Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in livestock production system of Nigeria : a systematic review

Abstract

Recently, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been identified as a growing concern in livestock. Animals can serve as reservoirs for MRSA, and the bacteria can be transmitted to humans who are in close contact with animals colonized by MRSA. This study evaluated the prevalence, potential source, and vehicle in the emergence and transmission of livestock-associated MRSA in Nigeria’s livestock production systems over the past decade. A systematic search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies published between 2012 and 2022. Standardized keywords were used. 28 eligible articles were included in the review, and our systematic review protocol was published in Prospero (Registration number: CRD42023431777). The occurrence of MRSA varied across the studies analyzed, ranging from 0% to 53.9%. Specifically, in poultry, the prevalence ranged from 7.9% to 37.5%; in cattle, from 3.21% to 29%; in pigs, from 0% to 53.9%; and in sheep and goats, from 4.4% to 25%. Among livestock farm/abattoir workers, the prevalence of MRSA ranged from 3.1% to 71.4%. The MRSA isolates from Nigeria’s livestock production systems displayed pathogenic potential with various S. aureus protein A (spa) types and clonal complexes (CC) as determined by Based Upon Repeat Pattern (BURP) analysis. These isolates carried genes associated with virulence factors such as enterotoxins, exfoliative toxins, and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL). One reviewed study documented the identification of the characteristic livestock-associated MRSA CC398 using Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) analysis. The livestock production system serves as a potential source and vehicle for the emergence and transmission of MRSA in Nigeria. To effectively prevent and control these infections, continuous monitoring using the “One Health” approach is recommended.