Public health implications of multidrugresistant and methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus in retail oysters

This study investigates the role of Egyptian oysters as a source for Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, and multidrug-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDR-MRSA). The prevalence of S. aureus was 39.4%, with 77% classified as MDR. MDR-MRSA isolates were 46.2%, with 66.7% possessing the mecA gene and 16.7% testing positive for the mecC gene. The tsst-1 gene was identified in one isolate. The study highlights oysters as a potential source for spreading MDR-MRSA isolates, posing a threat to food safety and public health.