Emergence of Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococci on Hand-Touching Surfaces in a University Town in Southwestern China: A Prevalence Study of Virulence and Resistance

Background: Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci are highly antibiotic-resistant pathogens and exhibit multiple virulence factors that threaten public health. However, few reports have evaluated the resistance and virulence of staphylococci in community settings. Objectives: This study surveyed the epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of staphylococci in the densely-populated university town of Kunming in Southwestern China. Methods: Various strains were isolated from hand-touching surfaces in Chenggong University Town, China, and identified via 16S rRNA sequencing. Staphylococci were isolated, and drug resistance was determined via antibiotic sensitivitytesting. The mecA gene was verified and typed. Twelve virulence-associated genes and several disinfectant-resistance genes were determined. Results: One hundred sixty-three strains were collected from hand-touching surfaces, and more than a quarter of the isolates (46/163, 28.22%) were identified as staphylococci. Among the staphylococcal strains, 19 (41.30%) showed multidrug resistance, with resistance rates of more than 40% to benzyl-penicillin, erythromycin, oxacillin, and tetracycline. Twenty isolates (43.48%) carried mecA, and most staphylococcal cassette chromosome mecs (SCCmecs) were nontypeable. Twenty-eight strains (60.87%) carried at least one virulence gene; he molysin genes were the most prevalent, and 22 strains (47.83%) carried qac genes. Staphylococcus aureus strain ST59 carried multiple resistance and virulence genes. Conclusions: Resistant staphylococci can easily adhere to hand-touching surfaces. More attention should be given to the appearance of resistance and virulence gene-harboring staphylococci in community settings. The findings herein suggest that effective disinfectant strategies and feasible surveillance measures are urgently needed.