Whole genome sequence analysis of multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis(MRSE) ST35 strain isolated from human ear infection of an Iraqi patient.

AIMS: Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common coagulase-negative bacteria colonizing the human skin as well as mucous membrane. It is the major cause of infections in the hospital environment. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in S. epidermidis has increased quite significantly in the last few decades threatening the human health globally. This study explores the AMR status in an S. epidermidis strain isolated from the ear-infection of an Iraqi student who has undergone treatment for the same. RESULTS: S. epidermidis AK-612 is a methicillin resistant strain possessing SCCmec type element. This MRSE (Methicillin resistant S. epidermidis) is a ST-35 belonging to clonal complex 2 which has never been reported earlier in Iraq, to the best of our knowledge. S. epidermidis ST-35 has earlier been reported only in Portugal and Germany. In Portugal, ST-35 was reported to be colonizing the nasal area of a bird of prey Buteo buteo which undergoes a migratory period extending its range from Europe to Asia. The plasmid of S. epidermidis (AK-612) with plasmid 1 of S. epidermidis strain PM221. S. epidermidis strain PM221 was isolated in Finland from intra-mammary bovine infection. This ST-35 strain may have crossed continental boundaries and expanded its occurrence in animals as well as humans. CONCLUSIONS: This is a matter of serious concern as the dissemination of the multi-drug resistant S. epidermidis in human infections can prove to be a major hindrance for treatment of infections.. The transmission of this isolate across continental boundaries will make the infection control a difficult task.