Prevalence of MecA and MecC Genes from Cattle and Livestock Marketers at Shinge Livestock Market in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Background: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the main causes of infections is associated with livestock, the community, and healthcare facilities. The mecA gene primarily mediates resistance, and the advent of mecC-positive MRSA presents difficulties for diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the molecular features of the mecA and mecC genes from cattle and livestock marketers at Shinge livestock market in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: In September and October of 2023, a laboratory-based observational study was carried out at the Shinge livestock market. Standard microbiological methods were used to identify MRSA from one hundred (100) cattle skin swabs and one hundred (100) nasal secretions from livestock marketers. The swabs were cultured on Manitol Salt Agar (MSA) at 37℃ for 24 hours. Cefoxitin disk using Kirby-Bauer diffusion technique was used to confirm methicillin resistance. Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to detect the mecA and mecC genes molecularly.
Result: Twenty-six (13%) of the 200 samples examined, sixteen (16) from livestock traders and ten (10) from cattle skin swabs were found to be MRSA. Molecular analysis revealed that 19.2% of isolates had mecA and 26.9% had mecC genes.
Conclusion: In the study populations, the prevalence rates of the mecA and mecC genes were 19.2% and 26.9%, respectively. Therefore, increased surveillance is essential to addressing MRSA resistance trends.

Methicillin resistancemecAmecCCefoxitinPCR

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