Phylogenomic associations among methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> isolates derived from pets, dairies, and humans

Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) infections are a major medical concern, causing a range of conditions from skin infections and invasive disease to death. MRSA was discovered as a nosocomial infection; however, it has since been isolated in communities and animals worldwide. This research was significant because canine and bulk tank milk isolates were found to have genomic relatedness to human and domestic animal <i>S. aureus</i> isolates. This genetic relatedness implies either a parallel evolution within hosts converging to successful genotypes or real interspecies transmission events among animals and humans.