Detection of Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec -SCC (mec A) gene in Staphylococcus isolated from Oreochromis niloticus fish

Document Type : Original Article

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1 Bacteriology, Immunology, and Mycology Department, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Benha University, Egypt.

2 Microbiology Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Benha Branch

Abstract

Seventy-five fresh Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were obtained from various fish markets in Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, between September 2023 and February 2024. These fish samples underwent bacteriological examination to isolate and identify Staphylococcus aureus, with a particular focus on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Resistance to methicillin in the strains was verified by amplifying the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec -SCC (mecA) gene via polymerase chain reaction. A total of 12% (9/75) of the examined fish samples yielded S. aureus. Notably, all of these nine bacterial isolates harbored the mecA determinant by PCR. These results imply that aquatic fauna, specifically Nile tilapia, could serve as a reservoir for resistant staphylococci, thereby representing a possible risk to both piscine health and human populations. Further studies are needed to elucidate transmission routes of MRSA in relation to fresh fish and to provide tools for preventing the spread of MRSA. so in this study we need to shed light on importance of MRSA.

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