MRSA in the Pandemic Era: Genomic Insights and Implications for Future Preparedness
Abstract
Tracking trends in pathogens like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) over key time periods is vital for understanding pathogen dynamics and supporting pandemic preparedness. This study used a large urban hospital in Toronto, Ontario, as a pilot site for genomic and bioinformatic analysis of MRSA before and during the pandemic to identify potential changes in circulating strains and resistance profiles. The relative frequency of the dominant clonal complex (CC8) plateaued over the pandemic after years of increases, and overall MRSA genetic diversity decreased, suggesting that pandemic-related movement restrictions may have impacted circulating strains. Increases in plasmid-mediated resistance were observed for key antibiotics such as mupirocin and fusidic acid. Additionally, user-informed MRSA outbreak prototype reports were developed to enhance the communication of genomic data to clinical and public health professionals. These findings provide insights that can inform MRSA surveillance efforts by highlighting the importance of integrating genomic data into routine practice.