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  • Experimental Acquisition, M...
    Herrera, Andrea L; Chaussee, Michael S; Pietri, Jose E

    The Journal of infectious diseases, 2024-Jan-12, Letnik: 229, Številka: 1
    Journal Article

    Abstract Here, we fed bed bugs through a membrane contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at a concentration naturally present on human skin. We then determined the amount of viable MRSA present on their surface and internally over a period of 7 days. We also determined whether bed bugs that fed through the contaminated membrane could transmit MRSA to an uncontaminated membrane when taking a second blood meal 7 days later. Bed bugs acquired MRSA both externally on the cuticle surface as well as internally when feeding. MRSA was found to persist for 7 days both externally and internally in some bed bugs. Furthermore, MRSA replicated internally but not externally. Most importantly, bed bugs were able to transmit MRSA to an uncontaminated membrane feeder in 2 of 3 trials. These findings provide the first experimental support for the hypothesis that bed bugs may contribute to the transmission of MRSA in some settings. Our findings provide the first experimental support for the hypothesis that bed bugs may contribute to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission in some settings, but additional clinical and epidemiological investigations are needed to establish a link between bed bugs and MRSA infection.