The public health crisis of antibiotic resistance has spurred studies of nonconventional antimicrobial approaches. Gallium is a promising and emerging approach to treating multidrug-resistant bacteria via a Trojan horse-like antimicrobial strategy or the physical disruption of bacterial activity. This study utilized experimental evolution to test the evolvability of gallium resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and potential correlated traits in metals, antibiotics, and polyfluorinated compounds and their genomics foundations. Whole-genome sequencing was utilized to reveal the functional networks of mutations associated with gallium resistance. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation was used to visualize the distinct morphological changes on the surface of the gallium-resistant populations and compared to the control populations. As demonstrated by these studies, S. aureus evolved resistance to gallium after 20 days of selection. Furthermore, these populations displayed correlated traits to heavy metals, and polyfluorinated compounds. In contrast, the gallium-resistant populations were very sensitive to antibiotics. Whole-genome analysis revealed significant polymorphisms in the gallium (III)-resistant populations including, staphyloferrinA export MFS transporter/D ornithine citrate ligase (sfaA/sfaD), teichoic acid D Ala esterase (fmtA), DUF3169 family protein (KQ76_RS01520), and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (KQ76_RS08360), while the following polymorphisms in ABC transporter permease subunit (pstC) and acyltransferase family protein (KQ76_RS04365) were unique to the control populations. Polymorphisms directly affected the cell’s morphology. SEM images showed significant external ultrastructural changes in the gallium-selected bacterial cells compared to the control cells. Our study confirmed that using gallium as antimicrobials can have significant health and environmental implications.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is among the leading causes of bacterial infections worldwide. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is of public health importance, is gaining interest in veterinary medicine due to its zoonotic potential. Dogs are a major reservoir for zoonotic-infection-causing bacteria, including MRSA. This study investigated the prevalence of MRSA and MSSA in dogs in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and determined their antibiotic resistance patterns.

Methods: A total of 173 nasal swab samples were collected from dogs in residential areas of Ibadan, Nigeria. S. aureus was isolated using standard microbiological procedures. Furthermore, Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Overall, the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was 44/173 (25.4%). The prevalence of MRSA was 11.6% (20/173), while that of MSSA was 13.9% (24/173). Also, the frequency of antibiotic resistance in the MRSA (75%) isolates was higher than that in the MSSA (59.5%) isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles revealed a high prevalence of multidrug resistance, MDR (79.5%; 35/44), and Extensive Drug Resistance, XDR (11.4%; 5/44), in all S. aureus isolates. Additionally, 100% (20/20) of MRSA and 66.7% (16/24) of MSSA showed MDR. Also, 25% (5/20) of MRSA and none of the MSSA showed XDR. This study revealed five different MRSA antibiotypes, where FOX-TE-P-AMP-E, at 60% (12/20), was predominant; likewise, five different MSSA antibiotypes were found, and TE-P-AMP-E, at 45.8% (11/24), was predominant.

Conclusion: The high multidrug resistance and the occurrence of MRSA and MSSA are evidence of continuous antimicrobial exposure, indiscriminate access to and use of antibiotics, and a dense urban population, making the transfer and acquisition of resistance genes easy. It is strongly advised to implement and enforce infection control measures and promote responsible antibiotic usage at all levels to enhance overall public health outcomes.