MRSA Strains with Distinct Accessory Genes Predominate at Different Ages
in Cystic Fibrosis
Abstract
Rationale: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is prevalent and consequential in cystic fibrosis (CF). Whole
genome sequencing (WGS) could reveal genomic differences in MRSA
associated with poorer outcomes or detect MRSA transmission.
Objectives: To identify MRSA genes associated with low lung
function and identify potential MRSA transmission in CF.
Methods: We collected 97 MRSA isolates from 74 individuals with
CF from 2017 and performed short-read WGS. We determined sequence type
(ST) and the phylogenetic relationship between isolates. We aligned
accessory genes from 25 reference genomes to genome assemblies. We
classified the MRSA by accessory gene content and correlated the
accessory genome to clinical outcomes. Results: The most
prevalent ST were ST5 (N=55), ST105 (N=14), and ST8 (N=14). Closely
related MRSA strains were shared by family members with CF, but rarely
between unrelated individuals. Three distinct clusters of MRSA were
identified by accessory genome content. The first included ST5 and ST105
strains and was common among older patients with lower
FEV1. The second cluster included ST8, which was
generally identified in younger patients. Sputum density of MRSA and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa was higher in cultures from patients with
ST5/ST105 compared to patients with ST8 at similar ages.
Conclusions: In this CF cohort, we identified MRSA subtypes
that predominate at different ages and differ by accessory gene content.
ST5 and ST105 represented the most prevalent cluster of MRSA. ST8 MRSA
was more common in younger patients and thus has the potential to rise
in prevalence as these patients age.