate the potential microbiome associations of the pathogen. Basic microbiology methods and advanced molecular techniques including sequencing will be performed to carry out these objectives.

Objectives

Specific Objective:

• Aim 1: To describe the molecular epidemiology and associated risk factors of MRSA infection among patients admitted to two major hospitals in southern Sri Lanka
• Aim 2.a To describe the colonization prevalence and molecular epidemiology of MRSA isolated from livestock-associated personnel and livestock on farms
• 2.b. To describe the colonization prevalence and molecular epidemiology of MRSA isolated from livestock products (meat, milk, egg) sold in farm outlets and retail shops in southern Sri Lanka
• Aim 3: To describe the human and animal nasal microbiomes and their relationship to MRSA colonization

Major Equipment Facilitated by Grant

N/A