
ABSTRACT In this study, we investigated the genomic changes in a major methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clone following a significant outbreak at a hospital. Whole-genome sequencing of MRSA isolates was utilized to explore the genomic evolution of post-outbreak MRSA strains. The epidemicity of the clone declined over time, coinciding with the introduction of multimodal infection control measures. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified multiple genes significantly associated with either high or low epidemic success, indicating alterations in mobilome, virulence, and defense mechanisms. Random Forest models pinpointed a gene related to fibrinogen binding as the most influential predictor of epidemicity. The decline of the MRSA clone may be attributed to various factors, including the implementation of new infection control measures, single nucleotide polymorphisms accumulation, and the genetic drift of a given clone. This research underscores the complex dynamics of MRSA clones, emphasizing the multifactorial nature of their evolution. The decline in epidemicity seems linked to alterations in the clone’s genetic profile, with a probable shift towards decreased virulence and adaptation to long-term carriage. Understanding the genomic basis for the decline of epidemic clones is crucial to develop effective strategies for their surveillance and management, as well as to gain insights into the evolutionary dynamics of pathogen genomes.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Cross Infection, Molecular Epidemiology, Whole Genome Sequencing, Bacteriology, Staphylococcal Infections, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Disease Outbreaks, Evolution, Molecular, Humans, Humans; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology; Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology; Cross Infection/microbiology; Cross Infection/epidemiology; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/classification; Disease Outbreaks; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Bacterial/genetics; Whole Genome Sequencing; Genome-Wide Association Study; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Molecular Epidemiology; MRSA; THD; genomics; outbreak; random forest, Genome, Bacterial, Genome-Wide Association Study
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Cross Infection, Molecular Epidemiology, Whole Genome Sequencing, Bacteriology, Staphylococcal Infections, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Disease Outbreaks, Evolution, Molecular, Humans, Humans; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology; Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology; Cross Infection/microbiology; Cross Infection/epidemiology; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/classification; Disease Outbreaks; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Bacterial/genetics; Whole Genome Sequencing; Genome-Wide Association Study; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Molecular Epidemiology; MRSA; THD; genomics; outbreak; random forest, Genome, Bacterial, Genome-Wide Association Study
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
