Members of the genus Staphylococcus are widespread in nature and occupy a variety of niches, however, staphylococcal colonization of animals in the Antarctic environment has not been adequately studied. Here, we describe the first isolation and characterization of two Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) members, Staphylococcus delphini and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, in Antarctic wildlife. Staphylococcus delphini were found exclusively in Adélie penguins. The report of S. pseudintermedius from Weddell seals confirmed its occurrence in all families of the suborder Caniformia. Partial RNA polymerase beta-subunit (rpoB) gene sequencing, repetitive PCR fingerprinting with the (GTG)5 primer, and matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry gave consistent identification results and proved to be suitable for identifying SIG members. Comparative genomics of S. delphini isolates revealed variable genomic elements, including new prophages, a novel phage-inducible chromosomal island, and numerous putative virulence factors. Surface and extracellular protein distribution were compared between genomes and showed strain-specific profiles. The pathogenic potential of S. delphini was enhanced by a novel type of exfoliative toxin, trypsin-like serine protease cluster, and enterotoxin C. Detailed analysis of phenotypic characteristics performed on six Antarctic isolates of S. delphini and eight reference strains from different animal sources enabled us to emend the species description of S. delphini.

• Keywords
• Adélie penguin, Antarctica, Staphylococcus delphini, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Weddell seal, exfoliative toxin, mobile genetic elements, surface proteins,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The Staphylococcus strains acquired from scrapings from hospital environments were identified to the species level based on their biochemical properties. From the monitored sample the Staphylococcus epidermidis strains were selected for more accurate typing and tested on their virulence factor and ribotyped. The biotyping of S. epidermidis did not show any considerable intraspecific variation of these isolates and there were no atypical reactions, with the exception of three strains (out of 33). In contrast, the results of ribotyping showed greater heterogeneity of strains and unequivocally demonstrated the relation between the ribotype and the place of sample drawing. In addition to this fact, the found ribotypes repeat in the same environment in the long-term which suggests the occurrence and persistence of the same strains of conditionally pathogenic bacteria in hospital environment. We showed that ribotyping is a suitable method for precise and reliable detection of some coagulase-negative staphylococci.

• MeSH
• Phenotype MeSH
• Cross Infection microbiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Ribotyping MeSH
• Serotyping MeSH
• Cluster Analysis MeSH
• Staphylococcal Infections microbiology   MeSH
• Staphylococcus epidermidis classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH