Antimicrobial Resistance in MRSA: A One Health Perspective on Animal, Plant, and Microbial Interactions

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is no longer simply a hospital problem; it has spread to communities, animals, and the environment, posing a significant public health risk. Its capacity to resist common antibiotics stems from the acquisition of resistance genes, particularly mecA and mecC, which enable it to survive and persist in diverse ecological settings. Wildlife and livestock play important roles in this cycle, serving as hidden reservoirs for MRSA and facilitating its transmission among animals, food systems, and humans. At the same time, the extensive use of antibiotics in agriculture has intensified the problem, increasing the persistence and spread of resistant strains across soil, water, and plant-associated environments and making MRSA more difficult to control in food production and beyond. With antibiotic resistance on the rise, researchers are increasingly exploring alternative approaches for MRSA management, including plant-based antimicrobials. Proper understanding on how MRSA evolves, spreads, and protects itself through mechanisms such as biofilm formation, genetic adaptability, and environmental persistence, is essential for developing more effective control strategies. This review adopts a One Health perspective, highlighting key themes such as livestock reservoirs, environmental and plant interactions, and major resistance mechanisms. The findings therefore shows the need for a coordinated response that promotes prudent antibiotic use, integrated surveillance across human, animal, and environmental sectors, strengthened biosecurity in agriculture, and policy-driven interventions that support antimicrobial stewardship and investment in alternative therapies to reduce the spread of MRSA.