A strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from a hotel room may provide insight into how resistance develops outside of medical settings.

Although intense research and media interest has focused on drug-resistant bacteria in hospital settings, resistance can and does evolve outside the clinic. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis is often isolated from infections of medical devices, but in a report in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, Xu et al. studied drug resistance in a strain that was isolated from a public setting: a hotel room in London.

Although S. epidermidis isn’t as virulent as its infamous relative S. aureus, it can still cause infection and serve as an important reservoir for resistance genes, which can be transferred to more deadly bacteria. The authors sequenced the genome of their strain and tested its susceptibility to a panel of antibiotics.

After sequencing the new strain’s genome, the authors found that its chromosome and six plasmids contained a number of resistance genes, including the fosfomycin resistance gene fosB, the multidrug resistance gene msrA, and several others. A comparison between the hotel strain and other sequenced S. epidermidis genomes revealed that some of these genes were unique to the new isolate, such as the tetracycline resistance gene tet(K). They also tested the strain’s susceptibility to a panel of thirteen antibiotics and found that it was resistant to eleven of them.

This is the first genomic analysis of an S. epidermidis strain isolated from a general public setting,  and it demonstrates how antibiotic resistance can occur even outside of the specific evolutionary pressures of a sterile healthcare setting. More studies like this may help us to further understand—and combat—the spread of antibiotic-resistance among our ever-present bacterial guests.

CITATION:

Whole Genome Sequence and Comparative Genomics Analysis of Multi-drug Resistant Environmental Staphylococcus epidermidis ST59

Zhen Xu, Raju Misra, Dorota Jamrozy, Gavin K. Paterson, Ronald R. Cutler, Mark A. Holmes, Saheer Gharbia, Hermine V. Mkrtchyan

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics July 2018 8: 2225-2230; https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.118.200314

http://www.g3journal.org/content/8/7/2225

, , ,

Science Writing and Communications Intern, Genetics Society of America.

View all posts by Marisa Wexler »

Read more in

  • Ed Grell at his dissecting microscope using ether to anesthetize his flies.

    In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation

    Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…

  • Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!

    We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…

  • Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024

    You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…

  • Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience 

    A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…

  • TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners

    GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024.  Don’t miss the opportunity…

  • Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards

    In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…

  • Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research

    In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…

  • New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026

    We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…

  • A rose-ringed parakeet, one of three parrot species used in the study.

    Parrot plumage study aids breeders and endangered natural populations

    Yellow coloration is maladaptive in the wild but prized by breeders. People have long been fascinated with birds, which exhibit one of the widest ranges of coloration among vertebrates. Parrots, in particular, have captivated humans by their ability to mimic human speech and spectacular plumage. Brightly colored feathers are used primarily to attract mates, intimidate…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Gilmour

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah GilmourMultimedia SubcommitteeStowers Institute for Medical Research Research Interest Questions of evolution have always fascinated me. I am extremely fortunate to be starting out my research career in a…