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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
[Evidence-based infection control methods using spa genotyping for MRSA spread in hospitals]
A Mellmann1, A W Friedrich, F Kipp
1Institut für Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Münster. mellmann@uni-muenster.de
Background And Objective:
Isolation of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) often implies rigorous infection control measures. The use of rapid and accurate typing is required to monitor their spread. Prompt identification of epidemic MRSA is crucial to control an outbreak, in order to avoid unnecessary interventions in patients and staff. In this study we evaluated protein A ( spa) gene repeat sequence analysis for MRSA typing in a hospital.
Methods:
In 2003, all non-replicate MRSA-strains from staff and patients admitted to the University Hospital Münster (1480 beds), Germany, were spa typed. The spa types were assigned using the Ridom StaphType software. Typing results were correlated with the epidemiological findings of each MRSA isolate.
Results:
Assignment of spa types was possible for all 175 MRSA isolates and provided rapid (mean, 2 days) typing results. spa typing method yielded 34 spa types. Synchronizing the sequencing results with a central database (http://www.spaServer.ridom.de) created a reproducible and uniform nomenclature for easy intra- and inter-hospital comparisons.
Conclusion:
spa typing makes continuous and fast MRSA typing possible for hospital isolates. The differentiation between outbreaks and accidental accumulations due to imported MRSA was easily possible and allowed implementation of focused and evidence-based infection control measures.
Insights
Protein A (spa) gene sequencing provides rapid and accurate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) typing in hospitals. This method quickly identifies MRSA strains, enabling targeted infection control and distinguishing outbreaks from imported cases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Context:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant healthcare challenge, necessitating effective infection control.
- Rapid and accurate typing methods are essential for monitoring MRSA spread and managing outbreaks.
- Hospital-acquired infections require timely identification of causative agents to prevent further transmission.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the utility of protein A (spa) gene repeat sequence analysis for typing MRSA isolates within a hospital setting.
- To assess the speed and accuracy of spa typing for routine clinical use.
- To determine if spa typing can aid in differentiating between hospital-acquired outbreaks and imported MRSA cases.
Summary:
- A study at University Hospital Münster (1480 beds) in 2003 involved spa typing of 175 non-replicate MRSA strains from patients and staff.
- The spa typing method, utilizing Ridom StaphType software, successfully assigned types to all isolates within an average of 2 days.
- Results revealed 34 distinct spa types, with synchronization to a central database (spaServer.ridom.de) ensuring reproducible nomenclature for comparisons.
Impact:
- spa typing enables continuous and rapid characterization of MRSA isolates in hospitals.
- This method facilitates the distinction between true outbreaks and sporadic introductions of MRSA.
- Implementation of focused, evidence-based infection control measures is supported by rapid and accurate MRSA typing.
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