The whole-genome sequencing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates to identify resistance gene clusters, as well as pathogenicity, adhesion and invasion factors

Staphylococcal food poisoning is caused by eating food contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and is a public health problem worldwide. The reservoir of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains can be food products of animal origin, especially milk and cheese. Intoxication occurs due to the entry of staphylococcal exotoxins (SE) into the human body. Clinical use of methicillin has led to the emergence of methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus. The development NGS has contributed to the development of molecular epidemiology based on whole-genome sequencing. For example, Bingjie Wang et al. performed WGS of 565 Chinese S. aureus isolates for genomic and phenotypic characteristics [40]. In study Mikhailova Yu. et al. 35 isolates were characterized using whole-genome sequencing for resistance and virulence determinants, as well as plasmid replicon sequences and CRISPR/Cas systems. Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus collected from a wide range food products in various regions of Russia. The program involves studying prevalence of S. aureus strains circulating in Kazakhstan and studying their characteristics. The scientific novelty of the proposed project lies in the fact that for the first time in the Kazakhstan, whole-genome sequencing of S. aureus isolates will be carried out to identify clusters of resistance genes, pathogenicity, adhesion and invasion factors. In addition, the obtained genetic characteristics of the isolates will supplement international databases that will be used in the investigation of the disease outbreak.