First detection of LA-MRSA CC398 spa type t899 (APHA06/PHE399790) from UK poultry and pheasant, harbouring human fSa3-immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes, sak, scn and chp.

We report on the first detection of LA-MRSA CC398 spa type t899 (APHA06/PHE399790) from UK poultry and pheasant, harbouring human fSa3-immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes, sak, scn and chp. Phylogenetic reconstruction clustered both isolates within the t899 cluster with isolates from continental Europe but on a different branch to t899 isolates from UK retail meat indicating these were separate incursions. Acquisition of IEC genes in livestock LA-MRSA has been regarded as re-adaptation to human hosts.