Characterization of Staphylococcus intermedius Group Isolates Associated with Animals from Antarctica and Emended Description of Staphylococcus delphini

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Authors

VRBOVSKÁ Veronika SEDLÁČEK Ivo ZEMAN Michal ŠVEC Pavel KOVAŘOVIC Vojtěch ŠEDO Ondrej LAICHMANOVÁ Monika DOŠKAŘ Jiří PANTŮČEK Roman

Year of publication 2020
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Microorganisms
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Science

Citation
Web https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/8/2/204
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8020204
Keywords Staphylococcus delphini; Staphylococcus pseudintermedius; Antarctica; mobile genetic elements; surface proteins; exfoliative toxin; Adelie penguin; Weddell seal
Attached files
Description Members of the genus Staphylococcus are widespread in nature and occupy a variety of niches, however, staphylococcal colonization of animals in the Antarctic environment has not been adequately studied. Here, we describe the first isolation and characterization of two Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) members, Staphylococcus delphini and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, in Antarctic wildlife. Staphylococcus delphini were found exclusively in Adelie penguins. The report of S. pseudintermedius from Weddell seals confirmed its occurrence in all families of the suborder Caniformia. Partial RNA polymerase beta-subunit (rpoB) gene sequencing, repetitive PCR fingerprinting with the (GTG)5 primer, and matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry gave consistent identification results and proved to be suitable for identifying SIG members. Comparative genomics of S. delphini isolates revealed variable genomic elements, including new prophages, a novel phage-inducible chromosomal island, and numerous putative virulence factors. Surface and extracellular protein distribution were compared between genomes and showed strain-specific profiles. The pathogenic potential of S. delphini was enhanced by a novel type of exfoliative toxin, trypsin-like serine protease cluster, and enterotoxin C. Detailed analysis of phenotypic characteristics performed on six Antarctic isolates of S. delphini and eight reference strains from different animal sources enabled us to emend the species description of S. delphini.
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