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Re-emergence of early pandemic Staphylococcus aureus as a community-acquired meticillin-resistant clone

D Ashley Robinson1, Angela M Kearns, Anne Holmes

  • 1Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.

Lancet (London, England)
|April 7, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The notorious Staphylococcus aureus phage type 80/81 clone, once eliminated, is re-emerging. Descendants show meticillin resistance and are linked to community-acquired infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus phage type 80/81 clone caused significant global infections in the 1950s.
  • This clone was largely eradicated by the 1960s due to the introduction of penicillinase-resistant beta-lactam antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of Panton-Valentine leucocidin genes in early 80/81 isolates.
  • To determine the evolutionary trajectory and current prevalence of the 80/81 lineage.

Main Methods:

  • Multilocus sequence analysis was employed to trace the genetic lineage of Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Isolates were analyzed for the presence of specific virulence genes, including Panton-Valentine leucocidin.

Main Results:

  • Descendants of the 80/81 clone have acquired meticillin resistance.
  • The 80/81 lineage is re-emerging as a significant cause of community-acquired infections.
  • This re-emerging clone represents a distinct lineage closely related to pandemic hospital-acquired MRSA strains.

Conclusions:

  • The 80/81 Staphylococcus aureus clone is evolving and re-emerging with meticillin resistance.
  • This re-emergence poses a renewed threat for community-acquired infections.
  • Understanding the genetic adaptations of this clone is crucial for public health interventions.

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