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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

First report of infection with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in South America

Apoena Ribeiro1, Cícero Dias, Maria Cícera Silva-Carvalho

  • 1Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has spread to South America. This finding is significant as these strains share specific genetic markers like SCCmec type IV.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emerging pathogen.
  • CA-MRSA has been identified in the southwestern Pacific, North America, and Europe.
  • Specific genetic markers, including SCCmec type IV and lukS-lukF genes, are common in CA-MRSA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and genetic characteristics of CA-MRSA in South America.
  • To determine if typical CA-MRSA strains have disseminated to Brazil.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from South America.
  • Genetic characterization of isolates, focusing on SCCmec type and lukS-lukF genes.

Main Results:

  • Typical CA-MRSA isolates have been identified in South America (Brazil).
  • These isolates share genetic features with CA-MRSA strains found in other regions.

Conclusions:

  • CA-MRSA has successfully spread to South America.
  • The genetic similarity suggests successful dissemination of specific CA-MRSA clones globally.

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