Whole-genome sequencing reveals widespread presence of Staphylococcus capitis NRCS-A clone in neonatal units across the United Kingdom

UKHSA S. capitis Incident Management Team

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Increased incidence of neonatal Staphylococcus capitis bacteraemia in summer 2020, London, raised suspicion of widespread multidrug-resistant clone NRCS-A. We set out to investigate the molecular epidemiology of this clone in neonatal units (NNUs) across the UK. Methods: We conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on presumptive S. capitis NRCS-A isolates collected from infants admitted to nationwide NNUs and from environmental sampling in two distinct NNUs in 2021. Previously published S. capitis genomes were added for comparison. Genetic clusters of NRCS-A isolates were defined based on core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Results: We analysed WGS data of 838 S. capitis isolates and identified 750 NRCS-A isolates. We discovered a possible UK-specific NRCS-A lineage consisting of 611 isolates collected between 2005 and 2021. We determined 28 genetic clusters of NRCS-A isolates, which covered all geographical regions in the UK, and isolates of 19 genetic clusters were found in ≥2 regions, suggesting inter-regional spread. Within the NRCS-A clone, strong genetic relatedness was identified between contemporary clinical and incubator-associated fomite isolates and between clinical isolates associated with inter-hospital infant transfer. Conclusions: This WGS-based study confirms the dispersion of S. capitis NRCS-A clone amongst NNUs across the UK and urges research on improving clinical management of neonatal S. capitis infection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)210-219
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Infection
Volume87
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023

Keywords

  • Bacteraemia
  • Molecular epidemiology
  • NRCS-A clone
  • Neonatal units
  • Phylogenetics
  • Population structure
  • Staphylococcus capitis
  • Whole-genome sequencing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Whole-genome sequencing reveals widespread presence of Staphylococcus capitis NRCS-A clone in neonatal units across the United Kingdom'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this