Details of Staphylococcus spp. isolates used in a Staphylococcus aureus Host-Adaptation Study

A large-scale population genomic approach was used to provide a global perspective of the host-switching events that have defined the evolution of Staphylococcus aureus in the context of its host-species. To investigate the genetic basis of host-adaptation, we performed genome-wide association analysis, revealing an array of accessory genes linked to S. aureus host-specificity. In addition, positive selection analysis identified biological pathways encoded in the core genome that are under diversifying selection in different host-species, suggesting a role in host-adaptation. These findings provide a high-resolution view of the evolutionary landscape of a model multi-host pathogen and its capacity to undergo changes in host ecology by genetic adaptation.