EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) INFECTIONS IN EUROPEAN HEDGEHOGS (ERINACEUS EUROPAEUS) TREATED AT A WILDLIFE HEALTH CENTER IN NORTHWESTERN FRANCE

The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is commonly observed in France, residing near human facilities, and is the most frequently treated mammal species in wildlife rehabilitation centers. Consequently, contacts with humans can lead to the potential transmission of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, between species. Although the presence of S. aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), has been documented in hedgehogs across Europe, the situation in France remains unclear. We assessed 139 hedgehogs representative of those typically admitted to our Wildlife Health Center. Carriage of MRSA was determined, and MRSA-positive individuals were characterized clinically and epidemiologically to identify potential risk factors of MRSA carriage. We found an 18% MRSA carriage rate, with 76% of the strains exhibiting the mecC resistance gene. Adult males constituted 60% of the MRSA-positive cases, predominantly found in spring and displaying skin lesions, particularly "dirty wounds." Multivariate logistic regression identified "age", "sex", "human density", "dirty wounds", and "respiratory troubles" as significantly associated with MRSA carriage in these hedgehogs. Our study establishes a foundation for improved monitoring of health conditions in French hedgehogs and their MRSA carriage, offering new insights for enhancing biosecurity measures in wildlife rehabilitation centers by pinpointing high-risk individuals.